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 11:17KJV
Know the Bible

Numbers 11:17 (KJV)

What does Numbers 11:17 mean?

Numbers 11:17 describes God telling Moses that He will share some of the spirit that is on Moses with other leaders, so they can help Moses carry the responsibilities of leading the people. God promises that Moses will no longer have to bear the burden of the people alone.

In this verse, God is speaking directly to Moses during a time when Moses feels overwhelmed by the demands of leading the Israelites. God’s solution is to appoint other leaders to share the load, making it clear that leadership and care for the people are meant to be shared. This moment shows God’s practical provision for Moses and highlights the importance of shared responsibility.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 11:17

  • The word "spirit" (רוּחַ, ruach) often means breath, wind, or spirit. Here, it refers to the special empowering presence or ability that God has given Moses, which God will now also give to the other leaders.
  • The verb "bear" (נָשָׂא, nasa) means to lift, carry, or bear. The verse uses this word to show that the leaders will help carry the heavy load of caring for the people, not just in a physical sense but in responsibility and leadership.
  • The word "burden" (מַשָּׂא, massa) means a load or something carried. In this context, it points to the weight of leadership and the challenges Moses faces with the people.

Why Numbers 11:17 matters

  • Numbers 11:17 clears up the idea that Moses was meant to lead the people entirely on his own; instead, it shows that God values shared leadership and teamwork.
  • The verse emphasizes that God’s spirit or empowering presence is not limited to one person but can be given to many for the good of the community.
  • This verse connects to the wider story by showing how God responds to human weakness and provides practical help when leaders are overwhelmed.

Where else these words appear

“take” Hebrew H680 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 27:36 And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?
  • 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.
  • Ecclesiastes 2:10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.

“burden” Hebrew H4853 · used in 60 verses

  • Exodus 23:5 If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.
  • 2 Chronicles 20:25 And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.
  • Isaiah 23:1 The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.