Numbers 27:18-23

18 So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership,^[a] and lay your hand on him.

19 Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence.

20 Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him.

21 He is to stand before Eleazar the priest, who will obtain decisions for him by inquiring of the Urim before the LORD. At his command he and the entire community of the Israelites will go out, and at his command they will come in.”

22 Moses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole assembly.

23 Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the LORD instructed through Moses.

Numbers 27:18-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 27

This chapter relates, that, upon a petition of the daughters of Zelophehad, the affair of inheritances was settled; and it is directed that, in case of want of male issue, inheritances should pass to females, and in failure of them to the next of kin, whether father's brethren or any near kinsman, Nu 27:1-11, also an order to Moses to go up to the Mount Abarim, and take a view of the good land, and die; with the reason of it, Nu 27:12-14, upon which Moses desires a successor of him might be appointed, Nu 27:15-17, in answer to which Joshua is nominated, and being presented before the high priest and the people, was invested with his office, by imposition of hands, and had his charge given him, Nu 27:18-23.

Cross References

• 1. S Genesis 41:38; Numbers 11:25-29
• 2. ver 23; Deuteronomy 34:9; Acts 6:6
• 3. ver 23; Deuteronomy 3:28; Deuteronomy 31:14,23
• 4. Deuteronomy 31:7
• 5. Joshua 1:16,17
• 6. S Genesis 25:22; Joshua 9:14; Psalms 106:13; Isaiah 8:19; Haggai 1:13; Malachi 2:7; Malachi 3:1
• 7. S Exodus 28:30
• 8. S ver 19

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "the Spirit"