Light and Darkness 79

Following the second census of Israel in chpt.26 with instructions on the division of the Promised Land, Moses is faced with a related issue in chpt. 27. The five daughters of a Simeonite man named Zelophehad came before Israel's leadership to inqure why they could not inherit a share of their tribe's land, since their father had no sons. Moses took this quandry to Yahweh and promptly received affirmation that the daughters were "right...You must certainly give them proeprty as an inheritance among their father's relatives". This was a significant step forward for the status of women in Israelite law, as well as their cultural value beyond child bearing.