1
וַתִּקְרַ֜בְנָה בְּנ֣וֹת צְלָפְחָ֗ד בֶּן חֵ֤פֶר בֶּן גִּלְעָד֙ בֶּן מָכִ֣יר בֶּן מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה לְמִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת מְנַשֶּׁ֣ה בֶן יוֹסֵ֑ף וְאֵ֨לֶּה֙ שְׁמ֣וֹת בְּנֹתָ֔יו מַחְלָ֣ה נֹעָ֔ה וְחָגְלָ֥ה וּמִלְכָּ֖ה וְתִרְצָֽה
Then the daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, of the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph, drew near — and these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
A wayyiqtol verb opens a new pericope; the extended five-generation patronymic chain (Zelophehad-Hepher-Gilead-Machir-Manasseh-Joseph) establishes the daughters' legitimate tribal standing before naming them, since tribal land-right is exactly what is at issue in the case that follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וַתִּקְרַ֜בְנָהand drew nearconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3fp · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — introduces the daughters' initiativeקָרַב (H7126) 'to draw near, approach'; often of approaching for legal or cultic business — here the daughters formally present themselves before the leadership.
בְּנ֣וֹתdaughters ofN f pl constr · בַּת (H1323)Subject (construct chain, genitival)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; construct plural heading the long patronymic chain that establishes the petitioners' tribal identity.
צְלָפְחָ֗דZelophehadproper noun · צְלָפְחָד (H6765)Genitive (first link, patronymic chain)צְלָפְחָד (H6765), a Manassite man who died in the wilderness leaving no son; his daughters' case occasions this chapter's inheritance law.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct noun (patronymic chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; each construct בֶּן here traces Zelophehad's ancestry, establishing legitimate tribal descent within Manasseh.
חֵ֤פֶרHepherproper noun · חֵפֶר (H2660)Genitive (patronymic chain)חֵפֶר (H2660), Zelophehad's father, a Manassite clan ancestor (cf. Num. 26:32-33).
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct noun (patronymic chain)בֵּן (H1121); continues the chain from Hepher to Gilead.
גִּלְעָד֙Gileadproper noun · גִּלְעָד (H1568)Genitive (patronymic chain)גִּלְעָד (H1568), grandson of Manasseh (Num. 26:29), eponymous ancestor of the Gileadite clans east of the Jordan.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct noun (patronymic chain)בֵּן (H1121); continues the chain from Gilead to Machir.
מָכִ֣ירMachirproper noun · מָכִיר (H4353)Genitive (patronymic chain)מָכִיר (H4353), firstborn of Manasseh (Gen. 50:23), father of Gilead; a leading Manassite clan-ancestor.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct noun (patronymic chain)בֵּן (H1121); continues the chain from Machir to Manasseh.
מְנַשֶּׁ֔הManassehproper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Genitive (patronymic chain, closing to the tribal father)מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519), son of Joseph, eponymous ancestor of the tribe; closes the patronymic chain.
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹ֖תof the clans ofprep לְ + N f pl constr · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Prepositional phrase specifying clan-affiliationמִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'clan, family'; situates Zelophehad's line among the registered clans of Manasseh in Num. 26.
מְנַשֶּׁ֣הManassehproper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Genitive (tribal name)מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519); second mention naming the tribe whose census clan-list (Num. 26) is the legal backdrop of this case.
בֶןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct noun (patronymic chain)בֵּן (H1121); links Manasseh to Joseph, closing the full genealogy.
יוֹסֵ֑ףJosephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Genitive (patriarchal ancestor)יוֹסֵף (H3130), the patriarch, father of Manasseh; the genealogy closes with him, tying the daughters' claim to the founding ancestor of the tribe.
וְאֵ֨לֶּה֙and theseconj וְ + demonstrative pron. c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject complement (demonstrative introducing a list)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; demonstrative pronoun introducing the list of the five daughters' names.
שְׁמ֣וֹתnames ofN m pl constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Predicate nominative (construct chain heading the list)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; construct plural governing the list of daughters' names that follows.
בְּנֹתָ֔יוhis daughtersN f pl constr + 3ms suff · בַּת (H1323)Genitive (possessive, referring to Zelophehad)בַּת (H1323) with 3ms suffix; 'his daughters' referring back to Zelophehad.
מַחְלָ֣הMahlahproper noun · מַחְלָה (H4244)Appositive (first name in list)מַחְלָה (H4244), eldest of Zelophehad's five daughters; named first in every list (cf. Num. 26:33; 36:11; Josh. 17:3).
נֹעָ֔הNoahproper noun · נֹעָה (H5270)Appositive (second name in list)נֹעָה (H5270), second daughter of Zelophehad; distinct in root from נֹחַ 'Noah' of Gen. 6.
וְחָגְלָ֥הand Hoglahconj וְ + proper noun · חָגְלָה (H2295)Appositive (third name in list)חָגְלָה (H2295), third daughter; the name resembles the place-name Beth-hoglah (Josh. 15:6).
וּמִלְכָּ֖הand Milcahconj וְ + proper noun · מִלְכָּה (H4435)Appositive (fourth name in list)מִלְכָּה (H4435) 'queen'; fourth daughter, from מֶלֶךְ 'king, rule.'
וְתִרְצָֽהand Tirzahconj וְ + proper noun · תִרְצָה (H8656)Appositive (fifth and final name in list)תִרְצָה (H8656) 'she is pleasing'; fifth daughter, later also the name of a city (Josh. 12:24; 1 Kgs 14:17).
2
וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֜דְנָה לִפְנֵ֣י מֹשֶׁ֗ה וְלִפְנֵי֙ אֶלְעָזָ֣ר הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וְלִפְנֵ֥י הַנְּשִׂיאִ֖ם וְכָל הָעֵדָ֑ה פֶּ֥תַח אֹֽהֶל מוֹעֵ֖ד לֵאמֹֽר
They stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the chiefs and all the congregation, at the entrance of the tent of meeting, saying,
Continues the narrative sequence, specifying the full legal assembly (Moses, the priest, the chiefs, the congregation) before whom the daughters make their case, and the formal setting (tent-of-meeting entrance) that marks this as an official proceeding.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֜דְנָהand they stoodconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3fp · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the formal posture of petitioners appearing for judgmentעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; standing 'before' (לִפְנֵי) leaders is the posture of one presenting a legal case or petition.
לִפְנֵ֣יbeforeprep לְ + N c/b pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; the construct לִפְנֵי 'before, in the presence of' marks formal appearance before an authority.
מֹשֶׁ֗הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition (first named authority)מֹשֶׁה (H4872), Israel's leader; first named among those before whom the daughters stand.
וְלִפְנֵי֙and beforeconj וְ + prep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase (coordinated)פָּנִים (H6440); repeated לִפְנֵי marks each additional party before whom the daughters formally stand.
אֶלְעָזָ֣רEleazarproper noun · אֶלְעָזָר (H499)Object of prepositionאֶלְעָזָר (H499), Aaron's son and successor as high priest (cf. Num. 20:25-28); named alongside Moses as co-adjudicator.
הַכֹּהֵ֔ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Apposition (identifying Eleazar's office)כֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; identifies Eleazar's priestly office, relevant since he will later consult the Urim (v. 21).
וְלִפְנֵ֥יand beforeconj וְ + prep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase (coordinated)פָּנִים (H6440); third occurrence of לִפְנֵי, before the tribal chiefs.
הַנְּשִׂיאִ֖םthe chiefsart + N m pl abs · נָשִׂיא (H5387)Object of prepositionנָשִׂיא (H5387) 'chief, leader, prince'; the tribal leaders who assist Moses in judicial and administrative matters.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun (totality)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct with הָעֵדָה, 'all the congregation,' broadening the audience to the whole assembly.
הָעֵדָ֑הthe congregationart + N f sg abs · עֵדָה (H5712)Object of preposition (genitive of כָּל)עֵדָה (H5712) 'congregation, assembly'; the formally constituted community of Israel, here as witness to the case.
פֶּ֥תַחat the entrance ofN m sg constr · פֶּתַח (H6607)Adverbial accusative (locative, construct chain)פֶּתַח (H6607) 'opening, entrance, doorway'; the customary public venue for hearing legal cases in Israel's camp.
אֹֽהֶלthe tent ofN m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Construct chain (continuing locative phrase)אֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'; construct with מוֹעֵד, 'tent of meeting,' the sanctuary where Israel met with YHWH.
מוֹעֵ֖דmeetingN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Genitive (completing construct chain)מוֹעֵד (H4150) 'appointed time, meeting'; אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד 'tent of meeting' is the mobile sanctuary, the fitting venue for a case ultimately decided by YHWH (v. 5).
לֵאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Complementary infinitive introducing direct speech→ Infinitive construct: marks the transition into quoted speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the formulaic לֵאמֹר introduces the daughters' words that follow in vv. 3-4.
3
אָבִינוּ֮ מֵ֣ת בַּמִּדְבָּר֒ וְה֨וּא לֹא הָיָ֜ה בְּת֣וֹךְ הָעֵדָ֗ה הַנּוֹעָדִ֛ים עַל יְהוָ֖ה בַּעֲדַת קֹ֑רַח כִּֽי בְחֶטְא֣וֹ מֵ֔ת וּבָנִ֖ים לֹא הָ֥יוּ לֽוֹ
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 for his own sin, and he had no sons.
Quoted speech begins asyndetically. The daughters carefully distinguish their father's death 'for his own sin' from the rebellion of Korah's company (Num. 16), forestalling any suspicion that his land-right was forfeited by sedition, then state the bare legal fact: no sons.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
אָבִינוּ֮our fatherN m sg constr + 1cp suff · אָב (H1)Subjectאָב (H1) 'father'; with 1cp suffix, 'our father,' referring to Zelophehad — the daughters speak collectively.
מֵ֣תdiedQal perf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed past event — the fact grounding their whole caseמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; states the bare fact that occasions the legal question of inheritance.
בַּמִּדְבָּר֒in the wildernessprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Locative prepositional phraseמִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness'; the wilderness generation is dying out (cf. Num. 26:64-65), the demographic backdrop for the whole land-inheritance question.
וְה֨וּאand heconj וְ + indep pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (emphatic, resumptive)הוּא (H1931) 'he'; emphatic resumption of 'our father,' introducing the crucial clarification that follows.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808), the standard negative particle; negates הָיָה, denying that Zelophehad belonged to Korah's rebellion.
הָיָ֜הwasQal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (negated main clause)→ Perfective: states a settled fact, here deniedהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; with לֹא, 'he was not' — the daughters deny their father's membership among the rebels.
בְּת֣וֹךְamongprep בְּ + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phraseתָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst'; construct בְּתוֹךְ 'in the midst of, among.'
הָעֵדָ֗הthe companyart + N f sg abs · עֵדָה (H5712)Object of prepositionעֵדָה (H5712) here denotes not the whole congregation but the specific 'company' that gathered against YHWH — Korah's faction (cf. Num. 16:5-6, 11).
הַנּוֹעָדִ֛יםwho gathered themselves togetherart + Niphal ptc m pl · יָעַד (H3259)Attributive participle modifying הָעֵדָה→ Participle: characterizes the group by an ongoing/characteristic act of conspiringיָעַד (H3259) Niphal 'to assemble, band together (against)'; used specifically of Korah's rebellious assembly in Num. 16:11, 19.
עַלagainstprep · עַל (H5921)Marks the object of hostilityעַל (H5921) 'upon, against'; here adversative, 'against the LORD.'
יְהוָ֖הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of prepositionיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; Korah's rebellion (Num. 16) was ultimately against YHWH's appointed order, not merely against Moses.
בַּעֲדַתin the company ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · עֵדָה (H5712)Locative prepositional phrase (apposition to הָעֵדָה above)עֵדָה (H5712) construct with קֹרַח, 'the company of Korah,' naming the specific faction explicitly.
קֹ֑רַחKorahproper noun · קֹרַח (H7141)Genitive (naming the faction)קֹרַח (H7141), the Levite who led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron's authority (Num. 16), swallowed by the earth with his company.
כִּֽיbut/forconj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative conjunction introducing the true cause of deathכִּי (H3588); here adversative-explanatory, 'but/rather,' correcting a possible false inference and stating the real cause: 'he died for his own sin.'
בְחֶטְא֣וֹfor his own sinprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suff · חֵטְא (H2399)Causal prepositional phraseחֵטְא (H2399) 'sin'; 'in/for his own sin' — likely the general mortality decreed on the wilderness generation (Num. 14:22-23, 35), not a specific rebellion.
מֵ֔תhe diedQal perf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (main clause, resuming v. 3a)→ Perfective: completed fact, restated to sharpen the contrast with Korah's companyמוּת (H4191); repetition of the verb frames an inclusio isolating the crucial qualification 'not among Korah's company... but for his own sin.'
וּבָנִ֖יםand sonsconj וְ + N m pl abs · בֵּן (H1121)Subject (of negated existential clause)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the absence of sons is the legal crux precipitating the whole case.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808); negates הָיוּ, 'were not' — no sons existed.
הָ֥יוּwereQal perf 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (negated main clause)→ Perfective: states the settled, decisive fact of no male heirהָיָה (H1961); 'there were no sons to him' — the precise legal gap the daughters now address.
לֽוֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffDative of possessionלְ + suffix, idiomatic possessive 'to him' = 'he had'; standard Hebrew possession construction.
4
לָ֣מָּה יִגָּרַ֤ע שֵׁם אָבִ֨ינוּ֙ מִתּ֣וֹךְ מִשְׁפַּחְתּ֔וֹ כִּ֛י אֵ֥ין ל֖וֹ בֵּ֑ן תְּנָה לָּ֣נוּ אֲחֻזָּ֔ה בְּת֖וֹךְ אֲחֵ֥י אָבִֽינוּ
Why should the name of our father be withdrawn from among his clan, because he had no son? Give us a possession among our father's brothers.
The daughters press their case with a rhetorical question (why should the name be cut off?) followed by a direct imperative petition ('give us'), moving from legal grievance to explicit request — the very rhetorical move that will earn YHWH's verdict 'they speak rightly' in v. 7.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
לָ֣מָּהwhyprep לְ + interrogative · מָה (H4100)Interrogative adverb heading the rhetorical questionמָה (H4100) 'what'; לָמָּה 'why, for what reason' — introduces the daughters' rhetorical, indignant question.
יִגָּרַ֤עshould be withdrawnNiphal impf 3ms · גָּרַע (H1639)Predicate verb (main clause, modal/deliberative)→ Yiqtol: modal/deliberative — 'should the name be diminished/withdrawn?'גָּרַע (H1639) 'to diminish, withdraw, be taken away'; Niphal passive — the name is not to be 'subtracted' from the clan roll for lack of a son.
שֵׁםthe name ofN m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Subjectשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; a family's 'name' persisting via land and heirs was central to identity and remembrance in Israel.
אָבִ֨ינוּ֙our fatherN m sg constr + 1cp suff · אָב (H1)Genitive (possessive)אָב (H1) with 1cp suffix, 'our father' — Zelophehad, whose name is at risk of erasure.
מִתּ֣וֹךְfrom amongprep מִן + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative/ablative prepositional phraseתָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst'; מִתּוֹךְ 'from the midst of, from among.'
מִשְׁפַּחְתּ֔וֹhis clanN f sg constr + 3ms suff · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Object of prepositionמִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'clan, family'; the registered kinship unit within the tribe — losing the 'name' here means erasure from the clan's land allotment.
כִּ֛יbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'because, for'; introduces the reason: no son exists to carry the name.
אֵ֥יןthere is notnegative existential particle · אַיִן (H369)Predicate of existential negationאַיִן (H369) 'there is not'; negates existence — 'he has no son.'
ל֖וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffDative of possessionלְ + suffix, idiomatic possessive, 'to him' = 'he has.'
בֵּ֑ןa sonN m sg abs · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of existential clauseבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the precise legal deficiency the daughters name.
תְּנָהgiveQal impv 2ms (+ paragogic ה) · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (imperative, main clause of petition)→ Volitional: an emphatic imperative petition, the daughters' direct requestנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the paragogic ה intensifies the imperative — 'give, please' — the daughters move from grievance to explicit legal demand.
לָּ֣נוּto usprep לְ + 1cp suffIndirect objectלְ + suffix, 'to us' — the recipients of the requested possession.
אֲחֻזָּ֔הa possessionN f sg abs · אֲחֻזָּה (H272)Direct objectאֲחֻזָּה (H272) 'holding, possession' (from אָחַז 'to grasp, hold'); a permanent landed inheritance within the tribal allotment — the daughters' actual request.
בְּת֖וֹךְamongprep בְּ + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phraseתָּוֶךְ (H8432); 'among the brothers of our father' specifies where the land grant should fall within the clan.
אֲחֵ֥יthe brothers ofN m pl constr · אָח (H251)Object of preposition (construct)אָח (H251) 'brother'; construct plural, heading the phrase naming Zelophehad's paternal kin.
אָבִֽינוּour fatherN m sg constr + 1cp suff · אָב (H1)Genitive (possessive)אָב (H1) with 1cp suffix; closes the petition by naming the paternal clan among whom they seek land.
5
וַיַּקְרֵ֥ב מֹשֶׁ֛ה אֶת מִשְׁפָּטָ֖ לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָֽה
Moses brought their case before the LORD.
Narrative resumes after the daughters' speech. Moses, faced with a case not covered by existing law, does not rule himself but brings the מִשְׁפָּט (legal case) directly to YHWH — a rare and significant move that makes this chapter a paradigm of law originating in a court appeal rather than prior legislation.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וַיַּקְרֵ֥בand he brought nearconj וְ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Moses' decisive action of bringing the case to YHWHקָרַב (H7126) Hiphil 'to bring near, present'; the same root as v. 1's 'drew near,' now causative — Moses presents the matter formally, echoing the daughters' own approach.
מֹשֶׁ֛הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872); acting here not as final judge but as mediator, referring the case upward.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking מִשְׁפָּטָן as a definite direct object; untranslated in English.
