Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 27:17
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.
17. as sheep which have no shepherd ] Cf. 1Ki 22:17; Mat 9:36 = Mar 6:34.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 17. That the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have no shepherd.] This is a beautiful expression, and shows us in what light Moses viewed himself among his people. He was their shepherd; he sought no higher place; he fed and guided the flock of God under the direction of the Divine Spirit, and was faithful in all his Master’s house. To this saying of Moses our Lord alludes, Mt 9:36.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
i.e. Which may wisely conduct them in all their affairs, both when they go forth to war, or upon other occasions, and when they return home and live in peace. A metaphor from shepherds, as it here follows, which in those places used not to go behind their sheep, as ours now do, but before them, and to lead them forth to their pasture, and in due time to lead them home again. Of this phrase see Deu 28:6; Act 1:21.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
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,…. Which may lead them out, and go before them in war, and command them in battle and bring them in peace, having conquered their enemies; or these phrases only mean the administration of civil government among them, and diligence and assiduity in it, see 2Ch 1:10, unless it has any peculiar respect to the leading the people of Israel out of the wilderness, and introducing them into the land of Canaan:
that the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have no shepherd; and so wander about, having none to guide them into proper pastures, or to protect them from beasts of prey; which is to be in a most forlorn and distressed condition; see Mt 9:36.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(17) Which may go out before them . . . The expression going out and coming in is used here, as in many other places, to denote the ordinary life of man (Deu. 28:6; Deu. 31:2). Leading out and bringing in (literally, causing to go out and to come in), as a shepherd in respect of his flock (Joh. 10:3-9), denotes the direction of the conduct of others.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
17. Go out go in This describes conduct in every-day life. Jos 14:11, note.
Lead out, bring in Superintend the affairs of the nation. The imagery of the shepherd’s life is in the mind of Moses. Joh 10:1-16, notes.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
go out . . . go in. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6, put for life in general, especially all official movements, and actions.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
go out: Deu 31:2, 1Sa 8:20, 1Sa 18:13, 2Sa 5:2, 1Ki 3:7, 2Ch 1:10, Joh 10:3, Joh 10:4, Joh 10:9
as sheep: 1Ki 22:17, 2Ch 18:16, Eze 34:5, Zec 10:2, Zec 13:7, Mat 9:36, Mat 10:6, Mat 15:24, Mar 6:34, 1Pe 2:25
Reciprocal: Num 27:21 – at his word Deu 28:6 – General 1Sa 12:2 – walketh 1Sa 18:16 – he went 1Sa 29:6 – thy going 2Sa 3:25 – and to know 1Ch 11:2 – that leddest Act 1:21 – went Act 9:28 – coming 2Ti 2:7 – and
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Num 27:17. Go out before them That is, who may wisely conduct them in all their affairs, both when they go forth to war, or upon other occasions, and when they return home and live in peace. A metaphor from shepherds, who in those places used not to go behind their sheep, as ours now do, but before them, and to lead them forth to their pasture, and, in due time, to lead them home again.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
27:17 Which may {e} 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.
(e) That is, govern them and do his duty, as in 2Ch 1:10.