King James Version

What Does Numbers 11:26 Mean?

Numbers 11:26 in the King James Version says “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 s...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Numbers 11:26 · KJV

Holy Spirit

Context

24

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.

25

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.

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.

27

And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp.

28

And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The situation 'But there remained two of the men in the camp' introduces an irregularity: Eldad and Medad (Hebrew אֶלְדָּד, Eldad—'God has loved'; מֵידָד, Medad—meaning uncertain, possibly 'beloved') didn't go to the tabernacle with the other sixty-eight. The text explains 'they were of them that were written'—officially registered among the seventy—'but went not out unto the tabernacle.' Their absence might indicate humility (not presuming to go forward), illness, or providential hindrance. The text doesn't explain their absence but focuses on God's sovereign action despite it.

The remarkable statement 'and the spirit rested upon them' shows that God's Spirit moves according to divine will, not human ritual or location. Though Eldad and Medad weren't at the appointed place, the Spirit came upon them anyway. This demonstrates God's sovereign freedom—He works through established means ordinarily but isn't bound by them absolutely. The Spirit blows where He wills (John 3:8). This wasn't disorder or irregularity from God's perspective but demonstration that He can work outside expected patterns when He chooses.

The result 'and they prophesied in the camp' created a situation that would test responses. Their prophesying in the camp rather than at the tabernacle appeared irregular, potentially threatening Moses' authority or creating confusion. How would leadership respond? The next verses show Joshua seeking to suppress them (verse 28) but Moses celebrating God's work (verse 29), teaching that godly leaders rejoice when God works even through unexpected channels or people, rather than jealously guarding their own authority.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The names Eldad and Medad appear only here in Scripture, suggesting they weren't prominent leaders otherwise. Jewish tradition speculated about why they didn't go to the tabernacle—some suggested humility (thinking themselves unworthy), others suggested they refused (knowing Moses would soon die and wanting no part in leadership transition). The text's silence on their motivation keeps focus on God's sovereign action: despite their absence from the appointed place, God's Spirit came upon them. This incident may have influenced later Judaism's understanding that prophecy could occur outside official religious structures.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Spirit coming upon Eldad and Medad despite their absence from the tabernacle demonstrate God's sovereign freedom to work outside established patterns?
  2. What does this incident teach about responding to genuine work of God's Spirit even when it occurs through unexpected people or in irregular ways?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיִּשָּֽׁאֲר֣וּ1 of 20

“But there remained”

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

שְׁנֵֽי2 of 20

“two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

אֲנָשִׁ֣ים׀3 of 20
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)

בַּֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃4 of 20

“in the camp”

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

וְשֵׁם֩5 of 20

“and the name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

הָֽאֶחָ֣ד׀6 of 20

“of the one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

אֶלְדָּ֡ד7 of 20

“was Eldad”

H419

eldad, an israelite

וְשֵׁם֩8 of 20

“and the name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

הַשֵּׁנִ֨י9 of 20

“of the other”

H8145

properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again

מֵידָ֜ד10 of 20

“Medad”

H4312

medad, an israelite

וַתָּ֧נַח11 of 20

“rested”

H5117

to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l

עֲלֵהֶ֣ם12 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָר֗וּחַ13 of 20

“and the spirit”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

וְהֵ֙מָּה֙14 of 20
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

בַּכְּתֻבִ֔ים15 of 20

“upon them and they were of them that were written”

H3789

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

וְלֹ֥א16 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָֽצְא֖וּ17 of 20

“but went not out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

הָאֹ֑הֱלָה18 of 20

“unto the tabernacle”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

וַיִּֽתְנַבְּא֖וּ19 of 20

“and they prophesied”

H5012

to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)

בַּֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃20 of 20

“in the camp”

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

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 11:26 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 11:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 36:5Exodus 3:11Exodus 4:13-141 Samuel 10:221 Samuel 20:26Jeremiah 1:6

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