Joshua Appointed
Numbers 27:12-23
Num.27.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- העברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- וראה: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- לבני: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 32:49-52 (quotation): A parallel command in Moses' farewell speeches: God tells Moses to go up into the Abarim (Mount Nebo/Pisgah) and see the land, reiterating that he will not cross into it.
- Deuteronomy 34:1-4 (structural): Narrative fulfillment: Moses goes up Mount Nebo/Pisgah, views the land 'which the LORD had given to Israel,' echoing the instruction of Num 27:12.
- Numbers 20:12 (thematic): Provides the theological reason for the restriction in Num 27:12: because Moses did not uphold God's holiness at Meribah, God tells him he will not bring the congregation into the land.
- Deuteronomy 3:27 (verbal): An earlier, closely related command to 'get thee up into the top of Pisgah' and lift up eyes to view the land — similar language and the same geographical setting (Pisgah/Abarim).
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD said to Moses, “Go up to this mountain of the Abarim and behold the land that I have given to the people of Israel.”
- The LORD said to Moses, "Go up this mountain of Abarim, and see the land that I have given to the people of Israel."
Num.27.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וראיתה: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- ונאספת: VERB,niphal,perf,2,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- עמיך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2,m,sg
- גם: ADV
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- כאשר: CONJ
- נאסף: VERB,niphal,perf,1,m,sg
- אהרן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחיך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Num.20:28 (verbal): Aaron’s death is described with the same formula — “was gathered to his people” — the very phrase Numbers 27:13 cites as the pattern for Moses’ fate.
- Gen.25:8 (verbal): Abraham’s death uses the identical idiom “was gathered to his people,” showing a common biblical formula for describing the death/receipt of a patriarch.
- Gen.35:29 (verbal): Isaac’s death likewise is summed up with “was gathered to his people,” reinforcing the traditional wording for dying and being joined to one’s kin.
- Deut.34:5 (structural): Narrative fulfillment of the statement in Numbers 27:13: Moses’ death and burial are recounted here, completing the promise that he would be gathered to his people as Aaron was.
Alternative generated candidates
- “You shall see it, and you shall be gathered to your people; you also shall be gathered, as Aaron your brother was gathered.”
- You shall see it, and you shall be gathered to your people; you shall be gathered as Aaron your brother was gathered.
Num.27.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כאשר: CONJ
- מריתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- פי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- במדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- במריבת: PREP
- העדה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- להקדישני: PREP+VERB,hiph,inf,1,sg
- במים: PREP
- לעיניהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- מריבת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- קדש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מדבר: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- צן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 20:7-12 (quotation): The original Meribah episode where Moses is commanded to speak to the rock but strikes it; God then declares Moses and Aaron will not bring the congregation into the land — the narrative source for Num 27:14.
- Deuteronomy 3:23-28 (allusion): Moses' plea to be allowed into the land and God's refusal, explicitly linked to Moses' disobedience at Meribah; a retrospective retelling of the same consequence.
- Deuteronomy 32:51 (verbal): Concise statement that Moses will not enter the promised land because of the waters of Meribah Kadesh — a direct restatement of the reason given in Num 27:14.
- Psalm 106:32-33 (thematic): A psalmic recounting of Israel's sin 'at the waters of strife' and its negative outcome for Moses; a theological reflection on the Meribah incident and its consequences.
Alternative generated candidates
- “Because you did not treat me as holy at the waters of Meribah at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin, in the quarrel of the congregation to sanctify me in their sight—the waters of Meribah at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.”
- Because you did not sanctify me in the sight of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah in the wilderness of Zin, you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.
Num.27.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Numbers 27:16-17 (structural): Immediate continuation — v.15 is the introduction to Moses' petition; vv.16–17 give the content (request for a successor and orderly leadership).
- Exodus 33:12 (verbal): Both verses introduce Moses speaking directly to YHWH; in Exod 33:12 Moses addresses the LORD to seek assurance of God's presence and guidance, mirroring the direct petitionary speech form in Num 27:15.
