Numbers 27:17

17 Give them someone who will guide them wherever they go and will lead them into battle, so the community of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”

Numbers 27:17 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 27:17

Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them,
and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in
Which may lead them out, and go before them in war, and command them in battle and bring them in peace, having conquered their enemies; or these phrases only mean the administration of civil government among them, and diligence and assiduity in it, see ( 2 Chronicles 1:10 ) , unless it has any peculiar respect to the leading the people of Israel out of the wilderness, and introducing them into the land of Canaan:

that the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have no
shepherd;
and so wander about, having none to guide them into proper pastures, or to protect them from beasts of prey; which is to be in a most forlorn and distressed condition; see ( Matthew 9:36 ) .

Numbers 27:17 In-Context

15 Then Moses said to the LORD,

16 “O LORD, you are the God who gives breath to all creatures. Please appoint a new man as leader for the community.

17 Give them someone who will guide them wherever they go and will lead them into battle, so the community of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”

18 The LORD replied, “Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him.

19 Present him to Eleazar the priest before the whole community, and publicly commission him to lead the people.