Zelophehad
Son of Hepher; descendant of Manasseh by Machir (Jos 17:3). Died in the wilderness without male issue. He had no share in Korah's rebellion. His five daughters at the close of the second numbering came to Moses begging for their father's inheritance (Num 26:33; Num 26:27). Their petition was granted, and subsequently it was ordained that they and females under like circumstances should marry in their own tribe, that the tribal inheritances might not be confounded (Numbers 36).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Zelophehad
Zelophehad ze-lo'-fe-had (tslophchadh, meaning unknown): Head of a Manassite family who died without male issue (Nu 26:33; 27:1,7; 36:2,6,10-11; Jos 17:3; 1Ch 7:15). His daughters came to Moses and Eleazar and successfully pleaded for a possession for themselves (Nu 27:1 ff). This became the occasion for a law providing that in the case of a man dying without sons, the inheritance was to pass to his daughters if he had any. A further request is made (Nu 36:2 ff) by the heads of the Gileadite houses that the women who were given this right of inheritance should be compelled to marry members of their own tribe, so that the tribe may not lose them and their property. This is granted and becomes law among the Hebrews. ⇒See a list of verses on ZELOPHEHAD in the Bible. Gray says (ICC on Nu 26:33) that the "daughters" of Zelophehad are towns or clans. David Francis Roberts ⇒See also the McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible on Zelophehad
A Manassite who died during the wilderness journeyings, leaving no male issue. His five daughters successfully as- serted their claim to the inheritance of their father (Nu 26»' 27'"' 36-"", Jos 17', 1 Ch 7"). See vol. ii. pp. 1'29'' and 341". The LXX readings are : B laXruai eJit-ept in 1 Ch 7" ZairipadS ; A 2a.\?rad5 except in Jos 17' SoX^odo {bis).
Smith's Bible Dictionary on Zelophehad
(first-born), son of Zepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh. (Joshua 17:3) (B.C. before 1450.) He was apparently the second son of Hepher. (1 Chronicles 7:15) Zelophehad came out of Egypt with Moses, but died in the wilderness, as did the whole of that generation. (Numbers 14:35; 27:3) On his death without male heirs, his five daughters, just after the second numbering in the wilderness, came before Moses and Eleazar to claim the inheritance of their father in the tribe of Manasseh. The claim was admitted by divine direction. (Numbers 26:33; 27:1-11)
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Easton, M.G. (1893) Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd edn. Thomas Nelson. [Public Domain]
- Nave, O.J. (1897) Nave's Topical Bible. Topical Bible Publishing Co.. [Public Domain]
- Hastings, J. (ed.) (1909) A Dictionary of the Bible. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Smith, W. (ed.) (1884) Smith's Bible Dictionary. London: John Murray. [Public Domain]
- Fausset, A.R. (1878) Fausset's Bible Dictionary. [Public Domain]A Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopaedia