Numbers 11:27

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 11:27 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp.
Numbers 11:27 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
27And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And there ran a young man, etc.] From the camp to the tabernacle, who had heard Eldad and Medad prophesy; which he thought was not right, being done without the knowledge and approbation of Moses, and in a private tent in the tabernacle, not among the elders, but the common people: who this young than was is not material to know; some of the Rabbins, as Jarchi says, affirm he was Gershon the son of Moses; whoever he was, no doubt, it was with a good design, consulting the glory of God and the honour of Moses, and therefore in great haste ran to him with the information: and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp; who seem by this, to be persons well known, and of some…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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;…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Told Moses - Fearing lest his authority should be diminished by their prophesying; and thereby taking authority to themselves without his consent. Numbers 11:28”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification