Numbers 11:25

Translations

Modern

Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and He took some of the Spirit that was on Moses and placed that Spirit on the seventy elders. As the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but they never did so again.

Traditional

And the Lord came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.

Literal

And YHWH came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and placed it upon the seventy elders. And it came to pass, when the Spirit rested upon them, that they prophesied—and they never did again.

Latin

Descenditque Dominus per nubem, et locutus est ad eum, auferens de spiritu qui erat in Moyse, et dans septuaginta viris. Cumque requievisset in eis spiritus, prophetaverunt, nec ultra cessaverunt.

Original

Hebrew

English

Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and He took some of the Spirit that was on Moses and placed that Spirit on the seventy elders. As the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but they never did so again.

Notes

Numbers 11:25

The text does not describe what happened when the Spirit rested on them and they prophesied. It only says that they spoke as the Spirit enabled them.

Whatever took place, it may have included ecstatic speech (intense or Spirit-driven words spoken in a special way). Similar events appear later in Acts 2:4 and 1 Corinthians 14:2. However, the text suggests that this was a unique event.

Numbers 11:16–30

Jethro suggested that Moses should have different levels of judges (Exodus 18:13–26). He focused on practical issues like the tribal leaders who helped Moses with the registration (Numbers 1:5–15).

In contrast, the group of 70 elders would give Israel spiritual guidance. They needed a share of God's Spirit. Moses already had this, and it made him the Lord's special spokesman. Their ability to lead depended on God's Spirit being with them (compare 1 Samuel 10:6; 19:20; Joel 2:28; Acts 2:16–18; 1 Corinthians 12:10; 2 Peter 1:20–21).

Numbers 11:1–35

This is one of many occasions in the wilderness when Israel was disobedient to the Lord.

Theme notes and profiles

Moses Spirit Empowerment The Cloud and Fire The Law and the Spirit

Related verses

Numbers 11:17
And I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put that Spirit on them. They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourself.
Joel 2:28–29
And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
1 Corinthians 14:1–3
Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
Numbers 12:5
…and the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud, stood at the entrance to the Tent, and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When both of them had stepped forward,
1 Samuel 10:10
When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a group of prophets met him. Then the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied along with them.
1 Samuel 10:5–6
After that you will come to Gibeah of God, where the Philistines have an outpost. As you approach the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place, preceded by harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres, and they will be prophesying.
2 Kings 2:15
When the sons of the prophets who were watching him from Jericho saw what had happened, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed down to the ground before him.
Acts 2:17–18
‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
2 Peter 1:21
For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
1 Samuel 19:20–24
…he sent messengers to seize him. But when they saw the group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel leading them, the Spirit of God came upon them, and Saul’s messengers also began to prophesy.
Luke 9:34–35
While Peter was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.
Exodus 40:38
For the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel through all their journeys.

Glossary

Deuteronomy, Book of Incense King Numbers, Book of

Topics

Anthropomorphisms: Miscellaneous Figures Cloud of Glory: God Came Down In Cloud: Pillar of Courts of Justice: Probably Derived from the Seventy Elders Appointed by Moses Government: Mosaic: Administrative and Judicial System Inspiration: General Scriptures Concerning Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To Kibrothhattaavah: Seventy Elders Appointed to Assist Moses Jury of Seventy Men, Elders (Senators) Moses: Institutes a System of Government Prayer: Answered: Moses, Concerning the Complaint of the Israelites for Meat Prophesying Prophets: Inspiration of Religious Intolerance: Exemplified by Joshua Seventy: The Senate of the Israilites Composed of Seventy Elders The Inspiration of the Holy Spirit: Necessary to Prophesying Trouble: Food

Numbers 11:25

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