Numbers 27:17

17who will go out before them, and who will come in before them,
This is probably technical terminology for a military leader (Josh 14:11; 1 Sam 18:13–16; 1 Kgs 3:7; 2 Kgs 11:9). The image of a shepherd can also be military in nature (1 Kgs 22:17).
and who will lead them out, and who will bring them in, so that
The Hebrew text has the conjunction with the negated imperfect tense, “and it will not be.” This clause should be subordinated to the preceding to form a result clause, and the imperfect then function as a final imperfect.
the community of the Lord may not be like sheep that have no shepherd.”

Copyright information for NETfull