Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The LORD said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with you. New Living Translation Then the LORD said to Moses, “Gather before me seventy men who are recognized as elders and leaders of Israel. Bring them to the Tabernacle to stand there with you. English Standard Version Then the LORD said to Moses, “Gather for me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. Berean Standard Bible Then the LORD said to Moses, “Bring Me seventy of the elders of Israel known to you as leaders and officers of the people. Bring them to the Tent of Meeting and have them stand there with you. Berean Literal Bible And YHWH said to Moses, “Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know that they are elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you. King James Bible 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. New King James Version So the LORD said to Moses: “Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may stand there with you. New American Standard Bible The LORD therefore said to Moses, “Gather for Me seventy men from the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and their officers, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and have them take their stand there with you. NASB 1995 The LORD therefore said to Moses, “Gather for Me seventy men from the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and their officers and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. NASB 1977 The LORD therefore said to Moses, “Gather for Me seventy men from the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and their officers and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. Legacy Standard Bible Yahweh therefore said to Moses, “Gather for Me seventy men from the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and their officers, and take them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. Amplified Bible Accordingly, the LORD said to Moses, “Gather for Me seventy men from among the elders of Israel whom you know to be the elders of the people and their officers; bring them to the Tent of Meeting (tabernacle) and let them stand there with you. Berean Annotated Bible Then the LORD {YHWH} said to Moses (drawn out), “Bring Me seventy of the elders of Israel (he wrestles with God) known to you as leaders and officers of the people. Bring them to the Tent of Meeting and have them stand there with you. Christian Standard Bible The LORD answered Moses, “Bring me seventy 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. Holman Christian Standard Bible 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. American Standard Version And Jehovah 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 tent of meeting, that they may stand there with thee. Contemporary English Version The LORD said to Moses: Choose 70 of Israel's respected leaders and go with them to the sacred tent. English Revised Version 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 tent of meeting, that they may stand there with thee. GOD'S WORD® Translation The LORD answered Moses, "Bring me 70 Israelite men who you know are leaders and officers of the people. Take them to the tent of meeting, and have them stand with you. Good News Translation The LORD said to Moses, "Assemble seventy respected men who are recognized as leaders of the people, bring them to me at the Tent of my presence, and tell them to stand there beside you. International Standard Version Then the LORD told Moses, "Gather together for me 70 men who are elders of Israel, men whom you know to be elders of the people and officers over them. Then bring them to the Tent of Meeting and let them stand there with you. NET Bible The LORD said to Moses, "Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know are elders of the people and officials over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting; let them take their position there with you. New Heart English Bible The LORD said to Moses, "Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you. Webster's Bible Translation And the LORD said to Moses, Gather to 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 to the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen the LORD said to Moses, “Bring Me seventy of the elders of Israel known to you as leaders and officers of the people. Bring them to the Tent of Meeting and have them stand there with you. World English Bible Yahweh said to Moses, “Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; and bring them to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd YHWH says to Moses, “Gather to Me seventy men from [the] elderly of Israel, whom you have known that they are [the] elderly of the people, and its authorities; and you have taken them to the Tent of Meeting, and they have stationed themselves there with you, Berean Literal Bible And YHWH said to Moses, “Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know that they are elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you. Young's Literal Translation And Jehovah saith unto Moses, 'Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou hast known that they are elders of the people, and its authorities; and thou hast taken them unto the tent of meeting, and they have stationed themselves there with thee, Smith's Literal Translation And Jehovah will say to Moses, Gather to me seventy men of the old men of Israel, whom thou knewest that they were old men of the people, and their scribes; and take them to the tent of appointment, and they shall stand there with thee. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the Lord said to Moses: Gather unto me seventy men of the ancients of Israel, whom thou knowest to be ancients and masters of the people: and thou shalt bring them to the door of the tabernacle of the covenant, and shalt make them stand there with thee, Catholic Public Domain Version And the Lord said to Moses: “Gather to me seventy men from the elders of Israel, whom you know to be elders, as well as teachers, of the people. And you shall lead them to the door of the tabernacle of the covenant, and you shall cause them to stand there with you, New American Bible Then the LORD said to Moses: Assemble for me seventy of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be elders and authorities among the people, and bring them to the tent of meeting. When they are in place beside you, New Revised Standard Version So the LORD said to Moses, “Gather for me seventy of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tent of meeting, and have them take their place there with you. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the LORD said to Moses, Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be chiefs of the people and its scribes; and bring them to the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may be ready there with you. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And LORD JEHOVAH said to Moshe: “Gather to me seventy men from the Elders of Israel, those whom you know, those who are the Rulers of the people and its Scribes, and take them to the Time Tabernacle, and they will be prepared there with you. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And 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 tent of meeting, that they may stand there with thee. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the Lord said to Moses, Gather me seventy men from the elders of Israel, whom thou thyself knowest that they are the elders of the people, and their scribes; and thou shalt bring them to the tabernacle of witness, and they shall stand there with thee. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Seventy Elders Anointed16Then the LORD said to Moses, “Bring Me seventy of the elders of Israel known to you as leaders and officers of the people. Bring them to the Tent of Meeting and have them stand there with you. 17And I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put that Spirit on them. They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourself.… Cross References Then the LORD said to Moses, Exodus 6:1 But the LORD said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh, for because of My mighty hand he will let the people go; because of My strong hand he will drive them out of his land.” Exodus 19:9 The LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you, and they will always put their trust in you.” And Moses relayed to the LORD what the people had said. Exodus 3:4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from within the bush, “Moses, Moses!” “Here I am,” he answered. “Bring Me seventy of the elders of Israel Exodus 24:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to the LORD—you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of Israel’s elders—and you are to worship at a distance. Exodus 24:9 Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, Exodus 24:11 But God did not lay His hand on the nobles of Israel; they saw Him, and they ate and drank. known to you as leaders and officers of the people. Deuteronomy 1:15 So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them as leaders over you—as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens, and as officers for your tribes. Exodus 18:25 So Moses chose capable men from all Israel and made them heads over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. Exodus 18:21 Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. Bring them to the Tent of Meeting Leviticus 1:1 Then the LORD called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, saying, Exodus 33:7 Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it at a distance outside the camp. He called it the Tent of Meeting, and anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the Tent of Meeting outside the camp. Exodus 29:42 For the generations to come, this burnt offering shall be made regularly at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before the LORD, where I will meet you to speak with you. and have them stand there with you. Deuteronomy 5:31 But you stand here with Me, that I may speak to you all the commandments and statutes and ordinances you are to teach them to follow in the land that I am giving them to possess.” Deuteronomy 31:14 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, the time of your death is near. Call Joshua and present yourselves at the Tent of Meeting, so that I may commission him.” So Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves at the Tent of Meeting. Joshua 3:7 Now the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you just as I was with Moses. Deuteronomy 1:9-15 At that time I said to you, “I cannot carry the burden for you alone. / The LORD your God has multiplied you, so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky. / May the LORD, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times over and bless you as He has promised. … Treasury of Scripture And the LORD said to Moses, Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them to the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with you. seventy Genesis 46:27 And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten. Exodus 4:29 And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel: Exodus 24:1,9 And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off… officers Deuteronomy 1:15 So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes. Deuteronomy 16:18 Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment. Deuteronomy 31:28 Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them. Jump to Previous Congregation Elders Israel Israel's Responsible Seventy Stand Tabernacle Tent WeightJump to Next Congregation Elders Israel Israel's Responsible