Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’ aide since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!” New Living Translation Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’ assistant since his youth, protested, “Moses, my master, make them stop!” English Standard Version And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, “My lord Moses, stop them.” Berean Standard Bible Joshua son of Nun, the attendant to Moses since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!” Berean Literal Bible And Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant from his youth, answered and said, “My lord Moses, restrain them.” King James Bible And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. New King James Version So Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, one of his choice men, answered and said, “Moses my lord, forbid them!” New American Standard Bible Then Joshua the son of Nun, the personal servant of Moses from his youth, responded and said, “My lord Moses, restrain them!” NASB 1995 Then Joshua the son of Nun, the attendant of Moses from his youth, said, “Moses, my lord, restrain them.” NASB 1977 Then Joshua the son of Nun, the attendant of Moses from his youth, answered and said, “Moses, my lord, restrain them.” Legacy Standard Bible Then Joshua the son of Nun, the attendant of Moses from his youth, said, “Moses, my lord, restrain them.” Amplified Bible Then Joshua the son of Nun, the attendant of Moses from his youth, said, “My lord Moses, stop them!” Berean Annotated Bible Joshua (YHWH saves) son of Nun (fish / posterity), the attendant to Moses (drawn out) since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them! Christian Standard Bible Joshua son of Nun, assistant to Moses since his youth, responded, “Moses, my lord, stop them! ” Holman Christian Standard Bible Joshua son of Nun, assistant to Moses since his youth, responded, “Moses, my lord, stop them!” American Standard Version And Joshua the son of Nun, the minister of Moses, one of his chosen men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. Contemporary English Version Joshua was there helping Moses, as he had done since he was young. And he said to Moses, "Sir, you must stop them!" English Revised Version And Joshua the son of Nun, the minister of Moses, one of his chosen men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. GOD'S WORD® Translation So Joshua, son of Nun, who had been Moses' assistant ever since he was a young man, spoke up and said, "Stop them, sir!" Good News Translation Then Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses' helper since he was a young man, spoke up and said to Moses, "Stop them, sir!" International Standard Version In response, Nun's son Joshua, Moses' attendant and one of his choice men, exclaimed, "My master Moses! Stop them!" NET Bible Joshua son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his choice young men, said, "My lord Moses, stop them!" New Heart English Bible Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his chosen men, answered, "My lord Moses, forbid them." Webster's Bible Translation And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord, Moses, forbid them. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleJoshua son of Nun, the attendant to Moses since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!” World English Bible Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his chosen men, answered, “My lord Moses, forbid them!” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Joshua son of Nun, minister of Moses, [one] of his young men, answers and says, “My lord Moses, restrain them.” Berean Literal Bible And Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant from his youth, answered and said, “My lord Moses, restrain them.” Young's Literal Translation And Joshua son of Nun, minister of Moses, one of his young men, answereth and saith, 'My lord Moses, restrain them.' Smith's Literal Translation And Joshua, son of Nun, serving Moses from his chosen, will answer and say, My lord Moses, restrain them. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleForthwith Josue the son of Nun, the minister of Moses, and chosen out of many, said: My lord Moses forbid them. Catholic Public Domain Version Promptly, Joshua the son of Nun, the minister of Moses and chosen from many, said: “My lord Moses, prohibit them.” New American Bible Joshua, son of Nun, who from his youth had been Moses’ aide, said, “My lord, Moses, stop them.” New Revised Standard Version And Joshua son of Nun, the assistant of Moses, one of his chosen men, said, “My lord Moses, stop them!” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Joshua the son of Nun, who had ministered to Moses from his youth, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Husha Bar Nun the Servant of Moshe from his childhood answered and said to him: “My Lord Moshe, forbid them.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Joshua the son of Nun, the minister of Moses from his youth up, answered and said: 'My lord Moses, shut them in.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And Joshua the son of Naue, who attended on Moses, the chosen one, said, My lord Moses, forbid them. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Seventy Elders Anointed…27A young man ran and reported to Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” 28Joshua son of Nun, the attendant to Moses since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!” 29But Moses replied, “Are you jealous on my account? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would place His Spirit on them!”