מִשְׁפָּטָ֖their caseN m sg constr + 3fp suff · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Direct objectמִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, case, legal claim'; the key term of this pericope — the daughters' 'case' requires adjudication beyond Moses' existing authority.
לִפְנֵ֥יbeforeprep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440); 'before the LORD' — the case is brought to the divine tribunal itself, likely via inquiry at the tent of meeting.
יְהוָֽהthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of prepositionיְהוָה (H3068); YHWH himself renders the verdict in vv. 6-7, making this the Torah's clearest case of law made by direct divine ruling on a specific petition.
6
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר
And the LORD said to Moses,
A brief wayyiqtol transition introduces YHWH's direct verdict, the pivotal divine speech of the chapter's first movement.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיֹּ֥אמֶרand he saidconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — introduces YHWH's direct speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; standard narrative formula introducing divine speech.
יְהוָ֖הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); YHWH himself speaks the ruling, underscoring the case's resolution as divine law, not merely Mosaic precedent.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Marks the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Moses as the recipient of the divine word.
מֹשֶׁ֥הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of prepositionמֹשֶׁה (H4872); the mediator through whom YHWH's ruling and the new statute will reach Israel.
לֵּאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Complementary infinitive introducing direct speech→ Infinitive construct: marks the transition into quoted speechאָמַר (H559); formulaic לֵאמֹר introduces YHWH's verdict quoted in v. 7.
7
כֵּ֗ן בְּנ֣וֹת צְלָפְחָד֮ דֹּבְרֹת֒ נָתֹ֨ן תִּתֵּ֤ן לָהֶם֙ אֲחֻזַּ֣ת נַחֲלָ֔ה בְּת֖וֹךְ אֲחֵ֣י אֲבִיהֶ֑ם וְהַֽעֲבַרְתָּ֛ אֶת נַחֲלַ֥ת אֲבִיהֶ֖ן לָהֶֽן
The daughters of Zelophehad speak rightly. You shall surely give them a possession of inheritance among their father's brothers, and you shall transfer their father's inheritance to them.
YHWH's verdict opens with כֵּן 'rightly' — a rare direct divine affirmation of a human legal argument — before issuing the ruling as an emphatic imperative (נָתֹן תִּתֵּן) and a matching weqatal (וְהַעֲבַרְתָּ), transferring inheritance rights to daughters where no son exists.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
כֵּ֗ןrightlyadverb · כֵּן (H3651)Predicate adjective/adverb (verdict formula)כֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus, rightly'; YHWH's opening word validates the daughters' legal reasoning outright — a striking divine endorsement of a case brought by women.
בְּנ֣וֹתthe daughters ofN f pl constr · בַּת (H1323)Subjectבַּת (H1323); resumes the subject named in v. 1, now the subject of YHWH's own verdict.
צְלָפְחָד֮Zelophehadproper noun · צְלָפְחָד (H6765)Genitiveצְלָפְחָד (H6765); YHWH names the petitioners precisely, formally validating their specific claim.
דֹּבְרֹת֒speakQal ptc f pl · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate participle (verbless clause with כֵּן)→ Participle: characterizes the daughters' speech as ongoing/valid — 'are speaking rightly'דָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; the participle frames their petition as a present, valid legal claim rather than a one-off complaint.
נָתֹ֨ןsurelyQal inf abs · נָתַן (H5414)Infinitive absolute reinforcing the following finite verb→ Infinitive absolute + finite verb: emphatic certainty — 'you shall surely give'נָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the infinitive absolute before the finite verb intensifies the command — the grant is unequivocal, not discretionary.
תִּתֵּ֤ןyou shall giveQal impf 2ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause, emphatic imperfect of command)→ Yiqtol: directive/imperfect of legal obligation, intensified by the preceding infinitive absoluteנָתַן (H5414); the operative verb of the ruling — Moses, and by extension all future judges, must grant the inheritance.
לָהֶם֙to themprep לְ + 3mp suffIndirect objectלְ + suffix, 'to them' (masc. plural form used generically); the daughters as recipients of the land grant.
אֲחֻזַּ֣תa possession ofN f sg constr · אֲחֻזָּה (H272)Direct object (construct chain)אֲחֻזָּה (H272) 'holding, possession'; construct with נַחֲלָה, 'a possession of inheritance' — a landed, permanent grant.
נַחֲלָ֔הinheritanceN f sg abs · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Genitive (completing construct chain)נַחֲלָה (H5159) 'inheritance, allotted possession'; the technical term for tribal/family land allotment in Israel, now extended to daughters in this case.
בְּת֖וֹךְamongprep בְּ + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phraseתָּוֶךְ (H8432); the grant is located within the existing clan structure, not creating a new landholding category.
אֲחֵ֣יthe brothers ofN m pl constr · אָח (H251)Object of preposition (construct)אָח (H251); YHWH grants exactly what the daughters requested in v. 4 — land among their father's brothers.
אֲבִיהֶ֑םtheir fatherN m sg constr + 3mp suff · אָב (H1)Genitive (possessive)אָב (H1) with 3mp suffix, 'their father' — Zelophehad, whose inheritance is at stake.
וְהַֽעֲבַרְתָּ֛and you shall transferconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 2ms · עָבַר (H5674)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the command)→ Weqatal: continues the directive force of the preceding imperfect, sequential legal instructionעָבַר (H5674) Hiphil 'to cause to pass over, transfer'; the specific legal action of reassigning inheritance rights.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking נַחֲלַת אֲבִיהֶן as the definite direct object.
נַחֲלַ֥תthe inheritance ofN f sg constr · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Direct object (construct chain)נַחֲלָה (H5159); repeats the key term, now specifically 'their father's inheritance' being transferred.
אֲבִיהֶ֖ןtheir fatherN m sg constr + 3fp suff · אָב (H1)Genitive (possessive)אָב (H1) with 3fp suffix (feminine plural, matching the daughters); note the shift from masculine to feminine suffix forms across this verse, both referring to the same women.
לָהֶֽןto themprep לְ + 3fp suffIndirect objectלְ + suffix, feminine plural 'to them' — grammatically precise here, referring to the daughters themselves.
8
וְאֶל בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל תְּדַבֵּ֣ר לֵאמֹ֑ר אִ֣ישׁ כִּֽי יָמ֗וּת וּבֵן֙ אֵ֣ין ל֔וֹ וְהַֽעֲבַרְתֶּ֥ם אֶת נַחֲלָת֖וֹ לְבִתּֽוֹ
And you shall speak to the sons of Israel, saying, 'If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter.
The verdict on Zelophehad's specific case now expands into a general statute of succession applicable to all Israel — the case-law pattern moving from particular ruling to universal legal principle, cast in classic casuistic ('if a man dies...') form.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְאֶלand toconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Marks the addressee (coordinated)אֶל (H413) 'to'; introduces the audience of the general statute that follows.
בְּנֵ֥יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Object of preposition (construct)בֵּן (H1121); construct 'sons of Israel' — the whole nation, not just Zelophehad's clan, now addressed.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitiveיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the nation as a whole, marking the shift from particular case to general law.
תְּדַבֵּ֣רyou shall speakPiel impf 2ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause, directive imperfect)→ Yiqtol: directive — commands Moses to promulgate the following statuteדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak, declare'; commissions Moses to publish the ruling as binding law for all Israel.
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Complementary infinitive introducing the quoted statute→ Infinitive construct: marks transition into the quoted legal formulaאָמַר (H559); introduces the casuistic ('if... then') legal formula that follows.
אִ֣ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (casuistic protasis)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; opens the casuistic legal formula, 'if a man dies...' — standard case-law style (cf. Exod. 21).
כִּֽיifconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional conjunction introducing the protasisכִּי (H3588) 'if, when'; introduces the conditional clause of the casuistic law.
יָמ֗וּתdiesQal impf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (protasis of conditional clause)→ Yiqtol: general/gnomic — describes a recurring, hypothetical caseמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; gnomic imperfect suited to case law, covering any future instance.
וּבֵן֙and a sonconj וְ + N m sg abs · בֵּן (H1121)Subject (of negated existential clause)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; states the precise condition that triggers the daughter's right to inherit.
אֵ֣יןthere is notnegative existential particle · אַיִן (H369)Predicate of existential negationאַיִן (H369); 'and there is no son to him' — the triggering condition of the statute.
ל֔וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffDative of possessionלְ + suffix, 'to him' = 'he has.'
וְהַֽעֲבַרְתֶּ֥םand you shall transferconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 2mp · עָבַר (H5674)Predicate verb (apodosis of conditional clause)→ Weqatal: apodosis of a casuistic law — the required legal consequenceעָבַר (H5674) Hiphil 'to transfer'; the plural 'you' addresses future judges/administrators generally, not Moses alone.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking נַחֲלָתוֹ as the definite direct object.
נַחֲלָת֖וֹhis inheritanceN f sg constr + 3ms suff · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Direct objectנַחֲלָה (H5159) 'inheritance'; the deceased man's land allotment, now the object of transfer.
לְבִתּֽוֹto his daughterprep לְ + N f sg constr + 3ms suff · בַּת (H1323)Indirect objectבַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; the first rung of the newly established succession order — son, then daughter.
