Bamidbar 27:18

18 And Hashem said unto Moshe, Take thee Yehoshua Ben Nun, an ish in whom is the Ruach [HaKodesh], and lay thine yad [for s’michah] upon him [Zech 6:11-12];

Bamidbar 27:18 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 27:18

And the Lord said unto Moses
In answer to his request:

take thou Joshua the son of Nun,
who had been a servant of his near forty years, and of whose humility, diligence, faithfulness and integrity he had sufficient proof, as well as of his skill and courage in military affairs, particularly at the battle with Amalek, ( Exodus 17:9-13 ) ( 24:13 ) ( 33:11 ) :

a man in whom is the Spirit:
not only in whom is a spirit or soul, which is in every man; but the Spirit of God, and that not only as a spirit of grace and sanctification, which is in every good man; but as a spirit of prophecy, as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan; or rather it respects the more than ordinary gifts of the Spirit qualifying him for government, as courage and conduct, wisdom, prudence, and greatness of mind:

and lay thine hand upon him;
thereby transferring the government to him, pointing him out to the people as his successor; to show to the children of Israel that he was in his place, as Aben Ezra notes; upon which followed a larger measure of the gifts of the Spirit of God; see ( Deuteronomy 34:9 ) .

Bamidbar 27:18 In-Context

16 Let Hashem Elohei HaRuchot L’khol Basar appoint an Ish over HaEdah,

17 Which will go out before them, and which will come in before them, and which will lead them out, and which will bring them in; that the Adat Hashem be not like tzon which have no ro’eh.

18 And Hashem said unto Moshe, Take thee Yehoshua Ben Nun, an ish in whom is the Ruach [HaKodesh], and lay thine yad [for s’michah] upon him [Zech 6:11-12];

19 And stand him before Eleazar HaKohen, and before kol HaEdah and give him a charge (instruct him with regard to his office) before their eyes.

20 And thou shalt lay of thine hod (dignity, authority, majesty) upon him, so that kol Adat Bnei Yisroel will obey.