Mbalo 1 - KBTP & KJV

‘Our father died in the wilderness... Why should our father’s name disappear from his clan because he had no son Give us property among our father’s relatives.’”-8

As we celebrate Women’s Month, we honor the courage, faith, and resilience of women who shaped biblical history. Among these remarkable figures are Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Tirzah, the daughters of Zelophehad. Their boldness in claiming their inheritance set a precedent for justice and equality, proving that God values the voices of women.

A Bold Stand for Justice

During the Israelites’ journey to the Promised Land, inheritance was typically passed from father to son. However, Zelophehad had no sons—only daughters. These five women refused to be left without a heritage and took their case to Moses and the leaders.

“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… Why should our father’s name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father’s relatives.’” (Numbers 27:2-4, NIV)

These sisters stepped into a space where women traditionally had no say. Their courage teaches us that when something isn’t right, we shouldn’t be afraid to challenge the status quo.

God’s Approval of Women’s Voices

Moses took their case before God, and God Himself affirmed their request, showing that He values justice and fairness for all.

“So the Lord said to him, ‘What Zelophehad’s daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father’s relatives and give their father’s inheritance to them.’”(Numbers 27:6-7, NIV)

God listens when we speak up for what is right. He values justice and is not bound by human traditions that limit women’s roles.

Faith That Changed the Law

Because of these women’s faith and persistence, a new law was established, ensuring that if a man died without a son, his daughters could inherit his land.

“This is what the Lord commands for Zelophehad’s daughters: You must give them property as an inheritance… Say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, give his inheritance to his daughter.’”(Numbers 27:8, NIV)

Faith isn’t just about believing; it’s about taking action and trusting God to bring justice. Their courage led to a lasting legal shift, proving that faith and action bring transformation.

A Legacy of Strength and Determination

Even after the law was established, these women continued to follow God’s direction, ensuring that their inheritance remained within their tribe, as per God’s command.

“No inheritance in Israel is to pass from one tribe to another, for every Israelite shall keep the tribal inheritance of their ancestors.” (Numbers 36:7, NIV)

Women are not just bystanders in history, we are active participants in God’s plans. When God opens a door, we must walk through it with confidence.

Women Have a Right to Be Heard

The courage of Zelophehad’s daughters echoes the promise that God is a defender of those who seek justice. Their voices mattered, and their plea changed an entire legal system.

“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” (Psalm 82:3, NIV)

Advocating for justice is not just a worldly pursuit, it is a godly mission. When we stand for what is right, we align ourselves with God’s heart.

Courage Breaks Barriers

These five sisters refused to accept limitations. They believed in a God who grants justice and stepped forward, even when society didn’t favor them.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9, NIV)

Boldness in faith leads to breakthrough. When we trust in God and take courageous steps, He goes before us and makes a way.

Women Are a Vital Part of God’s Plan

Their story proves that women have a place in God’s grand design. From the beginning, He intended for both men and women to carry out His will.

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28, NIV)

Women are equally called to fulfill God’s purposes. The daughters of Zelophehad remind us that in Christ, we all have a divine inheritance.

A Celebration of Women’s Strength

As we celebrate Women’s Month, let us be inspired by Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Tirzah, women who dared to believe in justice and changed history. Like them, we can stand boldly, speak up for what is right, and trust God to make a way.

“God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” (Psalm 46:5, NIV)

May their story remind us that women are not just part of history, they shape it. Let us rise with courage, faith, and determination, knowing that God values our voices and honors our faith.

Mbalo ye bathu ye kutanga

1 Kwakati Yahwe bakalebeleka na Mushe bali mu tjilambanyika tje Sinai bali mu nshasha we bushanganilo, mu zhuba le kutanga le mwedzi we bubili mu gole le bubili shule kwe basinobhuda mu shango ye Egipiti beti, 2 “Balani gubungano le bathu be Iziraela, nge njudzi dzabo nenge misha yabo, mubale nlume mmwe ne mmwe nsha nge nsha. 3 Balume bose be Iziraela bana makole ali makumi mabili kuyenda pezhugwi bakalizana kuyenda ku ngwa, mubabige nge makupo abo iwe na Aroni. 4 Mutole nlume ng'ompela kudwa mu ludzi gumwe ne gumwe kumubhatsha ali nsholo we ng'umba ya katate babe.” 5 Awa ndiwo mazina e balume banowomubhatsha: Kudwa mu ludzi gwa Rubheni, Elizuri nkololo wa Shedeuri, 6 mu ludzi gwa Simiyoni, Shelumieli nkololo wa Zurishadayi 7 mu ludzi gwa Juda, Nashoni nkololo wa Aminadabu, 8 mu ludzi gwa Isakari, Nethanele nkololo wa Zuari, 9 mu ludzi gwa Zebuluni Eliabu nkololo wa Heloni, 10 kudwa mu bakololo ba Josefa ne kudwa mu bakololo ba Ifureimi, Elishama nkololo wa Amihudi ne kudwa mu Manase, Gamaliyele nkololo wa Phedahizu, 11 mu Bhenjamini, Abidani nkololo wa Gideoni, 12 mu Dani, Ahieza nkololo wa Amishadai, 13 mu Asheri, Pagiele nkololo wa Okirani, 14 mu Gadi, Eliyasafu nkololo wa Deuele, 15 mu Nafutali, Ahira nkololo wa Enani. 16 Ibaba ndibo bakashalugwa mu gubungano bali batungamili be njudzi dzabo ne misholo ye ng'umba dze Iziraela.