9
וְאִם אֵ֥ין ל֖וֹ בַּ֑ת וּנְתַתֶּ֥ם אֶת נַחֲלָת֖וֹ לְאֶחָיו
And if he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers.
The statute proceeds through the succession order: son (v. 8), then daughter, now brothers — a chain of casuistic conditionals extending the law to every contingency of the family line.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וְאִםand ifconj וְ + conditional conj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction introducing next contingencyאִם (H518) 'if'; introduces the next rung of the succession chain.
אֵ֥יןthere is notnegative existential particle · אַיִן (H369)Predicate of existential negationאַיִן (H369); negates the existence of a daughter, moving the case to the next heir category.
ל֖וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffDative of possessionלְ + suffix, 'to him' = 'he has.'
בַּ֑תa daughterN f sg abs · בַּת (H1323)Subject of existential clauseבַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; if even a daughter is lacking, the law proceeds to the next kinsman category.
וּנְתַתֶּ֥םthen you shall giveconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (apodosis of conditional clause)→ Weqatal: apodosis — the required legal consequenceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the operative verb repeated at each rung of the succession statute.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking נַחֲלָתוֹ as the definite direct object.
נַחֲלָת֖וֹhis inheritanceN f sg constr + 3ms suff · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Direct objectנַחֲלָה (H5159); the deceased man's land allotment, passed now to his brothers.
לְאֶחָיוto his brothersprep לְ + N m pl constr + 3ms suff · אָח (H251)Indirect objectאָח (H251) 'brother'; third rung of the succession order established in this chapter.
10
וְאִם אֵ֥ין ל֖וֹ אַחִ֑ים וּנְתַתֶּ֥ם אֶת נַחֲלָת֖וֹ לַאֲחֵ֥י אָבִֽיו
And if he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father's brothers.
Continues the succession chain to a further contingency: if brothers are also lacking, the inheritance passes to the father's brothers (paternal uncles), keeping the land within the same clan.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וְאִםand ifconj וְ + conditional conj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction introducing next contingencyאִם (H518) 'if'; introduces the next rung of the succession chain.
אֵ֥יןthere is notnegative existential particle · אַיִן (H369)Predicate of existential negationאַיִן (H369); negates the existence of brothers, moving the case to the paternal uncles.
ל֖וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffDative of possessionלְ + suffix, 'to him' = 'he has.'
אַחִ֑יםbrothersN m pl abs · אָח (H251)Subject of existential clauseאָח (H251) 'brother'; if brothers too are lacking, the inheritance moves further out in the kinship structure.
וּנְתַתֶּ֥םthen you shall giveconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (apodosis of conditional clause)→ Weqatal: apodosis — the required legal consequenceנָתַן (H5414); repeated at each rung of the succession statute.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking נַחֲלָתוֹ as the definite direct object.
נַחֲלָת֖וֹhis inheritanceN f sg constr + 3ms suff · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Direct objectנַחֲלָה (H5159); the land now passed to the paternal uncles.
לַאֲחֵ֥יto the brothers ofprep לְ + N m pl constr · אָח (H251)Indirect object (construct)אָח (H251); construct heading the phrase naming the deceased man's father's brothers.
אָבִֽיוhis fatherN m sg constr + 3ms suff · אָב (H1)Genitive (possessive)אָב (H1) with 3ms suffix; 'his father' — the paternal line through which the fourth rung of succession is traced.
11
וְאִם אֵ֣ין אַחִים֮ לְאָבִיו֒ וּנְתַתֶּ֣ם אֶת נַחֲלָת֗וֹ לִשְׁאֵר֞וֹ הַקָּרֹ֥ב אֵלָ֛יו מִמִּשְׁפַּחְתּ֖וֹ וְיָרַ֣שׁ אֹתָ֑הּ וְֽהָ֨יְתָ֜ה לִבְנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לְחֻקַּ֣ת מִשְׁפָּ֔ט כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהוָ֖ה אֶת מֹשֶֽׁה
And if his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his nearest kinsman of his clan, and he shall possess it.' And it shall be for the sons of Israel a statute of judgment, just as the LORD commanded Moses.
The succession chain reaches its final contingency (nearest kinsman) and the whole ruling is then sealed as a permanent חֻקַּת מִשְׁפָּט 'statute of judgment' for all Israel, with the narrator's closing formula 'as the LORD commanded Moses' certifying its divine origin — the case-law process (petition, ruling, codified statute) complete in miniature.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וְאִםand ifconj וְ + conditional conj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction introducing the final contingencyאִם (H518) 'if'; introduces the last rung of the succession chain.
אֵ֣יןthere are notnegative existential particle · אַיִן (H369)Predicate of existential negationאַיִן (H369); negates the existence of paternal brothers, moving to the broadest kinship category — the nearest relative.
אַחִים֮brothersN m pl abs · אָח (H251)Subject of existential clauseאָח (H251) 'brother'; here specifically the father's brothers (see next word), the fourth-rung heirs of v. 10.
לְאָבִיו֒to his fatherprep לְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suff · אָב (H1)Dative of possession (qualifying אַחִים)אָב (H1); 'brothers to his father' = his father's brothers, confirming this clause continues rather than repeats v. 10's case.
וּנְתַתֶּ֣םthen you shall giveconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (apodosis of conditional clause)→ Weqatal: apodosis — the required legal consequenceנָתַן (H5414); final application of the operative verb in the succession statute.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking נַחֲלָתוֹ as the definite direct object.
נַחֲלָת֗וֹhis inheritanceN f sg constr + 3ms suff · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Direct objectנַחֲלָה (H5159); the land now passed to the nearest kinsman when no closer heir exists.
לִשְׁאֵר֞וֹto his kinsmanprep לְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suff · שְׁאֵר (H7607)Indirect objectשְׁאֵר (H7607) 'flesh, kin, relative'; broadens the succession beyond the named categories to any blood relative, closing every gap in the law.
הַקָּרֹ֥בthe nearestart + adj m sg abs · קָרוֹב (H7138)Attributive adjective modifying שְׁאֵרוֹקָרוֹב (H7138) 'near, close'; specifies that among possible kin, the closest relative by degree inherits.
אֵלָ֛יוto himprep אֶל + 3ms suffPrepositional phrase completing קָרֹבאֶל (H413) with 3ms suffix; 'near to him' specifies the relational proximity measured from the deceased.
מִמִּשְׁפַּחְתּ֖וֹfrom his clanprep מִן + N f sg constr + 3ms suff · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Locative/ablative prepositional phraseמִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'clan'; restricts the kinsman-heir to within the deceased's own registered clan, keeping land within its tribal allotment.
וְיָרַ֣שׁand he shall possessconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate verb (continuing the apodosis)→ Weqatal: sequential consequence — confirms the kinsman's legal possessionיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess, inherit, take possession of'; states the legal effect — the kinsman takes ownership.
אֹתָ֑הּ[obj] itobj marker + 3fs suff · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object, referring to הַנַּחֲלָה)אֵת (H853) with 3fs suffix, referring back to נַחֲלָה 'inheritance' (feminine); 'possess it.'
וְֽהָ֨יְתָ֜הand it shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, introducing the closing statute formula)→ Weqatal: sequential — the ruling now becomes codified as permanent lawהָיָה (H1961); marks the transition from case ruling to permanent statute (חֻקָּה) for all Israel.
לִבְנֵ֤יfor the sons ofprep לְ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Prepositional phrase (beneficiary)בֵּן (H1121); 'for the sons of Israel' — the statute's binding scope, the whole nation.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙Israelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitiveיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the entire covenant nation, for whom this case now stands as binding precedent.
לְחֻקַּ֣תa statute ofprep לְ + N c sg constr · חֻקָּה (H2708)Predicate complement (construct chain)חֻקָּה (H2708) 'statute, prescribed ordinance'; construct with מִשְׁפָּט — the case ruling is elevated into codified, permanent law.
מִשְׁפָּ֔טjudgmentN m sg abs · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Genitive (completing construct chain)מִשְׁפָּט (H4941); same root as v. 5's 'case' — the daughters' מִשְׁפָּט has become Israel's חֻקַּת מִשְׁפָּט, a legal statute for all time.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֛רjust asprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative subordinating conjunctionאֲשֶׁר (H834); כַּאֲשֶׁר 'just as' introduces the narrator's closing formula certifying divine origin.
צִוָּ֥הcommandedPiel perf 3ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb (subordinate clause)→ Perfective: a completed, authoritative act of commandצָוָה (H6680) 'to command'; the standard verb certifying that a law derives directly from YHWH's own instruction.
יְהוָ֖הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); the ultimate source of the statute, framing the whole ruling as divine legislation.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking מֹשֶׁה as the definite direct object.
מֹשֶֽׁהMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Direct objectמֹשֶׁה (H4872); the mediator to whom and through whom the statute was delivered.
12
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶל מֹשֶׁ֔ה עֲלֵ֛ה אֶל הַ֥ר הָעֲבָרִ֖ים הַזֶּ֑ה וּרְאֵה֙ אֶת הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתַ֖תִּי לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
The LORD said to Moses, 'Go up into this mountain of Abarim, and see the land that I have given to the sons of Israel.
A fresh wayyiqtol formula opens an entirely new topic; having just settled the daughters' land claim, YHWH now turns to Moses' own mortality — a jarring juxtaposition, inheritance rights secured for others just as Moses is told he will not enter the land himself.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand he saidconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — opens a new divine speech and pericopeאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; standard narrative formula opening a fresh unit of divine speech.
יְהוָה֙the LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); speaks directly to Moses, as in v. 6.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Marks the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Moses as the recipient of this new word.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of prepositionמֹשֶׁה (H4872); the addressee, now told of his own impending death.
עֲלֵ֛הgo upQal impv 2ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (imperative, main clause)→ Volitional: a direct commandעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up, ascend'; the same summons given to Aaron before his death (Num. 20:25-28), foreshadowing Moses' own end.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Marks the destinationאֶל (H413); introduces the destination of the ascent.
הַ֥רthe mountain ofN m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Object of preposition (construct)הַר (H2022) 'mountain'; construct with עֲבָרִים, naming the specific range east of the Jordan (cf. Deut. 32:49, where it is called Mount Nebo).
הָעֲבָרִ֖יםAbarimart + proper noun · עֲבָרִים (H5682)Genitive (place name)עֲבָרִים (H5682), a mountain range in Moab east of the Jordan, from which Moses will view the promised land before dying (cf. Deut. 34:1).
הַזֶּ֑הthisart + demonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַרזֶה (H2088) 'this'; specifies the particular mountain being indicated.
וּרְאֵה֙and seeconj וְ + Qal impv 2ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (imperative, coordinated with עֲלֵה)→ Volitional: a direct commandרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; Moses may view the land (cf. Deut. 34:1-4) though he will not enter it — a poignant partial fulfillment.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָאָרֶץ as the definite direct object.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct objectאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; the promised land, the goal of the entire wilderness journey now denied to Moses personally.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing modifying clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), the standard relative particle, introducing the clause identifying the land as YHWH's gift.
נָתַ֖תִּיI have givenQal perf 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a settled, completed divine grantנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the land-gift is already decreed and certain, regardless of Moses' own exclusion from it.
לִבְנֵ֥יto the sons ofprep לְ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Indirect objectבֵּן (H1121); 'to the sons of Israel' — the nation as the intended recipient of the land.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitiveיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); closes the verse naming the true beneficiaries of the land-gift.
13
וְרָאִ֣יתָה אֹתָ֔הּ וְנֶאֱסַפְתָּ֥ אֶל עַמֶּ֖יךָ גַּם אָ֑תָּה כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר נֶאֱסַ֖ף אַהֲרֹ֥ן אָחִֽיךָ
And when you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was gathered,
Continues YHWH's speech: seeing the land will be immediately followed by death — 'gathered to your people' echoing the formula used of Aaron (Num. 20:24-26), linking Moses' end to his brother's.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְרָאִ֣יתָהand when you have seenconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (weqatal, temporal/sequential)→ Weqatal: sequential consequence following the command to ascend and seeרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; resumes the verb of v. 12, moving from command to its temporal sequel — after seeing, death follows.
אֹתָ֔הּ[obj] itobj marker + 3fs suff · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (referring to the land)אֵת (H853) with 3fs suffix, referring back to הָאָרֶץ 'the land' (feminine).
וְנֶאֱסַפְתָּ֥and you shall be gatheredconj וְ + Niphal weqatal 2ms · אָסַף (H622)Predicate verb (weqatal, main clause)→ Weqatal: sequential — a euphemistic Niphal passive for dyingאָסַף (H622) Niphal 'to be gathered'; a common Pentateuchal euphemism for death, picturing reunion with one's ancestors rather than mere extinction.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Marks the goal of gatheringאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; introduces 'your people,' i.e., the ancestors already dead.
עַמֶּ֖יךָyour peopleN m pl constr + 2ms suff · עַם (H5971)Object of prepositionעַם (H5971) 'people'; the formula 'gathered to one's people' pictures the patriarchal dead as a still-existing community.
גַּםalsoadverb · גַּם (H1571)Emphatic adverb modifying אַתָּהגַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; emphasizes that Moses, like Aaron, will die — no special exemption.
אָ֑תָּהyouindep pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Emphatic subject (resumptive)אַתָּה (H859) 'you'; emphatic pronoun, underscoring that even Moses is not exempt from the common human end.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רjust asprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative subordinating conjunctionאֲשֶׁר (H834); כַּאֲשֶׁר introduces the precedent of Aaron's death as the pattern for Moses'.
נֶאֱסַ֖ףwas gatheredNiphal perf 3ms · אָסַף (H622)Predicate verb (subordinate comparative clause)→ Perfective: a completed past event, the precedent already fulfilledאָסַף (H622) Niphal; the same euphemism just used of Moses, now recalling Aaron's own death (Num. 20:23-29).
אַהֲרֹ֥ןAaronproper noun · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Subjectאַהֲרֹן (H175), Moses' brother and Israel's first high priest, who died on Mount Hor (Num. 20:22-29) for the same offense at Meribah (v. 14).
אָחִֽיךָyour brotherN m sg constr + 2ms suff · אָח (H251)Apposition (identifying Aaron)אָח (H251) 'brother'; identifies Aaron's relation to Moses, reinforcing the personal parallel between the two deaths.
14
כַּאֲשֶׁר֩ מְרִיתֶ֨ם פִּ֜י בְּמִדְבַּר צִ֗ן בִּמְרִיבַת֙ הָֽעֵדָ֔ה לְהַקְדִּישֵׁ֥נִי בַמַּ֖יִם לְעֵינֵיהֶ֑ם הֵ֛ם מֵֽי מְרִיבַ֥ת קָדֵ֖שׁ מִדְבַּר צִֽן
because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, failing to sanctify me at the waters before their eyes.' (These are the waters of Meribath-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin.)
States the specific cause of Moses' (and Aaron's) exclusion: failure to sanctify YHWH at Meribah (cf. Num. 20:1-13); the closing clause 'these are the waters of Meribath-kadesh' functions as an explanatory aside identifying the place precisely.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
כַּאֲשֶׁר֩becauseprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Causal subordinating conjunctionאֲשֶׁר (H834); here כַּאֲשֶׁר functions causally, 'because,' introducing the reason for the sentence of death just announced.
מְרִיתֶ֨םyou rebelledQal perf 2mp · מָרָה (H4784)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of rebellionמָרָה (H4784) 'to rebel, be disobedient'; the same verb used of Israel's rebellions; here applied jointly to Moses and Aaron for the Meribah incident.
פִּ֜יmy wordN m sg constr + 1cs suff · פֶּה (H6310)Direct objectפֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; idiomatically 'my mouth' = my command, my spoken word — rebelling against YHWH's explicit instruction (cf. Num. 20:8, 12).
בְּמִדְבַּרin the wilderness ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Locative prepositional phraseמִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness'; construct with צִן, naming the location of the offense.
צִ֗ןZinproper noun · צִן (H6790)Genitive (place name)צִן (H6790), the wilderness region containing Kadesh, where the Meribah water-crisis occurred (Num. 20:1-13).
בִּמְרִיבַת֙in the strife ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · מְרִיבָה (H4808)Locative prepositional phraseמְרִיבָה (H4808) 'strife, quarrel' (from רִיב 'to contend'); names the incident itself — the people's quarrel with Moses and Aaron over water.
הָֽעֵדָ֔הthe congregationart + N f sg abs · עֵדָה (H5712)Genitive (completing construct chain)עֵדָה (H5712) 'congregation'; the whole community whose complaint provoked Moses and Aaron's failure at Meribah.
לְהַקְדִּישֵׁ֥נִיto sanctify meprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr + 1cs suff · קָדַשׁ (H6942)Infinitive of purpose/result (negated failure)→ Infinitive construct: the required act that Moses and Aaron failed to performקָדַשׁ (H6942) Hiphil 'to sanctify, treat as holy'; Moses and Aaron's failure was not honoring YHWH as holy before the people (cf. Num. 20:12) — likely by striking the rock rather than speaking to it, and by their angry words.
בַמַּ֖יִםat the watersprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Locative prepositional phraseמַיִם (H4325) 'water(s)'; the water YHWH miraculously provided from the rock, the very occasion of the offense (Num. 20:10-11).
לְעֵינֵיהֶ֑םbefore their eyesprep לְ + N c dual constr + 3mp suff · עַיִן (H5869)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner/witness)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; 'before their eyes' — the offense was public, in full view of the congregation, compounding its seriousness.
הֵ֛םtheseindep pron 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Subject (narrator's explanatory aside)הֵם (H1992) 'they, these'; introduces the narrator's parenthetical identification of the waters just mentioned.
מֵֽיthe waters ofN m pl constr · מַיִם (H4325)Predicate nominative (construct chain)מַיִם (H4325); construct plural, 'waters of,' introducing the place-name Meribah.
מְרִיבַ֥תMeribahproper noun · מְרִיבָה (H4809)Genitive (place name, first element)מְרִיבָה (H4809) 'strife, contention'; as a place-name, the site is forever marked by Israel's quarrel and Moses' failure there.
