The Spirit in the Old Testament

Below are some instances of the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament. The common denominator is that people are chosen, called and anointed for service in the community by the Holy Spirit.

"Moses went out and told the people what Yahweh had said. Then he collected seventy of the people's elders and stationed them round the Tent. Yahweh descended in the cloud. He spoke to him and took some of the spirit which is on him and put it on the seventy elders. When the spirit came on them they prophesied – but only once. (Numbers 11: 24 25)

"The Israelites wept for Moses on the plains of Moab for thirty days. The days of weeping for the mourning rites of Moses came to an end. Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him, and him the Israelites obeyed, carrying out the order which Yahweh had given to Moses." (Deuteronomy 34: 8-9)

"And the Spirit of Yahweh clothed Gideon around; he sounded the horn and Abiezer rallied behind him." (Judges 6: 34)

"The Spirit of Yahweh was on Jephthah, who crossed Gilead and Manasseh, crossed by way of Mizpah in Gilead, and from Mizpah in Gilead crossed into Ammonite territory." (Judges 11: 29)

"The Spirit of Yahweh will then seize on you, and you will go into ecstasy with them, and be changed into another man. When these signs have occurred, act as occasion serves, for God is with you." (1 Samuel 10: 6-8)

"From there, they came to Gibeah; and there was a group of prophets coming to meet him! The Spirit of God seized on him and he fell into ecstasy with them. Seeing him prophesying with the prophets, all the people who had known him previously said to one another…. Is Saul one of the prophets too?" (1 Samuel10: 10)

"Yahweh said, 'Get up and anoint him: he is the one!' At this, Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him, surrounded by his brothers; and the spirit of Yahweh seized on David from that day onwards." (1 Samuel 16: 13)

"Now the Spirit of Yahweh had withdrawn from Saul, and an evil spirit of Yahweh afflicted him with terrors." (1 Samuel 16: 14)

"News was then brought to David, 'The Philistines are besieging Keilah and plundering the threshing floors.' David consulted Yahweh, ' Shall I go and fight these Philistines?' Yahweh replied to David, 'Go and fight the Philistines and save Keilah." (1 Samuel 23:2)

"The Spirit of Yahweh speaks through me, his word is on my tongue; the God of Jacob has spoken, the Rock of Israel has said to me…" (2 Samuel 23: 2)