Numbers 27:18

27:18 The Lord replied ¹  to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is such a spirit, ²  and lay your hand on him; ³ 

Numbers 27:23

27:23 He laid his hands on him and commissioned him, just as the Lord commanded, ⁴  by the authority ⁵  of Moses.

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¹ tn Or “said.”

² sn The word “spirit” probably refers to the Holy Spirit, in which case it would be rendered “in whom is the Spirit.” This would likely be a permanent endowment for Joshua. But it is also possible to take it to refer to a proper spirit to do all the things required of such a leader (which ultimately is a gift from the Spirit of God). The Hebrew text simply says “in whom is a spirit.”

³ sn This symbolic act would indicate the transfer of leadership to Joshua.

⁴ tn Heb “spoke.”

⁵ tn Heb “hand.”