Numbers 11:17

17 Then I will come down and speak with you there. I will take some of the Spirit who is on you and put [the Spirit] on them.[a] They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourself.[b]

Numbers 11:17 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 11:17

And I will come down and talk with thee there
Descend from heaven, by some visible token of his power and presence, and in a friendly manner converse with him face to face; which was an instance of great condescension and grace, and especially when Moses had showed a very froward peevish spirit; yet all is overlooked, and the Lord vouchsafes the most intimate communion with him, and does him honour before the people:

and I will take of the spirit which [is] upon thee;
the spirit of government, and the spirit of prophecy, the gifts of the spirit qualifying for these things, of which Moses had a large measure:

and will put [it] upon them;
that is, gifts of the same kind with his; not that his gifts were diminished, or that properly speaking anything was taken from Moses and given to the seventy elders; but from the same fountain and fulness of the spirit Moses partook of, they were furnished with like gifts and qualifications, he having not at all the less for what was communicated to them; see ( 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 ) ( 2 Kings 2:9 2 Kings 2:15 ) ; several of the Jewish writers, and particularly Jarchi, illustrate it by the lamp in the golden candlestick in the sanctuary, which was always burning, and at which all the rest were lighted, without any diminution of its light at all:

and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear
[it] not thyself alone:
assist in the government of them, take part in all weighty and difficult matters, hear the complaints of the people, and bear a share of the blame and reproach they at any time should cast upon their rulers.

Numbers 11:17 In-Context

15 If You are going to treat me like this, please kill me right now. If You are pleased with me, don't let me see my misery [any more]."
16 The Lord answered Moses, "Bring Me 70 men from Israel known to you as elders and officers of the people. Take them to the tent of meeting and have them stand there with you.
17 Then I will come down and speak with you there. I will take some of the Spirit who is on you and put [the Spirit] on them. They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourself.
18 "Tell the people: Purify yourselves [in readiness] for tomorrow, and you will eat meat because you cried before the Lord: 'Who will feed us meat? We really had it good in Egypt.' The Lord will give you meat and you will eat.
19 You will eat, not for one day, or two days, or five days, or 10 days, or 20 days,

Footnotes 2

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