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Numbers 11:25

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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.

And the LORD {H3068} came down {H3381} in a cloud {H6051}, and spake {H1696} unto him, and took {H680} of the spirit {H7307} that was upon him, and gave {H5414} it unto the seventy {H7657} elders {H2205}{H376}: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit {H7307} rested {H5117} upon them, they prophesied {H5012}, and did not cease {H3254}.

ADONAI came down in the cloud, spoke to him, took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy leaders. When the Spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied -then but not afterwards.

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.

And Jehovah came down in the cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and put it upon the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, but they did so no more.

Commentary

Numbers 11:25 describes a pivotal moment in Israel's wilderness journey, showcasing God's direct intervention to alleviate the immense burden on Moses. The people had been complaining bitterly about their diet, leading Moses to express his overwhelming fatigue and desire for God to relieve him of his solitary leadership. In response, the LORD provides a remarkable solution, demonstrating His power and commitment to His people and their leaders.

Context of Numbers 11:25

This verse comes after Moses' profound lament to God, found in Numbers 11:14-15, where he expresses his inability to bear the responsibility of leading such a vast and discontented people alone. God's instruction was to gather seventy elders, men of renown in Israel, to share this weighty task. The "cloud" mentioned is a recurring symbol of God's immediate presence and communication, often associated with the tabernacle and God's guidance throughout the Exodus journey, as seen in Exodus 40:34.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Empowerment and Shared Leadership: The primary message is God's active role in equipping His chosen leaders. The LORD "took of the spirit that was upon him [Moses], and gave it unto the seventy elders." This wasn't a diminishing of Moses' anointing but an expansion and distribution of the divine enablement necessary to govern. It highlights the principle of delegated authority and shared responsibility in leadership.
  • The Spirit's Manifestation: The immediate result of the Spirit resting upon the elders was that "they prophesied, and did not cease." This act of prophesying served as a visible and undeniable sign of divine authentication, confirming that these men were indeed chosen and empowered by God for their new roles. It was a temporary, powerful demonstration, validating their authority before the entire congregation.
  • God's Responsive Provision: This event demonstrates God's compassion and attentiveness to His servant Moses' distress. He doesn't rebuke Moses for his complaint but provides a practical and supernatural solution, ensuring the sustained leadership and stability of the Israelite community.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Spirit" (רוּחַ, ruach): In Hebrew, ruach means wind, breath, or spirit. Here, it refers to the animating, empowering divine presence of God. It signifies a supernatural enablement for a specific task or office, distinct from the human spirit.
  • "Prophesied" (וַיִּתְנַבְּאוּ, vayitnabbe'u): This verb comes from the root meaning "to bubble up, to pour forth." It describes speaking under divine inspiration, often conveying God's message, not necessarily foretelling the future, but speaking words of exhortation, instruction, or praise that originate from God. In this context, it marks the extraordinary influence of the Spirit.

Practical Application

Numbers 11:25 offers enduring lessons for leadership and faith today. It reminds us that God equips those He calls; true leadership is often a shared burden, not an isolated one. When God calls individuals to service, He also provides the necessary empowerment, often through His Holy Spirit. This passage foreshadows the broader outpouring of God's Spirit promised in Joel 2:28-29 and fulfilled at Pentecost in Acts 2:4, where the Spirit's presence empowers believers for various ministries and gifts. It encourages us to trust in God's provision for the challenges we face and to recognize His empowering Spirit at work in the lives of His people.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 11:17 (8 votes)

    And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which [is] upon thee, and will put [it] upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear [it] not thyself alone.

  • Joel 2:28 (4 votes)

    ¶ And it shall come to pass afterward, [that] I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

  • Joel 2:29 (4 votes)

    And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

  • 1 Samuel 10:10 (4 votes)

    And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.

  • Numbers 12:5 (4 votes)

    And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood [in] the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ Follow after charity, and desire spiritual [gifts], but rather that ye may prophesy.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:3 (3 votes)

    But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men [to] edification, and exhortation, and comfort.