Numbers 27:20

20 And thou shalt put of thy glory upon him, that the children of Israel may hearken to him.

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 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Take to thyself Joshua the son of Naue, a man who has the Spirit in him, and thou shalt lay thy hands upon him.

19 And thou shalt set him before Eleazar the priest, and thou shalt give him a charge before all the congregation, and thou shalt give a charge concerning him before them.

20 And thou shalt put of thy glory upon him, that the children of Israel may hearken to him.

21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, and they shall ask of him before the Lord the judgment of the Urim: they shall go forth at his word, and at his word they shall come in, he and the children of Israel with one accord, and all the congregation.

22 And Moses did as the Lord commanded him; and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation.