Deuteronomy 34:9
And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.
Original Language Analysis
בְּנֵֽי
the son
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 22
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
מָלֵא֙
was full
H4392
מָלֵא֙
was full
Strong's:
H4392
Word #:
4 of 22
full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully
ר֣וּחַ
of the spirit
H7307
ר֣וּחַ
of the spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
5 of 22
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
סָמַ֥ךְ
had laid
H5564
סָמַ֥ךְ
had laid
Strong's:
H5564
Word #:
8 of 22
to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יָדָ֖יו
his hands
H3027
יָדָ֖יו
his hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
11 of 22
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
עָלָ֑יו
H5921
עָלָ֑יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וַיִּשְׁמְע֨וּ
hearkened
H8085
וַיִּשְׁמְע֨וּ
hearkened
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
13 of 22
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
בְּנֵֽי
the son
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
15 of 22
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
16 of 22
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֔וּ
unto him and did
H6213
וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֔וּ
unto him and did
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
17 of 22
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
18 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
20 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Isaiah 11:2And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;Acts 6:6Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.John 3:34For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.Daniel 6:3Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.1 Kings 3:12Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.1 Kings 3:9Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?2 Kings 2:9And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.2 Kings 2:15And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.Colossians 2:3In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.Exodus 31:3And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
Historical Context
Joshua had been Moses' assistant since the exodus (Exodus 17:9-14; 24:13; 33:11), receiving forty years of preparation for leadership. His commissioning (Numbers 27:18-23; Deuteronomy 31:14-23) established continuity between Moses' and Joshua's ministries while acknowledging the unique supremacy of Moses (Deuteronomy 34:10-12). The laying on of hands became a standard practice for ordaining leaders in both Jewish and Christian traditions, signifying authority transfer and Spirit impartation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Joshua's long apprenticeship under Moses inform your understanding of leadership development and spiritual maturity?
- In what ways can you submit to spiritual authority as an act of obedience to God who appoints leaders?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him. The phrase male ruakh khokhmah (full of the spirit of wisdom) indicates not native intelligence but divine endowment for leadership. Khokhmah here means practical skill for governance and warfare, not merely philosophical insight. The samakh yadav (laying on of hands) symbolized authority transfer and Holy Spirit impartation, a pattern continued in apostolic practice (Acts 6:6; 1 Timothy 4:14).
Joshua's filling follows Moses' hands-laying (Numbers 27:18-23), demonstrating that spiritual authority must be transmitted according to divine order. The Spirit's wisdom wasn't automatic or inherent but came through ordained succession. The children of Israel hearkened unto him—obedience followed legitimate spiritual authority. Their submission fulfilled God's command to Moses, showing that honoring human leadership is ultimately obedience to God who appointed them.