Numbers 11:31

Numbers 11:31 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Now a wind sent by the LORD came up, drove in quail from the sea, and brought them near the camp, about two cubits above the surface of the ground, for a day’s journey in every direction around the camp.

King James Version KJV

¶ And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day’s journey on this side, and as it were a day’s journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth.

American Standard Version ASV

And there went forth a wind from Jehovah, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, about a day’s journey on this side, and a day’s journey on the other side, round about the camp, and about two cubits above the face of the earth.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Then the Lord sent a wind, driving little birds from the sea, so that they came down on the tents, and all round the tent-circle, about a day's journey on this side and on that, in masses about two cubits high over the face of the earth.

Free Bible Version FBV

The Lord sent a wind that blew quail in from the sea and deposited them near the camp. They covered the ground to a depth of about two cubits and extended for a day's journey in every direction from the camp.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Then there went foorth a winde from the Lord, and brought quailes from the Sea, and let them fall vpon the campe, a dayes iourney on this side, and a dayes iourney on the other side, round about the hoste, and they were about two cubites aboue the earth.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And a spirit hath journeyed from Jehovah, and cutteth off quails from the sea, and leaveth by the camp, as a day's journey here, and as a day's journey there, round about the camp, and about two cubits, on the face of the land.

World English Bible WEB

A wind from the LORD went out and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, about a day’s journey on this side, and a day’s journey on the other side, around the camp, and about two cubits above the surface of the earth.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, around the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And a wind going out from the Lord, taking quails up beyond the sea brought them, and cast them into the camp for the space of one day’s journey, on every side of the camp round about, and they flew in the air two cubits high above the ground.

Translation for Translators T4T

Then Yahweh sent a strong wind from the sea. It blew quail into the area all around the camp for miles in every direction, and caused the quail to fall onto the ground. They were piled up on the ground about ◄3 feet/1 meter► high!

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Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 11:31

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 11:31 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וְ/ר֜וּחַ נָסַ֣ע מֵ/אֵ֣ת יְהוָ֗ה וַ/יָּ֣גָז שַׂלְוִים֮ מִן הַ/יָּם֒ וַ/יִּטֹּ֨שׁ עַל הַֽ/מַּחֲנֶ֜ה כְּ/דֶ֧רֶךְ י֣וֹם כֹּ֗ה וּ/כְ/דֶ֤רֶךְ יוֹם֙ כֹּ֔ה סְבִיב֖וֹת הַֽ/מַּחֲנֶ֑ה וּ/כְ/אַמָּתַ֖יִם עַל פְּנֵ֥י הָ/אָֽרֶץ

וְ/ר֜וּחַ rûwach H7307 spirit Conj | N-cs

נָסַ֣ע nâçaʻ H5265 to set out V-Qal-Perf-3ms

מֵ/אֵ֣ת ʼêth H854 with Prep | Prep

יְהוָ֗ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper

וַ/יָּ֣גָז gûwz H1468 to cut off Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

שַׂלְוִים֮ sᵉlâv H7958 quail N-fp

מִן min H4480 from Prep

הַ/יָּם֒ yâm H3220 West Art | N-ms

וַ/יִּטֹּ֨שׁ nâṭash H5203 to leave Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep

הַֽ/מַּחֲנֶ֜ה machăneh H4264 camp Art | N-cs

כְּ/דֶ֧רֶךְ derek H1870 way Prep | N-cs

י֣וֹם yôwm H3117 day N-ms

כֹּ֗ה kôh H3541 thus Adv

וּ/כְ/דֶ֤רֶךְ derek H1870 way Conj | Prep | N-cs

יוֹם֙ yôwm H3117 day N-ms

כֹּ֔ה kôh H3541 thus Adv

סְבִיב֖וֹת çâbîyb H5439 around N-cp

הַֽ/מַּחֲנֶ֑ה machăneh H4264 camp Art | N-cs

וּ/כְ/אַמָּתַ֖יִם ʼammâh H520 cubit Conj | Prep | N-fd

עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep

פְּנֵ֥י pânîym H6440 face N-cp

הָ/אָֽרֶץ ʼerets H776 land Art | N-cs

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 11:31

וְ/ר֜וּחַ rûwach H7307 "spirit" Conj | N-cs

In the Bible, this word for spirit refers to the breath of life, the wind, or a person's mind and emotions, as seen in the book of Ezekiel.

