Bible Strands
Numbers 27:16
“May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Moses addresses the LORD during a leadership transition, immediately after pleading for guidance over the Israelite assembly.
The words — The Hebrew יִפְקֹד (yifkod) means “let him appoint,” while אֱלֹהֵי הָרוּחֹת (elohai haruachot) renders “God of the spirits.”
The thread — The identical title “God of the spirits of all flesh” appears in Numbers 16:22, and Jeremiah 3:15 later records God’s promise to provide shepherds after His own heart.
Why it lands — The verse states that God alone assigns authority over His people, requiring readers to recognize divine sovereignty in leadership selection.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,
Cross-references
- Numbers 16:22 But Moses and Aaron fell facedown and said, “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, when one man sins, will You be angry with the whole congregation?”
- Jeremiah 3:15 Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
- Hebrews 12:9 Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live?
- Deuteronomy 31:14 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, the time of your death is near. Call Joshua and present yourselves at the Tent of Meeting, so that I may commission him.” So Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves at the Tent of Meeting.
- 1 Samuel 12:13 Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you requested. Behold, the LORD has placed a king over you.
- Ezekiel 34:23 I will appoint over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them. He will feed them and be their shepherd.
- Ezekiel 37:24 My servant David will be king over them, and there will be one shepherd for all of them. They will follow My ordinances and keep and observe My statutes.
- Matthew 9:38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest.”
- John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
- Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.