Numbers 11:31-35

The Quail and the Plague

31 1Now there went forth a wind from the LORD 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, all around the camp and about two cubits deep on the surface of the ground.
32 The people spent all day and all night and all the next day, and gathered the quail (he who gathered least gathered ten 2homers ) and they spread them out for themselves all around the camp.
33 3While the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD struck the people with a very severe plague.
34 So the name of that place was called 4Kibroth-hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had been greedy.
35 From Kibroth-hattaavah 5the people set out for Hazeroth, and they remained at Hazeroth.

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 5

  • 1. Exodus 16:13; Psalms 78:26-28; Psalms 105:40
  • 2. Ezekiel 45:11
  • 3. Psalms 78:29-31; Psalms 106:15
  • 4. Deuteronomy 9:22
  • 5. Numbers 33:17

Footnotes 6

  • [a]. Or from "about two cubits above"
  • [b]. I.e. One cubit equals approx 18 in.
  • [c]. Lit "rose"
  • [d]. I.e. One homer equals approx 11 bu
  • [e]. I.e. the graves of greediness
  • [f]. Lit "were"
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