Seventy Stand Tabernacle Tent WeightNumbers 11 1. The burning at Taberah quenched by Moses' prayer4. The people crave meat, and loathe manna 10. Moses complains of his charge 16. God promises to divide his burden unto seventy elders, 18. and to give the people meat for a month 21. Moses' faith is staggered 31. Quails are given in wrath at Kibroth Hattaavah Then the LORD said to Moses This phrase indicates direct communication from God to Moses, emphasizing Moses' role as a prophet and leader. Throughout the Pentateuch, Moses is depicted as a mediator between God and the Israelites, highlighting his unique relationship with God (Exodus 33:11). This divine communication underscores the theocratic nature of Israel's leadership, where God directly guides His people. Bring Me seventy of the elders of Israel known to you as leaders and officers of the people Bring them to the Tent of Meeting and have them stand there with you Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORDThe covenant God of Israel, who speaks directly to Moses, providing guidance and instruction. 2. Moses The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. 3. Seventy Elders A group of leaders and officials among the Israelites, chosen to assist Moses in governing and leading the people. 4. Israel The nation of God's chosen people, who are journeying through the wilderness towards the Promised Land. 5. Tent of Meeting A sacred place where Moses meets with God, symbolizing God's presence among His people. Teaching Points The Importance of DelegationGod recognizes the burden of leadership on Moses and provides a solution through delegation. This teaches us the importance of sharing responsibilities in leadership roles. God's Provision for Leadership God provides the necessary resources and people to accomplish His purposes. We can trust that God will equip us with what we need for the tasks He calls us to. Community and Shared Leadership The appointment of the seventy elders highlights the value of community and shared leadership. In our own lives, we should seek to build supportive communities and share responsibilities. Obedience to God's Instructions Moses' obedience in following God's instructions serves as a model for us. We should be attentive and responsive to God's guidance in our lives. The Role of Elders and Leaders The elders are chosen based on their known leadership qualities. This underscores the importance of character and reputation in those who lead. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Numbers 11:16?2. How does Numbers 11:16 demonstrate God's response to Moses' leadership challenges? 3. What qualities should leaders possess, as seen in Numbers 11:16? 4. How does Numbers 11:16 connect with the concept of shared leadership in Exodus 18? 5. How can church leaders today implement the principles from Numbers 11:16? 6. What can we learn about God's provision for leadership from Numbers 11:16? 7. Why did God instruct Moses to gather seventy elders in Numbers 11:16? 8. How does Numbers 11:16 reflect God's leadership structure for Israel? 9. What is the significance of the seventy elders in Numbers 11:16? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 11? 11. What was the purpose of the Sanhedrin? 12. What is the nature of manna? 13. Luke 10:1 – How can we confirm historically that Jesus actually appointed and sent out seventy-two disciples beyond the Bible’s account? 14. Who were Israel's seventy elders? What Does Numbers 11:16 Mean Then the LORD said to Moses- The text records an actual, audible directive from God, underscoring His personal involvement with His servant (Exodus 33:11; Numbers 12:6-8). - God initiates the solution to Moses’ overwhelm (Numbers 11:11-14), reminding us that leadership burdens are ultimately addressed by divine wisdom (Psalm 55:22). Bring Me seventy of the elders of Israel - “Seventy” echoes the representative body who earlier accompanied Moses on the mountain (Exodus 24:1, 9-10), suggesting continuity in God’s plan for shared leadership. - The specific number signals completeness and community representation (Genesis 46:27; Luke 10:1). God is gathering a full panel, not a token group. known to you as leaders and officers of the people - Moses is to choose men with proven character—those already recognized for governance (Exodus 18:21-22; Deuteronomy 1:13-15). - God values existing credibility; spiritual empowerment does not bypass prior faithfulness (1 Timothy 3:1-7). Bring them to the Tent of Meeting - The location matters: God’s dwelling among His people (Exodus 33:7-10). Authority is conferred in His presence, not in a political arena (Leviticus 8:3-4). - By assembling there, the elders’ service becomes an act of worship, anchoring their future decisions in reverence (Psalm 84:10). and have them stand there with you - Standing beside Moses visualizes shared responsibility (Exodus 17:12). - God will later take “some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them” (Numbers 11:17), illustrating that true leadership is Spirit-empowered, not merely positional (Zechariah 4:6; Acts 6:3). - Unity around God’s appointed mediator foreshadows the New Testament pattern of teamwork under Christ’s headship (Ephesians 4:11-13). summary Numbers 11:16 reveals God’s compassionate response to the overload of His servant. He commands Moses to gather seventy reputable elders, escort them into His presence, and align them side-by-side with Moses. The verse teaches that God personally addresses leadership strain by raising up trustworthy, Spirit-filled partners, grounding their authority in worship and unity. (16) Seventy men of the elders of Israel . . . --We find mention made of elders of the people in Exodus 3:16, and of officers (shoterim) in Exodus 5:16;also of seventy elders in Exodus 24:1. Frequent mention is made in Scripture of the number seventy--a number which