Numbers 11:1-3

The People Complain

1 And 1the people complained in the hearing of the LORD about their misfortunes, and when the LORD heard it, 2his anger was kindled, and 3the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp.
2 Then 4the people cried out to Moses, 5and Moses prayed to the LORD, and the fire died down.
3 So the name of that place was called 6Taberah,[a] because the fire of the LORD burned among them.

Numbers 11:1-3 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 6

  • 1. Deuteronomy 9:22
  • 2. Psalms 78:21
  • 3. [Numbers 16:35; Leviticus 10:2; 2 Kings 1:12; Psalms 106:18; Revelation 13:13]
  • 4. [Numbers 21:7]
  • 5. [James 5:16]; See Numbers 16:45-48
  • 6. Deuteronomy 9:22

Footnotes 1

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.