Zelophehad's Daughters and Joshua's Call
Numbers 27
The daughters of Salpaad ask for their father's inheritance since he died leaving no sons, and the Lord rules in their favor and sets out the order of inheritance for such cases. The Lord then tells Moses he will view the land from a mountain but not enter it, and Joshua is publicly commissioned as his successor before Eleazar the priest and the congregation.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonTHEN came the daughters of Salpaad, son of Opher, son of Galaad, son of Machir, of the community of Manasses, one of the sons of Joseph (now these were their names; Maala, and Nua, and Egla, and Melcha, and Thersa)
BrentonAnd the daughters of Salpaad the son of Opher, the son of Galaad, the son of Machir, of the tribe of Manasse, of the sons of Joseph, came near; and these were their names, Maala, and Nua, and Egla, and Melcha, and Thersa;
GreekΚαὶ προσελθοῦσαι αἱ θυγατέρες Σαλπαὰδ υἱοῦ Ὀφὲρ, υἱοῦ Γαλαὰδ, υἱοῦ Μαχιρ, τοῦ δήμου Μανασσῆ, τῶν υἱῶν Ἰωσὴφ, καὶ ταῦτα τὰ ὀνόματα αὐτῶν, Μααλὰ, καὶ Νουὰ, καὶ Ἐγλὰ, καὶ Μελχὰ, καὶ Θερσὰ,
KJVThen came the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph: and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah.
JPSThen drew near the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph; and these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah.
2
Thomsonand standing before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the chiefs, and before the whole congregation, at the door of the tabernacle of the testimony, they said,
Brentonand they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes, and before all the congregation at the door of the tabernacle of witness, saying,
Greekκαὶ στᾶσαι ἔναντι Μωυσῆ, καὶ ἔναντι Ἐλεάζαρ τοῦ ἱερέως, καὶ ἔναντι τῶν ἀρχόντων, καὶ ἔναντι πάσης συναγωγῆς ἐπὶ τῆς θύρας τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου, λέγουσιν,
KJVAnd they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,
JPSAnd they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, at the door of the tent of meeting, saying:
3
ThomsonOur father died in the wilderness, but he was not among the congregation which conspired against the Lord, in the assembly of Kore. Because he died for his own sin,
BrentonOur father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the midst of the congregation that rebelled against the Lord in the gathering of Core; for he died for his own sin, and he had no sons. Let not the name of our father be blotted out of the midst of his people, because he has no son: give us an inheritance in the midst of our father's brethren.
Greekὁ πατὴρ ἡμῶν ἀπέθανεν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, καὶ αὐτὸς οὐκ ἦν ἐν μέσῳ τῆς συναγωγῆς τῆς ἐπισυστάσης ἔναντι Κυρίου ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ Κορὲ, ὅτι διʼ ἁμαρτίαν αὐτοῦ ἀπέθανε, καὶ υἱοὶ οὐκ ἐγένοντο αὐτῷ· μὴ ἐξαλειφθήτω τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν ἐκ μέσου τοῦ δήμου αὐτοῦ, ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτῷ υἱός· δότε ἡμῖν κατάσχεσιν ἐν μέσῳ ἀδελφῶν πατρὸς ἡμῶν.
KJVOur father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah; but died in his own sin, and had no sons.
JPS’Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not among the company of them that gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah, but he died in his own sin; and he had no sons.
4
ThomsonWhereupon Moses laid their case before the Lord.
BrentonAnd Moses brought their case before the Lord.
GreekΚαὶ προσήγαγε Μωυσῆν τὴν κρίσιν αὐτῶν ἔναντι Κυρίου.
KJVAnd Moses brought their cause before the LORD.
JPSAnd Moses brought their cause before the LORD.
5
ThomsonAnd the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
BrentonAnd the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν,
KJVAnd the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
JPSAnd the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:
6
ThomsonThe daughters of Salpaad have spoken right. Thou shalt give them the possession of an inheritance among their father’s brothers, and vest in them their father’s lot.
BrentonThe daughters of Salpaad have spoken rightly: thou shalt surely give them a possession of inheritance in the midst of their father's brethren, and thou shalt assign their father's inheritance to them.
Greekλέγεν, ὀρθῶς θυγατέρες Σαλπαὰδ λελαλήκασι· δόμα δώσεις αὐταῖς κατάσχεσιν κληρονομίας ἐν μέσῳ ἀδελφῶν πατρὸς αὐτῶν, καὶ περιθήσεις τὸν κλῆρον τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῶν αὐταῖς.
KJVThe daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father’s brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them.
JPS’The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father’s brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them.
7
Thomson—
BrentonAnd thou shalt speak to the children of Israel, saying,
GreekΚαὶ τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραὴλ λαλήσεις,
KJVAnd thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter.
JPSAnd thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying: If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter.
8
ThomsonAnd thou shalt say to the children of Israel, If any man die, and hath no son, you shall vest his inheritance in his daughter;
BrentonIf a man die, and have no son, ye shall assign his inheritance to his daughter.
Greekλέγων, ἄνθρωπος ἐὰν ἀποθάνῃ, καὶ υἱὸς μὴ ᾖ αὐτῷ, περιθήσετε τὴν κληρονομίαν αὐτοῦ τῇ θυγατρὶ αὐτοῦ·
KJV—
JPS—
9
Thomsonand if he hath no daughter, you shall give his inheritance to his brother;
BrentonAnd if he have no daughter, ye shall give his inheritance to his brother.
GreekἘὰν δὲ μὴ ᾖ θυγάτηρ αὐτῷ, δώσετε τὴν κληρονομίαν τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren.
JPSAnd if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren.
10
Thomsonand if he hath no brothers, you shall give his inheritance to his father’s brother;
BrentonAnd if he have no brethren, ye shall give his inheritance to his father's brother.
GreekἘὰν δὲ μὴ ὦσιν αὐτῷ ἀδελφοὶ, δώσετε τὴν κληρονομίαν τῷ ἀδελφῷ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father’s brethren.
JPSAnd if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father’s brethren.
11
Thomsonand if there be no brothers of his father, you shall give the inheritance to one of his house, who is the nearest of kin to him, of his tribe, that he may inherit what belonged to him. And this shall be to the children of Israel a rule of decision, as the Lord commanded Moses.
BrentonAnd if there be no brethren of his father, ye shall give the inheritance to his nearest relation of his tribe, to inherit his possessions; and this shall be to the children of Israel an ordinance of judgment, as the Lord commanded Moses.
GreekἘὰν δὲ μὴ ὦσιν ἀδελφοὶ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ, δώσετε τὴν κληρονομίαν τῷ οἰκείῳ τῷ ἔγγιστα αὐτοῦ ἐκ τῆς φυλῆς αὐτοῦ, κληρονομῆσαι τὰ αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἔσται τοῦτο τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραὴλ δικαίωμα κρίσεως, καθὰ συνέταξε Κύριος τῷ Μωυσῇ.
KJVAnd if his father have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the LORD commanded Moses.
JPSAnd if his father have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it. And it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the LORD commanded Moses.’
12
ThomsonThen the Lord said to Moses, Go up that mountain which is on the bank of the Jordan—that mount Nabo, and take a view of the land of Chanaan, which I give to the children of Israel, by a possessory right.
BrentonAnd the Lord said to Moses, Go up to the mountain that is in the country beyond Jordan, this mount Nabau, and behold the land Chanaan, which I give to the sons of Israel for a possession.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν, ἀνάβηθι εἰς τὸ ὄρος τὸ ἐν τῷ πέραν τοῦ Ἰορδάνου, τοῦτο τὸ ὄρος Ναβαὺ, καὶ ἴδε τὴν γῆν Χαναὰν, ἣν ἐγὼ δίδωμι τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραὴλ ἐν κατασχέσει.
KJVAnd the LORD said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel.
JPSAnd the LORD said unto Moses: ‘Get thee up into this mountain of Abarim, and behold the land which I have given unto the children of Israel.
13
ThomsonAnd when thou hast seen it, thou shalt be gathered to thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered on mount Or,
BrentonAnd thou shalt see it, and thou also shalt be added to thy people, as Aaron thy brother was added to them in mount Or:
GreekΚαὶ ὄψῃ αὐτὴν, καὶ προστεθήσῃ πρὸς τὸν λαόν σου καὶ σὺ, καθὰ προσετέθη Ἀαρὼν ὁ ἀδελφός σου ἐν Ὢρ τῷ ὄρει.
KJVAnd when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered.
JPSAnd when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered;
14
Thomsonbecause you transgressed my command in the wilderness of Sin. When the people resisted the hallowing of me, you did not hallow me at the water before them. (This alludeth to the water of strife at Kades in the wilderness.)
Brentonbecause ye transgressed my commandment in the wilderness of Sin, when the congregation resisted and refused to sanctify me; ye sanctified me not at the water before them. This is the water of Strife in Cades in the wilderness of Sin.
GreekΔιότι παρέβητε τὸ ῥῆμά μου ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ Σὶν, ἐν τῷ ἀντιπίπτειν τὴν συναγωγὴν ἁγιάσαι με, οὐχ ἡγιάσατέ με ἐπὶ τῷ ὕδατι ἔναντι αὐτῶν· τοῦτʼ ἔστι τὸ ὕδωρ ἀντιλογίας ἐν Κάδης ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ Σίν.
KJVFor ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.
JPSbecause ye rebelled against My commandment in the wilderness of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify Me at the waters before their eyes.’—These are the waters of Meribath-kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.—
15
ThomsonUpon this Moses said to the Lord,
BrentonAnd Moses said to the Lord,
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Μωυσῆς πρὸς Κύριον,
KJVAnd Moses spake unto the LORD, saying,
JPSAnd Moses spoke unto the LORD, saying:
16
ThomsonLet the Lord, the God of the spirits, and of all flesh, look out a man to be set over this congregation, who shall go out before them, and come in before them;
BrentonLet the Lord God of spirits and of all flesh look out for a man over this congregation,
Greekἐπισκεψάσθω Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς τῶν πνευμάτων καὶ πάσης σαρκὸς ἄνθρωπον ἐπὶ τῆς συναγωγῆς ταύτης,
KJVLet the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,
JPS’Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,
17
Thomsonand who shall lead them out, and bring them in; so that the congregation of the Lord may not be like a flock which hath no shepherd.
