Numbers 27:20

20 You will give to him from your authority so that the entire 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 Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is [the] spirit, and place your hand on him.

19 Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and before the entire community, and {commission him} {in their sight}.

20 You will give to him from your authority so that the entire community of Israel will {obey him}.

21 He will stand before Eleazar the priest, who will ask for him by the decision of the Urim before Yahweh. On {his command} they will go out, and at {his command} they will come in, [both] he and all of the {Israelites} with him, the entire community."

22 Moses did just as Yahweh commanded him, and he took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before the entire community.

Footnotes

• [a] Literally "hear [him]"