And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses. He laid his hands upon him - As a proof of his being appointed to and qualified for the work. So at the word of Joshua they were to go out, and at his word to come in, Numbers 27:21. And thus he was a type of our blessed Lord as to his mediatorial office, and Divine appointment as man to the work of our salvation; and to this circumstance of the appointment of Joshua to this work, and his receiving of Moses's honor and glory, St. Peter seems to refer in these words, 2 Peter 1:16, 2 Peter 1:17 : "We were eye-witnesses of his majesty; for he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear him." See Matthew 17:5. But one infinitely greater than either Moses or Joshua is here.
Commentary on the Bible, by Adam Clarke [1831].