… Cross References Joshua son of Nun, Joshua 1:1 Now after the death of His servant Moses, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying, Numbers 13:16 These were the names of the men Moses sent to spy out the land; and Moses gave to Hoshea son of Nun the name Joshua. Exodus 17:9-10 So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on the hilltop with the staff of God in my hand.” / Joshua did as Moses had instructed him and fought against the Amalekites, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. the attendant to Moses since youth, Exodus 33:11 Thus the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun would not leave the tent. Exodus 24:13 So Moses set out with Joshua his attendant and went up on the mountain of God. Deuteronomy 31:7-8 Then Moses called for Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you will go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance. / The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” spoke up and said, Numbers 14:6-9 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes / and said to the whole congregation of Israel, “The land we passed through and explored is an exceedingly good land. / If the LORD delights in us, He will bring us into this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and He will give it to us. … Joshua 24:15 But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!” 1 Samuel 17:32 And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail on account of this Philistine. Your servant will go and fight him!” “Moses, my lord, Numbers 12:11-12 and said to Moses, “My lord, please do not hold against us this sin we have so foolishly committed. / Please do not let her be like a stillborn infant whose flesh is half consumed when he comes out of his mother’s womb.” Exodus 32:22 “Do not be enraged, my lord,” Aaron replied. “You yourself know that the people are intent on evil. 1 Samuel 25:24 She fell at his feet and said, “My lord, may the blame be on me alone, but please let your servant speak to you; hear the words of your servant. stop them!” Luke 9:49-50 “Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.” / “Do not stop him,” Jesus replied, “for whoever is not against you is for you.” Mark 9:38-40 John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone else driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.” / “Do not stop him,” Jesus replied. “For no one who performs a miracle in My name can turn around and speak evil of Me. / For whoever is not against us is for us. Acts 5:38-39 So in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone. Let them go! For if their purpose or endeavor is of human origin, it will fail. / But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.” Deuteronomy 34:9 Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites obeyed him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses. Treasury of Scripture And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. Joshua Exodus 17:9 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. My Lord Mark 9:38,39 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us… Luke 9:49,50 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us… John 3:26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. Jump to Previous Aide Attendant Child Chosen Restrain Servant Shut Stop Stopped Time Young YouthJump to Next Aide Attendant Child Chosen Restrain Servant Shut Stop Stopped Time Young YouthNumbers 11 1. The burning at Taberah quenched by Moses' prayer4. The people crave meat, and loathe manna 10. Moses complains of his charge 16. God promises to divide his burden unto seventy elders, 18. and to give the people meat for a month 21. Moses' faith is staggered 31. Quails are given in wrath at Kibroth Hattaavah Joshua son of Nun Joshua, the son of Nun, is a significant figure in the Old Testament. He is from the tribe of Ephraim and is first introduced in Exodus 17:9 as a military leader. Joshua's role as Moses' successor is foreshadowed here, as he later leads the Israelites into the Promised Land. His name, meaning "Yahweh is salvation," is the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek name Jesus, making him a type of Christ as a deliverer of God's people. the attendant to Moses since youth spoke up and said “Moses, my lord, stop them!” Persons / Places / Events 1. Joshua son of NunJoshua is a key figure in the Old Testament, known for his role as Moses' assistant and later as the leader who would bring the Israelites into the Promised Land. His loyalty and dedication to Moses are evident in this passage. 2. Moses The central leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. Moses is a prophet and mediator between God and the Israelites. 3. The Tent of Meeting This is the place where Moses would meet with God, and where the Spirit of God would descend. It is a significant location for divine encounters and revelations. 4. The Seventy Elders Earlier in Numbers 11, God instructs Moses to gather seventy elders to help bear the burden of leadership. The Spirit of God rests upon them, enabling them to prophesy. 5. Eldad and Medad Two of the seventy elders who remained in the camp and prophesied, causing Joshua's concern. Their prophesying outside the Tent of Meeting was unusual and prompted Joshua's reaction. Teaching Points Loyalty and ZealJoshua's reaction demonstrates his loyalty to Moses and his zeal for maintaining order. While his intentions were good, it is important to discern God's broader work beyond our understanding. God's Sovereignty in Leadership The incident with Eldad and Medad shows that God can choose to work through unexpected people and situations. We should remain open to God's sovereign choices in leadership and ministry. The Role of the Holy Spirit The Spirit's empowerment of the seventy elders, including Eldad and Medad, illustrates that God's Spirit is not confined to specific locations or people. This challenges us to recognize and affirm the Spirit's work in diverse contexts. Humility in Leadership Moses' response to Joshua's concern (not quoted here) reflects humility and a desire for all of God's people to be filled with His Spirit. Leaders should cultivate a spirit of humility and encouragement. Encouraging Others' Gifts We should encourage and support the spiritual gifts and callings of others, even when they manifest in unexpected ways. This fosters a community where God's work is celebrated. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Numbers 11:28?2. How does Numbers 11:28 illustrate the importance of respecting spiritual leadership today? 3. What can we learn from Joshua's loyalty to Moses in Numbers 11:28? 4. How does Numbers 11:28 connect to Hebrews 13:17 on obeying leaders? 5. In what ways can we support our spiritual leaders as Joshua did? 6. How can we cultivate a heart of service like Joshua in Numbers 11:28? 7. Why did Joshua ask Moses to stop Eldad and Medad from prophesying in Numbers 11:28? 