Hepher חֵ֫פֶר
Son of Gilead, ancestor of the Hepherites.
Who is Hepher in the Bible?
Hepher was a son of Gilead and an ancestor of the Hepherite clan within the tribe of Manasseh, as recorded in Numbers 26:32 and Joshua 17:2. His genealogical line became significant in Israel's history, particularly through his descendants Zelophehad's daughters, who are mentioned in Numbers 27:1 and Joshua 17:3. These women brought a landmark case before Moses regarding inheritance rights, arguing that they should receive their father's inheritance in the absence of male heirs. God granted their request, establishing an important legal precedent that allowed women to inherit property under specific circumstances, thereby expanding the inheritance laws of ancient Israel.
Biography
Hepher was a son of Gilead, who was a descendant of Manasseh, the son of Joseph. He is mentioned in the genealogies of the tribe of Manasseh in Numbers and Joshua (Num.26.32; Jos.17.2). Hepher's descendants were known as the Hepherites, one of the clans within the tribe of Manasseh (Num.26.32). The daughters of Zelophehad, who were descendants of Hepher, played a significant role in establishing inheritance rights for women in the absence of male heirs (Num.27.1; Jos.17.3). They brought their case before Moses and the leaders, and God instructed that they should receive an inheritance among their father's relatives. This event set a precedent for inheritance laws in Israel. (Num.26.32,33; 27.1; Jos.17.2,3).
Family
Siblings
- Abiezer Tribe of ManassehBrother of IshhodSon of Hammolecheth, from the tribe of ManassehView full profile →
- Helek Tribe of ManassehSon of GileadSon of Gilead, ancestor of the Helekites.View full profile →
- Asriel Tribe of ManassehSon of GileadSon of Manasseh, founder of the Asrielite clanView full profile →
- Shechem Tribe of ManassehSon of ShemidaSon of Shemida, a ManassiteView full profile →
- Shemida Tribe of ManassehSon of GileadSon of Gilead, great-grandson of ManassehView full profile →
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 1 with study contentNumbers 3 verses
- Numbers 26:32
"the Shemidaite clan from Shemida, and the Hepherite clan from Hepher."
- Numbers 26:33
"Now Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons but only daughters. The names of his daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah."
- Numbers 27:1
"Now the daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, belonged to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. These were the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They approached"
Joshua 2 verses
- Joshua 17:2
"So this allotment was for the rest of the descendants of Manasseh—the clans of Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher, and Shemida. These are the other male descendants of the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph."
Study Joshua → - Joshua 17:3
"But Zelophehad son of Hepher (the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh) had no sons but only daughters. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah."
Study Joshua →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | חֵ֫פֶר |
| Group | Hebrew | חֶפְרִי |