Less-known Women of the Bible

Five Daughters of Zelophehad

Five sisters whose father died during the 40 years of Israelite wandering in the desert (Num. 26). Their names were Mahlah (“fat” or “sickly”), Noah (“movement”), Hoglah (“partridge”), Milcah (“queen”), and Tirzah (“pleasing”). In a census taken at the end of the desert wandering on the plains of Moab (verse 3), Zelophehad is not mentioned as one of the men of Manasseh inheriting land in Canaan since he “had no sons” (Num. 26:33; 1 Chr. 7:15; Josh. 17:3). The daughters joined together; identified an injustice; supported what they saw with facts; identified the change agents (Moses, Eleazar, and God); presented their case; and identified what they needed/wanted. In the end the daughters married men within the tribe of Manasseh; as they were instructed; and received a portion of the land, which remained within the tribe of Manasseh (Num. 36:10-12). This story has at least six lessons: 1) women are stronger when they stand together than when they stand alone; 2) injustice must be identified or it may go unnoticed; 3) emotion is stronger when supported with facts; 4) those who seek justice must think carefully about whom to approach with correcting the injustice; 5) one’s case must be presented in confidence and strength; 6) women must identify what they want rather than waiting for others to solve a problem or correct an injustice.