Numbers 27:21

Translations

Modern

He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who will seek counsel for him before the LORD by the judgment of the Urim. At his command, he and all the Israelites with him—the entire congregation—will go out and come in.”

Traditional

And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the Lord: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.

Literal

And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, and he shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the face of YHWH. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in—he and all the sons of Israel with him—and all the congregation.”

Latin

Pro hoc, si quid agendum erit, Eleazar sacerdos consulet Dominum. Ad verbum ejus egredietur et ingredietur ipse, et omnes filii Israël cum eo, et cetera multitudo.

Original

Hebrew

English

He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who will seek counsel for him before the LORD by the judgment of the Urim. At his command, he and all the Israelites with him—the entire congregation—will go out and come in.”

Notes

Numbers 27:20–21

Joshua received only part of the authority Moses had. Moses had spoken with God face to face (12:6–8; Deuteronomy 34:10–12). Joshua did not have that same direct access to God’s revelation.

Instead, Joshua had to seek guidance through Eleazar the priest on important matters (Numbers 27:21; compare Exodus 28:30; Leviticus 8:8). Eleazar used the priestly means of seeking God’s will.

From this time on, Israel separated military leadership from spiritual leadership. Joshua led the army, while the priest guided the people in spiritual matters.

Numbers 27:12–23

Israel needed a leader when they entered the land of Canaan. Joshua was chosen to follow Moses.

Theme notes and profiles

Joshua Moses Spirit Empowerment

Related verses

1 Samuel 28:6
He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.
Joshua 9:14
Then the men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not seek the counsel of the LORD.
Exodus 28:30
And place the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece of judgment, so that they will also be over Aaron’s heart whenever he comes before the LORD. Aaron will continually carry the judgment of the sons of Israel over his heart before the LORD.
Nehemiah 7:65
The governor ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest to consult the Urim and Thummim.
1 Samuel 22:10–15
Ahimelech inquired of the LORD for him and gave him provisions. He also gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”
Leviticus 8:8
Then he put the breastpiece on him and placed the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece.
Deuteronomy 33:8
Concerning Levi he said: “Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah.
Judges 20:18
The Israelites set out, went up to Bethel, and inquired of God, “Who of us shall go up first to fight against the Benjamites?” “Judah will be first,” the LORD replied.
1 Samuel 30:7
Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought it to him,
Judges 1:1
After the death of Joshua, the Israelites inquired of the LORD, “Who will be the first to go up and fight for us against the Canaanites?”
Ezra 2:63
The governor ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest to consult the Urim and Thummim.
Numbers 27:17
…who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”

Parallels

Deuteronomy 31:1–8

People

Eleazar: Son of Aaron, high priest after his father Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Urim: Objects used with the Thummim for divine guidance

Glossary

Deuteronomy, Book of Eleazar Hand Joshua (Person) Moses Numbers, Book of Shittim (Place) Urim and Thummim

Topics

Armies: March in Ranks: Seeking Counsel from God Before Battle Christian Minister: Charge Delivered To Government: Mosaic: Chose, or Ratified, the Chief Ruler Hand: Joshua Israel: Joshua Appointed the Leader Joshua: Commissioned, Ordained, and Charged with the Responsibilites of Moses' office Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Return to the Plains of Moab: Appointment of Joshua Obedience: Moses Priest: Officiate at the Choice of a Ruler Urim and Thummim: Eleazar to Ask Counsel for Joshua, After the Judgment of Urim and Thummim: God to be Consulted By Wisdom: Prayer for Spiritual

Numbers 27:21

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