Numbers 27:21

KJV

And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask [counsel] for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he shall stand {H5975} before {H6440} Eleazar {H499} the priest {H3548}, who shall ask {H7592} counsel for him after the judgment {H4941} of Urim {H224} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}: at his word {H6310} shall they go out {H3318}, and at his word {H6310} they shall come in {H935}, both he, and all the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} with him, even all the congregation {H5712}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He is to present himself to El'azar the cohen, who is to find out by means of the urim what ADONAI's will is for Y'hoshua's decisions. Then, at his word they will go out, and at his word they will come in, both he and all the people of Isra'el with him, the whole community."

Berean Standard Bible

He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who will seek counsel for him before the LORD by the judgment of the Urim. At his command, he and all the Israelites with him—the entire congregation—will go out and come in.”

American Standard Version

And 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 27:21 establishes the divine protocol for Joshua's leadership after Moses, mandating that he would seek continuous guidance from the LORD through Eleazar the high priest, utilizing the Urim. This mechanism ensured that all national decisions, particularly those concerning military movements and public life, were divinely sanctioned, underscoring Israel's corporate dependence on God's explicit direction rather than human discretion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the narrative of leadership transition following God's declaration that Moses would not enter the Promised Land ([Numbers 27:12-14](/numbers/27-12 "Numbers 27:12-14 - Moses' Exclusion from Canaan")). Immediately preceding [Numbers 27:21](/numbers/27-21 "Numbers 27:21 - Joshua's Divine Counsel"), the LORD explicitly commands Moses to appoint Joshua as his successor, endowing him with "some of your authority" ([Numbers 27:18-20](/numbers/27-18 "Numbers 27:18-20 - Joshua's Commissioning")). The public commissioning involved Moses laying his hands on Joshua before Eleazar and the entire congregation, signifying a transfer of leadership. Verse 21 then meticulously outlines the practical, ongoing method by which Joshua would receive divine direction, ensuring his leadership remained firmly under God's supreme authority, a critical safeguard for the nation's future.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was a theocracy, meaning God was their ultimate King and Lawgiver. As they stood on the cusp of entering Canaan, a land inhabited by powerful, idolatrous nations, the need for direct divine guidance was paramount for military strategy, land distribution, and maintaining spiritual purity. The priesthood, specifically the high priest, held a unique and sacred role as the primary human conduit for divine revelation, distinct from the prophetic office. The Urim and Thummim, mysterious objects housed within the high priest's breastplate, were a recognized, though not fully understood, means of discerning God's will on matters of national significance, particularly when a clear yes/no or specific direction was required for critical decisions, such as going to war or making a major move.
* **Key Themes:** [Numbers 27:21](/numbers/27-21 "Numbers 27:21 - Joshua's Divine Counsel") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the broader Pentateuch. It highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Guidance**, demonstrating that God actively governs His people and provides specific direction for their journey and actions, especially in leadership. It underscores the **Indispensable Role of Mediation**, specifically through the priesthood, as Eleazar serves as the necessary intermediary for Joshua to access God's counsel, foreshadowing the ultimate mediator. Furthermore, the verse emphasizes **Corporate Dependence and Obedience**, as the entire congregation's movements are contingent upon God's word, fostering a national identity rooted in submission to divine authority. This structured approach to leadership also reinforces the theme of **Order and Authority**, establishing a clear chain of command where human leaders operate under divine mandate, ensuring stability and preventing arbitrary rule as Israel prepared to conquer and settle the land, a significant undertaking detailed in subsequent books like [Joshua](/joshua/1 "The Book of Joshua - Conquest and Inheritance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Counsel (שָׁאַל, _sha'al_):** This Hebrew verb means "to ask, inquire, consult, demand." In this context, it signifies a formal, reverent seeking of divine direction, not merely advice. It implies a posture of dependence and submission to God's ultimate authority, acknowledging that human wisdom alone is insufficient for leading God's people. The seeking of counsel via the Urim was for definitive, authoritative answers on matters of national import.
* **Urim (אוּרִים, _'Urim'_):** One of two enigmatic objects (the other being Thummim) kept in the high priest's breastplate ([Exodus 28:30](/exodus/28-30 "Exodus 28:30 - The Breastplate with Urim and Thummim")). While their exact nature and method of operation remain a subject of scholarly debate (perhaps stones that lit up, lots, or some form of divine illumination), they served as a divinely appointed means for the high priest to discern God's will, typically for binary (yes/no) or clear directional answers on critical national issues. The term itself may relate to "lights" or "curses," suggesting clarity or judgment. Their use here signifies a direct, authoritative channel of divine communication for the nation's leader.
* **Go out, and come in (יָצָא, _yatsa'_; בּוֹא, _bo'_):** This is a common Hebrew idiom signifying the totality of one's public activity, particularly in a military or leadership context. It encompasses all movements, actions, and endeavors, from initiating a campaign to returning from it, or generally conducting the affairs of the nation. The phrase emphasizes that every significant decision and action undertaken by Joshua and the entire congregation must be explicitly sanctioned by God's word, received through the Urim.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest":** This clause establishes the posture and location for Joshua's inquiry. "Standing before" implies a position of deference, respect, and readiness to receive instruction. It underscores that even the divinely appointed leader of Israel must submit to the established priestly authority, which serves as the conduit for divine revelation. Joshua's authority is not absolute but mediated through God's chosen representative.
* **"who shall ask [counsel] for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD":** This is the core mechanism of divine guidance. Eleazar, as the high priest, is the one who directly interfaces with God on Joshua's behalf. The "judgment of Urim" refers to the specific, divinely sanctioned method of inquiry using the Urim and Thummim, which provided clear, authoritative answers from God. The phrase "before the LORD" emphasizes that this is a direct consultation with God Himself, through His appointed means, ensuring the counsel is divine and infallible.
* **"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":** This final clause delineates the scope and impact of the divine counsel. "His word" refers to the word of the LORD, as revealed through the Urim via Eleazar. The idiom "go out and come in" signifies all public actions, especially military campaigns, but also broader national movements. The explicit inclusion of "he" (Joshua) and "all the children of Israel... all the congregation" highlights that this divine guidance is not just for the leader but for the entire nation. It underscores the corporate nature of Israel's obedience and dependence on God for every significant undertaking.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices to emphasize its profound theological message. **Repetition** is evident in the phrase "at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in," which powerfully reinforces the absolute dependence on God's explicit command for all national movements and decisions. This repetition creates a rhythmic emphasis, underscoring the comprehensive nature of divine guidance. **Symbolism** is central, with the Urim serving as a tangible symbol of God's direct communication and authoritative will. The high priest, Eleazar, also functions symbolically as the divinely appointed intermediary, representing the necessary channel through which God's people access His counsel. Furthermore, the phrase "go out and come in" can be seen as a form of **Merism**, where two contrasting parts represent the whole, encompassing all possible activities and movements of the congregation, from beginning to end, from peace to war, from daily life to national endeavors. This reinforces the idea that no aspect of Israel's life was to be outside the sphere of God's direct oversight.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 27:21 profoundly illustrates the principle of divine sovereignty in the governance of Israel and the necessity of mediated access to God's will. It underscores that even divinely appointed human leadership is always subordinate to God's ultimate authority, requiring continuous, explicit divine counsel for all significant decisions. This commitment to seeking God's "word" through the high priest and the Urim established a foundational pattern of dependence, ensuring that Israel's identity and actions were rooted in obedience to their divine King, rather than in human wisdom or strategic planning. This system provided stability, unity, and a clear path for a nation on the threshold of monumental challenges, reinforcing the truth that God actively leads His people through appointed channels.

* [Exodus 28:30](/exodus/28-30 "The Urim and Thummim in the Breastplate")
* [1 Samuel 23:9-12](/1_samuel/23-9 "David Inquires of the Lord via Abiathar")
* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 27:21 offers enduring lessons for believers today, emphasizing the critical importance of seeking God's will in all aspects of life and leadership. Just as Joshua, a mighty leader, was required to humbly stand before the priest to receive divine counsel, we too are called to a posture of dependence on God. While the Urim and Thummim are no longer in use, God continues to guide His people through His inspired Word, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the wisdom of godly counsel within the community of faith. This passage challenges us to examine whether our decisions, both personal and corporate, are truly rooted in God's explicit direction or merely in human reasoning or expediency. It reminds leaders that true authority flows from submission to God, and it calls the entire "congregation" of believers to unity and corporate obedience to Christ, our ultimate Head. Our "going out and coming in" – our daily lives, our ministries, our mission – should always be "at His word," demonstrating our trust in His perfect wisdom and sovereign plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or leadership do I most need to intentionally seek God's specific counsel?**
* **How does my current approach to decision-making reflect a dependence on God's word, or am I relying more on my own understanding?**
* **What are the modern-day "channels" through which God speaks to His people, and how can I more faithfully engage with them?**
* **How can our church community better exemplify the corporate dependence on God's word seen in Numbers 27:21?**

### FAQ

**What exactly were the Urim and Thummim, and how did they work?**

Answer: The Urim and Thummim were two mysterious objects associated with the high priest's breastplate, as described in [Exodus 28:30](/exodus/28-30 "Exodus 28:30 - The Urim and Thummim in the Breastplate"). While the Bible does not provide a detailed explanation of their appearance or operation, they were a divinely appointed means by which the high priest could discern God's will on matters of national importance. Scholarly theories range from them being stones that lit up, lots cast for a "yes" or "no" answer, or objects that somehow facilitated a direct divine oracle. Their purpose was to provide clear, authoritative guidance from the LORD, particularly for critical decisions like going to war or major national movements, as seen in [1 Samuel 23:9-12](/1_samuel/23-9 "1 Samuel 23:9-12 - David Inquires of the Lord via Abiathar") when David inquired of the Lord through the ephod (which contained the Urim and Thummim). Their use seems to have diminished after the early monarchy, replaced more by prophetic revelation.

**Why was it necessary for Joshua to consult Eleazar, the priest, rather than directly hearing from God like Moses did?**

Answer: Moses held a unique position as God's chosen prophet, who spoke with God "face to face" ([Numbers 12:8](/numbers/12-8 "Numbers 12:8 - God Speaks to Moses Face to Face")). Joshua, while divinely appointed and filled with the Spirit ([Numbers 27:18](/numbers/27-18 "Numbers 27:18 - Joshua, a Man in Whom is the Spirit")), did not share Moses' direct, unmediated access to God's audible voice for ongoing national guidance. This established a critical precedent for future leadership in Israel: even the most prominent leaders would operate under the established divine order, which included the mediatorial role of the high priest. This system ensured that divine guidance flowed through a recognized, accountable channel, preventing individual leaders from claiming direct revelation for every decision and maintaining the integrity of the theocracy. It also reinforced the distinct roles of prophet, priest, and king within Israel's governance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 27:21, with its emphasis on mediated divine counsel for leadership, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Urim and Thummim, though a vital means of revelation in the Old Covenant, were a temporary shadow pointing to the perfect and complete revelation found in Christ. He is not merely a conduit for counsel; He is the very **Word of God incarnate** ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - In the Beginning Was the Word")). As our **Great High Priest** ([Hebrews 4:14](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest")), Jesus fulfills and transcends the mediatorial role of Eleazar. We no longer need a human priest to inquire of God through mysterious objects; rather, we have direct access to the Father through Christ's atoning work ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Boldness to Enter the Holiest")). He is the one who perfectly embodies the "judgment of Urim," being the light and truth that illuminates all things. Furthermore, Jesus is the ultimate Joshua (Yeshua), the true leader who brings His people "out" of the bondage of sin and "in" to the promised spiritual inheritance and eternal rest ([Matthew 1:21](/matthew/1-21 "Matthew 1:21 - Jesus Will Save His People from Their Sins"); [Hebrews 4:8-10](/hebrews/4-8 "Hebrews 4:8-10 - The True Rest in Christ")). Under His supreme headship, the entire "congregation" of believers, the Church, is called to "go out and come in" in obedience to His perfect will, guided by His Spirit and His Word, living out the reality of His eternal, unmediated leadership.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.