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Numbers 27:20

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 27:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And thou shalt put of thine honor upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may obey.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And thou shalt put of thine honor upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may obey.
Numbers 27:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 27

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17who may go out before them, and who may come in before them, and who may lead them out, and who may bring them in; that the congregation of Jehovah be not as sheep which have no shepherd.
18And Jehovah said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay thy hand upon him;
19and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight.
20And thou shalt put of thine honor upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may obey.
21And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before Jehovah: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.
22And Moses did as Jehovah commanded him; and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation:
23and he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as Jehovah spake by Moses.
← Numbers 27:19Numbers 27:21 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, etc.] Meaning not the Spirit that was on Moses, and the gifts of the Spirit; for to do this was the work of the Lord, and not Moses, (see <041117>Numbers 11:17,25), but of the honour of civil government; suggesting that he should give him a share in it, and use him not as a minister and servant, as he had been, but as his colleague and partner; and let him have some of the ensigns of power and authority, and some exercise of it; not only to inure him to government, but to make him respectable among the people: that all the congregation of Israel may be obedient; to him as their ruler and governor, hearken to his words, and obey his commands.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him--In the whole history of Israel there arose no prophet or ruler in all respects like unto Moses till the Messiah appeared, whose glory eclipsed all. But Joshua was honored and qualified in an eminent degree, through the special service of the high priest, who asked counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the Lord. Next: Numbers Chapter 28”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Of thine honor - i. e., of thy dignity and authority (compare Numbers 11:17, Numbers 11:28). Joshua was constituted immediately vice-leader under Moses, by way of introduction to his becoming chief after Moses’ death. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Put some of thine honour - Thou shalt not now use him as a servant, but as a brother and thy partner in the government, that the people being used to obey him while Moses lived, might do it afterward the more chearfully. Numbers 27:21”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“27:20-21 Joshua assumed only some of Moses’ authority. Moses had face-to-face contact with God (12:6-8; Deut 34:10-12), but Joshua had only indirect access to revelation, since he had to consult with Eleazar the priest on important matters (Num 27:21; cp. Exod 28:30; Lev 8:8). Israel would keep military and spiritual leadership separate hereafter.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“put some: Num 11:17, Num 11:28, Num 11:29; Sa1 10:6, Sa1 10:9; Kg2 2:9, Kg2 2:10, Kg2 2:15; Ch1 29:23, Ch1 29:25 may be: Jos 1:16-18 Numbers 27:21”
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Related study paths

Read Numbers 27 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification