Numbers 27:12-22

12 The Lord said to Moses, "Go up the Abarim Mountains and look out over the land that I am giving to the Israelites. ¹

13 After you have seen it, you will die, as your brother Aaron did,

14 because both of you rebelled against my command in the wilderness of Zin. When the whole community complained against me at Meribah, you refused to acknowledge my holy power before them." (Meribah is the spring at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)

15 Moses prayed,

16 "Lord God, source of all life, appoint, I pray, a man who can lead the people

17 and can command them in battle, so that your community will not be like sheep without a shepherd." ²

18 The Lord said to Moses, "Take Joshua son of Nun, a capable man, and place your hands on his head. ³

19 Have him stand in front of Eleazar the priest and the whole community, and there before them all proclaim him as your successor.

20 Give him some of your own authority, so that the whole community of Israel will obey him.

21 He will depend on Eleazar the priest, who will learn my will by using the Urim and Thummim. In this way Eleazar will direct Joshua and the whole community of Israel in all their affairs." ⁴

22 Moses did as the Lord had commanded him. He had Joshua stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole community.

Numbers 27:12-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 27

This chapter relates, that, upon a petition of the daughters of Zelophehad, the affair of inheritances was settled; and it is directed that, in case of want of male issue, inheritances should pass to females, and in failure of them to the next of kin, whether father's brethren or any near kinsman, Nu 27:1-11, also an order to Moses to go up to the Mount Abarim, and take a view of the good land, and die; with the reason of it, Nu 27:12-14, upon which Moses desires a successor of him might be appointed, Nu 27:15-17, in answer to which Joshua is nominated, and being presented before the high priest and the people, was invested with his office, by imposition of hands, and had his charge given him, Nu 27:18-23.

Cross References

• 1. 27.12-14Deuteronomy 3.23-27; 32.48-52.
• 2. 27.17 1 K 22.17;Ezekiel 34.5;Matthew 9.36;Mark 6.34.
• 3. 27.18Exodus 24.13.
• 4. 27.21Exodus 28.30; 1 S 14.41; 28.6.

Footnotes

• [a]. urim and thummim: [Two objects used by the priest to determine God's will; it is not known precisely how they were used.]