Numbers 27:3
New International Version
“Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among Korah’s followers, who banded together against the LORD, but he died for his own sin and left no sons.

New Living Translation
“Our father died in the wilderness,” they said. “He was not among Korah’s followers, who rebelled against the LORD; he died because of his own sin. But he had no sons.

English Standard Version
“Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah, but died for his own sin. And he had no sons.

Berean Standard Bible
“Our father died in the wilderness, but he was not among the followers of Korah who gathered together against the LORD. Instead, he died because of his own sin, and he had no sons.

King James Bible
Our 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.

New King James Version
“Our father died in the wilderness; but he was not in the company of those who gathered together against the LORD, in company with Korah, but he died in his own sin; and he had no sons.

New American Standard Bible
“Our father died in the wilderness, yet he was not among the group of those who gathered together against the LORD, in the group of Korah; but he died in his own sin, and he had no sons.

NASB 1995
“Our father died in the wilderness, yet he was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah; but he died in his own sin, and he had no sons.

NASB 1977
“Our father died in the wilderness, yet he was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah; but he died in his own sin, and he had no sons.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Our father died in the wilderness, yet he was not among the congregation of those who gathered themselves together against Yahweh in the congregation of Korah; but he died in his own sin, and he had no sons.

Amplified Bible
“Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among those who assembled together against the LORD in the company of Korah, but he died for his own sin [as did all those who rebelled at Kadesh], and he had no sons.

Christian Standard Bible
“Our father died in the wilderness, but he was not among Korah’s followers, who gathered together against the LORD. Instead, he died because of his own sin, and he had no sons.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Our father died in the wilderness, but he was not among Korah’s followers, who gathered together against the LORD. Instead, he died because of his own sin, and he had no sons.

American Standard Version
Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not among the company of them that gathered themselves together against Jehovah in the company of Korah: but he died in his own sin; and he had no sons.

Contemporary English Version
You know that our father died in the desert. But it was for something he did wrong, not for joining with Korah in rebelling against the LORD. Our father left no sons

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Our father died in the desert. He was not a part of Korah's followers who joined forces against the LORD. He died for his own sin and left no sons.

Good News Translation
"Our father died in the wilderness without leaving any sons. He was not among the followers of Korah, who rebelled against the LORD; he died because of his own sin.

International Standard Version
"Our father died in the wilderness, but he wasn't with the company of those who gathered against the LORD along with the company of Korah. He died in his own sin, and he had no sons.

Majority Standard Bible
“Our father died in the wilderness, but he was not among the followers of Korah who gathered together against the LORD. Instead, he died because of his own sin, and he had no sons.

NET Bible
"Our father died in the wilderness, although he was not part of the company of those that gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah; but he died for his own sin, and he had no sons.

New Heart English Bible
"Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah: but he died in his own sin; and he had no sons.

Webster's Bible Translation
Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that assembled themselves against the LORD in the company of Korah; but died in his own sin, and had no sons.

World English Bible
“Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against Yahweh in the company of Korah, but he died in his own sin. He had no sons.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the midst of the congregation who were gathered together against YHWH in the congregation of Korah, but he died for his own sin, and had no sons;

Young's Literal Translation
'Our father died in the wilderness, and he -- he was not in the midst of the company who were met together against Jehovah in the company of Korah, but for his own sin he died, and had no sons;

Smith's Literal Translation
Our father died in the desert, and he was not in the midst of the assembly of them being gathered together against Jehovah, in the assembly of Korah; for he died in his sin, and there were no sons to him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Our father died in the desert, and was not in the sedition, that was raised against the Lord under Core, but he died in his own sin: and he had no male children. Why is his name taken away out of his family, because he had no son? Give us a possession among the kinsmen of our father.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“Our father died in the desert, and was not with the sedition, which was stirred up against the Lord under Korah, but he died in his own sin; he had no male sons. Why is his name taken away from his family, because he had no son? Give us a possession among the kinsmen of our father.”

New American Bible
“Our father died in the wilderness. Although he did not join the faction of those who conspired against the LORD, Korah’s faction, he died for his own sin without leaving any sons.

New Revised Standard Version
“Our father died in the wilderness; he was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah, but died for his own sin; and he had no sons.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of those who revolted before the LORD in the company of Korah; but he died in his own sins and had no sons.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
“Our father died in the wilderness and was not within the assembly that rose up in front of LORD JEHOVAH in the company of Qorakh, because he died in his sins; he had no sons.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Our 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.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Daughters of Zelophehad
2the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and the whole congregation, and said, 3“Our father died in the wilderness, but he was not among the followers of Korah who gathered together against the LORD. Instead, he died because of his own sin, and he had no sons. 4Why should the name of our father disappear from his clan because he had no sons? Give us property among our father’s brothers.”…

Cross References
Joshua 17:3-6
But Zelophehad son of Hepher (the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh) had no sons but only daughters. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. / They approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders, and said, “The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers.” So Joshua gave them an inheritance among their father’s brothers, in keeping with the command of the LORD. / Thus ten shares fell to Manasseh, in addition to the land of Gilead and Bashan beyond the Jordan, ...

Numbers 26:33
Now Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons but only daughters. The names of his daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

Deuteronomy 25:5-6
When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her. / The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.

Job 42:15
No women as beautiful as Job’s daughters could be found in all the land, and their father granted them an inheritance among their brothers.

Genesis 38:8
Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife. Perform your duty as her brother-in-law and raise up offspring for your brother.”

Ruth 4:5-10
Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi and also from Ruth the Moabitess, you must also acquire the widow of the deceased in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.” / The kinsman-redeemer replied, “I cannot redeem it myself, or I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption, because I cannot redeem it.” / Now in former times in Israel, concerning the redemption or exchange of property, to make any matter legally binding a man would remove his sandal and give it to the other party, and this was a confirmation in Israel. ...

1 Chronicles 7:15
Machir took a wife from among the Huppites and Shuppites. The name of his sister was Maacah. Another descendant was named Zelophehad, who had only daughters.

Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Exodus 6:23
And Aaron married Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.

1 Timothy 5:8
If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

1 Corinthians 7:39
A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord.

Genesis 25:1-4
Now Abraham had taken another wife, named Keturah, / and she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. / Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were the Asshurites, the Letushites, and the Leummites. ...

Matthew 22:24
“Teacher,” they said, “Moses declared that if a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for him.

Mark 12:19
“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him.

Luke 20:28
“Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him.


Treasury of Scripture

Our 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.

why

Exodus 32:11
And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?

Psalm 109:13
Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out.

Proverbs 13:9
The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

done away.

Joshua 17:4
And they came near before Eleazar the priest, and before Joshua the son of Nun, and before the princes, saying, The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brethren. Therefore according to the commandment of the LORD he gave them an inheritance among the brethren of their father.

Jump to Previous
Assembled Band Banded Bled Company Death Desert Died Korah Korah's Met Midst Overtook Sin Themselves Together Waste Wilderness
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Assembled Band Banded Bled Company Death Desert Died Korah Korah's Met Midst Overtook Sin Themselves Together Waste Wilderness
Numbers 27
1. The daughters of Zelophehad ask for an inheritance
6. The law of inheritances
12. Moses, being told of his death, asks for a successor
18. Joshua is appointed to succeed him














Our father died in the wilderness
This phrase begins with a poignant acknowledgment of the death of the father of Zelophehad's daughters. The Hebrew word for "wilderness" is "midbar," which often signifies a place of desolation and testing. In the biblical narrative, the wilderness is where the Israelites wandered for forty years due to their disobedience and lack of faith. This setting underscores the trials and tribulations faced by the Israelites, and it is within this context of hardship that the daughters of Zelophehad make their plea. Their father’s death in the wilderness symbolizes the end of a generation that did not enter the Promised Land, yet it also sets the stage for a new beginning and a shift in inheritance laws.

but he was not among the followers of Korah
Here, the daughters clarify that their father was not part of Korah's rebellion. The Hebrew root for "followers" is "edah," meaning congregation or assembly. Korah's rebellion, as recorded in Numbers 16, was a significant event where Korah and his followers challenged the leadership of Moses and Aaron, resulting in divine judgment. By distancing their father from this rebellion, the daughters emphasize his innocence and loyalty to God’s appointed leaders. This distinction is crucial as it establishes their father’s integrity and righteousness, which strengthens their case for inheritance.

who banded together against the LORD
The phrase "banded together" comes from the Hebrew "no'ad," which implies a deliberate assembly or conspiracy. This rebellion against the LORD was not just against human leaders but against divine authority itself. The historical context of this rebellion highlights the severity of challenging God’s ordained order. The daughters’ assertion that their father was not part of this conspiracy further underscores his faithfulness and the legitimacy of their claim.

but he died for his own sin
This acknowledgment of personal sin reflects the biblical principle that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The Hebrew word for "sin" is "chet," which means to miss the mark. This admission shows humility and an understanding of human fallibility. It also aligns with the conservative Christian perspective that each individual is accountable for their own actions before God. The daughters’ recognition of their father’s sinfulness, yet distinction from the rebellion, presents a balanced view of justice and mercy.

and he had no sons
In ancient Israelite culture, inheritance typically passed through male descendants. The Hebrew word for "sons" is "ben," which signifies a builder of the family name. The absence of sons in Zelophehad’s family creates a legal and social dilemma, as property and family legacy were traditionally maintained through male heirs. This situation sets the stage for a significant legal precedent in Israelite law, where God instructs Moses to grant inheritance rights to daughters, thereby ensuring justice and continuity of the family line. This change reflects God’s compassion and fairness, emphasizing that His laws are adaptable to uphold righteousness and equity.

Verse 3. - He was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the Lord. He had not been amongst the two hundred and fifty who gathered themselves together in support of Korah s pretensions. It does not appear why they should have thought it necessary to make this statement, unless they felt that the fact of his having died without sons might raise suspicion against him as one who had greatly provoked the wrath of God. But died in his own sin. This cannot mean that Zelophehad was one of those who died in the wilderness in consequence of the rebellion at Kadesh (see the next note). Apparently his daughters meant to acknowledge that they had no complaint against the Divine justice because of their father's death, but only against the law because of the unnecessary hardship which it inflicted upon them.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Our father
אָבִינוּ֮ (’ā·ḇî·nū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 1: Father

died
מֵ֣ת (mêṯ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

in the wilderness,
בַּמִּדְבָּר֒ (bam·miḏ·bār)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

but he
וְה֨וּא (wə·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

was
הָיָ֜ה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

among
בְּת֣וֹךְ (bə·ṯō·wḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

the followers
הָעֵדָ֗ה (hā·‘ê·ḏāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5712: A stated assemblage

of Korah
קֹ֑רַח (qō·raḥ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7141: Korah -- an Edomite name, also an Israelite name

who gathered together
הַנּוֹעָדִ֛ים (han·nō·w·‘ā·ḏîm)
Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3259: To fix upon, to meet, to summon, to direct, to engage

against
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the LORD.
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

Instead,
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he died
מֵ֔ת (mêṯ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

because of his own sin,
בְחֶטְא֣וֹ (ḇə·ḥeṭ·’ōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2399: A crime, its penalty

and he had
הָ֥יוּ (hā·yū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

no
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

sons.
וּבָנִ֖ים (ū·ḇā·nîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1121: A son


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OT Law: Numbers 27:3 Our father died in the wilderness (Nu Num.)
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