Numbers 27:20

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

Numbers 27:20 in Other Translations

20 And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.

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

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

20 Pass your magisterial authority over to him so that the whole congregation of the People of Israel will listen obediently to him.

20 Confer some of your authority on him so that the entire Israelite community 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 So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, 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.

Cross References

• 1. Joshua 1:16,17