Numbers 11:31-34

31 Now a wind went out from the LORD and drove quail in from the sea. It scattered them up to two cubits[a] deep all around the camp, as far as a day’s walk in any direction.
32 All that day and night and all the next day the people went out and gathered quail. No one gathered less than ten homers.[b] Then they spread them out all around the camp.
33 But while the meat was still between their teeth and before it could be consumed, the anger of the LORD burned against the people, and he struck them with a severe plague.
34 Therefore the place was named Kibroth Hattaavah,[c] because there they buried the people who had craved other food.

Numbers 11:31-34 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 5

  • 1. S Exodus 16:13; Psalms 78:26-28
  • 2. Psalms 78:30
  • 3. Numbers 14:18; Deuteronomy 9:7; Judges 2:12; 2 Kings 22:17; Psalms 106:29; Jeremiah 44:3; Ezekiel 8:17
  • 4. S ver 18-20; Psalms 106:15; Isaiah 10:16
  • 5. Numbers 33:16; Deuteronomy 9:22

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. That is, about 3 feet or about 90 centimeters
  • [b]. That is, possibly about 1 3/4 tons or about 1.6 metric tons
  • [c]. "Kibroth Hattaavah" means "graves of craving" .
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