Numbers 11:18

Numbers 11:18 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

And say to the people: Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you will eat meat, because you have cried out in the hearing of the LORD, saying: ‘Who will feed us meat? For we were better off in Egypt!’ Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you will eat.

King James Version KJV

And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat.

American Standard Version ASV

And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to-morrow, and ye shall eat flesh; for ye have wept in the ears of Jehovah, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore Jehovah will give you flesh, and ye shall eat.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And say to the people, Make yourselves clean before tomorrow and you will have flesh for your food: for in the ears of the Lord you have been weeping and saying, Who will give us flesh for food? for we were well off in Egypt: and so the Lord will give you flesh, and it will be your food;

Free Bible Version FBV

Tell the people: Purify yourselves, for tomorrow you'll have meat to eat, because you were complaining and the Lord heard you saying, ‘Who's going to get us some meat to eat? We were better off in Egypt!’ So the Lord is going to provide you with meat to eat.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Furthermore thou shalt saye vnto the people, Bee sanctified against to morowe, and yee shall eate flesh: for you haue wept in the eares of the Lord, saying, Who shall giue vs flesh to eate? for we were better in Egypt: therefore the Lord will giue you flesh, and ye shall eate.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

'And unto the people thou dost say, Sanctify yourselves for to-morrow, and ye have eaten flesh (for ye have wept in the ears of Jehovah, saying, Who doth give us flesh? for we [had] good in Egypt) — and Jehovah hath given to you flesh, and ye have eaten.

World English Bible WEB

“Say to the people, ‘Sanctify yourselves in preparation for tomorrow, and you will eat meat; for you have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, “Who will give us meat to eat? For it was well with us in Egypt.” Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you will eat.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And say thou to the people, Sanctify yourselves against to-morrow, and ye shall eat flesh; for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And thou shalt say to the people: Be ye sanctified: tomorrow you shall eat flesh: for I have heard you say: Who will give us flesh to eat? it was well with us in Egypt. That the Lord may give you flesh, and you may eat:

Translation for Translators T4T

“Furthermore, say to the people, ‘Make yourselves acceptable to me, and tomorrow you will have meat to eat. You were complaining, and Yahweh heard you when you were saying, “We want some meat to eat. We had better food in Egypt!” Now Yahweh will give you some meat, and you will eat it.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 11:18

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Numbers 11:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וְ/אֶל הָ/עָ֨ם תֹּאמַ֜ר הִתְקַדְּשׁ֣וּ לְ/מָחָר֮ וַ/אֲכַלְתֶּ֣ם בָּשָׂר֒ כִּ֡י בְּכִיתֶם֩ בְּ/אָזְנֵ֨י יְהוָ֜ה לֵ/אמֹ֗ר מִ֤י יַאֲכִלֵ֨/נוּ֙ בָּשָׂ֔ר כִּי ט֥וֹב לָ֖/נוּ בְּ/מִצְרָ֑יִם וְ/נָתַ֨ן יְהוָ֥ה לָ/כֶ֛ם בָּשָׂ֖ר וַ/אֲכַלְתֶּֽם

וְ/אֶל ʼêl H413 to(wards) Conj | Prep

הָ/עָ֨ם ʻam H5971 Amaw Art | N-ms

תֹּאמַ֜ר ʼâmar H559 to say V-Qal-Imperf-2ms

הִתְקַדְּשׁ֣וּ qâdash H6942 to consecrate V-Hithpael-Impv-2mp

לְ/מָחָר֮ mâchâr H4279 tomorrow Prep | N-ms

וַ/אֲכַלְתֶּ֣ם ʼâkal H398 to eat Conj | V-Qal-2mp

בָּשָׂר֒ bâsâr H1320 flesh N-ms

כִּ֡י kîy H3588 for Conj

בְּכִיתֶם֩ bâkâh H1058 to weep V-Qal-Perf-2mp

בְּ/אָזְנֵ֨י ʼôzen H241 ear Prep | N-fd

יְהוָ֜ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper

לֵ/אמֹ֗ר ʼâmar H559 to say Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

מִ֤י mîy H4310 who? Part

יַאֲכִלֵ֨/נוּ֙ ʼâkal H398 to eat V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms | Suff

