Numbers 27:12–23

Joshua the Next Leader of Israel

12 Now the Lord said to Moses: i“Go up into this Mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel. 13 And when you have seen it, you also jshall 3be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was gathered. 14 For in the Wilderness of Zin, during the strife of the congregation, you krebelled against My command to hallow Me at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the lwaters of Meribah, at Kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin.)

15 Then Moses spoke to the Lord, saying: 16 “Let the Lord, mthe God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, 17 nwho may go out before them and go in before them, who may lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be olike sheep which have no shepherd.”

18 And the Lord said to Moses: “Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man pin whom is the Spirit, and qlay your hand on him; 19 set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and rinaugurate 4him in their sight. 20 And syou shall give some of your authority to him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel tmay be obedient. 21 uHe shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire before the Lord for him vby the judgment of the Urim. wAt his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, he and all the children of Israel with him—all the congregation.”

22 So Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation. 23 And he laid his hands on him xand 5inaugurated him, just as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses.