Numbers 27 records two stories that answer practical questions about justice and leadership in Israel’s wilderness years: how a family without sons receives its inheritance, and how Moses hands his authority to Joshua. These study questions are for small groups, Sunday classes, and personal reading. Each section gives you a leader’s answer so you can guide a discussion without preparing a separate summary.
Numbers 27 at a Glance
The chapter opens with the daughters of Zelophehad coming to Moses at the tent of meeting to ask for their late father’s share of land, since he left no sons. God answers that their claim is right and sets a rule for inheritance that runs through sons, daughters, brothers, uncles and the nearest kinsman. Then the chapter turns to Moses himself. God tells him he will see the promised land from a mountain but will not enter it, because of his rebellion at Meribah. Moses asks God to appoint a successor so Israel will not be like sheep without a shepherd, and God chooses Joshua, commissioning him before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation.
Observation Questions
Use these questions first, before anyone offers an opinion. Ask the group to point to the words in the text, and let them read the passage aloud if they have not already. Keep the focus on what is written rather than what people wish it said.
Numbers 27:1-4
1 Then 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 came near. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah. 2 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 “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 he died in his own sin. He had no sons. 4 Why should the name of our father be taken away from among his family, because he had no son? Give to us a possession among the brothers of our father.”
(WEB)
This opening section introduces the daughters, their father’s situation, and their request. Reading it aloud helps the group hear the plain, direct wording of their petition before anyone begins to analyze it.
Numbers 27:7
“The daughters of Zelophehad speak right. You shall surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father’s brothers. You shall cause the inheritance of their father to pass to them.
(WEB)
This single verse records God’s judgment that the daughters speak rightly. Reading it on its own gives the group a clear moment to reflect on how God responds to honest requests.
Numbers 27:12-14
12 The LORD said to Moses, “Go up into this mountain of Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel. 13 When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was gathered; 14 because in the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin, to honor me as holy at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)
(WEB)
These verses contain God’s word to Moses about the mountain and the reason he will not enter the land. Reading them together lets the group feel the weight of the statement and discuss it carefully.
Numbers 27:16-17
16 “Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation, 17 who 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 may not be as sheep which have no shepherd.”
(WEB)
Moses’ prayer for a successor is one of the chapter’s most human moments. Reading it aloud helps the group hear his concern for the people and his desire that they not be left without a shepherd.
Numbers 27:18-20
18 The LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. 19 Set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and commission him in their sight. 20 You shall give authority to him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may obey.
(WEB)
This passage records God choosing Joshua and the command to commission him publicly. Reading it closes the chapter’s narrative and gives the group a natural point to talk about calling and authority.
Memory Verse for Numbers 27
Numbers 27:18
The LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him.
(WEB)
This verse names Joshua as a man in whom is the Spirit and commands Moses to lay his hand on him. Memorizing it helps the group remember that God chooses and equips leaders for his people.
A Closing Prayer for the Group
Father, we thank you that you hear the requests of people who feel overlooked, and that you answer with justice. Help us to speak plainly and honestly when we need to bring a matter before you, as the daughters of Zelophehad did. Teach us to seek your answer before we decide, and to trust you with the weight of responsibility we carry. Thank you for raising up leaders who serve your people, and help us to support them faithfully. Give each of us a willing heart to follow where you lead. Amen.
