Deuteronomy 34:9 kjv
And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.
Deuteronomy 34:9 nkjv
Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Deuteronomy 34:9 niv
Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses.
Deuteronomy 34:9 esv
And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Deuteronomy 34:9 nlt
Now Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him, doing just as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Deuteronomy 34 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 11:17 | "I will take of the Spirit who is on you and put Him upon them..." | Shared Spirit for leadership burden. |
| Num 27:18 | "Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit..." | God identifying Joshua's existing spiritual gift. |
| Num 27:23 | "...Moses laid his hands on him and commissioned him as the Lord commanded through Moses." | Precedent for laying on hands for ordination. |
| Dt 31:23 | "Then the Lord commissioned Joshua the son of Nun, and said, 'Be strong and courageous...'" | God's direct commissioning of Joshua. |
| Josh 1:5 | "No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life..." | God's promise of Joshua's success. |
| Josh 1:7-8 | "Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law..." | Joshua's charge to obey the Torah. |
| 1 Sam 10:6 | "Then the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you mightily...and you will be changed into another man." | Divine enabling for Saul's kingship. |
| Isa 11:2 | "The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding..." | Messiah endowed with the Spirit of wisdom. |
| Ezr 7:6 | "...Ezra the scribe...for the hand of the Lord his God was upon him." | Divine favour/enabling for faithful service. |
| Ps 78:72 | "So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them with his skillful hands." | David's wise and skillful leadership. |
| Prov 2:6 | "For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." | God as the source of wisdom. |
| Prov 8:14 | "Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine." | Wisdom's personification, given by God. |
| John 14:26 | "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things..." | Spirit teaches and reminds in the New Covenant. |
| Luke 21:15 | "for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your opponents will not be able to resist or refute." | Christ promises divine wisdom to His followers. |
| Acts 6:3 | "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom..." | Qualities for diaconal leadership. |
| Acts 6:6 | "...whom they set before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them." | Laying on of hands for spiritual office. |
| Acts 8:17 | "Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit." | Laying on of hands for receiving the Spirit. |
| 1 Tim 4:14 | "Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was granted to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands..." | Spiritual gift through laying on of hands. |
| 2 Tim 1:6 | "For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands." | Paul imparting a gift to Timothy by hands. |
| Heb 13:17 | "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account..." | Admonition to obey appointed leaders. |
| 1 Pet 4:10-11 | "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another..." | Exercising spiritual gifts for ministry. |
| Eph 1:17 | "...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation..." | Prayer for wisdom for believers. |
Deuteronomy 34 verses
Deuteronomy 34 9 Meaning
Deuteronomy 34:9 signifies the official, divinely-appointed succession of leadership from Moses to Joshua. It affirms that Joshua was uniquely empowered by God with the "spirit of wisdom," which was visibly conveyed through Moses's act of laying on hands. This divine endowment guaranteed Joshua's authority, ensuring that the Israelites recognized and obeyed him, thereby maintaining the continuity of God's commands and purpose for His people.
Deuteronomy 34 9 Context
Deuteronomy 34 marks the conclusion of Moses's life and the Pentateuch, immediately preceding the book of Joshua. The chapter vividly describes Moses's ascent of Mount Nebo, where God allowed him to view the promised land from a distance before his death. Verse 9 then swiftly transitions to affirm Joshua's preeminence and readiness to assume leadership. Historically and culturally, the orderly succession of leadership was crucial for tribal societies. This verse assures the people that Joshua's authority was not self-appointed but divinely ordained and publicly sanctioned, reflecting the theocratic nature of Israel's governance. There's an implicit polemic against self-appointed leaders or reliance on mere human strength; Israel's leader is one divinely chosen and endowed.
Deuteronomy 34 9 Word analysis
And Joshua: Introduces the central figure of succession. Joshua (Heb. Yehoshua) means "Yahweh is salvation" or "The Lord saves," echoing the broader theme of God's salvific work.
the son of Nun: Identifies Joshua by his lineage, adding formality and distinguishing him.
was full: Heb. malêaḥ (מָלֵא), implying a complete, abundant, and indwelling possession, not merely a temporary presence. It suggests a qualitative richness.
of the spirit: Heb. rûaḥ (רוּחַ), denoting breath, wind, or the life-giving divine influence. Here, it signifies divine spiritual empowerment and presence.
of wisdom: Heb. ḥoḵmâ (חָכְמָה), a comprehensive term for practical skill, insight, discernment, and knowledge needed for effective governance, judging, and leading. It's not just intellectual capacity but the ability to apply divine truth for living and leadership. Combined with "spirit," it signifies divinely imparted understanding and ability for his unique leadership task.
for Moses: Introduces the reason or means of this endowment.
had laid his hands upon him: Heb. sāmaḵ yāḏâv (סָמַךְ יָדָיו) - literally, "leaned his hands upon him." This act was a powerful physical and spiritual symbol of delegation, transfer of authority, and imparting a blessing or commissioning. It was a public and tangible sign of ordination, making Joshua's succession indisputable and sanctioned. This act previously occurred in Num 27:23, where Moses imparted some of his authority and honor to Joshua.
and the children of Israel: Emphasizes the entire nation's recognition and response.
hearkened unto him: Heb. šāmeʿû (שָׁמְעוּ) – meaning "to hear, listen, obey." This denotes their submission and obedience to Joshua's authority, demonstrating that the divine transfer of authority was indeed effective and acknowledged by the people.
and did: Actions confirm their obedience.
as the Lord commanded Moses: Crucially links Joshua's authority and Israel's obedience directly to God's ongoing will, affirming continuity of God's covenant and law even after Moses's departure. This confirms Joshua's role was to continue fulfilling the divine mandate, not establish a new one.
"full of the spirit of wisdom": This phrase describes the divine enablement and specific competence required for Joshua's momentous task. It ensures his ability to lead God's people righteously and strategically. This isn't inherited skill but a specific endowment by God for his office.
"for Moses had laid his hands upon him": This is the divine and public means by which the "spirit of wisdom" was imparted or affirmed, and Joshua's authority consecrated. It demonstrates divine orchestration of succession through human instrumentality, validating Joshua's leadership not as a coup but as a spiritual inheritance.
"the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses": This two-fold outcome validates Joshua's leadership. The people recognized his divinely-sanctioned authority and responded with obedience, which itself was directed towards upholding God's previous commands given through Moses. This ensures doctrinal and practical continuity.
Deuteronomy 34 9 Bonus section
- The phrase "spirit of wisdom" connects to the endowment for craftspeople (Exod 31:3) and the prophetic wisdom of Messiah (Isa 11:2), showing wisdom as a multifaceted divine gift for various God-given tasks, from physical creation to leadership.
- This act of laying on of hands in Num 27 and Dt 34 is foundational for the biblical concept of ordination and commissioning for service, influencing practices in both Old Testament priestly service and New Testament church leadership.
- While Moses's direct interaction with God was unique, Joshua's leadership was characterized by being "full of the spirit of wisdom," enabling him to understand and execute God's will accurately for the nation, emphasizing that divine guidance and empowerment come in various forms for different offices.
Deuteronomy 34 9 Commentary
Deuteronomy 34:9 stands as a pivotal verse, solidifying the transition from the iconic leader Moses to his divinely chosen successor, Joshua. The verse masterfully assures the community of Israel and subsequent generations of the legitimacy of Joshua's leadership by highlighting God's direct hand in empowering him. The "spirit of wisdom" implies an active, divine enablement, equipping Joshua not merely with intellectual knowledge but with the spiritual insight and practical discernment vital for guiding the nation into and within the Promised Land. The physical act of Moses laying his hands upon Joshua serves as a visible, ceremonial, and prophetic act of ordination, transferring authority and honor in the eyes of all Israel. This public demonstration authenticated Joshua's divine appointment and commanded the respect and obedience of the Israelites. Their "hearkening" and acting "as the Lord commanded Moses" underscored their acceptance of Joshua as God's chosen representative and reinforced the continuous, unchanging nature of God's covenant commands, regardless of who led the people. The verse is a testament to God's faithful provision for His people through endowed leadership.