Home/Topics/Inspiration

What the Bible Says About Inspiration

Overview

The Bible addresses inspiration across 20 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Numbers, Exodus and Luke. Closely related themes include Desert, Journey of Israel Through The, Courts of Justice, Manna and Jury. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Moses and Joshua.

Key Bible verses about inspiration

Old Testament

Numbers

Numbers 11:16

And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.

Numbers 11:17

And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.

Numbers 11:18

And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat.

Numbers 11:19

Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days;

Numbers 11:20

But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt? whole: Heb. month of days

Numbers 11:21

And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month.

Numbers 11:22

Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them?

Numbers 11:23

And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD'S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.

Numbers 11:24

And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the LORD, and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the tabernacle.

Numbers 11:25

And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.

Numbers 11:26

But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp.

Numbers 11:27

And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp.

Numbers 11:28

And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them.

Numbers 11:29

And Moses said unto 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!

People in the Bible and inspiration

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying inspiration for yourself

  • Begin with Exodus 25:21, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Numbers, Exodus and Luke each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Moses and Joshua and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Desert, Journey of Israel Through The, Courts of Justice, Manna and Jury.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about inspiration?

The Bible addresses inspiration across 20 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Numbers, Exodus and Luke. Closely related themes include Desert, Journey of Israel Through The, Courts of Justice, Manna and Jury. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Moses and Joshua.

How many Bible verses are about inspiration?

The Bible references inspiration in 20 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention inspiration?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Exodus 25:21: “And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.”

Which people in the Bible are associated with inspiration?

Moses and Joshua.

Preach & teach

Outline a sermon or build a study series on inspiration.

Preach a series on Inspiration