Eldad and Medad are figures mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Numbers. They are notable for their unique experience of prophecy, which occurred during the Israelites' wilderness journey after the Exodus from Egypt.

Biblical Account

The primary account of Eldad and Medad is found in Numbers 11:24-29. In this passage, Moses, overwhelmed by the burden of leading the Israelites, is instructed by God to gather seventy elders to share the responsibility. God promises to take some of the Spirit that is on Moses and bestow it upon these elders so that they may help him bear the burden of the people.

Numbers 11:24-25 states: "So Moses went out and told the people the words of the LORD. He gathered seventy of the elders of the people and had them stand around the tent. 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 the Spirit on the seventy elders. As the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but they did not do so again."

Eldad and Medad, however, were not present at the tent with the other elders. Despite this, the Spirit also rested upon them, and they began to prophesy in the camp. This unusual event caused concern among some of the Israelites, including a young man who ran to inform Moses, and Joshua, Moses' assistant, who urged Moses to stop them.

Moses' response is recorded in Numbers 11:29 : "But Moses replied, 'Are you jealous on my account? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would place His Spirit on them!'"

Significance

The account of Eldad and Medad highlights several key themes in the biblical narrative:

1. The Sovereignty of God: The incident underscores God's sovereign choice in bestowing His Spirit. Eldad and Medad's prophesying, despite their absence from the tent, illustrates that God's Spirit is not confined by human expectations or locations.

2. The Role of the Spirit: The event emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering individuals for service and prophecy. It foreshadows the New Testament outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, where the Spirit is given to all believers, enabling them to prophesy and serve God.

3. Moses' Leadership and Humility: Moses' reaction to Joshua's concern reveals his humility and his desire for the spiritual empowerment of all God's people. His wish that all the LORD's people were prophets reflects a forward-looking vision of a community where God's Spirit is abundantly present.

4. Community and Prophecy: The narrative also touches on the theme of community and the distribution of spiritual gifts. It suggests that the prophetic gift is not limited to a select few but is part of the broader community's spiritual life.

Historical and Theological Context

Eldad and Medad's account occurs during a period of significant transition and challenge for the Israelites. The wilderness journey was marked by frequent complaints and rebellions against Moses' leadership. The appointment of the seventy elders and the subsequent prophesying of Eldad and Medad served to reinforce Moses' leadership while also addressing the people's needs for spiritual guidance and support.

Theologically, the account of Eldad and Medad is often seen as an early indication of the democratization of the Spirit, a theme that becomes more pronounced in the prophetic literature and reaches its fulfillment in the New Testament. It serves as a reminder of God's desire to equip His people for service and the importance of being open to the unexpected workings of the Holy Spirit.