Numbers 11:1-5

The People Complain

1 Now the people became like 1those who complain of adversity 2in the hearing of the LORD; and when the LORD heard it, His anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp.
2 3The people therefore cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the LORD and the fire died out.
3 So the name of that place was called 4Taberah, because the fire of the LORD burned among them.
4 The 5rabble who were among them had greedy desires *; and also the sons of Israel wept again and said, "6Who will give us meat to eat?
5 "7We remember the fish which we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers and the melons and the leeks and the onions and the garlic,

Numbers 11:1-5 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 11

This chapter informs us of the complaints of the people of Israel, which brought the fire of the Lord upon them, and consumed many of them; and which, at the intercession of Moses, was quenched, and the place from thence called Taberah, Nu 11:1-3; and of the lusting of the mixed multitude after flesh, to increase which, they called to mind their food in Egypt; and to show their folly and ingratitude in so doing, the manna is described, Nu 11:4-9; and of the uneasiness of Moses, and his complaints of the heavy burden of the people upon him, Nu 11:10-15; and to make him easy, it is promised, that seventy of the elders of Israel should partake of his spirit, and assist in bearing the burden, Nu 11:16,17; and that the people should have flesh to serve them a whole month, Nu 11:18-20; at which last Moses expressed some degree of unbelief, Nu 11:21-23; however God fulfilled his promise with respect to both. Some of the spirit of Moses was taken and given to seventy elders, who prophesied, and two men are particularly taken notice of, who did so, Nu 11:24-30; quails in great numbers were brought by a wind to the people; but while they were eating them wrath came upon them, and they were smitten with a plague, whence the place was called Kibrothhattaavah, Nu 11:31-34; and from thence they removed to Hazeroth, Nu 11:35.

Cross References 7

  • 1. Numbers 14:2; Numbers 16:11; Numbers 17:5
  • 2. Numbers 11:18; Numbers 14:28
  • 3. Numbers 12:11, 13; Numbers 21:7
  • 4. Deuteronomy 9:22
  • 5. Exodus 12:38; 1 Corinthians 10:6
  • 6. Psalms 78:20
  • 7. Exodus 16:3

Footnotes 4

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