Word of the Day - 9/15/2008

Coparceny

Coparceny is a special kind of joint ownership arising especially under common law upon the descent of real property to several female heirs.

A landmark case involving the the daughters of Zelophehad (Hebrew: בְּנוֹת צְלָפְחָד‎) set the precedence for coparcency in Hebrew law. They were five sisters who lived during the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, and who raised before Moses the case of a woman’s right and obligation to inherit property in the absence of a male heir in the family.

"The daughters of Zelophehad are right in their statements. You shall surely give them a hereditary possession among their father's brothers, and you shall transfer the inheritance of their father to them." (Numbers 27:7, NASB)

Note: This image is the logo of an organization known as The Daughters of Zelophehad (DOZ). The DOZ is a transitional housing program for homeless women and their children based in the Richmond, Virginia area.