Numbers 27:17 - Exposition

Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them. A comparison with the words of Moses in Deuteronomy 31:2 , and of Caleb in Joshua 14:11 , shows that the going out and coming in refer to the vigorous prosecution of daily business, and the fatigues of active service. Which may lead them out, and which may bring them in. The underlying image is that of a shepherd and his flock, which suggests itself so naturally to all that have the care and governance of men (cf. John 10:3 , John 10:4 , John 10:16 ). As sheep which have no shepherd. And are, therefore, helpless, bewildered, scattered, lost, and devoured. The image is frequent in Scripture (cf. 1 Kings 22:17 ; Ezekiel 34:5 ; Zechariah 10:2 ; Matthew 9:36 ). The words of the Septuagint are ὡσεὶ πρόβατα οἷς οὐκ ἔστι ποιμήν .