Numbers 28 tells the story of the five daughters of Zelophehad. These daughters, Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah (it’s important that we know their names. Often the Bible makes women anonymous) are first named in the census of tribes in Numbers 26. After the census, God commands Moses to distribute the land in proportion to the population of the tribes except for the Levites who would as the priests live among the remaining eleven tribes. The daughters come to state their case as Moses is preparing to make the land assignments as God commanded. The practice is to make the assignments based on the males counted in the Numbers 26 census. Since Zelophehad had no sons, these women would have been overlooked and not given a portion of land. The Israelite culture that gave preference to men would have left them homeless unless other males in the tribe would agree to make room for them with their own families. Using my sanctified imagination, I hear them saying to each other, “We’re going to change the things we cannot accept.”

They approach an all-male contingent of leaders at their meeting place, the entrance to the Tabernacle. They tell Moses, the male leaders and God that their father should not have to lose his inheritance because he had no sons. They know what the rules are. They know they are in a vulnerable and precarious position, but nevertheless they understand that you only fail at something when you fail to try. They took the risk of upending tradition and the rules of patriarchy so that their father’s legacy and inheritance would not be forgotten.

After they make their case, Moses takes their case to God. I wonder what answer Moses thought God would give to this question. Would God continue to assert masculinity and patriarchy? Or if God gives an answer then no one can blame me? To probably everyone’s surprise, God says, “The daughters of Zelophehad are right in what they are saying. you shall indeed let them possess an inheritance among their father’s brothers and pass the inheritance of their father on to them.” God shifts the paradigm and dismantles the patriarchal system that would deny women the right of inheritance and birthright. Because these five women used their voice to speak for their own self-interest, Israel learns that God is no respecter of persons! They learn that God has regard for every family no matter how they’re made up. Later on Moses bends these rules and decrees that they cannot marry outside of their tribe or if they do, the land stays within their family of origin. But let’s be clear, those are Moses’ words, not God’s words. God is clear, women are not to be denied their share in the land distribution just because they have no fathers or brothers. Talk about a God’s favor!

These women demonstrate to women everywhere how critical it is for us to exercise our voice on issues that affect us. Because of Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah, Rahab used their voice when she asked the Israelite spies that she hid to save her family when Israel came to conquer Jericho. Bathsheba used her voice to ensure that her son Solomon succeeded his father on the throne. Esther found her voice and saved her people from annihilation from their enemies! Mary was able to use her voice to say, “Be it done to me according to your word.” The woman with the issue of blood was able to tell Jesus how he healed her when she touched the hem of his garment! Because of these daughters, Mary Magdalene and the other women preached the first post Resurrection message, “He’s not dead but he lives!”

When women use their voice, God hears and God responds! Thank God for women in during this Women’s History Month.

Rev. Dr. Amariah McIntosh,

Associate Director