Numbers 27 18

Numbers 27:18 kjv

And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him;

Numbers 27:18 nkjv

And the LORD said to Moses: "Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him;

Numbers 27:18 niv

So the LORD said to Moses, "Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him.

Numbers 27:18 esv

So the LORD said to Moses, "Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him.

Numbers 27:18 nlt

The LORD replied, "Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him.

Numbers 27 verses

Numbers 27 18 Meaning

Numbers 27:18 reveals God's instruction to Moses regarding his successor, Joshua. It signifies the divine selection of Joshua, qualified not by human merit alone but preeminently by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The command to "lay your hand upon him" prescribes a public act of ordination and transfer of authority, confirming God's choice and empowering Joshua for the demanding leadership role of leading Israel into the Promised Land. This verse highlights that effective spiritual leadership originates from divine anointing and is publicly affirmed.

Numbers 27 18 Context

Numbers chapter 27 marks a critical transition point in Israel's journey. Moses, having sinned at Meribah, is told he will not enter the Promised Land (Num 27:12-14). In response, Moses petitions God to appoint a successor so that the congregation is not left "like sheep without a shepherd" (Num 27:15-17). This deeply empathetic plea highlights Moses' profound concern for the welfare and continuity of God's people. In verse 18, God directly answers Moses' request, not merely approving a successor, but specifically identifying Joshua by name and, crucially, stating his primary qualification: "in whom is the Spirit." The command to publicly ordain Joshua follows, ensuring his authority and divine endorsement are recognized by the entire assembly before their impending entry into Canaan. This divine intervention guarantees Israel's continuous, divinely guided leadership into their inheritance.

Historically, ancient Near Eastern societies understood transfer of authority through public ritual and divine mandate, though often tied to dynastic succession. Israel's leadership, especially prophetic or spiritual, emphasized divine appointment, not always heredity, setting it apart. The choice of Joshua, who served closely with Moses, reflects a mentorship model where experience and observed character, especially spiritual, were paramount.

Numbers 27 18 Word analysis

• Take (laqach, לָקַח): Implies selection or acquisition. Here, it denotes God's clear, purposeful choice of Joshua from among the multitude. It's not a mere suggestion but an divine directive for Moses to bring Joshua forward, highlighting his pre-ordained role.
• Joshua (Yehoshua, יְהוֹשֻׁעַ): His name means "The Lord is salvation" or "The Lord saves." This name itself carries prophetic significance, as he would be the one to lead Israel into the salvation of the Promised Land, foreshadowing the ultimate salvation found in Jesus (whose name is the Greek equivalent of Joshua). He was Moses' trusted servant and military commander.
• Son of Nun: Identifies his lineage, placing him within the tribe of Ephraim, providing his human identity. This grounds his divine calling within his community and family background, as was typical in ancient Israelite identification.
• A man: (ish, אִישׁ): Refers to a male human being. It emphasizes his humanity, yet juxtaposes it sharply with the divine endowment he possesses. The power of leadership isn't from his natural strength but from a supernatural source within a human vessel.
• In whom is the Spirit: (asher ruach bo, אֲשֶׁר-רוּחַ בּוֹ): This is the absolute core qualification. Ruach (רוּחַ) means "spirit," "wind," or "breath," but here it explicitly refers to the Spirit of God. This indicates not merely natural talent or human wisdom but a divine enabling, a spiritual indwelling that equips for the sacred task of leading God's people. This highlights that true spiritual leadership is Spirit-driven, distinguishing God-appointed leaders from those chosen merely by human consensus or worldly qualifications. It underscores a fundamental polemic against leadership based solely on inherited status, personal ambition, or perceived skill without divine empowerment.
• Lay your hand: (samak yadekha, סָמַכְתָּ אֶת-יָדְךָ): The act of semikhah, laying on of hands, in the Old Testament, symbolized the transfer or conferral of authority, blessing, responsibility, or consecration. It was a public and tangible ritual, indicating God's commissioning through Moses. It's an act of public identification and authentication of the divine calling and qualification. This ritual not only affirmed Joshua's new role but also imparted anointing and wisdom (Deut 34:9), making it a significant moment for both Joshua and the witnessing congregation.
• Upon him: Designates the specific recipient of the authority and spiritual empowerment. The action is directed singularly, affirming Joshua as the chosen individual.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man": This phrase combines Joshua's personal identification with a foundational statement of his being simply "a man." It sets the stage for the pivotal qualification that follows, emphasizing that while he is a person, his true qualification is supernatural.
• "in whom is the Spirit": This is the preeminent divine criterion for leadership. It points to a constant, inner presence of God's empowering Spirit, granting Joshua discernment, wisdom, and the ability to lead according to God's will. This quality outweighs all other considerations and serves as a model for Spirit-filled leadership.
• "and lay your hand upon him": This phrase details the ceremonial act of publicly transferring authority and blessing. It is the visible, tangible manifestation of the invisible, divine appointment and Spirit-endowment. This act formally validates Joshua's leadership before the congregation, demonstrating the principle that divine calling should be accompanied by public affirmation within the community of faith.

Numbers 27 18 Bonus section

The choice of Joshua underscores the importance of a leader's character and close walk with God. Joshua was not Moses' biological heir but had served faithfully beside him for decades (Exod 17:9, 24:13, 33:11). This mentorship and personal integrity were complementary to, but subordinate to, the indwelling Spirit. This passage sets a precedent for leadership selection throughout biblical history—a leader is divinely called, uniquely gifted by the Spirit, and publicly consecrated. The transition from Moses, who communed with God face-to-face, to Joshua, who relied on the Spirit for wisdom and counsel through Eleazar (Num 27:21), signifies a new phase of leadership dependent on God's direct guidance within the nation. The emphasis on "the Spirit" in Numbers 27:18 serves as a theological anchor for the idea that true spiritual authority and competence are divinely given, not merely learned or inherited, ensuring God's active involvement in the unfolding history of His covenant people.

Numbers 27 18 Commentary

Numbers 27:18 stands as a profound theological statement on spiritual leadership, highlighting its divine origin and necessary divine endowment. Moses' concern for Israel's future leadership (Num 27:17) elicits a specific divine response: not just a successor, but the qualified successor. Joshua's defining characteristic is not military prowess or innate wisdom, but the indwelling of "the Spirit" (Hebrew: Ruach). This signifies a leadership rooted in divine empowerment, insight, and discernment rather than human ability or hereditary right. This point would have strongly resonated with the Israelites, distinguishing their God-appointed leadership from that of surrounding nations who often relied on human dynasties or might. The subsequent instruction for Moses to "lay your hand upon him" is a deeply symbolic act. It publicly commissions Joshua, affirming his divine call and the transfer of authority and spiritual anointing from Moses to him (Deut 34:9). This public ritual was vital for the people to recognize and respect their new leader, ensuring continuity and order in the tumultuous period of entering Canaan. It sets a pattern for leadership installation that extends into the New Testament Church, emphasizing divine qualification followed by communal recognition and prayerful impartation. Effective spiritual leadership, therefore, is not self-appointed, but God-initiated, Spirit-empowered, and congregationally affirmed for the edification and direction of God's people.