Medad

Medad and Eldad - - we read of these men on whom the Spirit of the Lord came, Num. xi. 26, 27. If the former name be derived from Madad, it means he that measures; but more probably it is a compound word of Me, waters - - and Duad, love. Eldad is a compound also of El, God; and Dod, love. A reference to the Scripture will give their history, which is but short.

Me´dad and El´dad, two of the seventy elders who were nominated to assist Moses in the government of the people, but who remained in the camp, probably as modestly deeming themselves unfit for the office, when the others presented themselves at the Tabernacle. The Divine spirit, however, rested on them even there, ’and they prophesied in the camp’ (Num 11:24-29). The Targum of Jonathan alleges that these two men were brothers of Moses and Aaron by the mother’s side.

See ELDAD.\par

Me’dad. Eldad and Medad. (love). See Eldad.

[Me’dad]

One of the seventy elders on whom the Spirit rested, and who prophesied. Num 11:26-27.

MEDAD.—See Eldad.

mē´dad (מידד, mēdhādh, “affectionate”): One of the 70 elders on whom the spirit of the Lord came in the days of Moses enabling them to prophesy. Medad and one other, Eldad, began to prophesy in the camp, away from the other elders who had assembled at the door of the tabernacle to hear God’s message. Joshua suggested that Eldad and Medad be stopped, but Moses interceded on their behalf, saying, “Would that all Yahweh’s people were prophets!” (Num 11:26-29). The subject-matter of their prophecy has been variously supplied by tradition. Compare the Palestine Targums at the place, the apocalyptic Book of Eldad and Modad, and Ba‛al ha-ṭūrı̄m (ad loc.).