In a culture in which women were generally seen but not heard, five sisters dared to speak up for their rights. As their father’s only children, it was up to them to preserve their family legacy. Their names—Mahlah, Noa, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah—may be unfamiliar, but their courage and integrity remain as an example for us today.

We meet them first in Numbers 27 as the Israelites were preparing to take possession of the Promised Land. Israel’s leaders had conducted a census that would determine how the land would be apportioned. 

Facing Giants

However, property passed from father to son. But Zelophehad  had five daughters and no sons. The sisters made a bold choice. They would face giants.

They came forward and stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders and the whole assembly at the entrance to the tent of meeting and said, “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among Korah’s followers, who banded together against the Lord, but he died for his own sin and left no sons. Why should our father’s name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father’s relatives.”—Numbers 27:1b-4 (NIV)

Take a minute to imagine what these women felt as they approached the most powerful man in their nation’s history. They walked as no other women had walked. They dared to speak what no other women had spoken. Hear the murmurs of the crowds. Envision the judgmental stares. 

Yet they prevailed.

A Countercultural Precedent

Moses took their case to the Lord, who issued a new rule: If a man has only daughters, they will be his heirs (vs. 8). This countercultural precedent would alter the lives of women for thousands of years to come.

The sisters’ motive wasn’t greed or rebellion. It was honor. As Zelophehad’s only remaining descendants, they didn’t want their father to be forgotten. They wanted his life and legacy to be counted. They wouldn’t allow their cause to be forgotten.

Once Israel had taken possession of the land, the sisters came before Joshua, Moses’ successor. They reminded him of the promise Moses had made by God’s commandment.

They went to Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun and the leaders and said, “The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our relatives.” So Joshua gave them an inheritance along with the brothers of their father, according to the Lord’s command. Manasseh’s share consisted of ten tracts of land besides Gilead and Bashan east of the Jordan, because the daughters of the tribe of Manasseh received an inheritance among the sons.—Joshua 17:4-6a (NIV)

The only stipulation: The sisters had to marry men from their own tribe so the land would stay in the family. They complied, because that was what drove them to make their historic request.

Earning five mentions in scripture, Mahlah, Noa, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah still speak to us today. They teach us the importance of standing up for what is right despite the obstacles or odds. They teach us about family duty and courage. And they teach us that we serve a God who is the lifter of our heads and the lover of our souls.

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This is Part 1 in a series about biblical women—some named, some not, some honorable, some less so. But all have earned a place in scripture, and all have important lessons to teach us.