The Theological Implications of Zelophehad’s Daughters Request in Numbers 27:1-11 For Women in Isolated Indigenous Cultures in Nigeria

Eteng Nzeyo  Gabriel; Emeng Gideon Imoke; Okoi Ibiang Obono; Adams Peter Akpo; Asuquo Offiong Offiong; Etta Robert Bikom; Eyo Ubong Ekpenyong

doi:10.61707/8azw3q45

Authors

Eteng Nzeyo Gabriel Department of Religious and Cultural Studies, University of Calabar
Emeng Gideon Imoke Department of Religious and Cultural Studies, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
Okoi Ibiang Obono Department of History and International Studies, University of Calabar, Nigeria
Adams Peter Akpo Department of Religious and Cultural Studies,University of Calabar, Calabar Cross River State
Asuquo Offiong Offiong Department of Religious and Cultural Studies, University of Calabar, Nigeria
Etta Robert Bikom Department of Religious and Cultural Studies, University of Calabar, Nigeria
Eyo Ubong Ekpenyong Department of Religious and Cultural Studies, University of Calabar, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61707/8azw3q45

Keywords:

Zelophehad, Denial, Inheritance, Indigenous, Jewish, Request, Traditional, Implications, Conscientization

Abstract

The patriarchal thought that prevails in world religious traditions validates the establishment of laws which promotes the superiority of men over women, and the right of inheritance for men in a given society. In the Jewish and Most Nigerian isolated Indigenous Cultural traditions like the Igbos of of the South East, Binis of the Mid West and the Yakurr people of Cross River State in the South South region of Nigeria, the rights of inheritance are exclusively reserved for male children. Zelophehad’s five daughters were faced with this situation when their father died and the family inheritance was to pass on. The five women decided to courageously present their request to Moses and the elders who sought approval from God, granted their request. Scholars have argued that the situation of Zelophehad’s daughters was unique and cannot be applied to an extent to the situation of the indigenous cultures. The study investigated the nature of their request, consequences and implications for Women in isolated Indigenous Cultures in Nigeria. The historical, descriptive and qualitative methods were adopted to gather and analyze data. The radical feminist theory propounded by Kate Millet was adopted in this paper. One of the recommendations made is that Women in the isolated Indigenous Cultures considered in this research adopt the Zelophehad’s daughters’ approach towards changing the laws and customs of their societies that perpetrate denial of right to inheritance by promoting gender inequality.Laws which do not benefit the generality of the populace in a given society can be amended to benefit both the weak and the strong, males and females, Freeborn and Slaves. Just like the case of Zelophehad’s daughters’ situation in the Bible where a strict and rigid religious law was amended to benefit the daughters. Therefore, Cultural and other Religious could be amended where applicable to suit the different strata of a given society for purposes of equality.