- Numbers 11:11-15 (thematic): Moses speaks to the LORD about a leadership crisis and the burden of leading Israel; thematically similar as Moses appeals to God regarding the governance and welfare of the community.
- Deuteronomy 3:23-26 (thematic): Moses again beseeches the LORD (to be allowed to enter the land); parallels Num 27:15 in motive and genre — Moses' personal supplication to God about Israel's future and his own role.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Moses spoke to the LORD, saying,
- Then Moses spoke to the LORD, saying,
Num.27.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יפקד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הרוחת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לכל: PREP
- בשר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- העדה: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 34:9 (structural): Direct continuation of Moses' request: Joshua is officially commissioned with Moses' laying on of hands and is filled with the spirit of wisdom—fulfillment of appointing a man over the congregation.
- Joshua 1:1-9 (thematic): God's commissioning of Joshua as Moses' successor echoes the transfer of leadership and divine empowerment requested in Num 27:16.
- 1 Samuel 10:6 (verbal): 'The Spirit of the LORD will come upon you'—uses the same motif of the Spirit empowering a chosen leader, paralleling 'the God of the spirits of all flesh' bestowing authority.
- 1 Samuel 16:13 (verbal): After Samuel anoints David the Spirit of the LORD comes upon him and remains—another instance of divine spirit conferring leadership ability, paralleling the Num 27 appeal.
- Judges 3:10 (thematic): The Spirit of the LORD comes upon Othniel to make him a deliverer—thematically similar to God's appointment and empowering of leaders by his Spirit in Num 27:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- “May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation,
- "Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation,
Num.27.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יצא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לפניהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- ואשר: CONJ+PRON,rel
- יבא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לפניהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- ואשר: CONJ+PRON,rel
- יוציאם: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ואשר: CONJ+PRON,rel
- יביאם: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- תהיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- עדת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כצאן: PREP+NOUN,com,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אין: PART,neg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- רעה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezekiel 34:5 (verbal): Speaks of the flock being scattered for lack of a shepherd—language and idea (‘no shepherd’) closely parallel the Numbers lament that the congregation be not like sheep without a shepherd.
- Matthew 9:36 (quotation): Jesus (or the evangelist) explicitly describes the people as ‘harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd,’ echoing the same image of leaderless Israel found in Numbers 27:17.
- Psalm 23:1 (thematic): Contrasts the vulnerability of a people without a shepherd by affirming the LORD as Shepherd who provides and leads—responds theologically to the plea for leadership in Numbers 27:17.
- John 10:11 (thematic): Jesus’ self‑identification as the ‘good shepherd’ who lays down his life to lead and protect echoes the Numbers concern for a leader to go out before, bring in, and care for the flock.
- 1 Samuel 8:5 (structural): Israel’s request for a king ‘to be like other nations’ reflects the same institutional need for a human leader/guide expressed in Numbers 27:17 (appointing a guide to go out and come in before the people).
Alternative generated candidates
- who shall go out before them and who shall come in before them, who shall bring them out and who shall bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD may not be like sheep that have no shepherd.”
- who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD may not be like sheep that have no shepherd."
Num.27.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- קח: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- רוח: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- וסמכת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ידך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:2,f,sg
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 34:9 (verbal): Repeats the act and result: Moses laid his hands on Joshua and Joshua was filled with the spirit/wisdom, directly reflecting the appointment in Num 27:18.
- Deuteronomy 31:7,23 (structural): Moses publicly commissions Joshua and reinforces the transfer of leadership and responsibility—parallel narrative moment to God's command in Num 27:18.
- Joshua 1:1-9 (thematic): God's commissioning of Joshua as Israel's leader after Moses' death; continues the succession and divine charge begun in Num 27:18.
- 2 Kings 2:9-15 (thematic): Elijah/Elisha succession motif where the prophetic spirit/power is passed to a successor (Elisha requests a double portion), a typological parallel to transfer of leadership and spirit in Num 27:18.
