The LORD said to Moses, “Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; and bring them to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 16. Seventy men. This was the first institution of the council or senate, called the Sanhedrim, consisting of seventy, or seventy-two senators or counselors. Challoner.—Calmet calls this in question. Dissert. on the Police, and so forth Moses chose these senators from among the officers, whom he had before set over the people, (Exodus 18) or from those who had superintended their affairs in Egypt, according to the Rabbins, (Exodus 3:14,) who say that the traditions explaining the law were entrusted to them. Jarchi, and so forth—Ancients; a title of authority in the East. See Genesis 50:7. It was not so necessary that they should be far advanced in year, as that they should be men of prudence and of consummate virtue. These qualifications received a great increase, when they were filled with the spirit of God. Calmet.—They were thus authorized to decide controversies peremptorily, and to consult God, like Moses, being endued also with a prophetic spirit. Menochius.