Numbers 27:12-23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 27:12-14

Here, 1. God tells Moses of his fault, his speaking unadvisedly with his lips at the waters of strife, where he did not express, so carefully as he ought to have done, a regard to the honour both of God and Israel, Num. 27:14. Though Moses was a servant of the Lord, a faithful servant, yet once he rebelled against God's commandment, and failed in his duty; and though a very honourable servant, and highly favoured, yet he shall hear of his miscarriage, and all the world shall hear of it too,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 27:15-23

Here, I. Moses prays for a successor. When God had told him that he must die, though it appears elsewhere that he solicited for a reprieve for himself (Deut. 3:24; 25), yet, when this could not be obtained, he begged earnestly that the work of God might be carried on, though he might not have the honour of finishing it. Envious spirits do not love their successors, but Moses was not one of these. We should concern ourselves, both in our prayers and in our endeavours, for the rising generation,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 27:12

And the Lord said unto Moses ,.... After the covenant made with Israel in the plains of Moab, and the song delivered to them, Deuteronomy 29:1 . get thee up to this Mount Abarim ; which was a range of mountains, so called from the passages by them over Jordan into the land of Canaan; one part of which was Nebo, and the top of that Pisgah, from whence Moses had the view of the good land here directed to; see Numbers 33:47 . and see the land which I have given unto the children of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 27:13

And when thou hast seen it ,.... Which was all he was admitted to; for to go into it and see it was not allowed him, though he importuned it, Deuteronomy 3:25 , thou shalt be gathered unto thy people , as Aaron thy brother was gathered; die as he did, in the same sudden, easy, quiet, and cheerful manner; see Numbers 20:26 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 27:14

For ye rebelled against my commandment the desert of Zin ,.... Both Moses and Aaron, which was the reason why they were not suffered to go into the land of Canaan, but died a little before the children of Israel came into it: what their sin was, called here a rebelling against the commandment of the Lord; See Gill on Numbers 20:12 , and is next suggested: in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me before their eyes ; when the congregation of Israel strove against the Lord for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 27:15

And Moses spake unto the Lord ,.... Having requested to go into the land and see it, which was denied him; and perceiving he must quickly die, and being a man of a public spirit, and concerned for the welfare of the people of Israel, prays that a successor might be nominated and appointed: saying ; as follows. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 27:17

Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in ,.... Which may lead them out, and go before them in war, and command them in battle and bring them in peace, having conquered their enemies; or these phrases only mean the administration of civil government among them, and diligence and assiduity in it, see 2 Chronicles 1:10 , unless it has any peculiar respect to the leading the people of Israel out of the wilderness,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible 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 , 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 27:19

And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation ,.... Declaring before them all that he was his successor, and that they might be witnesses of what was said and done unto him, and receive and acknowledge him as such, and as having power and authority over them, which it became them to submit unto: and give him a charge in their sight : to take care of the people committed to him; to rule them in the fear of God, and according to his laws; and to be of good courage,... read more

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