Numbers 11:3-13

3 The name of that place was called Tav`erah, because the fire of the LORD burnt among them.

4 The mixed multitude that was among them lusted exceedingly: and the children of Yisra'el also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?

5 We remember the fish, which we ate in Mitzrayim for nothing; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic:

6 but now our soul is dried away; there is nothing at all save this manna to look on.

7 The manna was like coriander seed, and the appearance of it as the appearance of bdellium.

8 The people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in mortars, and boiled it in pots, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil.

9 When the dew fell on the camp in the night, the manna fell on it.

10 Moshe heard the people weeping throughout their families, every man at the door of his tent: and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly; and Moshe was displeased.

11 Moshe said to the LORD, Why have you dealt ill with your servant? and why haven't I found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me?

12 Have I conceived all this people? have I brought them forth, that you should tell me, Carry them in your bosom, as a nursing-father carries the sucking child, to the land which you swore to their fathers?

13 Whence should I have flesh to give to all this people? for they weep to me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat.

Numbers 11:3-13 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.