Numbers 11:24

KJV

¶ And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the LORD, and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the tabernacle.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Moses {H4872} went out {H3318}, and told {H1696} the people {H5971} the words {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}, and gathered {H622} the seventy {H7657} men {H376} of the elders {H2205} of the people {H5971}, and set {H5975} them round about {H5439} the tabernacle {H168}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moshe went out and told the people what ADONAI had said. Then he collected seventy of the leaders of the people and placed them all around the tent.

Berean Standard Bible

So Moses went out and relayed to the people the words of the LORD, and he gathered seventy of the elders of the people and had them stand around the tent.

American Standard Version

And Moses went out, and told the people the words of Jehovah: and he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the Tent.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 11:24 records Moses' immediate and obedient execution of God's command to establish a delegated leadership structure for the Israelite community. Following the people's intense complaints and Moses' overwhelming burden, this verse describes Moses gathering seventy respected elders of Israel and positioning them around the tabernacle, setting the stage for the promised divine impartation of the Spirit that would enable them to share the immense responsibilities of leadership.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a period of intense grumbling and spiritual crisis within the Israelite camp. The people had grown weary of the manna and expressed a strong craving for meat, recalling the perceived abundance of Egypt with bitter complaints ([Numbers 11:4-6](/numbers/11-4 "Numbers 11:4-6 - Israelites Crave Meat and Complain")). Overwhelmed by the incessant demands and the immense burden of leading such a discontented nation, Moses himself cried out to the Lord in profound distress, feeling utterly unable to bear the responsibility alone and even wishing for death ([Numbers 11:10-15](/numbers/11-10 "Numbers 11:10-15 - Moses' Lament to God")). In response to Moses' lament, God instructed him to gather seventy elders, promising to take some of the Spirit that was upon Moses and put it upon them, so they might share the burden ([Numbers 11:16-17](/numbers/11-16 "Numbers 11:16-17 - God's Promise to Empower the Elders")). Verse 24, therefore, marks the crucial step of Moses' faithful and public compliance with this divine directive, preparing for the Spirit's descent.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites were a vast, newly freed nation, numbering potentially in the millions, navigating the harsh wilderness environment. Such a large, nomadic community required robust and organized leadership, a task that proved too great for one man, even Moses, despite his unique divine calling. The concept of "elders" (Hebrew: *z'qenim*) was well-established in ancient Near Eastern societies, referring to respected, experienced, and wise men who served as local leaders, judges, and representatives of their communities. Their gathering "round about the tabernacle" signifies the centrality of God's presence and the theocratic nature of Israel's governance, where all legitimate authority flowed from and was consecrated by proximity to the divine dwelling. This act also reflects the practical challenges of managing a large, diverse population in a wilderness setting, necessitating a structured approach to administration and justice.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 11:24 is pivotal in illustrating several key themes within the book of Numbers and the broader Pentateuch. It powerfully underscores the **necessity of delegated leadership** in managing a large community, even for a divinely appointed leader like Moses, highlighting the limits of individual capacity and God's wisdom in establishing shared responsibility. Furthermore, the act of gathering the elders around the tabernacle explicitly prepares them for **divine empowerment**, emphasizing that effective spiritual leadership is not merely a matter of human organizational skill but fundamentally requires the enablement of God's Spirit, a theme that finds its fulfillment in the subsequent verse ([Numbers 11:25](/numbers/11-25 "Numbers 11:25 - The Spirit Comes Upon the Elders")). Finally, the specific location—"round about the tabernacle"—reinforces the **centrality of God's presence** as the ultimate source of authority, guidance, and spiritual life for the Israelite community, grounding all legitimate leadership in proximity to and dependence upon the Lord.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Seventy (Hebrew, _shiv'im'_):** This number holds significant symbolic weight in biblical contexts, frequently denoting completeness, representation, or a foundational group. Examples include the seventy nations listed in [Genesis 10](/genesis/10 "Genesis 10 - The Table of Nations"), the seventy members of Jacob's household who went down to Egypt ([Genesis 46:27](/genesis/46-27 "Genesis 46:27 - Jacob's Household in Egypt")), and later, the seventy members of the Sanhedrin. Here, it signifies a foundational and representative body of leadership for the nascent Israelite nation, chosen to collectively bear the burden of the people.
* **Elders (Hebrew, _z'qenim'_):** These were not merely older men but individuals recognized for their wisdom, experience, and moral authority within their tribes and families. They served as natural leaders, judges, and counselors, often mediating disputes and representing the community. Their selection by God and Moses for this new, Spirit-empowered role elevated their traditional function to a divinely sanctioned and empowered office, crucial for the governance and spiritual well-being of Israel.
* **Tabernacle (Hebrew, _mishkan'_):** Meaning "dwelling place," the tabernacle was the portable sanctuary where God's presence resided among His people. It was the focal point of Israel's worship, law, and national identity. Gathering the elders "round about the tabernacle" was not merely a logistical arrangement but a profound theological statement, signifying that their authority and empowerment would derive directly from God's presence and that their ministry was to be centered on His will and glory.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses went out":** This phrase emphasizes Moses' immediate and public obedience to God's command. "Going out" suggests a movement from his private encounter with God (implied from [Numbers 11:16-17](/numbers/11-16 "Numbers 11:16-17 - God's Instructions to Moses")) to a public action before the people, demonstrating his commitment to implement the divine directive.
* **"and told the people the words of the LORD":** Moses acts as the faithful mediator, communicating God's plan directly to the community. This indicates transparency and ensures the people understand the divine origin and purpose of the new leadership structure, reinforcing its legitimacy and authority.
* **"and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people":** This describes the specific act of selection and assembly. Moses, under divine guidance, identifies and convenes the designated leaders. The phrase "of the elders of the people" underscores that these were existing, respected figures within the community, chosen from among those already recognized for their leadership qualities.
* **"and set them round about the tabernacle":** The precise positioning of the elders is highly significant. Placing them around the tabernacle physically symbolizes their spiritual and governmental proximity to God's presence. It implies that their future ministry would be rooted in divine authority, consecrated by their nearness to the holy dwelling, and empowered by the Spirit that would soon descend upon them from this sacred location.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Narrative Progression**, depicting a clear sequence of actions: Moses' departure, communication, gathering, and positioning. This straightforward recounting emphasizes Moses' immediate obedience and the orderly implementation of God's plan. **Symbolism** is evident in the number **seventy**, which carries connotations of completeness and representative leadership, and in the **tabernacle**, which symbolizes God's dwelling and the source of all legitimate authority. The act of gathering "round about the tabernacle" also functions as **Foreshadowing**, setting the physical stage for the spiritual event described in the very next verse, where the Spirit of the Lord descends upon these elders, validating their new role and empowering them for service.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 11:24 is a profound testament to God's gracious provision for His people, not only in meeting their physical needs but also in establishing structures for spiritual governance and care. It highlights the principle that leadership in God's kingdom is a shared burden, not an individual monopoly, and that true spiritual authority is always derived from and empowered by God Himself. This delegation is not a sign of Moses' weakness, but of God's wisdom in distributing His Spirit and gifts for the collective good, ensuring that the vast and complex needs of the community can be adequately addressed. It underscores the importance of recognizing and utilizing the diverse gifts within the community, all centered on God's presence and purposes.

