Numbers 11:1-5

Fire From the LORD

1 Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp.
2 When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the LORD and the fire died down.
3 So that place was called Taberah,[a] because fire from the LORD had burned among them.

Quail From the LORD

4 The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat!
5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and 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 12

  • 1. S Exodus 14:11; S Exodus 16:7; Lamentations 3:39
  • 2. Numbers 12:2; Deuteronomy 1:34
  • 3. S Exodus 4:14
  • 4. S Leviticus 10:2
  • 5. Numbers 21:28; Psalms 78:63; Isaiah 26:11
  • 6. Deuteronomy 9:19; 1 Samuel 2:25; 1 Samuel 12:23; Psalms 106:23
  • 7. S Genesis 20:7; Numbers 21:7; Deuteronomy 9:20; John 2:1
  • 8. Deuteronomy 9:22
  • 9. Numbers 16:35; Job 1:16; Isaiah 10:17
  • 10. S Exodus 16:3; Exodus 12:38
  • 11. ver 18; Psalms 78:18; 1 Corinthians 10:6
  • 12. S Exodus 16:3; Numbers 21:5

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. "Taberah" means "burning" .
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.