Numbers 27:17

15 So Moses appealed to the LORD,

16 “May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation

who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”

18 And the LORD replied to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man with the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him.

19 Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation, and commission him in their sight.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”
KJV
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.
WEB
who may go out before them, and who may come in before them, and who may lead them out, and who may bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be as sheep which have no shepherd.”
ASV
who may go out before them, and who may come in before them, and who may lead them out, and who may bring them in; that the congregation of Jehovah be not as sheep which have no shepherd.
DARBY
who may go out before them, and who may come in before them, and who may lead them out, and who may bring them in, that the assembly of Jehovah be not as sheep that have no shepherd.
BLB
who may go out before them and go in before them, and who may lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of YHWH may not be like sheep that do not have unto them a shepherd.”
ÅB
som kan gå ut og inn foran dem, og som kan føre dem ut og føre dem inn, så Herrens menighet ikke skal være som sauer uten hyrde!
OTB
en som vil lede dem ut og bringe dem inn, så Herrens folk ikke vil være som sauer uten hyrde.”
B1930
som kan gå ut og inn foran dem, og som kan føre dem ut og føre dem inn, så Herrens menighet ikke skal være som får uten hyrde!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Ezekiel 34:5

    They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild beasts.

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  • Mark 6:34

    When Jesus stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things.

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  • 1 Kings 22:17

    So Micaiah declared: “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These people have no master; let each one return home in peace.’”

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  • 2 Chronicles 1:10

    Now grant me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may lead this people. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”

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  • Matthew 9:36

    When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

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  • Deuteronomy 31:2

    he said to them, “I am now a hundred and twenty years old; I am no longer able to come and go, and the LORD has said to me, ‘You shall not cross the Jordan.’

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  • Zechariah 10:2

    For idols speak deceit and diviners see illusions; they tell false dreams and offer empty comfort. Therefore the people wander like sheep, oppressed for lack of a shepherd.

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  • 1 Kings 3:7

    And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in.

    Read in context