Numbers 11:16

Authorized King James 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 tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
H559
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
יְהוָ֜ה
H3068
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
מֹשֶׁ֗ה
H4872
unto Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#5
אֶסְפָה
H622
Gather
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
#6
לִּ֞י
H0
#7
שִׁבְעִ֣ים
H7657
unto me seventy
seventy
#8
אִישׁ֮
H376
men
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)
#9
זִקְנֵ֥י
H2205
of the elders
old
#10
יִשְׂרָאֵל֒
H3478
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#11
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#12
יָדַ֔עְתָּ
H3045
whom thou knowest
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#13
כִּי
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#14
הֵ֛ם
H1992
they (only used when emphatic)
#15
זִקְנֵ֥י
H2205
of the elders
old
#16
הָעָ֖ם
H5971
of the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#17
וְשֹֽׁטְרָ֑יו
H7860
and officers
properly, a scribe, i.e., (by analogy or implication) an official superintendent or magistrate
#18
וְלָֽקַחְתָּ֤
H3947
over them and bring
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#19
אֹתָם֙
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#20
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#21
אֹ֣הֶל
H168
them unto the tabernacle
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
#22
מוֹעֵ֔ד
H4150
of the congregation
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
#23
וְהִֽתְיַצְּב֥וּ
H3320
that they may stand
to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue
#24
שָׁ֖ם
H8033
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#25
עִמָּֽךְ׃
H5973
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Numbers Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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