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
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
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
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
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
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 , 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... read more
And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest ,.... This was for the honour of God, whose priest Eleazar was, and whose oracle was consulted by him; for it is said F26 Maimon. Hilchot Melachim, c. 2. sect. 5. , the high priest did not come into the presence of the king but when he pleased; and he did not stand before him, but the king stood before the high priest, as it is said, "and before Eleazar the priest shall he stand"; though it is commanded the high priest to honour the king,... read more
And Moses did as the Lord commanded him ,.... Being faithful and obedient to him in all things, though ever so contrary to his own private interest and to that of his family: and he took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation ; as his successor, whom God had named and appointed as such. read more
And he laid his hands upon him ,.... Jarchi observes, that he did this cheerfully, and did more than he was commanded; for the Lord said to him, "lay thine hand", but he laid both his hands: and gave him a charge, as the Lord commanded Moses ; Numbers 27:19 , this is a clear proof that Moses was no imposter, since he sought not to aggrandize his family, or serve the interest of that; nor did he in the least repine or murmur that the priesthood was given to his brother Aaron and sons,... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
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