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.
Numbers 11:17 · King James Version
Meaning
These words from the Book of Numbers Chapter 11, verse 17 were spoken by God to Moses. In this verse, God promises to come down and talk with Moses to address the burden of leadership he was facing. God tells Moses that He will take some of the spirit that is upon him and bestow it upon others so that they can help bear the burden of the people alongside him. This shows the compassion of God towards Moses, understanding the weight of responsibility that Moses was carrying alone. By sharing his spirit with others, God is providing support and assistance to Moses in his leadership role. This verse highlights the importance of community, teamwork, and sharing the responsibilities of leadership. It also serves as a reminder that we should not bear our burdens alone, but seek help and support from others.
Theological Overview
In this verse from Numbers 11:17, the theological interpretation emphasizes the concept of God's empowerment and delegation of authority. God promises to come down to speak with Moses and take some of the spirit that is upon him to share with others. This signifies the transfer of leadership responsibilities from Moses to a group of chosen individuals who will help him bear the burden of the people. The act of sharing the spirit signifies God's approval and anointing of these individuals to assist Moses in his mission. The phrase "that thou bear it not thyself alone" highlights the importance of community and collaboration in fulfilling God's purposes. Through the theological lens, this verse teaches us about the importance of teamwork and divine enablement in carrying out God's work on earth.
Numbers 11:17 in other translations
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.
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 not bear it yourself alone.
Douay-Rheims
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.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And I will come downe, and talke with thee there, and take of the Spirite, which is vpon thee, and put vpon them, and they shall beare the burthen of the people with thee: so thou shalt not beare it alone.