Mahlah מַחְלָה
Daughter of Zelophehad, who received an inheritance among her brothers.
Who is Mahlah in the Bible?
Mahlah was one of five daughters of Zelophehad from the tribe of Manasseh who played a pivotal role in establishing inheritance rights for women in ancient Israel. When her father died without sons, Mahlah and her sisters approached Moses and the congregation at the Tent of Meeting to petition for a share of their father's inheritance, arguing that his name should not disappear from his clan (Numbers 27:1-4). God approved their case, and Moses granted them an inheritance in the land of Canaan, with the stipulation that they marry within their father's tribe to preserve tribal land divisions (Numbers 36:11). Her story, recorded in Numbers 26:33, 27:1-11, and 36:11, as well as Joshua 17:3, established a legal precedent that expanded property rights and highlighted the importance of justice and family continuity in Israel's law.
Biography
Mahlah was one of the five daughters of Zelophehad, a man from the tribe of Manasseh. Zelophehad had no sons, and according to the law, his inheritance would pass to his brothers. However, Mahlah and her sisters approached Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and the entire congregation at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. They argued that their father's name should not disappear from his clan because he had no sons and that they should receive an inheritance among their father's relatives. Moses brought their case before God, who agreed with the daughters and instructed Moses to give them property as an inheritance among their father's relatives, setting a precedent for cases where a man died without sons. Mahlah and her sisters received an inheritance in the land of Canaan (Num.26.33; 27.1; 36.11; Jos.17.3).
Family
Siblings
- Noah Early PatriarchFlood survivorRighteous man, built ark, survived floodView full profile →
- Hoglah Tribe of ManassehSister of MahlahDaughter of Zelophehad, of the tribe of Manasseh.View 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 | מַחְלָה |