Numbers 11:16

¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Moses {H4872}, Gather {H622} unto me seventy {H7657} men {H376} of the elders {H2205} of Israel {H3478}, whom thou knowest {H3045} to be the elders {H2205} of the people {H5971}, and officers {H7860} over them; and bring {H3947} them unto the tabernacle {H168} of the congregation {H4150}, that they may stand {H3320} there with thee.

ADONAI said to Moshe, "Bring me seventy of the leaders of Isra'el, people you recognize as leaders of the people and officers of theirs. Bring them to the tent of meeting, and have them stand there with you.

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Bring Me seventy of the elders of Israel known to you as leaders and officers of the people. Bring them to the Tent of Meeting and have them stand there with you.

And Jehovah said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with thee.

Commentary

Numbers 11:16 marks a pivotal moment in the wilderness journey of Israel, where God directly intervenes to alleviate the immense burden of leadership on Moses. This verse sets the stage for a significant restructuring of Israel's governance, demonstrating God's practical wisdom in managing His people.

Context

This divine directive comes immediately after a period of intense grumbling and complaining from the Israelites about their diet, expressing a longing for the food they had in Egypt (Numbers 11:4-6). Overwhelmed by the people's incessant demands and his own sense of inadequacy, Moses cried out to the LORD, feeling the weight of the entire nation upon him (Numbers 11:11-15). God's instruction in verse 16 is a compassionate and strategic response to Moses' despair, providing a framework for shared responsibility and sustainable leadership.

Key Themes

  • Delegation of Authority: God institutes a system of shared leadership, recognizing that no single individual, no matter how gifted, can bear the entire administrative and spiritual load of a large community. This principle of delegation for effective governance is a timeless lesson found throughout scripture.
  • Divine Provision for Leadership: The LORD not only commands Moses to gather leaders but also promises to empower them (as seen in subsequent verses like Numbers 11:25), demonstrating His commitment to equipping those called to service.
  • Burden Sharing: This verse highlights the importance of distributing responsibilities to prevent leader burnout and ensure more effective care for the community. It's a testament to the wisdom that in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
  • Divine Response to Crisis: Even amidst the people's rebellion and Moses' personal struggle, God provides a clear, practical solution, showcasing His attentive and problem-solving nature for His people.

Linguistic Insights

The term "elders" (Hebrew: zekenim) refers to respected, experienced men who held positions of authority and wisdom within the community. They were often heads of families or tribes, recognized for their maturity and judgment. The "officers" (Hebrew: shoterim) were likely administrative officials or scribes, responsible for organization and enforcement. Bringing them to the "tabernacle of the congregation" (ohel mo'ed, the Tent of Meeting) signified the divine appointment and spiritual nature of their new roles, emphasizing that their authority derived from God's presence and was to be exercised in His sphere.

Practical Application

Numbers 11:16 offers valuable lessons for leadership today, whether in churches, organizations, or even families. It underscores the necessity of identifying and empowering qualified individuals to share the load. Leaders should not hesitate to delegate and build a team, recognizing that shared responsibility leads to greater effectiveness and sustainability. It also reminds us that when we feel overwhelmed, God often provides solutions through the empowerment of others, encouraging us to seek and utilize the gifts within our community. This principle of shared spiritual leadership finds resonance in the New Testament concept of diverse gifts within the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:28), where each member contributes to the whole.

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 24:1 (7 votes)

    ¶ And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off.

  • Exodus 24:9 (6 votes)

    ¶ Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel:

  • Deuteronomy 1:15 (5 votes)

    So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes.

  • Deuteronomy 16:18 (5 votes)

    ¶ Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.

  • Genesis 46:27 (5 votes)

    And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, [were] two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, [were] threescore and ten.

  • Luke 10:17 (4 votes)

    ¶ And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

  • Luke 10:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.