קָדֵ֖שׁKadeshproper noun · קָדֵשׁ (H6946)Genitive (place name, second element)קָדֵשׁ (H6946); the fuller place-name 'Meribath-kadesh' distinguishes this Meribah from the earlier one in Exod. 17:7.
מִדְבַּרthe wilderness ofN m sg constr · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Appositive (locating the place-name)מִדְבָּר (H4057); repeats the location from earlier in the verse, framing the aside as an inclusio.
צִֽןZinproper noun · צִן (H6790)Genitive (place name)צִן (H6790); closes the verse by relocating the reader precisely to the site of the offense.
15
וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר מֹשֶׁ֔ה אֶל יְהוָ֖ה לֵאמֹֽר
Moses spoke to the LORD, saying,
A brief narrative formula introduces Moses' remarkable response: rather than protesting his own death sentence, he immediately turns to intercede for Israel's future leadership (vv. 16-17).
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֣רand he spokeconj וְ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — introduces Moses' replyדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; introduces Moses' response, remarkable for its selflessness given the death sentence he has just received.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872); rather than pleading for himself, Moses will ask only for a worthy successor (v. 16).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Marks the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks YHWH as the recipient of Moses' words.
יְהוָ֖הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of prepositionיְהוָה (H3068); Moses addresses YHWH directly, as throughout the chapter.
לֵאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Complementary infinitive introducing direct speech→ Infinitive construct: marks the transition into quoted speechאָמַר (H559); introduces Moses' prayer for a successor, quoted in vv. 16-17.
16
יִפְקֹ֣ד יְהוָ֔ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י הָרוּחֹ֖ת לְכָל בָּשָׂ֑ר אִ֖ישׁ עַל הָעֵדָֽה
Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation,
Moses' prayer opens with a jussive (יִפְקֹד, 'let him appoint') and a striking divine title, 'God of the spirits of all flesh' — emphasizing YHWH's intimate knowledge of every person's inner disposition as the qualification needed to choose the right leader.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
יִפְקֹ֣דlet him appointQal jussive 3ms · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate verb (main clause, jussive of petition)→ Yiqtol (jussive): volitional request — 'may the LORD appoint'פָּקַד (H6485) 'to visit, appoint, muster'; here 'to appoint' a leader — the same root used of God's oversight and care.
יְהוָ֔הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); addressed in the third person within the prayer's opening jussive.
אֱלֹהֵ֥יthe God ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition (divine title)אֱלֹהִים (H430); construct 'God of' introduces a rare, theologically rich title stressing God's authority over every living spirit.
הָרוּחֹ֖תthe spiritsart + N c pl abs · רוּחַ (H7307)Genitive (completing construct chain)רוּחַ (H7307) 'spirit, breath'; plural 'the spirits of all flesh' — God alone knows each person's inner character, the qualification needed to select a worthy leader (cf. also Num. 16:22).
לְכָלof allprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Genitive (completing construct chain)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct with בָּשָׂר, extending the scope to all humanity.
בָּשָׂ֑רfleshN m sg abs · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Genitive (completing construct chain)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh'; 'all flesh' denotes humankind in its creaturely, mortal aspect.
אִ֖ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Direct objectאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the object of the petition — a single, specific leader to be appointed.
עַלoverprep · עַל (H5921)Marks the domain of authorityעַל (H5921) 'upon, over'; the leader's authority is to extend over the whole congregation.
הָעֵדָֽהthe congregationart + N f sg abs · עֵדָה (H5712)Object of prepositionעֵדָה (H5712) 'congregation'; the community requiring ongoing pastoral and administrative leadership after Moses.
17
אֲשֶׁר יֵצֵ֣א לִפְנֵיהֶ֗ם וַאֲשֶׁ֤ר יָבֹא֙ לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר יוֹצִיאֵ֖ם וַאֲשֶׁ֣ר יְבִיאֵ֑ם וְלֹ֤א תִהְיֶה֙ עֲדַ֣ת יְהוָ֔ה כַּצֹּ֕אן אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֵין לָהֶ֖ם רֹעֶֽה
who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.'
Moses specifies the qualities of the man he requests using military/pastoral idiom ('go out and come in') and closes with the shepherd-and-sheep image — Israel's most enduring picture of covenant leadership, later applied to David (2 Sam. 5:2) and ultimately to the Messiah.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
אֲשֶׁרwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing relative clause (modifying אִישׁ)אֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the description of the qualities required in the man to be appointed.
יֵצֵ֣אshall go outQal impf 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: future/modal — describes the leader's expected ongoing roleיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; idiomatic of a military/civic leader who personally leads the people out to war or duty (cf. 1 Sam. 18:16).
לִפְנֵיהֶ֗םbefore themprep לְ + N c pl constr + 3mp suff · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440); the leader goes 'before' the people, in front, as one who leads rather than merely commands.
וַאֲשֶׁ֤רand whoconj וְ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (coordinated clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834); coordinated relative continuing the description.
יָבֹא֙shall come inQal impf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: future/modal — describes ongoing expected leadershipבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; paired with יָצָא, 'go out and come in' is idiomatic for comprehensive, active leadership in all affairs.
לִפְנֵיהֶ֔םbefore themprep לְ + N c pl constr + 3mp suff · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440); repeated to complete the idiom 'go out before them and come in before them.'
וַאֲשֶׁ֥רand whoconj וְ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (coordinated clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the causative restatement of the same idiom.
יוֹצִיאֵ֖םshall lead them outHiphil impf 3ms + 3mp suff · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: future/modal, causative — actively leading the people, not just walking aheadיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring/lead out'; restates the idiom causatively — the leader actively conducts the people, echoing shepherd and military leadership language.
וַאֲשֶׁ֣רand whoconj וְ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (coordinated clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834); final relative clause of the fourfold description.
יְבִיאֵ֑םshall bring them inHiphil impf 3ms + 3mp suff · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: future/modal, causative — completes the fourfold description of active leadershipבּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'to bring in'; completes the idiom, describing thorough, engaged leadership rather than passive figurehead status.
וְלֹ֤אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verb (purpose clause)לֹא (H3808); negates the verb 'be,' expressing the purpose/result Moses hopes to avoid.
תִהְיֶה֙may... beQal impf 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (negated purpose clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/purposive — 'so that... may not be'הָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the negated purpose clause states the outcome Moses seeks to prevent: a leaderless, scattered Israel.
עֲדַ֣תthe congregation ofN f sg constr · עֵדָה (H5712)Subject (construct chain)עֵדָה (H5712) 'congregation'; construct with יְהוָה — Israel belongs to YHWH, making its leaderless state a matter of divine concern.
יְהוָ֔הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitiveיְהוָה (H3068); the congregation is explicitly named as YHWH's own — a flock belonging to the divine shepherd, requiring a faithful undershepherd.
כַּצֹּ֕אןlike sheepprep כְּ + art + N c sg abs · צֹאן (H6629)Predicate complement (simile)צֹאן (H6629) 'flock, sheep/goats'; the classic ancient Near Eastern image for a people under a king or leader — introduces the enduring shepherd metaphor for Israel's leadership.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing modifying clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the description of sheep without a shepherd.
אֵיןthere is notnegative existential particle · אַיִן (H369)Predicate of existential negationאַיִן (H369); negates the existence of a shepherd, the very crisis Moses' prayer seeks to forestall.
לָהֶ֖םto themprep לְ + 3mp suffDative of possessionלְ + suffix, 'to them' = 'they have' (no shepherd).
רֹעֶֽהa shepherdQal ptc m sg · רָעָה (H7462)Subject of existential clause (substantival participle)→ Participle: a substantivized 'one who shepherds' — a role, not merely an eventרָעָה (H7462) 'to shepherd, pasture'; the participle 'shepherd' becomes Israel's foundational image for godly leadership, later applied to David and, ultimately, to the Messiah (Ezek. 34:23; John 10:11).
18
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֗ה קַח לְךָ֙ אֶת יְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ בִּן נ֔וּן אִ֖ישׁ אֲשֶׁר ר֣וּחַ בּ֑וֹ וְסָמַכְתָּ֥ אֶת יָדְךָ֖ עָלָֽיו
And the LORD said to Moses, 'Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him,
YHWH answers Moses' prayer immediately and specifically: Joshua, already described as 'a man in whom is the Spirit' (cf. Num. 11:28; Deut. 34:9), is named by name as the chosen successor, and the laying on of a hand (singular here, יָדְךָ) begins the commissioning rite.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרand he saidconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — introduces YHWH's answer to the prayerאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces YHWH's prompt, specific answer to Moses' intercession.
יְהוָ֜הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); responds directly and without delay to Moses' prayer.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Marks the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Moses as recipient.
מֹשֶׁ֗הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of prepositionמֹשֶׁה (H4872); receives both the answer to his prayer and the task of commissioning his successor.
קַחtakeQal impv 2ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (imperative, main clause)→ Volitional: direct commandלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; the first act in the commissioning process — Moses is to select and bring forward Joshua.
לְךָ֙for yourselfprep לְ + 2ms suffEthical dative (reflexive emphasis)לְ + suffix, reflexive/ethical dative, common with imperatives of taking — 'take for yourself.'
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יְהוֹשֻׁעַ as the definite direct object.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Direct objectיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091) 'YHWH is salvation'; Moses' longtime aide (Exod. 17:9-14; 24:13; 33:11) and one of the twelve spies who trusted YHWH (Num. 14:6-9), now formally named as successor.
בִּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (patronymic)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; identifies Joshua by his father, standard biographical marker.
נ֔וּןNunproper noun · נוּן (H5126)Genitive (patronymic)נוּן (H5126), Joshua's father, otherwise unknown apart from this patronymic.
אִ֖ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Apposition (describing Joshua)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; introduces the qualifying description that follows — precisely the kind of man Moses had asked for (v. 16).
אֲשֶׁרin whomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing modifying clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the description confirming Joshua meets Moses' criterion for a leader.
ר֣וּחַthe SpiritN c sg abs · רוּחַ (H7307)Subject (verbless clause)רוּחַ (H7307) 'spirit'; echoes v. 16's 'God of the spirits' — Joshua possesses the divine endowment required for leadership (cf. Deut. 34:9).
בּ֑וֹin himprep בְּ + 3ms suffPredicate locative (verbless clause)בְּ + suffix, 'in him'; states that the Spirit already resides in Joshua, prior to the formal commissioning that follows.
וְסָמַכְתָּ֥and you shall layconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · סָמַךְ (H5564)Predicate verb (weqatal, main clause continuing the command)→ Weqatal: sequential command — the next required actסָמַךְ (H5564) 'to lean, lay, support'; the technical term for the ritual laying on of hands, transferring authority/blessing (cf. Deut. 34:9, where Joshua is 'full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him').
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יָדְךָ as the definite direct object.
יָדְךָ֖your handN c sg constr + 2ms suff · יָד (H3027)Direct objectיָד (H3027) 'hand'; singular here (contrast the plural 'hands' in v. 23's narrated fulfillment) — the command specifies a single symbolic gesture.
עָלָֽיוon himprep עַל + 3ms suffLocative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) with 3ms suffix; 'upon him' — the recipient of the gesture of commissioning, Joshua.
19
וְהַֽעֲמַדְתָּ֣ אֹת֗וֹ לִפְנֵי֙ אֶלְעָזָ֣ר הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וְלִפְנֵ֖י כָּל הָעֵדָ֑ה וְצִוִּיתָ֥ה אֹת֖וֹ לְעֵינֵיהֶֽם
and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and you shall commission him in their sight.
The commissioning is to be public and witnessed by the whole congregation, paralleling the daughters' public hearing in v. 2 — leadership transfer, like the legal ruling, is enacted openly before the community.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְהַֽעֲמַדְתָּ֣and you shall setconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 2ms · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate verb (weqatal, main clause)→ Weqatal: sequential command — the next act of the commissioningעָמַד (H5975) Hiphil 'to cause to stand, set, station'; the same root used of the daughters 'standing' before the leaders in v. 2, now Joshua is formally 'stood' before them.
אֹת֗וֹ[obj] himobj marker + 3ms suff · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (referring to Joshua)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, referring back to יְהוֹשֻׁעַ.
לִפְנֵי֙beforeprep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440); the same formula used in v. 2 of the daughters' appearance, now applied to Joshua's commissioning.
אֶלְעָזָ֣רEleazarproper noun · אֶלְעָזָר (H499)Object of prepositionאֶלְעָזָר (H499); the priest whose Urim will guide Joshua's decisions (v. 21), unlike Moses' more direct access to YHWH.
הַכֹּהֵ֔ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Apposition (identifying Eleazar's office)כֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; Eleazar's priestly role becomes essential to the new leadership structure, balancing Joshua's civil/military authority.
וְלִפְנֵ֖יand beforeconj וְ + prep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase (coordinated)פָּנִים (H6440); repeated for the whole congregation, ensuring universal witness to the commissioning.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun (totality)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with הָעֵדָה, emphasizing the whole community's presence.
הָעֵדָ֑הthe congregationart + N f sg abs · עֵדָה (H5712)Object of preposition (genitive of כָּל)עֵדָה (H5712) 'congregation'; the entire assembly witnesses the transfer of leadership, just as it witnessed the daughters' case.
וְצִוִּיתָ֥הand you shall commissionconj וְ + Piel weqatal 2ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb (weqatal, main clause)→ Weqatal: sequential command — the charge that formalizes Joshua's new roleצָוָה (H6680) Piel 'to command, charge'; Moses is to give Joshua his formal charge, the same root used of YHWH's own commands throughout the chapter (vv. 11, 22, 23).
אֹת֖וֹ[obj] himobj marker + 3ms suff · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (referring to Joshua)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, referring again to Joshua as the recipient of the charge.
לְעֵינֵיהֶֽםin their sightprep לְ + N c dual constr + 3mp suff · עַיִן (H5869)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner/witness)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; 'before their eyes' — public, visible transfer of authority, leaving no doubt among the people as to Joshua's legitimacy.
20
וְנָתַתָּ֥ה מֵהֽוֹדְךָ֖ עָלָ֑יו לְמַ֣עַן יִשְׁמְע֔וּ כָּל עֲדַ֖ת בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
And you shall put some of your authority on him, that all the congregation of the sons of Israel may obey.
The final element of the commissioning: Moses transfers some of his own הוֹד ('majesty, authority, splendor') to Joshua — not the whole of Moses' unique stature (cf. Deut. 34:10-12), but enough to secure the people's obedience to the new leader.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וְנָתַתָּ֥הand you shall putconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (weqatal, main clause)→ Weqatal: sequential command — the final act of the commissioningנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, put, place'; the same verb used throughout the inheritance statute (vv. 7-11), now used of transferring authority rather than land.
מֵהֽוֹדְךָ֖some of your authorityprep מִן + N m sg constr + 2ms suff · הוֹד (H1935)Direct object (partitive)הוֹד (H1935) 'majesty, splendor, authority'; the partitive מִן ('some of') indicates Moses retains his unique stature while sharing enough for Joshua to be recognized and obeyed.
עָלָ֑יוon himprep עַל + 3ms suffLocative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) with 3ms suffix; 'upon him' — the recipient of the transferred authority, Joshua.
לְמַ֣עַןso thatprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Purpose/result conjunctionלְמַעַן (H4616) 'in order that, so that'; introduces the stated purpose of the authority-transfer: securing the people's obedience.
יִשְׁמְע֔וּthey may obeyQal impf 3mp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (purpose clause)→ Yiqtol: purposive/modal — the intended result of the authority transferשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, listen, obey'; the practical goal of vv. 18-20 — the people's compliance with Joshua's leadership.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun (totality)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with עֲדַת, emphasizing the totality of the congregation's expected obedience.
עֲדַ֖תthe congregation ofN f sg constr · עֵדָה (H5712)Subject (construct chain)עֵדָה (H5712) 'congregation'; construct with בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, the whole nation as the subject who must obey.
בְּנֵ֥יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (completing construct chain)בֵּן (H1121); 'sons of Israel' completing the phrase naming the whole nation.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitiveיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); closes the verse, naming the community whose obedience secures the continuity of covenant leadership.
21
וְלִפְנֵ֨י אֶלְעָזָ֤ר הַכֹּהֵן֙ יַעֲמֹ֔ד וְשָׁ֥אַל ל֛וֹ בְּמִשְׁפַּ֥ט הָאוּרִ֖ים לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה עַל פִּ֨יו יֵצְא֜וּ וְעַל פִּ֣יו יָבֹ֗אוּ ה֛וּא וְכָל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל אִתּ֖וֹ וְכָל הָעֵדָֽה
And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the LORD. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in — he and all the sons of Israel with him, all the congregation.'
Unlike Moses, who spoke with YHWH face to face (Num. 12:6-8; Deut. 34:10), Joshua's guidance will come mediated through Eleazar's priestly inquiry by the Urim — a structurally different, more institutional form of divine guidance for the new era.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וְלִפְנֵ֨יand beforeconj וְ + prep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440); Joshua's continuing posture will be to stand 'before' Eleazar, mirroring how the daughters and Joshua himself stood 'before' the leadership earlier in the chapter.
אֶלְעָזָ֤רEleazarproper noun · אֶלְעָזָר (H499)Object of prepositionאֶלְעָזָר (H499); the priest through whom Joshua will seek divine guidance.
הַכֹּהֵן֙the priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Appositionכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; Eleazar's priestly office is precisely what qualifies him to operate the Urim.
יַעֲמֹ֔דhe shall standQal impf 3ms · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate verb (main clause, future/habitual)→ Yiqtol: future/habitual — describes Joshua's ongoing posture of dependenceעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; Joshua's standing posture before the priest expresses ongoing dependence rather than Moses' unique direct access to YHWH.
וְשָׁ֥אַלand he shall inquireconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · שָׁאַל (H7592)Predicate verb (weqatal, main clause)→ Weqatal: sequential — the priest's action on Joshua's behalfשָׁאַל (H7592) 'to ask, inquire'; the technical term for consulting God through the priestly oracle (cf. 1 Sam. 23:9-12; 30:7-8).
