Numbers 11:26

Authorized King James Version

But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּשָּֽׁאֲר֣וּ
But there remained
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant
#2
שְׁנֵֽי
two
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#3
אֲנָשִׁ֣ים׀
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)
#4
בַּֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃
in the camp
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
#5
וְשֵׁם֩
and the name
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#6
הָֽאֶחָ֣ד׀
of the one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#7
אֶלְדָּ֡ד
was Eldad
eldad, an israelite
#8
וְשֵׁם֩
and the name
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#9
הַשֵּׁנִ֨י
of the other
properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again
#10
מֵידָ֜ד
Medad
medad, an israelite
#11
וַתָּ֧נַח
rested
to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l
#12
עֲלֵהֶ֣ם
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#13
הָר֗וּחַ
and the spirit
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
#14
וְהֵ֙מָּה֙
they (only used when emphatic)
#15
בַּכְּתֻבִ֔ים
upon them and they were of them that were written
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
#16
וְלֹ֥א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#17
יָֽצְא֖וּ
but went not out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#18
הָאֹ֑הֱלָה
unto the tabernacle
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
#19
וַיִּֽתְנַבְּא֖וּ
and they prophesied
to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)
#20
בַּֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃
in the camp
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

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 revelation 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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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