Numbers 11:17
New International Version
I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone.

New Living Translation
I will come down and talk to you there. I will take some of the Spirit that is upon you, and I will put the Spirit upon them also. They will bear the burden of the people along with you, so you will not have to carry it alone.

English Standard Version
And I will come down and talk with you there. And I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you may not bear it yourself alone.

Berean Standard Bible
And 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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone.

New American Standard Bible
Then I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take away some of the Spirit who is upon you, and put Him upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you will not bear it by yourself.

NASB 1995
“Then I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit who is upon you, and will put Him upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you will not bear it all alone.

NASB 1977
“Then I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit who is upon you, and will put Him upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you shall not bear it all alone.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit who is upon you, and will put Him upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you will not bear it all alone.

Amplified Bible
Then I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take away some of the Spirit who is upon you, and will put Him upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you will not have to bear it all alone.

Christian Standard Bible
Then I will come down and speak with you there. I will take some of the Spirit who is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourself.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then I will come down and speak with you there. I will take some of the Spirit who is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourself.”

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
While I am talking with you there, I will give them some of your authority, so they can share responsibility for my people. You will no longer have to care for them by yourself.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I'll come down and speak with you there. I'll take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will help you take care of the people. You won't have to take care of the people alone.

Good News Translation
I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the spirit I have given you and give it to them. Then they can help you bear the responsibility for these people, and you will not have to bear it alone.

International Standard Version
Then I'll come down and speak with you. I'll take some of the spirit that rests on you and apportion it among them, so that they may help you bear the burden of the people. That way, you won't bear it by yourself."

Majority Standard Bible
And 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.

NET Bible
Then I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take part of the spirit that is on you, and will put it on them, and they will bear some of the burden of the people with you, so that you do not bear it all by yourself.

New Heart English Bible
I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit which is on you, and will put it on them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you not bear it yourself alone.

Webster's Bible Translation
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 mayest not bear it thyself alone.

World English Bible
I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit which is on you, and will put it on them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you don’t bear it yourself alone.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and I have come down and spoken with you there, and have kept back of the Spirit which [is] on you, and have put [that One] on them, and they have borne some of the burden of the people with you, and you do not bear [it] alone.

Young's Literal Translation
and I have come down and spoken with thee there, and have kept back of the Spirit which is upon thee, and have put on them, and they have borne with thee some of the burden of the people, and thou dost not bear it thyself alone.

Smith's Literal Translation
And I came down and I spake with thee there; and I took from the spirit which is upon thee, and I put upon them, and they lifted up with thee in the debt of the people, and thou shalt not lift it up thyself alone.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
That I may come down and speak with thee: and I will take of thy spirit, and will give to them, that they may bear with thee the burden of the people, and thou mayest not be burthened alone.

Catholic Public Domain Version
so that I may descend and speak to you. And I will take from your spirit, and I will deliver it to them, so that, with you, they may sustain the burden of the people, and so that you will not be weighed down alone.

New American Bible
I will come down and speak with you there. I will also take some of the spirit that is on you and will confer it on them, that they may share the burden of the people with you. You will then not have to bear it by yourself.

New Revised Standard Version
I will come down and talk with you there; and I will take some of the spirit that is on you and put it on them; and they shall bear the burden of the people along with you so that you will not bear it all by yourself.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And I will come down and talk with you there; and I will take some of the spirit which is upon you, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I shall come down and I shall speak with you there and I shall take away from the Spirit that is upon you and I shall put it upon them and they shall bear with you in the burden of this people and you shall not bear it alone.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And I will come down and speak 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I will go down, and speak there with thee; and I will take of the spirit that is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear together with thee the burden of the people, and thou shalt not bear them alone.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Seventy Elders Anointed
16Then 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. 18And say to the people: Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you will eat meat, because you have cried out in the hearing of the LORD, saying: ‘Who will feed us meat? For we were better off in Egypt!’ Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you will eat.…

Cross References
Exodus 18:18-23
Surely you and these people with you will wear yourselves out, because the task is too heavy for you. You cannot handle it alone. / Now listen to me; I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their causes to Him. / Teach them the statutes and laws, and show them the way to live and the work they must do. ...

Deuteronomy 1:9-17
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. ...

1 Samuel 10:6
Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be transformed into a different person.

1 Samuel 16:13
So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

2 Kings 2:9-15
After they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken away from you?” “Please, let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. / “You have requested a difficult thing,” said Elijah. “Nevertheless, if you see me as I am taken from you, it will be yours. But if not, then it will not be so.” / As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind. ...

Isaiah 11:2
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.

Joel 2:28-29
And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. / Even on My menservants and maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Acts 2:17-18
‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. / Even on My menservants and maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

Acts 4:31
After they had prayed, their meeting place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Acts 6:3
Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them

Acts 10:44-45
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message. / All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.

Acts 11:15-17
As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, just as He had fallen upon us at the beginning. / Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ / So if God gave them the same gift He gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to hinder the work of God?”

Romans 8:9
You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

Romans 8:26-27
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. / And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.


Treasury of Scripture

And I will come down and talk with you there: and I will take of the spirit which is on you, and will put it on them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you bear it not yourself alone.

I will come

Numbers 11:25
And 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.

Numbers 12:5
And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.

Genesis 11:5
And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.

talk with

Numbers 12:8
With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

Genesis 17:3,22
And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, …

Genesis 18:20-22,33
And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; …

I will take

Numbers 27:18
And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him;

1 Samuel 10:6
And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.

2 Kings 2:9,15
And 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…

they shall

Exodus 18:22
And 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.

Acts 6:3,4
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business…

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Numbers 11
1. The burning at Taberah quenched by Moses' prayer
4. 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














And I will come down
This phrase signifies God's imminent presence and intervention. In the Hebrew context, "come down" (יָרַד, yarad) often indicates a divine action where God descends to interact with humanity. This is reminiscent of God's descent on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:20), emphasizing His willingness to engage directly with His people. It underscores the personal nature of God, who is not distant but actively involved in the lives of His chosen ones.

and speak with you there
The act of speaking (דָּבַר, dabar) in the Hebrew tradition is powerful, often associated with creation and revelation. God's communication with Moses is not just a transfer of information but a divine dialogue that conveys authority, guidance, and reassurance. This highlights the unique relationship between God and Moses, where God chooses to reveal His will directly, ensuring clarity and understanding.

and I will take some of the Spirit that is on you
The "Spirit" (רוּחַ, ruach) here refers to the divine empowerment given to Moses. In the Old Testament, the Spirit of God is often associated with wisdom, leadership, and prophetic ability. By stating that He will take "some of the Spirit," God is not diminishing Moses' capacity but rather extending the same divine enablement to others. This reflects the abundance of God's Spirit, which can be shared without being depleted.

and put the Spirit on them
This transfer of the Spirit signifies the sharing of leadership responsibilities. The Hebrew concept of "put" (נָתַן, natan) implies a deliberate and purposeful action by God. It is a divine ordination, equipping the seventy elders to assist Moses. This act of delegation is a model of shared leadership, emphasizing that God's work is often accomplished through a community of believers, each empowered by the Spirit.

They will help you bear the burden of the people
The word "burden" (מַשָּׂא, massa) conveys the weight of responsibility that Moses carried as the leader of Israel. By appointing others to share this burden, God acknowledges the limitations of human strength and the necessity of communal support. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to "carry each other’s burdens" (Galatians 6:2), highlighting the importance of mutual support within the body of Christ.

so that you do not have to bear it by yourself
This phrase underscores God's compassion and understanding of human frailty. The Hebrew word for "bear" (נָשָׂא, nasa) implies lifting or carrying a load. God's provision of helpers for Moses is an act of grace, ensuring that the leadership of His people is sustainable. It serves as a reminder that God does not intend for His servants to work in isolation but within a community, supported by others who share the same Spirit and mission.

(17) And I will come down . . . --The cloud which hovered over the Tabernacle appears to have descended to the entrance of it (Numbers 11:25). (Comp. Exodus 33:9; Numbers 12:5; Deuteronomy 31:15).

I will take of the spirit which is upon thee . . . --These words do not imply that there was any diminution of the gifts bestowed upon Moses, but that a portion of those spiritual gifts was bestowed upon the seventy. Rashi compares the mode of bestowal with the manner in which the other lamps of the Sanctuary were lighted at the golden candlestick without diminishing the light from which theirs was taken.

Verse 17 - I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them. The Holy Spirit is one and indivisible. But in the language of Scripture "the Spirit" often stands for the charismata, or gifts of the Spirit, and in this sense is freely spoken of as belonging to this or that man. So the "spirit of Elijah" (2 Kings 2:9, 15), which was transferred to Elisha, as it were, by bequest. It was not, therefore, the personal indwelling presence of the Holy Ghost in Moses which God caused him to share with the seventy elders, for that can in no ease be a matter of transfer or of arrangement, but simply those charismata or extraordinary gifts of the Spirit which Moses had hitherto enjoyed alone as the prophet of Israel. It is strange that in the face of the clear teaching of St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 12, 13, and in view of such cases as those of Saul (1 Samuel 10:10; 19:93) and David (1 Samuel 16:13), any difficulty should have been felt about this passage. They shall bear the burden of the people with thee. It does not appear how they were to do this, nor is there any record of their work. Their gifts, however, were spiritual, and we may probably assume that their usefulness lay in producing and maintaining a proper religious tone among the people. The real difficulty which stood in the way of Moses was not one of outward organization or of government, for that had been amply provided for; it lay in the bad tone which prevailed among the people, and threatened to destroy at any moment the very foundations of their national hope and safety. We may see in these seventy not indeed a Sanhedrim to exercise authority and discipline, but the first commencement of that prophetic order which afterwards played so large a part in the religious history of Israel and of the early Christian Church - an order designed kern the first to supplement by the freedom and originality of their ministry the more formal and unvarying offices of the priesthood. If this was the nature of their usefulness, it is not surprising that they are never mentioned again; and it is observable that a similar obscurity hangs over the activity of the prophets of the New Testament, who yet formed a most important part of the gospel regime (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:29-32; Ephesians 2:20).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And I will come down
וְיָרַדְתִּ֗י (wə·yā·raḏ·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

and speak
וְדִבַּרְתִּ֣י (wə·ḏib·bar·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

with you
עִמְּךָ֮ (‘im·mə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

there,
שָׁם֒ (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

and I will take
וְאָצַלְתִּ֗י (wə·’ā·ṣal·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 680: To lay aside, reserve, withdraw, withhold

some of
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the Spirit
הָר֛וּחַ (hā·rū·aḥ)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

who
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

is on
עָלֶ֖יךָ (‘ā·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

you and put
וְשַׂמְתִּ֣י (wə·śam·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

[that Spirit] upon them.
עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם (‘ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

They will help you bear
וְנָשְׂא֤וּ (wə·nā·śə·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

the burden
בְּמַשָּׂ֣א (bə·maś·śā)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4853: A burden, tribute, porterage, an utterance, chiefly a, doom, singing, mental, desire

of the people,
הָעָ֔ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

so that you
אַתָּ֖ה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

do not
וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

have to bear it
תִשָּׂ֥א (ṯiś·śā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

by yourself.
לְבַדֶּֽךָ׃ (lə·ḇad·de·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 905: Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of


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OT Law: Numbers 11:17 I will come down and talk (Nu Num.)
Numbers 11:16
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