is composed of the two sacred numbers seven and ten--the former being the seal of the covenant, and the latter probably denoting perfection. The seventy who were chosen on the present occasion may have consisted of some of those who were appointed as judges at the suggestion of Jethro, but there is no evidence of their identity with any persons previously selected. Verse 16. - And the Lord said unto Moses. The Divine dignity and goodness of this answer, if not an absolutely conclusive testimony, are at least a very strong one, to the genuineness of this record. Of what god, except the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, was it ever witnessed, or could it have been ever imagined, that he should answer the passionate injustice of his servant with such forbearance and kindness? The one thing in Moses' prayer which was reasonable he allowed at once; the rest he passed over without answer or reproof, as though it had never been uttered. Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel. That the number seventy has a symbolic significance in Scripture will hardly be denied (cf. Exodus 1:5; Daniel 9:2, 24; Luke 10:1), although it is probably futile to affix any precise meaning to it. Perhaps the leading idea of seventy is fullness, as that of twelve is symmetry (see on Exodus 15:27). The later Jews believed that there were seventy nations in the world. There is no reason, except a reckless desire to confound the sacred narrative, to identify this appointment with that narrated in Exodus 18:21, sq. and Deuteronomy 1:9, sq. The circumstances and the purposes appear quite distinct: those were appointed to assist Moses in purely secular matters, to share his burden as a judge; these to assist him in religious matters, to support him as a mediator; those used the ordinary gifts of wisdom, discretion, and personal authority; these the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit. It is more reasonable to suppose that these seventy were the same men that went up into Mount Sinai with Moses, and saw the God of Israel, and ate of the consecrated meal of the covenant, about a year before. Unless there was some decisive reason against it, an elder who had been chosen for that high religious privilege could hardly fail to be chosen on this occasion also; an interview with God himself, so mysteriously and awfully significant, must surely have left an ineffaceable stamp of sanctity on any soul at all worthy of it. It would be natural to suppose that while the present selection was made de novo, the individuals selected were personally the same. Compare note on chapter Numbers 1:5, and for "the elders of Israel" see on Exodus 3:16. Whom thou knowest to be elders of the people, and officers over them. On the officers (Hebrew, shoterim), an ancient order in the national organization of Israel, continued from the days of bondage, see Exodus 5:6. The Targ. Pal. paraphrases the word shoterim by "who were set over them in Mizraim." The Septuagint has here πρεσβύτεροι τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ γρυμματεῖς αὐτῶν, words so familiar to the reader of the Greek Gospels. The later Jews traced back their Sanhedrim, or grand council of seventy, to this appointment, and found their eiders and scribes in this verse. There was, however, no further historical connection between the two bodies than this - that when the monarchy failed and prophecy died out, the ecclesiastical leaders of the Jews modeled their institutions upon, and adapted their titles to, this Divinely-ordered original.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then the LORDיְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel said וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to Moses, מֹשֶׁ֗ה (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver “Bring אֶסְפָה־ (’es·p̄āh-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 622: To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove Me לִּ֞י (lî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's Hebrew seventy שִׁבְעִ֣ים (šiḇ·‘îm) Number - common plural Strong's 7657: Seventy (a cardinal number) of the elders מִזִּקְנֵ֣י (miz·ziq·nê) Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine plural construct Strong's 2205: Old of Israel יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc known to you יָדַ֔עְתָּ (yā·ḏa‘·tā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 3045: To know as leaders זִקְנֵ֥י (ziq·nê) Adjective - masculine plural construct Strong's 2205: Old and officers וְשֹׁטְרָ֑יו (wə·šō·ṭə·rāw) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 7860: A scribe, an official superintendent, magistrate of the people. הָעָ֖ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock Bring וְלָקַחְתָּ֤ (wə·lā·qaḥ·tā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 3947: To take them אֹתָם֙ (’ō·ṯām) Direct object marker | third person masculine plural Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the Tent אֹ֣הֶל (’ō·hel) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 168: A tent of Meeting מוֹעֵ֔ד (mō·w·‘êḏ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4150: Appointed time, place, or meeting and have them stand וְהִֽתְיַצְּב֥וּ (wə·hiṯ·yaṣ·ṣə·ḇū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 3320: To set or station oneself, take one's stand there שָׁ֖ם (šām) Adverb Strong's 8033: There, then, thither with you. עִמָּֽךְ׃ (‘im·māḵ) Preposition | second person feminine singular Strong's 5973: With, equally with Links Numbers 11:16 NIVNumbers 11:16 NLT Numbers 11:16 ESV Numbers 11:16 NASB Numbers 11:16 KJV Numbers 11:16 BibleApps.com Numbers 11:16 Biblia Paralela Numbers 11:16 Chinese Bible Numbers 11:16 French Bible Numbers 11:16 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 11:16 Yahweh said to Moses Gather to me (Nu Num.) |
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