And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation:

NUMBERS 27:22KJV
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Numbers 27:22 (KJV)

What does Numbers 27:22 mean?

Numbers 27:22 describes how Moses obeyed God's instructions by taking Joshua and presenting him before Eleazar the priest and the entire community of Israel. This act publicly showed that Joshua was being chosen as the new leader, with the priest and all the people as witnesses.

In the story, God has just told Moses to appoint Joshua as his successor. Moses follows these instructions exactly, bringing Joshua before Eleazar (the high priest) and the whole congregation. This public setting made it clear to everyone that Joshua was now the one whom God had chosen to lead Israel after Moses.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 27:22

  • The word for "did" (עָשָׂה, ʿasah) emphasizes Moses’ careful obedience to God's command, showing that he followed the instructions exactly as given.
  • "Set" (עָמַד, ʿamad) means to cause someone to stand, highlighting that Moses placed Joshua in a visible, upright position before the priest and the people, making the appointment unmistakable.
  • "Before" (פָּנִים, panim) is used twice, stressing that Joshua was presented in front of both Eleazar and the whole congregation, underlining the openness and public nature of this leadership transition.

Why Numbers 27:22 matters

  • Numbers 27:22 clarifies that Moses did not keep the appointment of Joshua private or informal; it was a public, witnessed event, ensuring everyone recognized Joshua’s new role.
  • The verse shows the importance of both spiritual (Eleazar the priest) and communal (the congregation) recognition in leadership transitions among the Israelites.
  • This moment connects to the larger story of leadership in Israel, showing how God’s instructions were carried out exactly and how authority was transferred in an orderly, visible way.

Where else these words appear

“Eleazar” Hebrew H499 · used in 70 verses

  • Exodus 6:23 And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
  • Numbers 27:2 And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,
  • Joshua 22:32 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, unto the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them word again.

“congregation” Hebrew H5712 · used in 140 verses

  • Exodus 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
  • Numbers 15:24 Then it shall be, if ought be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour unto the LORD, with his meat offering, and his drink offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats for a sin offering.
  • Numbers 31:16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.