Numbers 27:17

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.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Moses prays to the LORD for a successor to guide the Israelite congregation after his own departure. The words — The Hebrew יֵצֵא (ye.Tze', "he will go out") and יוֹצִיאֵם (yo.tzi.'E/m, "he will lead them out") describe the daily movement and direction required of that leader. The thread — The text warns that the congregation will scatter without guidance, a leadership vacuum echoed in 1 Kings 22:17 and Ezekiel 34:5. Why it lands — The passage requires the community to accept a Spirit-empowered ruler as the necessary mechanism for sustained direction and order.

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

אֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher-who יֵצֵ֣אye.Tze'he will go out לִפְנֵיהֶ֗םli/f.nei./Hem<to>/ before/ them וַאֲשֶׁ֤רva./'a.Sherand/ who יָבֹא֙ya.Vo'he will come לִפְנֵיהֶ֔םli/f.nei./Hem<to>/ before/ them וַאֲשֶׁ֥רva./'a.Sherand/ who יוֹצִיאֵ֖םyo.tzi.'E/mhe will lead out/ them וַאֲשֶׁ֣רva./'a.Sherand/ who יְבִיאֵ֑םye.vi.'E/mhe will bring/ them וְלֹ֤אve./Lo'and/ not תִהְיֶה֙tih.Yehit will be עֲדַ֣ת'a.Dat[the] congregation of יְהוָ֔הYah.wehYahweh כַּצֹּ֕אןka./Tzonlike <the>/ sheep אֲשֶׁ֥ר'a.Sherwhich אֵין־'ein-notלָהֶ֖םla./Hem[belongs] to <the>/ themרֹעֶֽה׃ro.'Eha shepherd

King James Version

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.

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.
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.’”
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.
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.’
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?”
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.
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.
1 Samuel 8:20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to judge us, to go out before us, and to fight our battles.”
1 Samuel 18:13 Therefore Saul sent David away and gave him command of a thousand men. David led the troops out to battle and back,
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.