Numbers 11:17

“And I will come down and talk with thee there, etc.] Descend from heaven, by some visible token of his power and presence, and in a friendly manner converse with him face to face; which was an instance of great condescension and grace, and especially when Moses had showed a very froward peevish spirit; yet all is overlooked, and the Lord vouchsafes the most intimate communion with him, and does him honour before the people: and I will take of the spirit which [is] upon thee; the spirit of government, and the spirit of prophecy, the gifts of the spirit qualifying for these things, of which Moses had a large measure: and will put [it] upon them; that is, gifts of the same kind with his; not…”

“I will come down--that is, not in a visible manner or by local descent, but by the tokens of the divine presence and operations. and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee--"The spirit" means the gifts and influences of the Spirit (Num 27:18; Joe 2:28; Joh 7:39; Co1 14:12), and by "taking the spirit of Moses, and putting it upon them," is not to be understood that the qualities of the great leader were to be in any degree impaired but that the elders would be endowed with a portion of the same gifts, especially of prophecy (Num 11:25) --that is, an extraordinary penetration in discovering hidden and settling difficult things.”

“Occurrences at Kibroth-hattavah. Numbers 11:4 The mixt multitude - The word in the original resembles our “riff-raff,” and denotes a mob of people scraped together. It refers here to the multitude of strangers (see Exodus 12:38) who had followed the Israelites from Egypt. Numbers 11:5 The natural dainties of Egypt are set forth in this passage with the fullness and relish which bespeak personal experience. Numbers 11:6-7 There is nothing at all ... - literally, “Nought at all have we except that our eyes are unto this manna;” i. e. “Nought else have we to expect beside this manna.” On the manna see Exodus 16:15 note; on bdellium see Genesis 2:12 note. Numbers 11:10 The weeping was general;…”

“I will come down - By my powerful presence and operation. I will put it on them - That is, I will give the same spirit to them which I have given to thee. But as the spirit was not conveyed to them from or through Moses, but immediately from God, so the spirit or its gifts were not by this means impaired in Moses. The spirit is here put for the gifts of the spirit, and particularly for the spirit of prophecy, whereby they were enabled, as Moses had been and still was, to discern hidden and future things, and resolve doubtful and difficult cases, which made them fit for government. It is observable, that God would not, and therefore men should not, call any persons to any office for which…”

“I will come: Num 11:25, Num 12:5; Gen 11:5, Gen 18:21; Exo 19:11, Exo 19:20, Exo 34:5; Joh 3:13 talk with: Num 12:8; Gen 17:3, Gen 17:22, Gen 18:20-22, Gen 18:33 I will take: Num 27:18; Sa1 10:6; Kg2 2:9, Kg2 2:15; Neh 9:20; Isa 44:3, Isa 59:20, Isa 59:21; Joe 2:28; Joh 7:39; Rom 8:9; Co1 2:12, Co1 12:4-11; Th1 4:8; Pe1 1:22; Jde 1:19 they shall: Exo 18:22; Act 6:3, Act 6:4 Numbers 11:18”