- Numbers 11:17,25 (thematic): God's distribution of the spirit from Moses to the seventy elders (and the language of 'putting the spirit') provides an earlier Israelite pattern for Spirit-bestowal tied to leadership roles.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD said to Moses, “Take for yourself Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand upon him.
- The LORD said to Moses, "Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand upon him;
Num.27.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והעמדת: VERB,hiphil,perf,2,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- לפני: PREP
- אלעזר: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ולפני: CONJ+PREP
- כל: DET
- העדה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וצויתה: VERB,hiphil,imperfect,2,m,sg
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- לעיניהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Num.27.18 (verbal): Immediate verbal parallel: God tells Moses to take Joshua and lay his hand on him—precedes the command to set him before Eleazar and the congregation.
- Num.27.23 (structural): Completion of the same scene: Moses lays his hands on Joshua and sets him before Eleazar and all the congregation, carrying out the instruction of 27:19.
- Deut.31.7 (verbal): Moses 'called Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel'—very similar language of public commissioning in the presence of the assembly.
- Deut.34.9 (thematic): Moses lays hands on Joshua so he is filled with wisdom/spirit and Israel obeys him—echoes the transfer of authority and public acceptance implied in Num 27:19.
- Joshua.1.1-2 (allusion): God commissions Joshua to succeed Moses and lead the people—this is the fulfillment and broader context of the public installation begun in Num 27:19.
Alternative generated candidates
- Set him before Eleazar the priest and before the whole congregation, and commission him in their sight.
- present him before Eleazar the priest and before the whole congregation, and commission him in their sight.
Num.27.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ונתתה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- מהודך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+2,m,sg
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- למען: PREP
- ישמעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- עדת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 34:9 (verbal): Explicit repetition of the transfer: Moses lays his hand on Joshua, Joshua is filled with wisdom/spirit as a result and the people heed him — a near-verbal parallel to Numbers 27:20's motive (that the congregation may listen).
- Numbers 11:17, 11:25 (verbal): God takes ‘some of the spirit’ from Moses and puts it on others (the seventy) so they can share leadership — same verbal motif of transferring divine enabling from leader to successors.
- Joshua 1:1–9 (thematic): The public commissioning of Joshua and God’s promise of presence and power so he can lead Israel echoes the purpose of transferring Moses’ authority in Num 27:20 (securing obedience and successful leadership).
- 2 Kings 2:9–15 (thematic): Elijah’s mantle/Elisha’s reception of Elijah’s spirit and the recognition that the prophetic spirit rests on the successor parallels the idea of transferring honor/spirit to enable continued leadership and public acceptance.
- Acts 13:2–3 (allusion): The church’s practice of setting apart leaders by prayer and the laying on of hands (e.g., commissioning Barnabas and Saul) echoes the institutional act of transferring authority so the community will accept and follow the appointed leader.
Alternative generated candidates
- Give some of your authority to him, that all the congregation of the people of Israel may obey.
- You shall transfer some of your dignity to him, that all the congregation of the people of Israel may obey.
Num.27.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולפני: CONJ+PREP
- אלעזר: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- יעמד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ושאל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- במשפט: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האורים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- פיו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- יצאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- פיו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- יבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- העדה: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Exodus 28:30 (verbal): Direct mention of the Urim (and Thummim) placed in the priest's breastpiece as the means by which the priest inquires of the LORD — same cultic instrument referenced for Eleazar's role in deciding direction.
- Deuteronomy 34:9 (thematic): Describes Joshua being filled with wisdom after Moses laid hands on him so that the people would obey him — parallels the commissioning and transfer of leadership authority to Joshua in Numbers 27.
- Joshua 1:1-9 (structural): The formal commissioning of Joshua as Israel's leader and the assurance that Israel will follow him mirrors Numbers 27's appointment and the instruction that at the priest's word the people shall go out and come in with their leader.
- 1 Samuel 30:7-8 (thematic): David consults the priest (Abiathar) and the ephod to inquire of the LORD and then receives a directive to pursue — parallels the priestly inquiry that yields authoritative commands about when to go or come.