בָּשָׂ֔ר bâsâr H1320 flesh N-ms

כִּי kîy H3588 for Conj

ט֥וֹב ṭôwb H2895 be pleasing V-Qal-Perf-3ms

לָ֖/נוּ Prep | Suff

בְּ/מִצְרָ֑יִם Mitsrayim H4714 Egypt Prep | N-proper

וְ/נָתַ֨ן nâthan H5414 to give Conj | V-Qal-3ms

יְהוָ֥ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper

לָ/כֶ֛ם Prep | Suff

בָּשָׂ֖ר bâsâr H1320 flesh N-ms

וַ/אֲכַלְתֶּֽם ʼâkal H398 to eat Conj | V-Qal-2mp

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 11:18

וְ/אֶל ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Conj | Prep

This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.

Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.

הָ/עָ֨ם ʻam H5971 "Amaw" Art | N-ms

A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.

Definition: This name means nation, people

Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.

תֹּאמַ֜ר ʼâmar H559 "to say" V-Qal-Imperf-2ms

This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.

Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.

הִתְקַדְּשׁ֣וּ qâdash H6942 "to consecrate" V-Hithpael-Impv-2mp

To consecrate means to set something or someone apart as holy or sacred, like the priests in Exodus. This word is about making something clean or pure. It is used in the Bible to describe sacred rituals and moral purity.

Definition: : consecate/sanctify 1) to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be set apart, be consecrated 1a2) to be hallowed 1a3) consecrated, tabooed 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to show oneself sacred or majestic 1b2) to be honoured, be treated as sacred 1b3) to be holy 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to set apart as sacred, consecrate, dedicate 1c2) to observe as holy, keep sacred 1c3) to honour as sacred, hallow 1c4) to consecrate 1d) (Pual) 1d1) to be consecrated 1d2) consecrated, dedicated 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to set apart, devote, consecrate 1e2) to regard or treat as sacred or hallow 1e3) to consecrate 1f) (Hithpael) 1f1) to keep oneself apart or separate 1f2) to cause Himself to be hallowed (of God) 1f3) to be observed as holy 1f4) to consecrate oneself

Usage: Occurs in 154 OT verses. KJV: appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy(-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify(-ied one, self), [idiom] wholly. See also: Genesis 2:3; 2 Samuel 11:4; Isaiah 5:16.

לְ/מָחָר֮ mâchâr H4279 "tomorrow" Prep | N-ms

This word means tomorrow or a future time. In the Bible, it is used to talk about what will happen next, like in Exodus 13:14 where it refers to the next day.

Definition: 1) tomorrow, in time to come, in the future 1a) tomorrow (as the day following the present day) 1b) in future time

Usage: Occurs in 52 OT verses. KJV: time to come, tomorrow. See also: Genesis 30:33; Judges 19:9; Proverbs 3:28.

וַ/אֲכַלְתֶּ֣ם ʼâkal H398 "to eat" Conj | V-Qal-2mp

This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.

Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)

Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.

בָּשָׂר֒ bâsâr H1320 "flesh" N-ms

The Hebrew word for flesh refers to the body or a person, and can also describe living things or animals. In the Bible, it is used to describe humans and animals, as in Genesis and Leviticus.

Definition: 1) flesh 1a) of the body 1a1) of humans 1a2) of animals 1b) the body itself 1c) male organ of generation (euphemism) 1d) kindred, blood-relations 1e) flesh as frail or erring (man against God) 1f) all living things 1g) animals 1h) mankind Aramaic equivalent: be.shar (בְּשַׁר "flesh" H1321)

Usage: Occurs in 241 OT verses. KJV: body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin. See also: Genesis 2:21; Numbers 11:21; Psalms 16:9.

כִּ֡י kîy H3588 "for" Conj

A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.

Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.

בְּכִיתֶם֩ bâkâh H1058 "to weep" V-Qal-Perf-2mp

To weep means to cry or shed tears, often in grief or sadness. In the Bible, weeping is a common expression of emotion, as seen in the stories of David and Jeremiah, who both wept bitterly in times of sorrow and repentance.

Definition: 1) to weep, bewail, cry, shed tears 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to weep (in grief, humiliation, or joy) 1a2) to weep bitterly (with cognate acc.) 1a3) to weep upon (embrace and weep) 1a4) to bewail 1b) (Piel) participle 1b1) lamenting 1b2) bewailing

Usage: Occurs in 100 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, bewail, complain, make lamentation, [idiom] more, mourn, [idiom] sore, [idiom] with tears, weep. See also: Genesis 21:16; 2 Samuel 12:21; Psalms 69:11.

בְּ/אָזְנֵ֨י ʼôzen H241 "ear" Prep | N-fd

The Hebrew word for ear, referring to the body part or the ability to hear, is used in various contexts, including listening to God's voice in Psalm 40:6. It can also mean to uncover or reveal something, as in 1 Samuel 20:2.

Definition: : ear 1) ear, as part of the body 2) ear, as organ of hearing 3) (subjective) to uncover the ear to reveal; the receiver of divine revelation

Usage: Occurs in 179 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] advertise, audience, [phrase] displease, ear, hearing, [phrase] show. See also: Genesis 20:8; Psalms 40:7; Psalms 10:17.

יְהוָ֜ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper

Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.

לֵ/אמֹ֗ר ʼâmar H559 "to say" Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

מִ֤י mîy H4310 "who?" Part

This word is used to ask questions like who, whose, or whom. It can also be used to express a wish, like would that or whoever. It appears in many forms throughout the Bible, often in phrases like O that or what.

Definition: who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever

Usage: Occurs in 342 OT verses. KJV: any (man), [idiom] he, [idiom] him, [phrase] O that! what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), [phrase] would to God. See also: Genesis 3:11; 2 Samuel 15:4; Psalms 4:7.

יַאֲכִלֵ֨/נוּ֙ ʼâkal H398 "to eat" V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms | Suff

This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.

בָּשָׂ֔ר bâsâr H1320 "flesh" N-ms

The Hebrew word for flesh refers to the body or a person, and can also describe living things or animals. In the Bible, it is used to describe humans and animals, as in Genesis and Leviticus.

Usage: Occurs in 241 OT verses. KJV: body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin. See also: Genesis 2:21; Numbers 11:21; Psalms 16:9.

כִּי kîy H3588 "for" Conj

ט֥וֹב ṭôwb H2895 "be pleasing" V-Qal-Perf-3ms

In the Bible, this word means to be good or pleasing, often used to describe God's actions or human behavior. It appears in Genesis 1, where God sees that creation is good, and in Psalm 100, where the psalmist says that God is good and his love endures forever.

Definition: 1) to be good, be pleasing, be joyful, be beneficial, be pleasant, be favourable, be happy, be right 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be pleasant, be delightful 1a2) to be glad, be joyful 1a3) to be better 1a4) to be well with, be good for 1a5) to be pleasing 1b) (Hiphil) to do well, do good, act right, act rightly

Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: be (do) better, cheer, be (do, seem) good, (make) goodly, [idiom] please, (be, do, go, play) well. See also: Numbers 11:18; Nehemiah 2:7; Psalms 119:68.

לָ֖/נוּ "" Prep | Suff

בְּ/מִצְרָ֑יִם Mitsrayim H4714 "Egypt" Prep | N-proper

This word means Egypt, a country in northeastern Africa, and is used in the Bible to describe the land and its people. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often referring to the Nile River and the Egyptians. Egypt is an important setting for many biblical events.

Definition: § Egypt = "land of the Copts" a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows Egyptians = "double straits" adj 2) the inhabitants or natives of Egypt

Usage: Occurs in 569 OT verses. KJV: Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim. See also: Genesis 10:6; Exodus 6:13; Exodus 34:18.

וְ/נָתַ֨ן nâthan H5414 "to give" Conj | V-Qal-3ms

This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.

Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon

Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.

יְהוָ֥ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper

Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.

לָ/כֶ֛ם "" Prep | Suff

בָּשָׂ֖ר bâsâr H1320 "flesh" N-ms

The Hebrew word for flesh refers to the body or a person, and can also describe living things or animals. In the Bible, it is used to describe humans and animals, as in Genesis and Leviticus.

