Numbers 11:1-7

1 The people began complaining out loud to the LORD about their troubles. When the LORD heard them, he became angry, and fire from the LORD began to burn among them. It destroyed some people on the outskirts of the camp.

2 The people cried out to Moses, Moses prayed to the LORD, and the fire died down.

3 That place was called Taberah [Fire] because fire from the LORD burned among them there.

4 Some foreigners among the Israelites had a strong craving for [other kinds of] food. Even the Israelites started crying again and said, "If only we had meat to eat!

5 Remember all the free fish we ate in Egypt and the cucumbers, watermelons, leeks, onions, and garlic we had?

6 But now we've lost our appetite! Everywhere we look there's nothing but manna!"

7 (Manna was [small] like coriander seeds and looked like resin.

Numbers 11:1-7 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.