- Judges 20:27-28 (thematic): The Israelite tribes inquire of the LORD to determine military action (who shall go first) — another instance of consulting the LORD through prescribed cultic means to obtain guidance about communal movement or decision.
Alternative generated candidates
- Before Eleazar the priest he shall stand and ask counsel by the judgment of the Urim before the LORD; by his word they shall go out and by his word they shall come in—he and all the people of Israel with him, the whole congregation.
- He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the LORD. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in—he and all the people of Israel with him, and the whole assembly."
Num.27.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כאשר: CONJ
- צוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויעמדהו: VERB,hiph,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לפני: PREP
- אלעזר: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ולפני: CONJ+PREP
- כל: DET
- העדה: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 34:9 (verbal): Retells the same transition: Moses lays hands on Joshua so he is filled with wisdom; continues the narrative of Joshua's public commissioning and transfer of authority.
- Joshua 1:1–2 (thematic): Begins the leadership of Joshua immediately after Moses' death; thematically parallels the transfer of command and divine commissioning of Israel's new leader.
- 1 Kings 1:32–40 (structural): David publicly installs Solomon as successor before priests and the assembly (with anointing by Zadok), a parallel instance of royal/successional inauguration in the presence of priests and the people.
- 2 Kings 2:9–15 (thematic): Elisha succeeds Elijah after a public encounter and receives Elijah's mantle/double portion—an analogous prophetic transfer of authority from leader to designated successor.
- Acts 13:2–3 (verbal): The Jerusalem church lays hands on and sends out Barnabas and Saul in the presence of the congregation — a New Testament example of public commissioning and sending of a leader/ministry team.
Alternative generated candidates
- So Moses did as the LORD had commanded him. He took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation.
- So Moses did as the LORD had commanded him. He took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before the whole congregation.
Num.27.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויסמך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ידיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs,suff:3,m,sg
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- ויצוהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg+PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- כאשר: CONJ
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 34:9 (structural): Explicitly restates the outcome of Moses laying hands on Joshua: Joshua was filled with wisdom/Spirit because of Moses' laying on of hands—direct continuation of the same commissioning act.
- Joshua 1:1-2 (thematic): God commissions Joshua to succeed Moses and lead Israel into the land—Numbers 27:23 records the human ritual (laying on of hands) that effected Joshua’s transfer of authority prior to this divine charge.
- Leviticus 1:4 (verbal): Uses the same verb and ritual motif of placing or laying hands (al-rosh) on an object/person to transfer, designate, or identify—here applied to sacrifices, showing the broader cultic/transfer function of laying on of hands.
- Acts 13:3 (structural): The apostles and prophets laid hands on Barnabas and Saul to set them apart for mission—New Testament parallel of commissioning/appointing leaders through laying on of hands.
- 2 Timothy 1:6 (allusion): Paul exhorts Timothy to 'fan into flame' the gift given him through prophecy when the elders laid hands on him—explicit New Testament teaching that laying on of hands transmits or confirms spiritual gifting/office, echoing Moses’ action with Joshua.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he laid his hands on him and charged him, as the LORD had commanded by Moses.
- Moses laid his hands upon him and commissioned him, as the LORD had commanded by the hand of Moses.
And the LORD said to Moses, "Go up to this mountain of the Abarim and see the land that I have given to the people of Israel."
You shall see it, and you shall be gathered to your people—just as your brother Aaron was gathered.
For you did not sanctify me in the sight of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah, in the quarrel of the assembly—the waters of Meribah in the wilderness of Zin. And Moses spoke to the LORD, saying,
"O LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation,
who shall go out before them and who shall come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd." And the LORD said to Moses, "Take for yourself Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand upon him.
Set him before Eleazar the priest and before the whole congregation, and commission him in their sight.
You shall put some of your honor upon him, that all the congregation of the people of Israel may heed him.
He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall consult the judgment of the Urim before the LORD; by its word they shall go out, and by its word they shall come in—he and all the Israelites with him, and the whole assembly." So Moses did as the LORD commanded him; he took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before the whole congregation. And he laid his hands upon him and commissioned him, just as the LORD had commanded through Moses.