Late 15th Century BC (During the Wilderness Wanderings)
The Israelites were organized into tribes, each with its own inheritance in the Promised Land. The culture was patriarchal, with inheritance typically passing through male descendants.
The Israelites were on the brink of entering Canaan, having been led by Moses through the wilderness. They were preparing to establish themselves as a nation under God's law.
The plains of Moab, by the Jordan River, near Jericho, where the Israelites were encamped before crossing into Canaan.
Inheritance laws were crucial for maintaining tribal boundaries and ensuring that land remained within the tribe. The case of Zelophehad's daughters highlighted the need for laws accommodating situations where a man had no sons.
Moses
Zelophehad's Daughters
Their case prompted a legal ruling on inheritance laws for women.