Numbers 27:14-23

14 because you both acted against my command in the Desert of Zin. You did not honor me as holy before the people at the waters of Meribah." (This was at Meribah in Kadesh in the Desert of Zin.)

15 Moses said to the Lord,

16 "The Lord is the God of the spirits of all people. May he choose a leader for these people,

17 who will go in and out before them. He must lead them out like sheep and bring them in; the Lord's people must not be like sheep without a shepherd."

18 So the Lord said to Moses, "Take Joshua son of Nun, because my Spirit is in him. Put your hand on him,

19 and have him stand before Eleazar the priest and all the people. Then give him his orders as they watch.

20 Let him share your honor so that all the Israelites will obey him.

21 He must stand before Eleazar the priest, and Eleazar will get advice from the Lord by using the Urim. At his command all the Israelites will go out, and at his command they will all come in."

22 Moses did what the Lord told him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and all the people,

23 and he put his hands on him and gave him orders, just as the Lord had told him.

Numbers 27:14-23 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.