Eldad אֶלְדָּד
Prophet who prophesied in the Israelite camp
Who is Eldad in the Bible?
Eldad was one of the seventy elders chosen by Moses to help bear the burden of leading Israel during their wilderness journey (Numbers 11:26). When God's Spirit descended upon the elders, they prophesied; however, Eldad and another man named Medad were not at the tent of meeting but instead prophesied in the camp itself (Numbers 11:27). When Joshua reported this to Moses and urged him to stop them, Moses responded that he wished all the Lord's people were prophets, indicating his approval of their actions. This incident demonstrates the unexpected and widespread nature of God's Spirit working beyond official structures, showing that God's power and calling cannot be confined to designated locations or people.
Biography
Eldad is mentioned in Num.11.26-27 as one of the seventy elders chosen by Moses to share the burden of leadership. When the Spirit rested upon the elders, they prophesied. However, Eldad and another man named Medad were not with the others at the tent of meeting but prophesied in the camp. Joshua urged Moses to stop them, but Moses replied that he wished all the Lord's people were prophets. This incident highlights the unexpected and widespread nature of the Spirit's work.
In Scripture
1 biblical bookNumbers 2 verses
- Numbers 11:26
"Two men, however, had remained in the camp—one named Eldad and the other Medad—and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those listed, but they had not gone out to the tent, and they prophesied in the camp."
- Numbers 11:27
"A young man ran and reported to Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.”"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אֶלְדָּד |
Eldad
panion Medad were not present with the rest at the tent of meeting, yet the Spirit rested also upon them and they prophesied in the camp (Nu 11:26-29).
In the Septuagint they are called Eldad and Modad. In the King James Version the names are given as Eldad and Medad; meaning "God has loved" ("God loves") and "object of love"