Numbers 27:18

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;

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Moses {H4872}, Take {H3947} thee Joshua {H3091} the son {H1121} of Nun {H5126}, a man {H376} in whom is the spirit {H7307}, and lay {H5564} thine hand {H3027} upon him;

ADONAI said to Moshe, "Take Y'hoshua the son of Nun, a spiritual man, and lay your hand on him.

And the LORD replied to Moses, โ€œTake Joshua son of Nun, a man with the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him.

And Jehovah said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay thy hand upon him;

Commentary

Numbers 27:18 marks a pivotal moment in the leadership of ancient Israel, as God directly instructs Moses to appoint his successor, Joshua, setting the stage for the next chapter in the nation's journey.

Context of Numbers 27:18

This verse follows Moses' earnest request to the Lord to appoint a new leader for the Israelite community, knowing he would not personally lead them into the Promised Land (Numbers 27:12-14). God's immediate and specific response names Joshua, the son of Nun, confirming a divine choice for the crucial task ahead. Joshua was already well-known as Moses' faithful assistant and one of the two spies who brought a positive report from Canaan, showing his unwavering faith and courage (Numbers 14:6-9). This passage highlights the transition of authority from Moses, the great lawgiver, to Joshua, the military leader who would conquer Canaan.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Appointment of Leadership: The selection of Joshua is not by human vote or preference but by God's direct command. This underscores that true spiritual leadership originates from the Lord, who raises up those He chooses for His purposes.
  • Spiritual Qualification for Leadership: Joshua is specifically identified as "a man in whom [is] the spirit." This crucial qualification emphasizes that effective leadership in God's service requires divine empowerment, spiritual discernment, and a close relationship with God, not merely administrative or military prowess.
  • Orderly Succession and Continuity: God ensures the continuity and stability of His people by orchestrating a clear and public transfer of authority from Moses to Joshua. This established a precedent for future leadership transitions within Israel, maintaining the covenant relationship.
  • The Act of Commissioning: The command to "lay thine hand upon him" signifies a public and symbolic act of commissioning, blessing, and the impartation of authority. This practice, seen throughout biblical history, serves to ordain individuals for special service, publicly affirming God's choice and empowering the chosen leader (Deuteronomy 34:9).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "a man in whom [is] the spirit" is profound. The Hebrew word for "spirit" here is ruach (ืจื•ึผื—ึท), which can mean wind, breath, or spirit. In this context, it refers to the divine Spirit of God. This indicates that Joshua was not merely a capable individual but was divinely endowed with wisdom, insight, and the necessary spiritual enablement to lead the nation. It implies a prophetic or divinely inspired quality, making him uniquely qualified to understand and execute God's will for Israel, much like the Spirit empowered Othniel in Judges 3:10.

Practical Application

Numbers 27:18 offers timeless lessons for contemporary leadership and spiritual life. It reminds us that God actively chooses and equips leaders according to His sovereign plan, emphasizing the critical importance of spiritual qualities over worldly achievements. For believers today, it encourages seeking God's guidance in identifying and supporting those He has raised up for service within the church and beyond. It also underscores that God provides the necessary gifts and empowerment (the ruach) for the tasks He calls us to, ensuring that His work will continue through faithful individuals who are led by His Spirit.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 34:9 (13 votes)

    ยถ And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.

  • Genesis 41:38 (7 votes)

    And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find [such a one] as this [is], a man in whom the Spirit of God [is]?

  • Numbers 27:23 (7 votes)

    And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

  • Deuteronomy 31:23 (5 votes)

    And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.

  • Deuteronomy 3:28 (4 votes)

    But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.

  • Judges 3:10 (4 votes)

    And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim.

  • Acts 19:6 (4 votes)

    And when Paul had laid [his] hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.