Numbers 11:7-17

7 The manna was like coriander seed and looked like resin.
8 The people went around gathering it, and then ground it in a hand mill or crushed it in a mortar. They cooked it in a pot or made it into loaves. And it tasted like something made with olive oil.
9 When the dew settled on the camp at night, the manna also came down.
10 Moses heard the people of every family wailing at the entrance to their tents. The LORD became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled.
11 He asked the LORD, “Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me?
12 Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their ancestors?
13 Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’
14 I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me.
15 If this is how you are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me—if I have found favor in your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin.”
16 The LORD said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with you.
17 I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone.

Numbers 11:7-17 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 20

  • 1. S Exodus 16:31
  • 2. Genesis 2:12
  • 3. Exodus 16:16
  • 4. Exodus 16:13
  • 5. ver 4
  • 6. S Genesis 34:30
  • 7. S Exodus 5:22; S Exodus 18:18
  • 8. Isaiah 40:11; Isaiah 49:23; Isaiah 66:11,12
  • 9. Numbers 14:16
  • 10. S Genesis 12:7; Exodus 13:5
  • 11. S Exodus 12:37; John 6:5-9
  • 12. S Exodus 18:18
  • 13. Exodus 32:32
  • 14. 1 Kings 19:4; Job 6:9; Job 7:15-16; Job 9:21; Job 10:1; Isaiah 38:12; John 4:3
  • 15. S Exodus 3:16
  • 16. S Exodus 18:25
  • 17. S Exodus 40:2
  • 18. Exodus 19:20
  • 19. ver 25,29; 1 Samuel 10:6; 2 Kings 2:9,15; 2 Kings 3:12; Isaiah 32:15; Isaiah 40:5; Isaiah 63:11; Joel 2:28; Haggai 2:5
  • 20. S Exodus 18:18; Jeremiah 19:1
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.