MEDAD and Eldad: These two Men were of the Number of those, whom God had inspired with his holy Spirit, to assist Moses in the Government of his People. Numb. xi. 29, 30.They happening to continue in the Camp, and not to go to the Tabernacle with the rest, in Order to receive the Spirit of God; did however receive it in the Camp, where they prophesied. Presently a young Man ran to Moses, whom the Jews believe to be his Son Gershon, and informed him that Eldad and Medad prophesied in the Camp. Upon which Joshua immediately addressed himself to Moses, desiring him to restrain them. But Moses answered him, Enviest thou for my Sake? Would God that all the Lord’s People were Prophets, and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them. The Jews pretend, that Eldad and Medad were Brothers by the Mother’s Side to Moses, and Sons of Jochebed and Elizaphan. Others will have it1, that Amram the Father of Moses, having divorced his Wife Jochebed, married another Wife, by whom he had Eldad and Medad. St. Jerome2 says they continued in the Camp out of a Spirit of Humility, as thinking themselves not worthy of the Honour that was intended them. Some ancient Impostor had composed a Book under the Name of Eldad and Medad, of which a Fragment is preserved in Hermas3. The Lord is near to those who are converted, as it is written in Heldam and Modal, who prophesied to the People in the Wilderness. The Rabbins are divided about the Subject of their Prophesies. Some say they prophesied concerning Gog and Magog; others about the Quails that the Israelites were quickly to receive; others that they foretold the Death of Moses, and that Joshua would become the Head of all Israel.
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