King James Version
Numbers 27:16 in the King James Version says “Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,”
Numbers 27:16 · KJV
For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.
And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying,
Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,
Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.
And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him;
KJV Study — Public Domain
“set”
H6485to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
“Let the LORD”
H3068(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
“the God”
H430gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
“of the spirits”
H7307wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
“of all flesh”
H1320flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
“a man”
H376a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
“over the congregation”
H5712a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Numbers 27:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Numbers 27:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge