Numbers 27:21

“And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, etc.] This was for the honour of God, whose priest Eleazar was, and whose oracle was consulted by him; for it is said f428, the high priest did not come into the presence of the king but when he pleased; and he did not stand before him, but the king stood before the high priest, as it is said, “and before Eleazar the priest shall he stand”; though it is commanded the high priest to honour the king, and to rise up and stand when he comes unto him; and the king does not stand before him, but when he consults for him by the judgment of Urim; and his posture seems to be different from other persons that consulted; for the same writer f429 observes,…”

“And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest ... - Joshua was thus to be inferior to what Moses had been. For Moses had enjoyed the privilege of unrestricted direct contact with God: Joshua, like all future rulers of Israel, was to ask counsel mediately, through the High Priest and those means of inquiring of God wherewith the high priest was entrusted. Such counsel Joshua seems to have omitted to seek when he concluded his hasty treaty with the Gibeonites (Joshua 9:3 ff). Judgment of Urim - See Exodus 28:30 note. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on Numbers 27". "Barnes' Notes on the…”

“Who shall ask counsel for him - When he requires him to do so, and in important and difficult matters. Of Urim - Urim is put for both Urim and Thummim. Before the Lord - Ordinarily in the tabernacle near the second veil setting his face to the ark. At his word - The word of the Lord, delivered to him by the high priest. Numbers 27:22”

“he shall: Jos 9:14; Jdg 1:1, Jdg 20:18, Jdg 20:23, Jdg 20:26-28; Sa1 22:10, Sa1 23:9, Sa1 28:6, Sa1 30:7 Urim: Exo 28:30; Lev 8:8; Deu 33:8; Sa1 28:6; Ezr 2:63; Neh 7:65 at his word: Num 27:17; Jos 9:14; Sa1 22:10-15 Numbers 27:23”