the daughters: In the orders for the division of the land, just given, no provision had been made for females, in case of failure of male issue. The five daughters of Zelophehad, therefore, considered themselves as destitute, having neither father nor brother, and being themselves entirely overlooked; and they agreed to refer the case to Moses and the rulers, whether it were not equitable that they should inherit their father's portion. This led to the enactment of an additional law to the civil code of Israel, which satisfactorily ascertained and amply secured the right of succession in cases of inheritance. This law, which is as reasonable as it is just, stands thus -
1. On the demise of the father, the estate descends to the sons.
2. If there be no son, the daughters succeed.
3. If there be no daughter, the brothers of the deceased inherit.
4. If there be no brethren, or paternal uncles, the estate goes to the grand uncles, or brothers of his father.
5. If there be no grand uncles, then the nearest of kin succeeds to the inheritance.
Beyond this fifth degree the law does not extend, because there must always have been some among the Israelites who could be called kinsmen.
Zelophehad: Numbers 26:33, Numbers 36:1-12; Joshua 17:3-6; 1 Chronicles 7:15; Galatians 3:28