Numbers 11:17
And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.
Original Language Analysis
וְיָֽרַדְתִּ֗י
And I will come down
H3381
וְיָֽרַדְתִּ֗י
And I will come down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
1 of 19
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
וְדִבַּרְתִּ֣י
and talk
H1696
וְדִבַּרְתִּ֣י
and talk
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
2 of 19
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
עִמְּךָ֮
H5973
עִמְּךָ֮
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
3 of 19
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
שָׁם֒
H8033
וְאָֽצַלְתִּ֗י
with thee there and I will take
H680
וְאָֽצַלְתִּ֗י
with thee there and I will take
Strong's:
H680
Word #:
5 of 19
properly, to join; used only as a denominative from h0681; to separate; hence, to select, refuse, contract
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
6 of 19
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הָר֛וּחַ
of the spirit
H7307
הָר֛וּחַ
of the spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
7 of 19
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָלֶ֖יךָ
H5921
עָלֶ֖יךָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְשַׂמְתִּ֣י
which is upon thee and will put
H7760
וְשַׂמְתִּ֣י
which is upon thee and will put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
10 of 19
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
תִשָּׂ֥א
it upon them and they shall bear
H5375
תִשָּׂ֥א
it upon them and they shall bear
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
12 of 19
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
אִתְּךָ֙
H854
אִתְּךָ֙
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
13 of 19
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
בְּמַשָּׂ֣א
the burden
H4853
בְּמַשָּׂ֣א
the burden
Strong's:
H4853
Word #:
14 of 19
a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire
הָעָ֔ם
of the people
H5971
הָעָ֔ם
of the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
15 of 19
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
16 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Numbers 11:25And 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.1 Samuel 10:6And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.1 Corinthians 2:12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.2 Kings 2:9And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.Joel 2:28And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:2 Kings 2:15And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.Romans 8:9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.Nehemiah 9:20Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.Exodus 18:22And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.1 Thessalonians 4:8He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
Historical Context
This represents one of the Old Testament's clearest examples of the Holy Spirit distributing gifts for ministry service. The Spirit's coming upon the seventy elders caused prophetic utterance (verse 25), validating their divine calling. This anticipates Pentecost's greater outpouring where the Spirit was given to all believers, not just select leaders. Joel's prophecy (Joel 2:28-29), cited at Pentecost, promised this broader Spirit distribution.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Spirit's distribution without diminishing Moses' portion illustrate the Spirit's sufficiency for all believers today?
- In what ways can you participate in shared ministry that prevents burnout and utilizes diverse spiritual gifts?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God's promise to 'take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them' reveals that leadership ability is a divine gift, not merely natural talent. The Spirit's distribution did not diminish Moses' portion (as physical division would) but multiplied Spirit-empowerment to others. This demonstrates the Holy Spirit's sufficiency for all God calls to service. The phrase 'they shall bear the burden with thee' shows that Spirit-enabled ministry involves sharing responsibility, preventing burnout and fostering community leadership.