Brentonwho shall go out before them, and who shall come in before them, and who shall lead them out, and who shall bring them in; so the congregation of the Lord shall not be as sheep without a shepherd.
Greekὅστις ἐξελεύσεται πρὸ προσώπου αὐτῶν, καὶ ὅστις εἰσελεύσεται πρὸ προσώπου αὐτῶν, καὶ ὅστις ἐξάξει αὐτοὺς, καὶ ὃστις εἰσάξει αὐτοὺς, καὶ οὐκ ἔσται ἡ συναγωγὴ Κυρίου ὡσεὶ πρόβατα οἷς οὐκ ἔστι ποιμήν.
KJVWhich may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.
JPSwho may go out before them, and who may come in before them, and who may lead them out, and who may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.’
18
ThomsonThen the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Take as thy associate Joshua, son of Naue, a man who hath a spirit in him, and thou shalt lay thy hands on him,
BrentonAnd the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Take to thyself Joshua the son of Naue, a man who has the Spirit in him, and thou shalt lay thy hands upon him.
GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν, λέγων, λάβε πρὸς σεαυτὸν Ἰησοῦν υἱὸν Ναυὴ, ἄνθρωπον ὃς ἔχει πνεῦμα ἐν ἑαυτῷ, καὶ ἐπιθήσεις τὰς χεῖράς σου ἐπʼ αὐτόν·
KJVAnd the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him;
JPSAnd the LORD said unto Moses: ‘Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is spirit, and lay thy hand upon him;
19
Thomsonand set him before Eleazar, the priest, and give him a charge before the whole congregation, and give a charge before them concerning him.
BrentonAnd thou shalt set him before Eleazar the priest, and thou shalt give him a charge before all the congregation, and thou shalt give a charge concerning him before them.
GreekΚαὶ στήσεις αὐτὸν ἔναντι Ἐλεάζαρ τοῦ ἱερέως, καὶ ἐντελῇ αὐτῷ ἔναντι πάσης συναγωγῆς, καὶ ἐντελῇ περὶ αὐτοῦ ἐναντίον αὐτῶν.
KJVAnd set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight.
JPSand set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight.
20
ThomsonAnd thou shalt put some of thy glory on him, that the children of Israel may hearken to him.
BrentonAnd thou shalt put of thy glory upon him, that the children of Israel may hearken to him.
GreekΚαὶ δώσεις τῆς δόξης σου ἐπʼ αὐτὸν, ὅπως ἂν εἰσακούσωσιν αὐτοῦ οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραήλ.
KJVAnd thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.
JPSAnd thou shalt put of thy honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may hearken.
21
ThomsonAnd he shall stand before Eleazar, the priest, and they shall ask him the determination of the manifestations before the Lord. And at his command they shall go out; and at his command he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation, shall come in.
BrentonAnd he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, and they shall ask of him before the Lord the judgment of the Urim: they shall go forth at his word, and at his word they shall come in, he and the children of Israel with one accord, and all the congregation.
GreekΚαὶ ἔναντι Ἐλεάζαρ τοῦ ἱερέως στήσεται, καὶ ἐπερωτήσουσιν αὐτὸν τὴν κρίσιν τῶν δήλων ἔναντι Κυρίου· ἐπὶ τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ ἐξελεύσονται, καὶ ἐπὶ τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ εἰσελεύσονται αὐτὸς καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ ὁμοθυμαδὸν, καὶ πᾶσα ἡ συναγωγή.
KJVAnd he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.
JPSAnd he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the LORD; at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.’
22
ThomsonSo Moses did as the Lord commanded him; and having taken Joshua, he set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation,
BrentonAnd Moses did as the Lord commanded him; and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation.
GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησε Μωυσῆς καθὰ ἐνετείλατο αὐτῷ Κύριος· καὶ λαβὼν τὸν Ἰησοῦν, ἔστησεν αὐτὸν ἐναντίον Ἐλεάζαρ τοῦ ἱερέως, καὶ ἐναντίον πάσης συναγωγῆς,
KJVAnd Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation:
JPSAnd Moses did as the LORD commanded him; and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation.
23
Thomsonand laid his hands on him, and made him his associate, as the Lord commanded Moses.
BrentonAnd he laid his hands on him, and appointed him as the Lord ordered Moses.
Greekκαὶ ἐπέθηκε τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ ἐπʼ αὐτὸν, καὶ συνέστησεν αὐτὸν καθάπερ συνέταξε Κύριος τῷ Μωυσῇ.
KJVAnd he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.
JPSAnd he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD spoke by the hand of Moses.