Cause him to stand before Eleazar the priest and all the congregation: A new sentence should begin here. The Hebrew expression rendered cause him to stand does not suggest some inability on Joshua’s part—that he was unable to stand up without some assistance. This expression indicates attentive submission and readiness for service. It may be translated “Bring him to stand,” “Position him” (NET footnote), or “Present him” (New Living Translation). For Eleazar the priest, see 26.1; for congregation (ʿedah in Hebrew), see verse 2.

And you shall commission him in their sight is literally and you shall install him [in office] before their eyes (similarly Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). See A Handbook on Deuteronomy at jmp Deut 31.14 for the Hebrew verb here. Some languages may have a specific verb that refers to such a formal inducting into public office (so Chewa, which has a tradition of chiefs as leaders).

Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .