Numbers 27 20

Numbers 27:20 kjv

And thou shalt put some of thine honor upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.

Numbers 27:20 nkjv

And you shall give some of your authority to him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.

Numbers 27:20 niv

Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him.

Numbers 27:20 esv

You shall invest him with some of your authority, that all the congregation of the people of Israel may obey.

Numbers 27:20 nlt

Transfer some of your authority to him so the whole community of Israel will obey him.

Numbers 27 verses

Numbers 27 20 Meaning

Numbers 27:20 states that Moses was commanded to lay "some of his authority" upon Joshua. This act was purposed so that the entire community of the children of Israel would acknowledge Joshua's divinely appointed leadership and therefore be obedient to him. It signifies a public and visible transfer of legitimate power from one divinely chosen leader to another, ensuring the continuity of God's governance over His people.

Numbers 27 20 Context

Numbers 27:20 is nestled within the larger narrative of Moses' final acts before his death and Israel's entry into the Promised Land. The preceding verses (Numbers 27:12-14) record God informing Moses of his impending death, and Moses' subsequent request to the Lord in Numbers 27:15-17 to appoint a successor so that the congregation would not be "as sheep that have no shepherd." In response, God specifically identifies Joshua (Numbers 27:18) as the chosen leader, commanding Moses to publicly commission him. The transfer of authority commanded in Numbers 27:20 is part of this divine succession plan, ensuring a seamless and legitimate transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua, thus maintaining order and direction for the Israelite community on the cusp of conquering Canaan. This specific act lays the foundation for Joshua's command and the people's required submission, as they prepare for the challenging tasks ahead.

Numbers 27 20 Word analysis

• And (וְ, ve): A simple conjunction connecting this command to the previous instruction given by God regarding Joshua's anointing. It emphasizes continuity.
• you shall put (וְנָתַתָּה, v'natatta): From the Hebrew verb nathan, meaning "to give," "to place," "to put." This is a direct command from God to Moses, indicating an active, deliberate, and intentional transfer. It highlights Moses' crucial role in validating Joshua's leadership before the people.
• some of your authority (מֵהוֹדְךָ, me'hod'kha): This is a pivotal phrase.
  • מֵ (me-): A prefix meaning "from" or "some of." This indicates that the authority transferred is not the entirety of Moses' unique position or divine commission, but a significant portion of it. Moses' role as direct mediator between God and Israel, speaking "mouth to mouth" with the Lord (Num 12:8), remained unparalleled.
  • הוֹד (hod): A significant Hebrew word meaning "glory," "majesty," "splendor," "honor," "dignity," or "authority." It often describes God's inherent majesty (e.g., Ps 104:1) or that which He bestows. In this context, hod represents the divine accreditation and inherent respect associated with Moses' leadership. By transferring some of this hod to Joshua, God confers a visible, publicly recognized share of divine endorsement upon the new leader, making his command legitimate in the eyes of the people. This is more than just passing a baton; it's a conferral of intrinsic weight and recognized divine presence, distinct from mere administrative power.
• on him (עָלָיו, alav): Refers directly to Joshua. The action is to be directed toward him, underscoring the focus of the transfer. This "putting" likely involved a public ceremony, as indicated by earlier verses in the chapter.
• that all (לְמַעַן כָּל־, lema'an kol): This phrase indicates purpose: "in order that all." The ultimate goal of this transfer of authority. "All" emphasizes the unity and universal obedience expected from the entire Israelite community.
• the congregation of the children of Israel (עֲדַת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, 'adat benei Yisrael): Refers to the entire, unified community of Israelites. This is the collective body that needs leadership and cohesion.
• may be obedient (יִשְׁמָעוּ, yishme'u): From the verb shama, meaning "to hear," "to listen," but crucially, also "to obey." This is an active and responsive hearing, implying submission and compliance. The recognition of Joshua's divinely vested hod was meant to compel their active obedience, preventing rebellion or dissent against God's appointed representative.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "put some of your authority on him": This phrase highlights a divine command for a public, symbolic, and deeply significant transfer. "Some" differentiates Joshua's authority from Moses' unique and greater authority, acknowledging the latter's special status before God. However, the use of hod ensures that Joshua's new authority carries true weight, being visibly sanctioned by God through Moses. It signals a delegation of the "glory" or "splendor" associated with the divine call to lead.
• "that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient": This reveals the practical, essential purpose of the transfer. God desired order and unity among His people. The clear, public establishment of Joshua's leadership, authenticated by Moses and recognized by its hod, was crucial for securing the trust and active submission of the entire community, enabling them to move forward as one under divine direction. Disobedience would not just be rebellion against Joshua, but against God's direct ordination.

Numbers 27 20 Bonus section

The concept of hod as a transferable quality is profoundly theological. While it refers to "glory" or "majesty" often applied directly to God, here it implies a shared divine essence or presence delegated by God through His appointed servant. This demonstrates that legitimate spiritual authority, while humanly administered, ultimately originates from God and carries a measure of His own inherent dignity and power. The command to place hod upon Joshua, not just hands or a title, stresses the qualitative shift in Joshua's standing before the people. He became more than just a talented warrior; he became God's accredited, glory-bearing leader for the nation. This prefigures how God, through Christ, delegates spiritual authority and gifts to His chosen ones (Eph 4:11), expecting the body of believers to recognize and submit for unified ministry and growth.

Numbers 27 20 Commentary

Numbers 27:20 encapsulates the crucial theological principle of divinely appointed succession and delegated authority within the covenant community. God commanded Moses to impart "some of his authority," signified by the Hebrew word hod—often translated as "glory" or "majesty"—onto Joshua. This was not a mere passing of administrative duties, but a tangible, public transfer of the dignity and honor associated with God's presence and endorsement that rested upon Moses. The term "some" is significant; it indicates that while Joshua would inherit the necessary authority to lead Israel, Moses’ unparalleled, direct prophetic communion with God remained unique to him (Num 12:6-8). The ultimate purpose was to ensure that "all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient." This prevented chaos and preserved unity, guaranteeing that God's people would recognize Joshua as His chosen representative and thus respond with the essential "hearing-unto-obeying" (שָׁמַע) vital for their continued walk with God and successful entry into the Promised Land. This established a precedent for recognized, divinely sanctioned leadership and the people's required submission, critical for the corporate body of believers.

• Example for Practical Usage: In a church setting, just as Moses publicly laid hands and authority on Joshua, congregational recognition and submission to God-appointed spiritual leaders (e.g., elders, pastors) are crucial for the unified progress and spiritual health of the community. Rejecting their authority, if truly aligned with God's word, is seen as rejecting the order God has established.