Numbers 27

Numbers 27:1

DAughters of] Their names are not set downe, Chap. 36. vers. 11. in another order then here; here according to their age, there according to their time and order in marriage.

Numbers 27:2

at the doore of the Tabernacle] Neere unto the doore of the Tabernacle was Moses his Tent, there the Elders of the Tribes assembled with Moses, to consult and determine of matters of moment; or in faire weather they might meete in the court of the Tabernacle, neere the doore of it.

Numbers 27:3

in his owne sinne] His owne sinne is opposed to the sinne of Korah, which was not onely his owne, that is, not confined to himselfe by his owne sufferings, but had a malignant and deadly operation upon others for his sake; such a sinne did not their father commit; he had his part in the common fault of murmuring upon the report of the spies, coming out of Canaan, and in that he died, and with him died the punishment of his sin, which was so his own, that his posteritie should not suffer for that fault, Deuteronomy 1:39.

Numbers 27:11

• Statute of judgement] According to which judgement shall be given in all cases of like kinde, in time to come. See Annot. on Chap. 36. vers. 6. Chap. 35. 29.

Numbers 27:12

mount Abarim] Abarim is a word of the plurall number, and it is a continuation of divers hils together, Chap. 33. 47. whereof the tops or higher parts had severall names, as Nebo, from whence Moses had his prospect into the land of Canaan; Sinai, from whence the Law was given; Pisgah, where Balak, and Baalam offered sacrifice; Phegnor, where the abominable Idol of the Moabites was worshipped; whereof see Chap. 25. vers. 3.

Numbers 27:13

gathered unto thy people] See Annot. on Genesis 25:8. there he must die, not among the Israelites, lest they who honoured him, sometimes too little being alive, should honour him at any time too much when he was dead. Why he was not suffered to passe over Jordan into Canaan, see Chap. 20. 12.

Numbers 27:14

for ye rebelled] That is, obeyed not; for rebellion is put for the contrary to obedience, whether it be with contumacie, or not; See Esa. 1. vers. 19, 20.

waters of Meribah] There were two Meribahs, the one mentioned, Exodus 17:7. where the waters which came out of the rocke at Horeb, are called the waters of Meribah, because of the chiding of the people for want of water; for Meribah signifieth chiding or strife: at that Meribah Moses and Aaron are not charged with any disobedience, but at the other (which here and Numbers 20:12. for distinction sake is called Meribah in Kadesh) they are blamed. What their fault was in particular, see Annot. on Chap. 20. vers. 10.

Numbers 27:16

God of the spirits] Who is the father of spirits, Hebrews 12:9. and therefore best able to judge whose spirit is most fitly qualified for the office of a Captain, Conductor, or Governour of so great a people; and who can give him a spirit answerable to so great a charge.

Numbers 27:18

Joshua] Moses had sonnes, yet of them God chooseth none to succeed their father; haply because they were Midianites by the mothers side, and not by both Parents Hebrews, as Joshua was; and because God foresaw the defection of Moses posteritie, Judg. 18. vers. 30. where we read of Micahs graven Image of the Tribe of Dan, and of the Idolatrous and superstitious service of that Idol by Levites of the posteritie of Moses, for so was Jonathan and Gershom; Jonathan, who is called in the Text forecited the sonne of Manasseh; but as some rather reade, Moses, supposing the Jews inserted the letter Nun to make the word Manasseh to save the honour of Moses; & in Arias Montanus, the letter Nun is set above the line, and the letters directly in the line without pricks, are the same with the name Moses.

lay thine hand] By which he resigned up his office unto him; and withall, no doubt, he prayed to God to put his Spirit upon him, whence is that saying of the consecrating of Joshua, Deuteronomy 34:9.

Numbers 27:20

put some of thine honour] Use him no more as a minister, or servant, nor let the people esteeme of him as such a one; but commend him to the people as meet for the office, and appointed by God, and give up thine authority to him, that he may be honoured as thy successour, though not in the same degree of honour which thou hast had, (for Moses knew the minde of God immediately, but Joshua was to learne of the High Priest, see Deuteronomy 34:10.) for some of it will be sufficient to qualifie him both for execution of his charge, and acceptation with his people.

Numbers 27:21

Ʋrim] The High Priest consulting with God, did put on the brest-plate of Ʋrim and Thummim; 1 Samuel 23:9. See Annot. on Exodus 28:30.

his word] That is, Eleazar the Priest, having inquired of the Lord with the brest-plate of Ʋrim and Thummim.

both hee] That is, Joshua.