17 Mushe na Aroni bakatola balume be mazina iyawa akalongolosiwa, 18 ngono bakati mu zhuba le kutanga le mwedzi we bubili bakakubunganya gubungano lose bakazwikwalisa nge misha, nge ng'umba dza botate babo, bakabagwa nge mazina kudwa muna be makole ali makumi mabili kuyenda pezhugwi, mmwe ne mmwe wabo, 19 koga sekwa kadwiwa Mushe ndi Yahwe, ndizo wakakwalisa bathu bali mu tjilambanyika tje Sinai.

20-46 Balume bose bakabe bana makole ali makumi mabili kuyenda pezhugwi, bose bakabe bakalizana kuyenda ku ngwa, bakakwagwa nge mazina abo mmwe ne mmwe nge ludzi gugwe, kutangisa nge ludzi gwa Rubheni nkololo wa Jakubo wola. Mbalo yabo yakabe ili sahwoku:

Ludzi MbaloRubheni 46 500Simiyoni59 300Gadi 45 650Juda 74 600Isakari 54 400Zebuluni 57 400Ifureimi 40 500Manase32 200Bhenjamini 35 400Dani 62 700Asheri 41 500Nafutali 53 400Bose bakabe bali603 550

47 Koga ludzi gwe Balevi gwakabe gusabaligwa mu bali, 48 ngobe Yahwe bakabe badwa Mushe beti, 49 “Usitongo kwalisa ludzi gwe Balevi, kene kuli kubabalilanya mu bathu be Iziraela. 50 Koga ubige Balevi kutjengeta nshasha we butendeki ne zwija zose zwago na zose zwimu guli, basenge bugalo gwe Ndzimu ne zwija zwago, kakale bagutjengete bagale bakagupoteleka. 51 Ha bugalo gwe Ndzimu gufulusiwa, Balevi banowoguliga ngono ha bugalo gwakafanila teyiwa butshwa, Balevi banowoguteya. Ngono ha mmwe upoga angasedzela paguli abulawe. 52 Baiziraela banowobambula mishasha yabo nge makupo abo, mmwe ne mmwe ebe pa nshasha uwe, mmwe ne mmwe nge gupo lile. 53 Koga Balevi banowogala bakapoteleka nshasha we butendeki, kuti gubungano le bathu be Iziraela lisiwigwe nge bushongola gwangu, ngono Balevi banowotjengeta nshasha we butendeki.” 54 Ndizo bathu be Iziraela bakathama kose Yahwe sekwa bakadwa Mushe.

1 And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 2 Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls; 3 From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies. 4 And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers.

5 ¶ And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of the tribe of Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur. 6 Of Simeon; Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. 7 Of Judah; Nahshon the son of Amminadab. 8 Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son of Zuar. 9 Of Zebulun; Eliab the son of Helon. 10 Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. 11 Of Benjamin; Abidan the son of Gideoni. 12 Of Dan; Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. 13 Of Asher; Pagiel the son of Ocran. 14 Of Gad; Eliasaph the son of Deuel. 15 Of Naphtali; Ahira the son of Enan. 16 These were the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel.

17 ¶ And Moses and Aaron took these men which are expressed by their names: 18 And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls. 19 As the LORD commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai. 20 And the children of Reuben, Israel’s eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 21 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Reuben, were forty and six thousand and five hundred.

22 ¶ Of the children of Simeon, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, those that were numbered of them, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 23 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.

24 ¶ Of the children of Gad, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 25 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Gad, were forty and five thousand six hundred and fifty.

26 ¶ Of the children of Judah, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 27 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Judah, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred.

28 ¶ Of the children of Issachar, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 29 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred.

30 ¶ Of the children of Zebulun, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 31 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Zebulun, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred.

32 ¶ Of the children of Joseph, namely , of the children of Ephraim, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 33 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Ephraim, were forty thousand and five hundred.

34 ¶ Of the children of Manasseh, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 35 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Manasseh, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred.

36 ¶ Of the children of Benjamin, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 37 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred.

38 ¶ Of the children of Dan, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 39 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Dan, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred.

40 ¶ Of the children of Asher, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 41 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Asher, were forty and one thousand and five hundred.

42 ¶ Of the children of Naphtali, throughout their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 43 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Naphtali, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.

44 These are those that were numbered, which Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, being twelve men: each one was for the house of his fathers. 45 So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, by the house of their fathers, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel; 46 Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.

47 ¶ But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them. 48 For the LORD had spoken unto Moses, saying, 49 Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel: 50 But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle. 51 And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. 52 And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts. 53 But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony. 54 And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.