Num 27:12-23 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Num 27:12-23: 27:12-23 Israel would need leadership when they entered the land of Canaan. Joshua was commissioned to succeed Moses. 27:12 The mountains east of the river probably included Mount Nebo (Deut 32:49 ), from which Moses viewed the Promised Land just before his death (Deut 34:1 ).

Summary for Num 27:12-23: 27:12-23 ^a Israel would need leadership when they entered the land of Canaan. Joshua was commissioned to succeed Moses. 27:12 ^b The mountains east of the river probably included Mount Nebo (Deut 32:49 ^c), from which Moses viewed the Promised Land just before his death (Deut 34:1 ^d).
Summary for Num 27:15-17: 27:15-17 ^e Israel was on the threshold of a long battle for Canaan; Moses did not want them to flounder without a leader or lose their way like sheep without a shepherd (cp. 1 Kgs 22:17 ^f; Ezek 34:5 ^g; Matt 9:36 ^h).
Summary for Num 27:18-19: 27:18-19 ⁱ Joshua had a solid background for the role (cp. Exod 17:8-16 ^j). He had been Moses’ assistant for a long time (Num 11:28 ^k; cp. Exod 33:11 ^l). He was also one of the faithful spies (Num 13–14 ^m) who knew the people of Israel well. Joshua possessed the Spirit and recognized the special presence of God in his life (cp. 11:25-29 ⁿ). His relationship with God also gave him wisdom for the tasks ahead (e.g., Deut 34:9 ^o).

• lay your hands on him: This act symbolized the transfer of authority from an elder statesman to his assistant (cp. Num 8:10-14 ^p). Moses did this publicly so that Joshua’s leadership would be incontestable.
Summary for Num 27:20-21: 27:20-21 ^q Joshua assumed only some of Moses’ authority. Moses had face-to-face contact with God (12:6-8 ^r; Deut 34:10-12 ^s), but Joshua had only indirect access to revelation, since he had to consult with Eleazar the priest on important matters (Num 27:21 ^t; cp. Exod 28:30 ^u; Lev 8:8 ^v). Israel would keep military and spiritual leadership separate hereafter.