Usage: Occurs in 241 OT verses. KJV: body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin. See also: Genesis 2:21; Numbers 11:21; Psalms 16:9.

וַ/אֲכַלְתֶּֽם ʼâkal H398 "to eat" Conj | V-Qal-2mp

This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.

Study Notes — Numbers 11:18

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Context
Cross References
Numbers 11:18 Summary
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Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 11:18
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Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 11:18
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 11:18
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 11:18
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 11:18
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 11:18
Sermons on Numbers 11:18

Context — Seventy Elders Anointed

16Then the LORD said to Moses, “Bring Me seventy of the elders of Israel known to you as leaders and officers of the people. Bring them to the Tent of Meeting and have them stand there with you. 17And I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put that Spirit on them. They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourself.

18And say to the people: Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you will eat meat, because you have cried out in the hearing of the LORD, saying: ‘Who will feed us meat? For we were better off in Egypt!’ Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you will eat.

19You will eat it not for one or two days, nor for five or ten or twenty days, 20but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and makes you nauseous—because you have rejected the LORD, who is among you, and have cried out before Him, saying, ‘Why did we ever leave Egypt?’”

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Exodus 19:10	Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes
2	Acts 7:39	But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.
3	Exodus 16:3–7	“If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt!” they said. “There we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread, but you have brought us into this desert to starve this whole assembly to death!” Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test whether or not they will follow My instructions. Then on the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on the other days.” So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “This evening you will know that it was the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and in the morning you will see the LORD’s glory, because He has heard your grumbling against Him. For who are we that you should grumble against us?”
4	Numbers 11:1	Soon the people began to complain about their hardship in the hearing of the LORD, and when He heard them, His anger was kindled, and fire from the LORD blazed among them and consumed the outskirts of the camp.
5	Joshua 7:13	Get up and consecrate the people, saying, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Among you, O Israel, there are things devoted to destruction. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove them.
6	Exodus 19:15	“Be prepared for the third day,” he said to the people. “Do not draw near to a woman.”
7	Numbers 14:2–3	All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness! Why is the LORD bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?”
8	Numbers 11:4–6	Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, “Who will feed us meat? We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. But now our appetite is gone; there is nothing to see but this manna!”
9	Judges 21:2	So the people came to Bethel and sat there before God until evening, lifting up their voices and weeping bitterly.
10	Genesis 35:2	So Jacob told his household and all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you. Purify yourselves and change your garments.

Numbers 11:18 Summary

In Numbers 11:18, God tells the people to get ready for a big surprise - He's going to give them meat to eat, just like they asked for. But this isn't just a blessing, it's also a lesson in trusting God's provision, as we see in Matthew 6:33 and Philippians 4:19. The people had been complaining and doubting God, saying they were better off in Egypt, but God still chooses to provide for them. This shows us that God is a loving and generous God, but also a God who desires our trust and obedience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the context of the people's complaint in Numbers 11:18?

The people are complaining about the lack of meat in their diet, saying they were better off in Egypt, which shows their lack of trust in God's provision, as seen in Exodus 16:3 and Numbers 11:4-6.

What does it mean to 'consecrate' oneself in this verse?

To consecrate oneself means to set oneself apart for God's purpose, as seen in Joshua 3:5, and in this case, it's a call to prepare for the miraculous provision of meat that God will provide.

Is God's provision of meat in this verse a blessing or a judgment?

While God does provide meat as the people requested, it's also a judgment because they rejected God's original provision and cried out against Him, as seen in Numbers 11:20 and Psalm 106:15.

What can we learn from the people's attitude in this verse?

We can learn that complaining and doubting God's provision can lead to negative consequences, as seen in this verse and 1 Corinthians 10:10, but trusting in God's goodness and provision can lead to blessing and peace, as seen in Philippians 4:19.

Reflection Questions

What are some areas in my life where I'm complaining or doubting God's provision, and how can I trust Him more?
How can I prepare myself to receive God's blessings and provision, just like the Israelites were called to consecrate themselves?
In what ways am I rejecting God's original provision and crying out for something more, and what can I do to be content with what God has given me?
What are some ways I can cultivate a heart of trust and gratitude, rather than complaining and doubting, in my daily life?

