Numbers 27:21

Authorized King James Version

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And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.

Original Language Analysis

לִפְנֵ֣י before H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 1 of 23
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֶלְעָזָ֤ר Eleazar H499
אֶלְעָזָ֤ר Eleazar
Strong's: H499
Word #: 2 of 23
elazar, the name of seven israelites
הַכֹּהֵן֙ the priest H3548
הַכֹּהֵן֙ the priest
Strong's: H3548
Word #: 3 of 23
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
יַֽעֲמֹ֔ד And he shall stand H5975
יַֽעֲמֹ֔ד And he shall stand
Strong's: H5975
Word #: 4 of 23
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
וְשָׁ֥אַל who shall ask H7592
וְשָׁ֥אַל who shall ask
Strong's: H7592
Word #: 5 of 23
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
ל֛וֹ H0
ל֛וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 6 of 23
בְּמִשְׁפַּ֥ט counsel for him after the judgment H4941
בְּמִשְׁפַּ֥ט counsel for him after the judgment
Strong's: H4941
Word #: 7 of 23
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
הָֽאוּרִ֖ים of Urim H224
הָֽאוּרִ֖ים of Urim
Strong's: H224
Word #: 8 of 23
urim, the oracular brilliancy of the figures in the high-priest's breastplate
לִפְנֵ֣י before H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 9 of 23
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֑ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֑ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 10 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 11 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פִּ֣יו and at his word H6310
פִּ֣יו and at his word
Strong's: H6310
Word #: 12 of 23
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
יֵֽצְא֜וּ shall they go out H3318
יֵֽצְא֜וּ shall they go out
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 13 of 23
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
וְעַל H5921
וְעַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 14 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פִּ֣יו and at his word H6310
פִּ֣יו and at his word
Strong's: H6310
Word #: 15 of 23
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
יָבֹ֗אוּ they shall come in H935
יָבֹ֗אוּ they shall come in
Strong's: H935
Word #: 16 of 23
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
ה֛וּא H1931
ה֛וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 17 of 23
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וְכָל H3605
וְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 18 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בְּנֵֽי both he and all the children H1121
בְּנֵֽי both he and all the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 19 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 20 of 23
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אִתּ֖וֹ H854
אִתּ֖וֹ
Strong's: H854
Word #: 21 of 23
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
וְכָל H3605
וְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 22 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָֽעֵדָֽה׃ with him even all the congregation H5712
הָֽעֵדָֽה׃ with him even all the congregation
Strong's: H5712
Word #: 23 of 23
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)

Analysis & Commentary

The command 'he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD' establishes that Joshua's leadership operated under priestly mediation for divine guidance. The Urim and Thummim were objects used by the high priest to discern God's will in binary decisions (Exodus 28:30). Joshua, unlike Moses, could not speak with God directly but required priestly mediation. This demonstrates that even the highest civil authority operates under spiritual authority. The principle continues: civil magistrates should heed spiritual counsel derived from Scripture.

Historical Context

The Urim and Thummim (Hebrew: lights and perfections) were mysterious objects in the high priest's breastplate that provided yes/no answers to inquiries. Their precise nature is debated—perhaps sacred lots, stones, or other divinely appointed means. They functioned during the period of judges and early monarchy (1 Samuel 28:6) but apparently ceased before the exile. They pictured divine guidance, fully realized in the Spirit's internal witness to believers (Romans 8:14).

Questions for Reflection

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