Numbers 11:31-35

Quail and a Plague

31 Then a 1wind from the LORD sprang up, and it brought quail from the sea and let them fall beside the camp, about a day's journey on this side and a day's journey on the other side, around the camp, and about two cubits[a] above the ground.
32 And the people rose all that day and all night and all the next day, and gathered the quail. Those who gathered least gathered ten 2homers.[b] And they spread them out for themselves all around the camp.
33 3While the meat was yet between their teeth, before it was consumed, the anger of the LORD was kindled against the people, and 4the LORD struck down the people with a very great plague.
34 Therefore the name of that place was called 5Kibroth-hattaavah,[c] because there they buried the people who had the craving.
35 6From Kibroth-hattaavah the people journeyed to 7Hazeroth, and they remained at 8Hazeroth.

Numbers 11:31-35 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 8

  • 1. Exodus 16:13; Psalms 78:26-28; Psalms 105:40
  • 2. Exodus 16:36; [Ezekiel 45:11]
  • 3. Psalms 78:30, 31
  • 4. [Numbers 16:49]
  • 5. Deuteronomy 9:22
  • 6. Numbers 33:17
  • 7. Numbers 12:16; Numbers 33:17, 18
  • 8. Numbers 12:16; Numbers 33:17, 18

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters
  • [b]. A homer was about 6 bushels or 220 liters
  • [c]. Kibroth-hattaavah means graves of craving
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.