אֶלְדָּד (el.dad)
el.dad
Eldad
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Eldad is a proper name meaning "God has loved," appearing only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both within the eleventh chapter of Numbers. The text identifies him as one of two men, along with Medad, who remained in the camp rather than joining the seventy elders at the tent of meeting. Despite their absence from the official gathering, the Spirit rested upon them, and they began to prophesy.
This brief mention highlights a distinctive theological point: divine inspiration is not confined to established leadership structures or specific locations. When Joshua expressed concern that Eldad and Medad should be stopped, Moses responded with a desire for all of God’s people to receive the Spirit. The narrative uses these two figures to illustrate that God’s power can flow through anyone He chooses, regardless of their official status.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Eldad means "God has loved," a quiet reminder that divine affection is not limited by titles or locations. In Numbers, he and Medad stayed behind while others gathered at the tent, yet the Spirit still rested on them. This story shows that God’s presence does not depend on being in the right place or holding the right position.
When Joshua worried about this unexpected activity, Moses replied with a wish that all of God’s people might prophesy. It is a comforting thought for anyone who feels distant from formal religious structures. Your value before God is not determined by your official role, but by His love and choice. You are seen and known exactly where you are.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [was] Eldad1×
- Eldad1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֶלְדָּ֣ד1×
- אֶלְדָּ֡ד1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 11:26
But two men remained in the camp. The name of one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad; and the Spirit rested on them. They were of those who were written, but had not gone out to the Tent; and they prophesied in the camp.
This verse establishes that Eldad received the Spirit despite remaining in the camp, showing divine empowerment is not restricted to the official gathering place.
-
Numbers 11:27
A young man ran, and told Moses, and said, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp!”
Here the news of Eldad’s prophecy reaches Moses, highlighting the tension between established leadership and unexpected spiritual outpourings.