Women in Israel had not, up to the present time, enjoyed any distinct
right of inheritance. Yet a father, whether sons had been born to him
or not, had the power, either before or at his death, to cause part of
his estate to pass to a daughter; in which case her husband married
into her family rathe... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION - The place of
solemn assembly of the elders. The daughters of Zelophehad made their
suit to the princes, the heads of tribes and of families, who were
making the census under the superintendence of Moses and Eleazar.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT DIED IN HIS OWN SIN - i. e., perished under the general sentence
of exclusion from the land of promise passed on all the older
generation, but limited to that generation alone. By virtue of the
declaration in Numbers 14:31 the daughters of Zelophehad claim that
their father’s sin should not be v... [ Continue Reading ]
GIVE UNTO US - As representing our father; that so he, through us his
representatives, may enjoy a like inheritance with his brethren.... [ Continue Reading ]
MOUNT ABARIM - See Numbers 21:20 note.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GOD OF THE SPIRITS OF ALL FLESH - An acknowledgment that man, who
is but flesh (compare Genesis 6:3), is of himself helpless; and
“lives and moves and has his being” in God Acts 17:28. The words
are suitably employed here to introduce an entreaty that God would not
leave the congregation without... [ Continue Reading ]
In whom is the spirit Compare Genesis 41:38. Joshua was endowed by God
with the requisite spiritual qualifications for the office. Moses
howerer, was to lay his hands upon him, both in order to confer formal
and public appointment, and also (compare Deuteronomy 34:9) to confirm
and strengthen the sp... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THINE HONOR - i. e., of thy dignity and authority (compare Numbers
11:17, Numbers 11:28). Joshua was constituted immediately vice-leader
under Moses, by way of introduction to his becoming chief after
Moses’ death.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SHALL STAND BEFORE ELEAZAR THE PRIEST ... - Joshua was thus to
be inferior to what Moses had been. For Moses had enjoyed the
privilege of unrestricted direct contact with God: Joshua, like all
future rulers of Israel, was to ask counsel mediately, through the
High Priest and those means of in... [ Continue Reading ]