Hoglah חׇגְלָה
Daughter of Zelophehad, of the tribe of Manasseh.
Who is Hoglah in the Bible?
Hoglah was one of the five daughters of Zelophehad from the tribe of Manasseh, mentioned in Numbers 26:33, 27:1, 36:11, and Joshua 17:3. When her father died without male heirs, Hoglah and her sisters, Mahlah, Noah, Milcah, and Tirzah, petitioned Moses and Israel's leaders for the right to inherit their father's land portion, challenging the traditional inheritance laws that excluded women (Numbers 27:1-4). God granted their request, instructing Moses to allow the daughters of Zelophehad to receive an inheritance among their father's relatives, establishing a new legal precedent for cases where a man had no sons (Numbers 27:5-11). Hoglah's story is significant because it demonstrates how the daughters' bold appeal led to a change in Israelite law, ensuring they would receive their rightful share of the Promised Land and establishing important protections for women's property rights in ancient Israel.
Biography
Hoglah was one of the five daughters of Zelophehad, a descendant of Manasseh, as recorded in Num.26.33, 27:1, Num.36.11, and Jos.17.3. Her sisters were Mahlah, Noah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
Zelophehad had no sons, and according to the traditional inheritance laws, his daughters would not receive a portion of the Promised Land. However, the daughters of Zelophehad approached Moses and the leaders of Israel, requesting the right to inherit their father's portion (Num.27.1-4).
In response to their request, God instructed Moses to grant the daughters of Zelophehad an inheritance among their father's relatives, setting a precedent for cases where a man died without male heirs (Num.27.5-11). This ruling ensured that Hoglah and her sisters would receive a portion of the land allocated to the tribe of Manasseh.
The story of Hoglah and her sisters is significant, as it demonstrates the importance of women's rights and their ability to advocate for themselves in a patriarchal society. Their actions led to a change in inheritance laws, ensuring that women could inherit property in the absence of male heirs.
Family
Siblings
- Mahlah Tribe of ManassehSister of IshhodDaughter of Zelophehad's sister.View full profile →
- Noah Early PatriarchFlood survivorRighteous man, built ark, survived floodView full profile →
- Milcah Early PatriarchSister of LotWife of Nahor, Abraham's brother.View full profile →
- Tirzah Tribe of ManassehSister of MahlahDaughter of Zelophehad, granted inheritance rightsView full profile →
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 1 with study contentNumbers 3 verses
- 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"
- Numbers 36:11
"Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married to cousins on their father’s side."
Joshua 1 verse
- 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."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | חׇגְלָה |
Hoglah
itance in such cases should pass to the daughters, if such there were, as joint heirs, on condition, however, of marriage within the tribe (Nu 27:1-11; 36:1-12; Jos 17:3 f).
ho'-ham (hoham, "whom Yahweh impels(?)" Gesenius): An Amorite king of Hebron and one of the five kings of the Amorites who leagued for war on Gibeon because of its treaty of peace with Joshua. The five were defeated in