Numbers 27:4 Meaning and Explanation
“Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →They ask why their father's name should vanish from the family, and request to inherit his land.
The Context of Numbers 27:4
The daughters request inheritance rights to preserve their father's legacy.
What Does Numbers 27:4 Mean?
In Israel's culture, a person's name—their place and legacy—lived on through their offspring and their inheritance. The daughters frame the issue not as personal ambition but as preserving their father's name and standing within the tribe. Without land, the family name would be erased, as if Zelophehad had never been part of the community.
Their request is direct and reasonable: they ask for a possession among their father's male relatives, following the normal inheritance flow through the family. They do not challenge the system; they ask that the system be applied justly to a case the Law had not foreseen.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 27:4
What does Numbers 27:4 mean?
They ask why their father's name should vanish from the family, and request to inherit his land.
What is the context of Numbers 27:4?
The daughters request inheritance rights to preserve their father's legacy.