JORAS - Nigerian Journal of Religion and Society

This study explores the narrative of Num 27?1?11 and focuses on Moses' response to the daughters of Zelophehad, as a paradigm for addressing socio?cultural biases against the girl child. In ancient Israel, patriarchal inheritance laws excluded women from property ownership, which reflects broader societal marginalization. The petition by Zelophehad's daughters, however, challenged these norms, which led Moses to seek divine guidance. God's affirmative response resulted in legal reforms granting daughters inheritance rights, setting a groundbreaking precedent for justice and equity. The study uses a multidimensional approach, including exegetical, gender and sociocultural analysis, to explore the historical, cultural, and theological viewpoints of the text. It emphasizes the transformative leadership of Moses, the role of advocacy, and the adaptability of divine law to promote inclusivity. Additionally, it draws parallels between ancient patriarchal systems and modern African contexts, where women and girls face systemic exclusion from inheritance, education, and leadership opportunities. Thus, as a conclusion, the article positions Num 27?1?11 as a valuable resource for confronting gender biases even as it advocates for societal change by suggesting a biblical foundation for the emancipation of women and especially girls. To ensure this, the present paper recommends that there is need for educational reforms and implementation, policy and legal framework development, research and documentation, community engagement and awareness, crossstakeholder collaboration among a few others.

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