And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.
He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him. The leader under the theocracy was different from other commanders. In the whole of his public conduct he was to act merely as the minister of God, and therefore to wait for his instructions.
After the judgment of Urim before the Lord. The only person permitted to make application for divine direction, in special circumstances of public interest and importance, was the high priest, attired in his pontifical robes. He was to station himself before the veil which concealed the mercy-seat-the symbolical residence of Yahweh (see the notes at Exodus 28:30; Leviticus 8:8).
At his word - i:e., at the word of the Lord as communicated by Eleazar - "shall they go out and at his word they shall come in, both he," Joshua himself, "and all the children of Israel with him."