Numbers 16:22

16:22 Then they threw themselves down with their faces to the ground ¹  and said, “O God, the God of the spirits of all people, ²  will you be angry with the whole community when only one man sins?” ³ 

Numbers 27:16

27:16 “Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all humankind, ⁴  appoint ⁵  a man over the community,

Zechariah 12:1

The Repentance of Judah

12:1 The revelation of the word of the Lord concerning Israel: The Lord – he who stretches out the heavens and lays the foundations of the earth, who forms the human spirit within a person ⁶  – says,

Hebrews 12:9

12:9 Besides, we have experienced discipline from ⁷  our earthly fathers ⁸  and we respected them; shall we not submit ourselves all the more to the Father of spirits and receive life? ⁹ 

[16:22]  ¹ sn It is Moses and Aaron who prostrate themselves; they have the good of the people at heart.

[16:22]  ² tn The expression “the God of the spirits of all humanity [flesh]” is somewhat difficult. The Hebrew text says אֱלֹהֵי הָרוּחֹת לְכָל־בָּשָׂר (’elohey harukhot lÿkhol-basar). This expression occurs in Num 27:16 again. It also occurs in some postbiblical texts, a fact which has prompted some scholars to conclude that it is a late addition. The words clearly show that Moses is interceding for the congregation. The appeal in the verse is that it is better for one man to die for the whole nation than the whole nation for one man (see also John 11:50).

[16:22]  ³ tn The verb is the Qal imperfect יֶחֱטָא (yekheta’); it refers to the sinful rebellion of Korah, but Moses is stating something of a principle: “One man sins, and will you be angry….” A past tense translation would assume that this is a preterite use of the imperfect (without vav [ו] consecutive).

[27:16]  ⁴ tn Heb “flesh”; cf. NAB, NIV “all mankind”; NCV “all people”; NLT “all living things.”

[27:16]  ⁵ tn This is the same verb פָּקַד (paqad) that is used throughout the book for the aspect of “numbering” the people.

[12:1]  ⁶ tn Heb “who forms the spirit of man within him” (so NIV).

[12:9]  ⁷ tn Grk “we had our earthly fathers as discipliners.”

[12:9]  ⁸ tn Grk “the fathers of our flesh.” In Hebrews, “flesh” is a characteristic way of speaking about outward, physical, earthly life (cf. Heb 5:7; 9:10, 13), as opposed to the inward or spiritual dimensions of life.

[12:9]  ⁹ tn Grk “and live.”