Gill's Exposition on Numbers 11:18

And say thou unto the people,.... For what follows respects them, as what goes before regarded himself: sanctify yourselves against tomorrow; or prepare yourselves, as the Targums of Onkelos, and

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 11:18

And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat?

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 11:18

Sanctify yourselves, i.e. prepare yourselves, either to receive the miraculous blessings of God, the flesh you desire; or rather, Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel, in the way of his judgments, and to receive the punishment which God will inflict upon you; for it is evident, from , that God answered them with a curse instead of a blessing. Prepare yourselves by true repentance, that you may either obtain some mitigation of the plague, or, whilst your bodies are destroyed by the flesh you desire and eat, ,34, your souls may be saved from the wrath of God. Sanctifying is oft used for preparing, as 12:3 51:28. In the ears of the Lord; not secretly in your closets, but openly and impudently in the doors of your tents, , calling heaven and earth to witness your cries and complaints.

Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 11:18

Numbers 11:18 And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for [it was] well with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat.Ver. 18. Sanctify yourselves.] Ironice dictum; or, Sanctify; that is, Prepare yourselves for the day of slaughter, as in Jeremiah 12:3. For ye have wept in the ears.] Tears, of what sort soever, have a voice in them, as blood hath. For it was well with us in Egypt.] Such is the murmuring of those malcontents, that say, It was a merry world before there was so much preaching and teaching. And ye shall eat.] Flesh with a vengeance; which ye shall eat on earth, but digest in hell. In terris manducant quod apud inferos digerant. - August.

Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 11:18

(18) Sanctify yourselves against to-morrow.—(Comp. Exodus 19:10.) The Israelites were required to sanctify themselves by purification for the more immediate manifestation of the Divine presence, although their request was a sinful one, and was granted in judgment as well as—or even more than—in mercy. Comp. Psalms 106:15 : “And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.”

Cambridge Bible on Numbers 11:18

18. And say thou &c.] The combination of the quail narrative with Numbers 11:16 f. has caused some such expression as And Jehovah said unto Moses to drop out from the beginning of this verse. Sanctify yourselves] Free yourselves from ceremonial uncleanness. Cf. Exodus 19:10; Exodus 19:14 f.

Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 11:18

18. Sanctify yourselves — As a preparation for this extraordinary manifestation of the Holy One all physical and ceremonial defilement was to be put away from their clothes and persons. See Genesis 35:2; Exodus 19:10, notes.

Sermons on Numbers 11:18

	Sermon	Description
	The Graves of Lust by Teresa Conlon	In this sermon, the preacher begins by expressing gratitude for God's mercy and anointing to set people free from lust and discontent. The sermon focuses on the story of the Israel
	The Congo Revival by David Davies	In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of encountering a man who was deeply moved by the message of forgiveness and cleansing. The man was unable to speak and tea
	Hebrews 12:18-29 by Don McClure	In this sermon, the preacher tells a story about a little boy who is being chased by a man from an insane asylum. The boy is terrified and running for his life, but eventually, the
	The Proof of This Custom Only From the Talmuds. by John Gill	John Gill discusses the origins and evidence of the Jewish custom of receiving proselytes through baptism or dipping, emphasizing that this practice is primarily documented in the
	(New Wine in New Wineskins) 17. Signs That Point to the Return of Christ by Zac Poonen	Zac Poonen emphasizes the signs that indicate the imminent return of Christ, highlighting the significant changes in the world since 1939, including wars, famines, natural calamiti
	Divine Life and Deliverance From Bondage to Sin and Death by T. Austin-Sparks	T. Austin-Sparks preaches on the significance of the miraculous sign at the Pool of Bethesda in John 5:1-18, highlighting the Jewish setting during the Feast of the Passover and th
	God's Eternal Purpose, His Will, His Council, His Work by Stephen Kaung	In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about an elderly lady he met in India who had a unique ministry. Instead of preaching the gospel, she felt led by God to prepare houses i