King James Version

What Does Numbers 11:16 Mean?

Numbers 11:16 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of ... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 11:16 · KJV


Context

14

I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.

15

And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.

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.

17

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.

18

And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel... and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them. God provides Moses with leadership assistance by distributing the Spirit. The number seventy recalls the seventy descendants of Israel who entered Egypt (Exodus 1:5) and creates a governing council. The phrase 'I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them' shows God's Spirit empowering leadership. This wasn't diminishing Moses' Spirit (like dividing a limited resource) but sharing God's unlimited power. The Spirit's distribution enabled the elders to bear the burden with Moses. This teaches that God provides spiritual enablement for delegated authority. Leadership multiplication requires divine empowerment, not mere human organization. The principle anticipates Pentecost's Spirit-outpouring on all believers. Reformed theology emphasizes that ministry effectiveness requires the Spirit's power.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Moses' complaint about bearing Israel's burden alone (Numbers 11:11-15) prompted God's provision of the seventy elders. Ancient Near Eastern governing councils often numbered seventy; Jewish tradition later established the Sanhedrin with seventy-one members. The Spirit's distribution to the elders caused them to prophesy temporarily (Numbers 11:25), validating their calling. Jethro had earlier advised Moses to delegate judgment responsibilities (Exodus 18:13-26), and this appointment formalized such delegation. The seventy's role apparently included both governance and prophetic ministry. The distribution illustrates the principle that God's Spirit enables ministry—human ability alone proves insufficient for leading God's people. The New Testament pattern of multiple elders in each church (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5) follows this plurality leadership model.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's distribution of His Spirit to the seventy elders teach about empowering delegated authority in ministry?
  2. How does the principle of plural leadership (Moses plus seventy elders) inform church governance today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 25

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֜ה2 of 25

And the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶל3 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֹשֶׁ֗ה4 of 25

unto Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֶסְפָה5 of 25

Gather

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

לִּ֞י6 of 25
H0
שִׁבְעִ֣ים7 of 25

unto me seventy

H7657

seventy

אִישׁ֮8 of 25

men

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

זִקְנֵ֥י9 of 25

of the elders

H2205

old

יִשְׂרָאֵל֒10 of 25

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֲשֶׁ֣ר11 of 25
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יָדַ֔עְתָּ12 of 25

whom thou knowest

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּי13 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הֵ֛ם14 of 25
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

זִקְנֵ֥י15 of 25

of the elders

H2205

old

הָעָ֖ם16 of 25

of the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וְשֹֽׁטְרָ֑יו17 of 25

and officers

H7860

properly, a scribe, i.e., (by analogy or implication) an official superintendent or magistrate

וְלָֽקַחְתָּ֤18 of 25

over them and bring

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֹתָם֙19 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֶל20 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֹ֣הֶל21 of 25

them unto the tabernacle

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

מוֹעֵ֔ד22 of 25

of the congregation

H4150

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

וְהִֽתְיַצְּב֥וּ23 of 25

that they may stand

H3320

to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue

שָׁ֖ם24 of 25
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

עִמָּֽךְ׃25 of 25
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 11:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 11:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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