8. What does Numbers 11:28 reveal about leadership and authority in the Israelite community? 9. How does Numbers 11:28 challenge our understanding of spiritual gifts and their distribution? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 11? 11. What is the main theme of the Book of Numbers? 12. Who were Eldad and Medad in the Bible? 13. Numbers 11:14-15 describes Moses' despair; how consistent is this with the idea of Moses as a faith-driven leader elsewhere in the Torah? 14. Why did spies visit Rahab in Jericho? What Does Numbers 11:28 Mean Joshua son of Nun- This is the same Joshua who will later lead Israel into the Promised Land (Joshua 1:1-2). - We already met him fighting Amalek under Moses’ command (Exodus 17:9-13) and standing among the twelve spies (Numbers 13:8, 16). - His name appears here to signal that a trusted, future leader is reacting; his perspective matters for grasping the scene’s weight. the attendant to Moses since youth - Joshua served Moses closely “since youth,” a phrase echoed in Exodus 24:13 and Exodus 33:11, depicting decades of loyal apprenticeship. - Such service models faithful discipleship long before Jesus calls the Twelve (Mark 3:14). - By highlighting Joshua’s long-term devotion, the verse shows his instinct to defend Moses’ unique authority, just as Elisha later guards Elijah’s mantle (2 Kings 2:3-6). spoke up and said - Joshua does not grumble in private; he “spoke up,” showing transparent concern—open rebuke is better than hidden resentment (Proverbs 27:5). - The courage to address Moses directly illustrates that true loyalty is willing to voice perceived threats to God-given order (compare Acts 15:5 where committed believers raise an issue publicly). “Moses, my lord, stop them!” - The context is Eldad and Medad prophesying outside the appointed gathering (Numbers 11:26-27). Joshua fears unauthorized voices may fracture unity, much like later disciples forbid a man casting out demons in Jesus’ name (Mark 9:38-40). - His plea shows: • Zeal for purity of leadership—reminiscent of Uzziah’s guard stopping anyone but priests from offering incense (2 Chronicles 26:18). • Limited understanding of how freely God can distribute His Spirit—anticipating Paul’s reminder that “there are different gifts, but the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). - Moses answers, “Are you jealous on my behalf? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets” (Numbers 11:29), revealing divine generosity that transcends human boundary lines, a generosity later poured out at Pentecost (Acts 2:17-18). summary Numbers 11:28 captures Joshua’s sincere but narrow-minded zeal to safeguard Moses’ authority. His lifelong loyalty prompts him to protect what he perceives as sacred order, yet Moses’ reply teaches that God’s Spirit is not limited to official channels. The verse therefore encourages respect for God-appointed leaders while warning against spiritual exclusivism, pointing us to celebrate every authentic work the Lord chooses to do among His people. (28) My lord Moses, forbid them.--The motive which prompted Joshua in making this request appears to have been similar to that which led St. John to forbid the man to cast out devils who did not follow with the Apostles (Mark 9:38-39; Luke 9:49-50). But as the man did not cast out devils in his own name, but in that of Christ, so in this case Eldad and Medad prophesied in virtue of the spirit which rested upon them from above, of which the Holy Ghost, not Moses, was the giver. The motives which deterred Eldad and Medad from going to the tent of meeting are unknown. The history teaches the freeness and the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit's influences, as afterwards did that of Cornelius, when the Holy Ghost fell upon him and upon those who were with him, previously to the reception of baptism, and they spoke with tongues and magnified God (Acts 10:44-48).Verse 28. - Joshua the son of Nun. See on Exodus 17:9. As before, he is called Joshua by anticipation. One of his young men. This implies that there were others who to some extent shared his duties towards Moses; but that Joshua stood in a peculiar relation to his master is evident from Exodus 24:13 and Exodus 32:17, as well as from this passage itself. My lord Moses, forbid them. Probably he did not know that they had been enrolled, and he was naturally jealous for the honour of Moses - a jealousy which was not at all unnecessary, as the events of the next chapter proved. The prophesying of Eldad and Medad in the camp might well seem like the setting up of an independent authority, not in harmony with that of Moses.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Joshuaיְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ (yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3091: Joshua -- 'the LORD is salvation', Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Israelites son בִּן־ (bin-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1121: A son of Nun, נ֗וּן (nūn) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 5126: Nun -- father of Joshua the attendant מְשָׁרֵ֥ת (mə·šā·rêṯ) Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular construct Strong's 8334: To attend as a, menial, worshipper, to contribute to to Moses מֹשֶׁ֛ה (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver since youth, מִבְּחֻרָ֖יו (mib·bə·ḥu·rāw) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 979: Youth spoke up וַיַּ֜עַן (way·ya·‘an) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6030: To answer, respond and said, וַיֹּאמַ֑ר (way·yō·mar) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “Moses, מֹשֶׁ֖ה (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver my lord, אֲדֹנִ֥י (’ă·ḏō·nî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller stop them!” כְּלָאֵֽם׃ (kə·lā·’êm) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 3607: To shut up, restrain, withhold Links Numbers 11:28 NIVNumbers 11:28 NLT Numbers 11:28 ESV Numbers 11:28 NASB Numbers 11:28 KJV Numbers 11:28 BibleApps.com Numbers 11:28 Biblia Paralela Numbers 11:28 Chinese Bible Numbers 11:28 French Bible Numbers 11:28 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 11:28 Joshua the son of Nun the minister (Nu Num.) |
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