Numbers 27:20

20 Transfer some of your authority to him so the whole community of Israel will obey 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 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.

20 Transfer some of your authority to him so the whole community of Israel will obey him.

21 When direction from the LORD is needed, Joshua will stand before Eleazar the priest, who will use the Urim—one of the sacred lots cast before the LORD —to determine his will. This is how Joshua and the rest of the community of Israel will determine everything they should do.”

22 So Moses did as the LORD commanded. He presented Joshua to Eleazar the priest and the whole community.