Another matter, “Gather to Me seventy men” – when the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: “Gather to Me seventy men” – Moses said: ‘What shall I do? If I bring five from each and every tribe, they will not total a sum of seventy, they will total sixty. If I bring six from this tribe and five from that tribe, I will introduce jealousy between one tribe and another.’ What did he do?
He took seventy-two notes and wrote “elder” [on seventy of] them, and [took] an additional two blank notes, and mixed them in a receptacle. He said: ‘Come and take your note.’ One for whom a note on which “elder” was written entered his hand, would know that he was appointed to be an elder. If a blank entered his hand, he would know that he was not appointed.
The appointee says to him: ‘There is one note there on which elder is written, had you been worthy to be appointed it would have entered your hand.’ When he did so, the elders were appointed. Eldad and Meidad were there, and they excluded themselves: ‘We are not worthy to be included in the appointment of the elders.’ Because they excluded themselves, they were found superior to the elders in five respects.
The elders prophesied only the next day, as it is stated: “To the people say: Prepare yourselves for tomorrow” (Numbers 11:18), but these prophesied regarding what will transpire at the end of forty years, as it is stated: “Two men remained in the camp, [one named Eldad and the other Medad…and they prophesied in the camp]” (Numbers 11:26). What were they prophesying? Some say: It was regarding the downfall of Gog.
Some say: [That] Moses would die and Joshua would lead Israel into the Land. Know that Joshua says to Moses: “Joshua son of Nun spoke up…[my lord Moses, restrain them19From prophesying.]” (Numbers 11:28). “The lad ran and told Moses” (Numbers 11:27). Who was this?
It was Gershom son of Moses. The elders did not enter the Land, but Eldad and Meidad [entered]. Eldad is Elidad son of Kislon (Numbers 34:21) and Meidad is Kemuel son of Shiftan (Numbers 34:24). The elders, their names were not articulated.
The elders, their prophecy ceased, as it was from Moses, as it is stated: “I will draw from the spirit that is upon you” (Numbers 11:17). However, these, their prophetic spirit was from the Holy One blessed be He: “The spirit rested upon them” (Numbers 11:26). If you say: The elders that their prophecy was from Moses, perhaps [as a consequence] there was something lacking from Moses’s prophecy. No. To what is the matter comparable?
It is to a candle that was kindled. They kindled several candles from it, but the light of its flame was not diminished. Moses, too, had nothing lacking from his [prophecy], as it is stated: “There has not arisen another prophet in Israel like Moses” (Deuteronomy 34:10).