Numbers 27:20

20 You shall invest him with some of your authority, ¹that all the congregation of the people of Israel may obey.

Numbers 27:20 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 27:20

And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him
Meaning not the Spirit that was on Moses, and the gifts of the Spirit; for to do this was the work of the Lord, and not Moses, see ( Numbers 11:17 Numbers 11:25 ) , but of the honour of civil government; suggesting that he should give him a share in it, and use him not as a minister and servant, as he had been, but as his colleague and partner; and let him have some of the ensigns of power and authority, and some exercise of it; not only to inure him to government, but to make him respectable among the people:

that all the congregation of Israel may be obedient;
to him as their ruler and governor, hearken to his words, and obey his commands.

Numbers 27:20 In-Context

18 So the LORD said to Moses, "Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him.

19 Make him stand before Eleazar the priest and all the congregation, and you shall commission him in their sight.

20 You shall invest him with some of your authority, that all the congregation of the people of Israel may obey.

21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the LORD. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he and all the people of Israel with him, the whole congregation."

22 And Moses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua and made him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation,

Cross References

• 1. See Joshua 1:16-18