ל֛וֹfor himprep לְ + 3ms suffIndirect object (benefactive)לְ + suffix, 'for him' — Eleazar inquires on Joshua's behalf.
בְּמִשְׁפַּ֥טby the judgment ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Instrumental prepositional phrase (construct chain)מִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, decision'; construct with הָאוּרִים — the same root word used of the daughters' 'case' (v. 5) and the succession 'statute' (v. 11), now denoting the oracular decision-method itself.
הָאוּרִ֖יםthe Urimart + N m pl abs · אוּרִים (H224)Genitive (completing construct chain)אוּרִים (H224) 'lights' (plural, paired with תֻּמִּים 'Thummim'); the priestly oracle-objects kept in the high priest's breastpiece (Exod. 28:30), used to discern YHWH's will by lot.
לִפְנֵ֣יbeforeprep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440); the inquiry takes place in YHWH's presence, likely at the tent of meeting.
יְהוָ֑הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of prepositionיְהוָה (H3068); the ultimate source of the oracular guidance mediated through the Urim.
עַלatprep · עַל (H5921)Marks the basis/authority of the actionעַל (H5921) 'upon, at'; idiomatic with פֶּה, 'at the mouth of' = by the word/command of.
פִּ֨יוhis wordN m sg constr + 3ms suff · פֶּה (H6310)Object of prepositionפֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; idiomatically 'his word/command' — referring to Joshua's directive, itself dependent on the oracle just described.
יֵצְא֜וּthey shall go outQal impf 3mp · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (main clause, future/habitual)→ Yiqtol: future/habitual — describes the people's ongoing pattern of obedienceיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; echoes the 'go out and come in' idiom of v. 17, now fulfilled through Joshua's Urim-guided commands.
וְעַלand atconj וְ + prep · עַל (H5921)Marks the basis/authority of the action (coordinated)עַל (H5921); repeats the idiom for the second half of the pair.
פִּ֣יוhis wordN m sg constr + 3ms suff · פֶּה (H6310)Object of prepositionפֶּה (H6310); second occurrence, completing the 'at his word... at his word' formula.
יָבֹ֗אוּthey shall come inQal impf 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause, future/habitual)→ Yiqtol: future/habitual — completes the reciprocal idiom of communal obedienceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; completes the idiom of v. 17, now describing the whole nation's practical submission to Joshua's Urim-mediated leadership.
ה֛וּאheindep pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (resumptive, emphatic)הוּא (H1931) 'he'; emphatic resumption identifying Joshua as included among those who obey the oracle's guidance.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun (totality, coordinated subject)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, extending the scope of obedience to the whole nation.
בְּנֵיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (completing construct chain)בֵּן (H1121); 'sons of Israel' named as fellow participants in Urim-guided obedience alongside Joshua.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֥לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitiveיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the whole covenant people, subject with Joshua to the same divine guidance structure.
אִתּ֖וֹwith himprep אֵת (with) + 3ms suffPrepositional phrase (association)אֵת/אִתּוֹ (H854) 'with'; associates the people together with Joshua under the same authority.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun (totality, apposition)כֹּל (H3605); repeated for emphasis, 'and all the congregation,' underscoring universal participation in this new order.
הָעֵדָֽהthe congregationart + N f sg abs · עֵדָה (H5712)Object of preposition (genitive of כָּל)עֵדָה (H5712) 'congregation'; closes the chapter's second-to-last speech verse, summarizing the entire community bound to the new Urim-guided leadership.
22
וַיַּ֣עַשׂ מֹשֶׁ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהוָ֖ה אֹת֑וֹ וַיִּקַּ֣ח אֶת יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ וַיַּֽעֲמִדֵ֨הוּ֙ לִפְנֵי֙ אֶלְעָזָ֣ר הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וְלִפְנֵ֖י כָּל הָעֵדָֽה
And Moses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation,
The narrative pivots from command to compliance: Moses executes each element of YHWH's instruction precisely, the standard Pentateuchal formula ('did as the LORD commanded') certifying faithful obedience, as with the tabernacle instructions in Exodus.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיַּ֣עַשׂand he didconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — records Moses' obedienceעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; the standard verb of compliance with divine instruction throughout the Pentateuch.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872); performs his last recorded acts of leadership, faithfully executing his own succession.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֛רjust asprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative subordinating conjunctionאֲשֶׁר (H834); כַּאֲשֶׁר introduces the standard formula certifying exact compliance with the divine command.
צִוָּ֥הcommandedPiel perf 3ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb (subordinate clause)→ Perfective: a completed, authoritative act of commandצָוָה (H6680) 'to command'; recalls YHWH's instructions of vv. 18-21, now fulfilled.
יְהוָ֖הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); the source of the command Moses now fulfills.
אֹת֑וֹ[obj] himobj marker + 3ms suff · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (referring to Moses)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, referring back to Moses as the one commanded.
וַיִּקַּ֣חand he tookconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the first of Moses' obedient actsלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; fulfills the imperative קַח of v. 18.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יְהוֹשֻׁעַ as the definite direct object.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Direct objectיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091); the successor now formally taken and presented, per YHWH's instruction.
וַיַּֽעֲמִדֵ֨הוּ֙and he set himconj וְ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms + 3ms suff · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — fulfills the command of v. 19עָמַד (H5975) Hiphil 'to cause to stand'; fulfills וְהַעֲמַדְתָּ of v. 19 — Joshua is formally 'stood' before the priest and congregation.
לִפְנֵי֙beforeprep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440); fulfills the locative instruction of v. 19.
אֶלְעָזָ֣רEleazarproper noun · אֶלְעָזָר (H499)Object of prepositionאֶלְעָזָר (H499); present as instructed, to witness and later to consult the Urim on Joshua's behalf.
הַכֹּהֵ֔ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Appositionכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; identifies Eleazar's role, essential to the ongoing leadership structure.
וְלִפְנֵ֖יand beforeconj וְ + prep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase (coordinated)פָּנִים (H6440); the public dimension of the ceremony is likewise fulfilled.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun (totality)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with הָעֵדָה, confirming the whole community's presence as witnesses.
הָעֵדָֽהthe congregationart + N f sg abs · עֵדָה (H5712)Object of preposition (genitive of כָּל)עֵדָה (H5712) 'congregation'; the entire assembly witnesses Joshua's public installation, just as it witnessed the daughters' case at the chapter's opening.
23
וַיִּסְמֹ֧ךְ אֶת יָדָ֛יו עָלָ֖יו וַיְצַוֵּ֑הוּ כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה בְּיַד מֹשֶֽׁה
And he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, just as the LORD had spoken through Moses.
Closes the chapter with the actual laying on of hands — plural יָדָיו here versus singular יָדְךָ in the command of v. 18, most likely just the natural dual for 'hands' in narration rather than a contradiction — and the final formula 'as the LORD had spoken through Moses' seals both the succession and, retrospectively, the whole chapter's chain of divine speech, Mosaic mediation, and public enactment.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיִּסְמֹ֧ךְand he laidconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · סָמַךְ (H5564)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the climactic act of commissioningסָמַךְ (H5564) 'to lean, lay (hands)'; fulfills the command of v. 18, the decisive gesture transferring authority to Joshua.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יָדָיו as the definite direct object.
יָדָ֛יוhis handsN c dual constr + 3ms suff · יָד (H3027)Direct objectיָד (H3027) 'hand'; here dual 'his hands,' contrasting with the singular 'your hand' commanded in v. 18 — most likely the natural Hebrew dual for a person's two hands rather than a deliberate theological distinction, though some traditions read it as intensifying the transfer.
עָלָ֖יוon himprep עַל + 3ms suffLocative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) with 3ms suffix; 'upon him' — Joshua, the recipient of the gesture.
וַיְצַוֵּ֑הוּand he commissioned himconj וְ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms + 3ms suff · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — fulfills the command of v. 19צָוָה (H6680) Piel 'to command, charge'; fulfills וְצִוִּיתָה of v. 19 — Moses gives Joshua his formal charge (cf. Deut. 31:7-8, 23).
כַּאֲשֶׁ֛רjust asprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative subordinating conjunctionאֲשֶׁר (H834); כַּאֲשֶׁר introduces the chapter's final formula of divine certification.
דִּבֶּ֥רhad spokenPiel perf 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb (subordinate clause)→ Perfective: a completed, prior act of speechדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; recalls YHWH's original commissioning speech (vv. 18-21), now fulfilled to the letter.
יְהוָ֖הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); the ultimate source of both the succession statute (v. 11) and Joshua's commissioning, framing the whole chapter as divine action mediated through Moses.
בְּיַדthrough the hand ofprep בְּ + N c sg constr · יָד (H3027)Instrumental/agentive prepositional phraseיָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiomatic 'by/through the hand of' = through the agency/mediation of — Moses as the instrument of YHWH's word to the very end.
מֹשֶֽׁהMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of prepositionמֹשֶׁה (H4872); the chapter's final word — Moses' faithful mediation of both the daughters' law and his own succession, even as his own death now draws near.