And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them.

NUMBERS 11:28KJV
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Numbers 11:28 (KJV)

What does Numbers 11:28 mean?

Numbers 11:28 describes Joshua, Moses’ assistant, urging Moses to stop two men from prophesying. Joshua, loyal to Moses, is concerned that others speaking as prophets might challenge Moses’ unique leadership.

In this scene, Joshua (the son of Nun) speaks up because he sees Eldad and Medad, two men not with the main group of elders, prophesying in the camp. Joshua addresses Moses respectfully as “my lord” and asks him to “forbid them,” showing both his respect for Moses’ authority and his discomfort with others sharing in the prophetic experience.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 11:28

  • אֲדֹנִי (’adoní, “my lord”): Joshua uses this respectful term for Moses, highlighting Moses’ authority and Joshua’s deference.
  • כְּלָאֵם (kela’em, “forbid them”): This verb means to restrain or stop. Joshua is not just asking Moses to object, but to actively prevent Eldad and Medad from continuing their prophetic activity.

Why Numbers 11:28 matters

  • Numbers 11:28 shows Joshua’s protective attitude toward Moses’ leadership, revealing concerns about authority and the sharing of spiritual gifts among the people.
  • The verse sets up Moses’ response in the next verse, where Moses expresses a generous spirit, wishing all God’s people could prophesy, which contrasts with Joshua’s more exclusive view.
  • This moment highlights early tensions about leadership, authority, and the distribution of God’s Spirit among the Israelites, themes that echo throughout the rest of the Bible.

Where else these words appear

“men” Hebrew H979 · used in 3 verses

  • Ecclesiastes 11:9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
  • Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

“forbid” Hebrew H3607 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 8:2 The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained;
  • Psalms 40:9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
  • Isaiah 43:6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

“Nun” Hebrew H5126 · used in 30 verses

  • Exodus 33:11 And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.
  • Numbers 32:28 So concerning them Moses commanded Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the chief fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel:
  • Joshua 14:1 And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them.

“servant” Hebrew H8334 · used in 92 verses

  • Genesis 39:4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
  • 2 Samuel 13:17 Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.
  • Esther 1:10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,