* [Exodus 18:13-26](/exodus/18-13 "Exodus 18:13-26 - Jethro's Advice to Moses")
* [Deuteronomy 1:9-18](/deuteronomy/1-9 "Deuteronomy 1:9-18 - Moses Recounts the Appointment of Leaders")
* [Ezekiel 36:27](/ezekiel/36-27 "Ezekiel 36:27 - God's Spirit Enables Obedience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 11:24 offers timeless lessons for leadership, ministry, and community life. It reminds us that even the most gifted and divinely appointed leaders have limitations and that recognizing these limits is not a failure but an act of wisdom and humility. God often provides for His people through the shared gifts and responsibilities of many, rather than through the singular efforts of one. This passage encourages us to embrace delegation, to identify and empower others within our communities for service, and to foster a culture of shared ministry where burdens are lightened and diverse gifts are celebrated. For the church today, it reinforces the truth that effective ministry is Spirit-empowered, not merely humanly organized. Our efforts should always be centered on God's presence, relying on His Spirit to equip and enable us for the tasks He has called us to.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or ministry am I trying to bear burdens alone that God might intend for me to share with others?**
* **How can I better identify and empower individuals within my community or church who possess gifts for leadership and service?**
* **What does it mean for me to "set myself round about the tabernacle" in my daily life, ensuring my efforts are centered on God's presence and Spirit?**
* **How does this passage challenge modern notions of leadership that often prioritize individual charisma over shared responsibility and divine empowerment?**

### FAQ
**Why did God instruct Moses to gather exactly seventy elders?**

Answer: The number seventy holds significant symbolic weight in the Bible, often representing completeness, a foundational group, or a representative body. For example, [Genesis 10](/genesis/10 "Genesis 10 - The Table of Nations") lists seventy nations descended from Noah, and [Genesis 46:27](/genesis/46-27 "Genesis 46:27 - Jacob's Household in Egypt") mentions seventy members of Jacob's household who went to Egypt. In this context, the seventy elders formed a foundational and comprehensive body of leaders, representative of the entire nation of Israel, chosen to assist Moses in the immense task of governing and ministering to a vast population. This number signifies a divinely ordained, complete, and sufficient delegation of authority.

**What is the significance of gathering the elders "round about the tabernacle"?**

Answer: Gathering the elders "round about the tabernacle" was profoundly significant both practically and theologically. Practically, the tabernacle was the physical center of the Israelite camp, making it a logical meeting point. Theologically, however, it underscored that their authority and empowerment were to be derived directly from God's presence, which resided in the tabernacle. It symbolized that their leadership was not self-derived or merely humanly appointed, but consecrated by their proximity to the divine dwelling. This act prepared them for the promised impartation of the Holy Spirit, which would descend upon them from the Lord, validating their new role and ensuring their ministry was God-centered and Spirit-empowered.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 11:24, with its emphasis on delegated leadership and divine Spirit-empowerment, powerfully foreshadows the New Testament reality of Christ's leadership and the Spirit's outpouring upon His church. While Moses, as a type of Christ, bore an immense burden, Jesus Christ is the ultimate and perfect Leader who truly bears the burdens of His people, not by delegation of His divine essence, but by His complete and perfect work on the cross ([Isaiah 53:4-6](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4-6 - Christ Bears Our Sins")). The Spirit that rested upon Moses and was distributed to the seventy elders finds its ultimate and universal fulfillment in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, where the Spirit was poured out not just on a select few, but on all believers, empowering the entire body of Christ for ministry and witness ([Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1 "Acts 2:1-4 - The Day of Pentecost")). Just as the elders were gathered around the tabernacle, the church, as the new temple of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - You Are God's Temple")), is centered on Christ and empowered by His Spirit to carry out the Great Commission, sharing the gospel and discipling nations ([Matthew 28:18-20](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission")). This passage thus points to the glorious reality that through Christ, the Spirit is no longer confined to a select few, but indwells and empowers every believer for the building up of His kingdom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

Numbers 11:26

But there remained two [of the] men in the camp, the name of the one [was] Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they [were] of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp.