Numbers 11:22

22 If we killed all the flocks and herds, that would not be enough. If we caught all the fish in the sea, that would not be enough."

Numbers 11:22 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 11:22

Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice
them?
&c.] Suggesting that if all their cattle, their sheep, and oxen were killed, which they and the mixed multitude brought out of Egypt, they would not be sufficient for them to live upon a whole month; and intimating also, that it would be an unwise thing, and very improper, to slay them all, were they sufficient, since then they would have none for sacrifice, or to breed when they came into the land of Canaan; the Targum of Jonathan is,

``shall the sheep that are in Arabia and the oxen that are in Nabatea be slain for them, and be sufficient for them?''

or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them to
suffice them?
of the great sea, as Jonathan; which, to gather together, is, humanly speaking, impossible; indeed, if it could be done, they would not suffice such a number of people a month together: Moses takes notice only of the flesh of beasts and of fishes, and seems not to have thought of the flesh of fowls with which, and not the other, the Lord afterwards fed them a whole month.

Numbers 11:22 In-Context

20 but you will eat that meat for a whole month. You will eat it until it comes out your nose, and you will grow to hate it. This is because you have rejected the Lord, who is with you. You have cried to him, saying, "Why did we ever leave Egypt?"' "

21 Moses said, "Lord, here are six hundred thousand people standing around me, and you say, 'I will give them enough meat to eat for a month!'

22 If we killed all the flocks and herds, that would not be enough. If we caught all the fish in the sea, that would not be enough."

23 But the Lord said to Moses, "Do you think I'm weak? Now you will see if I can do what I say."

24 So Moses went out to the people and told them what the Lord had said. He gathered seventy of the older leaders together and had them stand around the Tent.