Numbers 27:16

16 The Lord God of the spirits of all flesh, purvey a man, that he be on this multitude, (May the Lord God of the spirits of all people purvey a man who shall be over these people,)

Numbers 27:16 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 27:16

Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh
The Maker of the souls of men, called the spirits of all flesh, or of corporeal beings, to distinguish them from the angels, who, though spirits, are incorporeal; and who knows the different qualities of the souls of men, their powers, and capacities, and fitness for service, what gifts and talents they have for business; and who can bestow such upon them, which will quality them for it:

set a man over the congregation:
meaning in his room and stead.

Numbers 27:16 In-Context

14 for thou offendedest me in the desert of Zin, in the against-saying of the multitude, neither thou wouldest hallow me before the people, upon the waters. These be the waters of against-saying in Kadesh, in the desert of Zin. (for thou offendedest me in the wilderness of Zin, when the people spoke against me, and thou didest not uphold my holiness before the people, there at the waters. These be the waters of Meribah at Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin.)

15 To whom Moses answered,

16 The Lord God of the spirits of all flesh, purvey a man, that he be on this multitude, (May the Lord God of the spirits of all people purvey a man who shall be over these people,)

17 and that may go out (and who can go out), and enter in before them, and lead them out, and lead them in, lest the people of the Lord be as sheep without (a) shepherd.

18 And the Lord said to Moses, Take thou Joshua, the son of Nun, a man in whom the spirit of God is (a man in whom is the spirit of God), and put thine hand upon him;