Numbers 27:18-23 - He laid his hands on him

27:18-20

In the immediate context, the man is Joshua, and God says that the Spirit is in him. Joshua is to stand before the priest. While the Spirit is in him, he is not qualified to lead without sanctification. He would also stand before the whole congregation, and Moses would commission him. He would be invested with some of Moses’ authority. It is interesting that it says “some”, and not “all”. Joshua did faithfully lead the people, but unlike Moses he did not give out laws. It is perhaps worth reading Zech 3, where a different Joshua stands before the Lord.

27:21-23

Joshua would require the assistance of Eleazar. Eleazar would inquire of the Lord using the Urim and Thummim. Joshua would lead the whole nation, and the nation would follow him. So Moses did as the Lord commanded him, making Joshua stand before the people and the priest, Eleazar. Moses laid hands on Joshua and commissioned him.