What about the daughters of Zelophehad?

 

Chapter twenty-six of the Book of Numbers lists all the male descendants twenty years old or older from the twelve tribes of Israel who were eligible to go to war.

After the plague had ended, the Lord said to Moses and to Eleazar son of Aaron the priest, “From the whole community of Israel, record the names of all the warriors by their families. List all the men twenty years old or older who are able to go to war.” – Numbers 26:1-2 (NLT)

From Rueben, 43,730.

From Simeon, 22,200.

From Gad, 40,500.

From Judah, 76,500.

From Issachar, 64,300.

From Zebulun, 60,500.

From Manasseh, 52,700.

From Ephraim, 32,500.

From Benjamin, 45,600.

From Dan, 64,400.

From Asher, 53,400.

From Naphtali, 45,400.

In reading through the list of clans and subclans (v 5-50), we come across an anomaly.

(One of Hepher’s descendants, Zelophehad, had no sons, but his daughters’ names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.) – Numbers 26:33 (NLT)

Out of the 52,700 descendants from the Tribe of Manasseh, Zelophehad’s five daughters were not included, as that number comprised only the men of Israel twenty years old and older, just as the Lord commanded Moses (v 4), so instead they are given honourable mention.

As women, to be mentioned at all was unusual for that era when women, because they were mostly considered of little to no value, remained unnamed. Additionally, the fact that they are each mentioned by name is an indication that they mattered in some way, that their story was noteworthy.

Long story short…

The girls’ father, Zelophehad, on the journey to the Promise Land had died in the wilderness without male descendants so, his daughters, Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah were faced with a serious legal dilemma.

You see, in those days only men were allowed to inherit land and according to God’s instruction, the Promise Land was to be divided between the tribes with the exception of the Tribe of Levi, the priests, since they did not receive an allotment.

Each member of the new generation of men listed on the census, was assigned a specific portion by name. Because only the men were counted on this census, Zelophehad’s daughters had nothing to get – neither land nor wealth. As per the laws at that time, only sons inherited the land and wealth of their fathers.

Recognizing the unfairness of this law, these five young sisters, in an effort to claim what should be rightfully theirs, confronted Moses, Eleazar the priest, the tribal leaders, and the entire community at the entrance of the Tabernacle (Numbers 27:2).

Moses presented their case to God.

So Moses brought their case before the Lord. And the Lord replied to Moses, “The claim of the daughters of Zelophehad is legitimate. You must give them a grant of land along with their father’s relatives. Assign them the property that would have been given to their father.” – Numbers 27:5-7 (NLT)

Together, Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah challenged the laws of Israel (see v 1-4) and in doing so, ignited a fire that brought about a change that positively impacted all women in Israel.

These courageous sisters’ actions, set a legal precedent which allowed daughters to inherit their fathers’ property in the absence of sons. A new order of inheritance was implemented.

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9 (NLT)

Beloved, be inspired by the daughters of Zelophehad, who, through their resilience, faith, boldness and sheer determination to see justice served, respectfully confronted injustice and inequality thereby forging a path of change, empowering the women of the day and leaving an indelible mark on the annals of history.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “What about the daughters of Zelophehad?” © 2026 July 25, 2026