Footnotes

1. Numbers 27:12 sn See further J. Lindblom, “Lot Casting in the Old Testament,” VT 12 (1962): 164-78; E. Lipiński, “Urim and Thummim,” VT 20 (1970): 495-96; and S. E. Loewenstamm, “The Death of Moses,” Tarbiz 27 (1957/58): 142-57.
2. Numbers 27:12 tc The Greek version adds “which is Mount Nebo.” This is a typical scribal change to harmonize two passages.sn The area is in the mountains of Moab; Deut 34:1 more precisely identifies it as Mount Nebo.
3. Numbers 27:12 tn The imperative could be subordinated to the first to provide a purpose clause, although a second instruction fits well enough.
4. Numbers 27:12 tn This perfect tense would best be classified as a perfect of resolve: “which I have decided to give.” God had not yet given the land to them, but it was certain he would.
5. Numbers 27:13 tn The first verb is a perfect tense with a vav (ו) consecutive, and the second verb is also. In such parallel clauses, the first may be subordinated, here as a temporal clause.
6. Numbers 27:13 tn Heb “people.”
7. Numbers 27:13 tn Heb “was gathered.” The phrase “to his ancestors” is elided in the Hebrew text, but is an implied repetition from the beginning of the verse, and has been supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.
8. Numbers 27:14 tn The preposition on the relative pronoun has the force of “because of the fact that.”
9. Numbers 27:14 tn The verb is the second masculine plural form.
10. Numbers 27:14 tn Heb “mouth.”
11. Numbers 27:14 sn Using the basic meaning of the word קָדַשׁ (qadash, “to be separate, distinct, set apart”), we can understand better what Moses failed to do. He was supposed to have acted in a way that would have shown God to be distinct, different, holy. Instead, he gave the impression that God was capricious and hostile—very human. The leader has to be aware of what image he is conveying to the people.
12. Numbers 27:16 tn Heb “flesh”; cf. NAB, NIV “all mankind”; NCV “all people”; NLT “all living things.”
13. Numbers 27:16 tn This is the same verb פָּקַד (paqad) that is used throughout the book for the aspect of “numbering” the people.
14. Numbers 27:17 sn This is probably technical terminology for a military leader (Josh 14:11; 1 Sam 18:13-16; 1 Kgs 3:7; 2 Kgs 11:9). The image of a shepherd can also be military in nature (1 Kgs 22:17).
15. Numbers 27:17 tn The Hebrew text has the conjunction with the negated imperfect tense, “and it will not be.” This clause should be subordinated to the preceding to form a result clause, and the imperfect then function as a final imperfect.
16. Numbers 27:18 tn Or “said.”
17. Numbers 27:18 sn The word “spirit” probably refers to the Holy 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.”
18. Numbers 27:18 sn This symbolic act would indicate the transfer of leadership to Joshua.
19. Numbers 27:19 tn This could be translated “position him,” or “have him stand,” since it is the causative stem of the verb “to stand.”
20. Numbers 27:19 tn The verb is the Piel perfect of צִוָּה (tsivvah, literally “to command”). The verb has a wide range of meanings, and so here in this context the idea of instructing gives way to a more general sense of commissioning for duty. The verb in sequence is equal to the imperfect of instruction.
21. Numbers 27:19 tn Heb “in their eyes.”
22. Numbers 27:20 tn The verb is simply “give,” but in this context giving some of Moses’ honor to Joshua in the presence of the people is essentially passing the leadership to him, or delegating the authority to him with the result that people would follow him.
23. Numbers 27:20 tc The Greek, Syriac, and Vulgate read “glory” for this form that occurs only here in the Pentateuch. Elsewhere it is rendered “majesty, splendor” (see Ps 96:6). It could even be “vitality” here. The authority being transferred here is both spiritual and civil.
24. Numbers 27:20 tn Heb “hear.”
25. Numbers 27:21 tn The passage simply has “and he will ask,” but Eleazar is clearly the subject now.
26. Numbers 27:21 tn Heb “ask.”
27. Numbers 27:21 sn The new leader would not have the privilege that Moses had in speaking to God face-to-face. Rather, he would have to inquire of the Lord through the priest, and the priest would seek a decision by means of the Urim. The Urim and the Thummim were the sacred lots that the priest had in his pouch, the “breastplate” as it has traditionally been called. Since the Law had now been fully established, there would be fewer cases that the leader would need further rulings. Now it would simply be seeking the Lord’s word for matters such as whether to advance or not. The size, shape or substance of these objects is uncertain. See further C. Van Dam, The Urim and Thummim.
28. Numbers 27:21 tn Heb “mouth,” meaning what he will say.
29. Numbers 27:22 tn Heb “stood.”
30. Numbers 27:23 tn Heb “spoke.”
31. Numbers 27:23 tn Heb “hand.”