Zelophehad

Zelophehad is a biblical name of Hebrew origin, appearing in the Old Testament as a man of the Tribe of Manasseh during the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. The etymology of the name is uncertain, with scholars suggesting it may mean either "first born" or "shadow from terror".

Biblical Account

According to the Book of Numbers (chapter 27), Zelophehad died in the wilderness during the 40 years of wandering, leaving no sons but five daughters: Mahlah, Noa, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. The daughters approached Moses and the priest Eleazar to petition for the right to inherit their father's property, as inheritance traditionally passed only to male heirs. Their request was deemed just by the Lord, and a new law was established that allowed daughters to inherit when no sons existed, provided they married within their own tribe to keep the inheritance within the ancestral allotment (Numbers 36).

Legal and Religious Significance

Zelophehad's daughters are noteworthy in biblical law for challenging patriarchal inheritance norms, and their case became a precedent for women's inheritance rights in ancient Israel. The narrative highlights themes of justice, gender, and the preservation of tribal land.

Usage as a Name

Zelophehad is rare as a given name; it appears mainly in English translations of the Bible and among some Christian and Jewish communities that favor obscure biblical names. It belongs to the English Bible usage category and has no common variant forms.

• Meaning: Possibly "first born" or "shadow from terror"
• Origin: Hebrew
• Type: First name (given name)
• Usage: English Bible (religious context)