Numbers 27:18

“And the Lord said unto Moses, etc.] In answer to his request: take thou Joshua the son of Nun, who had been a servant of his near forty years, and of whose humility, diligence, faithfulness and integrity he had sufficient proof, as well as of his skill and courage in military affairs, particularly at the battle with Amalek, (<021709>Exodus 17:9-13 24:13 33:11): a man in whom is the Spirit: not only in whom is a spirit or soul, which is in every man; but the Spirit of God, and that not only as a spirit of grace and sanctification, which is in every good man; but as a spirit of prophecy, as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan; or rather it respects the more than ordinary gifts of the Spirit…”

“JOSHUA APPOINTED TO SUCCEED HIM. (Num 27:18-23) Take thee Joshua . . . a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him--A strong testimony is here borne to the personality of the divine Spirit--the imposition of hands was an ancient ceremony. (See Gen 48:14; Lev 1:4; Ti1 4:14).”

“In whom is the spirit Compare Genesis 41:38. Joshua was endowed by God with the requisite spiritual qualifications for the office. Moses howerer, was to lay his hands upon him, both in order to confer formal and public appointment, and also (compare Deuteronomy 34:9) to confirm and strengthen the spiritual gifts already bestowed. The previous reception of the inner grace did not dispense with that of the outward sign; compare the case of Cornelius Acts 10:44-48; and Paul’s baptism after his miraculous conversion Acts 9:18. return to 'Top of Page'”

“The spirit - The spirit of government, of wisdom, and of the fear of the Lord. Lay thy hand - By which ceremony Moses did both design the person and confer the power, and by his prayers, which accompanied that rite, obtain from God all the spiritual gifts and graces necessary for his future employment. Numbers 27:19”

“27:18-19 Joshua had a solid background for the role (cp. Exod 17:8-16). He had been Moses’ assistant for a long time (Num 11:28; cp. Exod 33:11). He was also one of the faithful spies (Num 13–14) who knew the people of Israel well. Joshua possessed the Spirit and recognized the special presence of God in his life (cp. 11:25-29). His relationship with God also gave him wisdom for the tasks ahead (e.g., Deut 34:9). • lay your hands on him: This act symbolized the transfer of authority from an elder statesman to his assistant (cp. Num 8:10-14). Moses did this publicly so that Joshua’s leadership would be incontestable.”

“Take thee: Num 11:28, Num 13:8, Num 13:16; Exo 17:9; Deu 3:28, Deu 31:7, Deu 31:8, Deu 31:23, Deu 34:9 a man: Num 11:17; Gen 41:38; Jdg 3:10, Jdg 11:29; Sa1 16:13, Sa1 16:14, Sa1 16:18; Dan 5:14; Joh 3:34; Act 6:3; Co1 12:4-11 lay: Num 27:23; Deu 34:9; Act 6:6, Act 8:15-19, Act 13:3, Act 19:6; Ti1 4:14, Ti1 5:22; Heb 6:2 Numbers 27:19”

“The Lord then appointed Joshua to this office as a man "who had spirit." רוּה (spirit) does not mean "insight and wisdom" (Knobel), but the higher power inspired by God into the soul, which quickens the moral and religious life, and determines its development; in this case, therefore, it was the spiritual endowment requisite for the office he was called to fill. Moses was to consecrate him for entering upon this office by the laying on of hands, or, as is more fully explained in Num 27:19 and Num 27:20, he was to set him before Eleazar the high priest and the congregation, to command (צוּה) him, i.e., instruct him with regard to his office before their eyes, and to lay of his eminence (הוד)…”