Definition: : spirit 1) wind, breath, mind, spirit 1a) breath 1b) wind 1b1) of heaven 1b2) quarter (of wind), side 1b3) breath of air 1b4) air, gas 1b5) vain, empty thing 1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation) 1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour 1c2) courage 1c3) temper, anger 1c4) impatience, patience 1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented) 1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse 1c7) prophetic spirit 1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals) 1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being 1e) spirit (as seat of emotion) 1e1) desire 1e2) sorrow, trouble 1f) spirit 1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts 1f2) rarely of the will 1f3) as seat especially of moral character 1g) Spirit of God, the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son 1g1) as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy 1g2) as impelling prophet to utter instruction or warning 1g3) imparting warlike energy and executive and administrative power 1g4) as endowing men with various gifts 1g5) as energy of life 1g6) as manifest in the Shekinah glory 1g7) never referred to as a depersonalised force

Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y). See also: Genesis 1:2; Job 6:26; Psalms 1:4.

נָסַ֣ע nâçaʻ H5265 "to set out" V-Qal-Perf-3ms

In the Bible, this word means to set out or start a journey, like the Israelites departing from Egypt, or to remove something, as in pulling up tent pins.

Definition: 1) to pull out, pull up, set out, journey, remove, set forward, depart 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pull out or up 1a2) to set out, depart 1a3) to journey, march 1a4) to set forth (of wind) 1b) (Niphal) to be pulled up, be removed, be plucked up 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to set out, lead out, cause to spring up 1c2) to remove, quarry

Usage: Occurs in 140 OT verses. KJV: cause to blow, bring, get, (make to) go (away, forth, forward, onward, out), (take) journey, march, remove, set aside (forward), [idiom] still, be on his (go their) way. See also: Genesis 11:2; Numbers 33:9; Psalms 78:26.

מֵ/אֵ֣ת ʼêth H854 "with" Prep | Prep

This Hebrew preposition means 'with' or 'near', indicating a close relationship or physical proximity. It's used in Genesis 1:26 to describe God's relationship with humanity, and in many other places to show connection or closeness.

Definition: 1) with, near, together with 1a) with, together with 1b) with (of relationship) 1c) near (of place) 1d) with (poss.) 1e) from...with, from (with other prep)

Usage: Occurs in 787 OT verses. KJV: against, among, before, by, for, from, in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional prefix. See also: Genesis 4:1; Genesis 42:32; Numbers 1:5.

יְהוָ֗ה 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.

וַ/יָּ֣גָז gûwz H1468 "to cut off" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

This Hebrew word originally means to cut something off with scissors, but in the Bible it's used to describe something passing away quickly, like a person's life. The KJV translates it as 'bring' or 'cut off'.

Definition: 1) to pass over, pass away 1a) (Qal) to pass away (of life) 2) (TWOT) to bring, cut off

Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: bring, cut off. See also: Numbers 11:31; Psalms 90:10.

שַׂלְוִים֮ sᵉlâv H7958 "quail" N-fp

The quail is a type of bird mentioned in the Bible, known for being slow in flight due to its weight. In Exodus, God provided quails for the Israelites to eat in the wilderness.

Definition: quail

Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: quails. See also: Exodus 16:13; Numbers 11:32; Psalms 105:40.

מִן min H4480 "from" Prep

This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.

Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)

Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.

הַ/יָּם֒ yâm H3220 "West" Art | N-ms

Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.

Definition: This name means sea, seaward, westward Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)

Usage: Occurs in 339 OT verses. KJV: sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 1:10; Joshua 17:10; Psalms 8:9.

וַ/יִּטֹּ֨שׁ nâṭash H5203 "to leave" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

To leave or forsake something, like God forsaking his people in the book of Isaiah. It can also mean to permit or let something happen. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's relationship with his people.

Definition: 1) to leave, permit, forsake, cast off or away, reject, suffer, join, spread out or abroad, be loosed, cease, abandon, quit, hang loose, cast down, make a raid, lie fallow, let fall, forgo, draw 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to leave, let alone, lie fallow, entrust to 1a2) to forsake, abandon 1a3) to permit 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be forsaken 1b2) to be loosened, be loose 1b3) to be let go, spread abroad 1c) (Pual) to be abandoned, be deserted

Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: cast off, drawn, let fall, forsake, join (battle), leave (off), lie still, loose, spread (self) abroad, stretch out, suffer. See also: Genesis 31:28; Psalms 78:60; Psalms 27:9.

עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)

Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.

הַֽ/מַּחֲנֶ֜ה machăneh H4264 "camp" Art | N-cs

This word refers to a camp or army, like the Israelites' encampments in the wilderness. It can also mean a group of people or animals. The KJV translates it as 'army, band, or camp'.

Definition: 1) encampment, camp 1a) camp, place of encampment 1b) camp of armed host, army camp 1c) those who encamp, company, body of people

Usage: Occurs in 190 OT verses. KJV: army, band, battle, camp, company, drove, host, tents. See also: Genesis 32:3; Joshua 6:18; Psalms 27:3.

כְּ/דֶ֧רֶךְ derek H1870 "way" Prep | N-cs

Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.

Definition: : road/route 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey 1c) direction 1d) manner, habit, way 1e) of course of life (fig.) 1f) of moral character (fig.)

Usage: Occurs in 626 OT verses. KJV: along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 3:24; Deuteronomy 28:29; 1 Kings 15:34.

י֣וֹם yôwm H3117 "day" N-ms

The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.

Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow

Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.

כֹּ֗ה kôh H3541 "thus" Adv

This Hebrew word means thus or in this manner. It can also indicate a location or time, such as here or now. The KJV translates it in various ways, including also, here, and so.

Definition: 1) thus, here, in this manner 1a) thus, so 1b) here, here and there 1c) until now, until now...until then, meanwhile Aramaic equivalent: kah (כָּה "thus" H3542)

Usage: Occurs in 541 OT verses. KJV: also, here, + hitherto, like, on the other side, so (and much), such, on that manner, (on) this (manner, side, way, way and that way), + mean while, yonder. See also: Genesis 15:5; 1 Kings 22:20; Isaiah 7:7.

וּ/כְ/דֶ֤רֶךְ derek H1870 "way" Conj | Prep | N-cs

Definition: : road/route 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey 1c) direction 1d) manner, habit, way 1e) of course of life (fig.) 1f) of moral character (fig.)

יוֹם֙ yôwm H3117 "day" N-ms

כֹּ֔ה kôh H3541 "thus" Adv

This Hebrew word means thus or in this manner. It can also indicate a location or time, such as here or now. The KJV translates it in various ways, including also, here, and so.

Definition: 1) thus, here, in this manner 1a) thus, so 1b) here, here and there 1c) until now, until now...until then, meanwhile Aramaic equivalent: kah (כָּה "thus" H3542)

סְבִיב֖וֹת çâbîyb H5439 "around" N-cp

This word describes something that surrounds or encompasses, like a circle or neighborhood, and can also mean around or about, as in on every side. It is used to describe physical locations and proximity. The KJV translates it as about or circuit.

Definition: : around/border subst 1) places round about, circuit, round about adv 2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about prep 3) in the circuit, from every side

Usage: Occurs in 282 OT verses. KJV: (place, round) about, circuit, compass, on every side. See also: Genesis 23:17; 1 Kings 7:24; Psalms 3:7.

הַֽ/מַּחֲנֶ֑ה machăneh H4264 "camp" Art | N-cs

This word refers to a camp or army, like the Israelites' encampments in the wilderness. It can also mean a group of people or animals. The KJV translates it as 'army, band, or camp'.

Definition: 1) encampment, camp 1a) camp, place of encampment 1b) camp of armed host, army camp 1c) those who encamp, company, body of people

Usage: Occurs in 190 OT verses. KJV: army, band, battle, camp, company, drove, host, tents. See also: Genesis 32:3; Joshua 6:18; Psalms 27:3.

וּ/כְ/אַמָּתַ֖יִם ʼammâh H520 "cubit" Conj | Prep | N-fd

A cubit is a unit of measurement, about the length of a forearm, used in the Bible to describe the size of objects like the Ark of the Covenant in Exodus. It is also used to describe a foundation or a door-base.

Definition: cubit-a measure of distance (the forearm), roughly 18 in (. 5m). There are several cubits used in the OT, the cubit of a man or common cubit (De 3:11), the legal cubit or cubit of the sanctuary (Eze 40:5) plus others. See a Bible Dictionary for a complete treatment. Aramaic equivalent: am.mah (אַמָּה "cubit" H0521)

Usage: Occurs in 132 OT verses. KJV: cubit, [phrase] hundred (by exchange for H3967 (מֵאָה)), measure, post. See also: Genesis 6:15; 2 Chronicles 3:3; Isaiah 6:4.

עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

פְּנֵ֥י pânîym H6440 "face" N-cp

This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.

Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.

הָ/אָֽרֶץ ʼerets H776 "land" Art | N-cs

The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.

Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan

Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.

Study Notes — Numbers 11:31

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Context
Cross References
Numbers 11:31 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 11:31
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 11:31
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 11:31
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 11:31
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 11:31
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 11:31
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 11:31
Sermons on Numbers 11:31

Context — The Quail and the Plague

29But Moses replied, “Are you jealous on my account? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would place His Spirit on them!” 30Then Moses returned to the camp, along with the elders of Israel.

31Now a wind sent by the LORD came up, drove in quail from the sea, and brought them near the camp, about two cubits above the surface of the ground, for a day’s journey in every direction around the camp.

32All that day and night, and all the next day, the people stayed up gathering the quail. No one gathered less than ten homers, and they spread them out all around the camp. 33But while the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of the LORD burned against the people, and the LORD struck them with a severe plague.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Exodus 16:13	That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.
2	Psalms 105:40	They asked, and He brought quail and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
3	Psalms 78:26–29	He stirred the east wind from the heavens and drove the south wind by His might. He rained meat on them like dust, and winged birds like the sand of the sea. He felled them in the midst of their camp, all around their dwellings. So they ate and were well filled, for He gave them what they craved.
4	Psalms 135:7	He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He generates the lightning with the rain and brings forth the wind from His storehouses.
5	Exodus 15:10	But You blew with Your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters.
6	Exodus 10:19	And the LORD changed the wind to a very strong west wind that carried off the locusts and blew them into the Red Sea. Not a single locust remained anywhere in Egypt.
7	Exodus 10:13	So Moses stretched out his staff over the land of Egypt, and throughout that day and night the LORD sent an east wind across the land. By morning the east wind had brought the locusts.

Numbers 11:31 Summary

In Numbers 11:31, we see how God provided quail for the Israelites to eat, sending a wind to bring them to the camp. This shows us that God cares about our physical needs and can provide for us in amazing ways, just like He promised in Psalm 23:1. However, it's also important to remember that our spiritual needs are just as important, and that God wants to provide for those needs too, as Jesus taught in John 6:35. By trusting in God's provision and care, we can have peace and security, even in difficult circumstances, as seen in Philippians 4:19.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of the quail in Numbers 11:31?

The quail were sent by the Lord to provide food for the Israelites, who had been complaining about their diet in the wilderness, as seen in the preceding verses of Numbers 11, and as promised in Psalm 105:40, where it is written that God gave them quail to satisfy their hunger.

How did the quail get to the Israelites' camp?

According to Numbers 11:31, a wind sent by the Lord drove the quail in from the sea and brought them near the camp, about two cubits above the surface of the ground, for a day’s journey in every direction around the camp, demonstrating God's power and provision.

What can we learn from the way God provided quail for the Israelites?

We can learn that God is a provider who cares about our physical needs, as Jesus taught in Matthew 6:26, and that He is able to provide for us in unexpected ways, as seen in the story of the quail in Numbers 11:31.

Is there a spiritual significance to the quail in this verse?

Yes, the quail can also be seen as a symbol of God's temporary provision for our physical needs, whereas His spiritual provision, such as the gift of the Holy Spirit, is a more lasting and satisfying gift, as seen in John 6:27 and John 4:14.

Reflection Questions

How have I seen God provide for my physical needs in unexpected ways, and how can I be more thankful for His provision?
What are some ways that I, like the Israelites, may be focusing too much on my physical needs and not enough on my spiritual needs, and how can I shift my focus?
In what ways can I, like Moses in Numbers 11:29, desire that all people would experience God's spiritual provision and know Him personally?
How can I balance my desire for physical comfort and security with my desire to follow God and trust in His provision, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6?

Gill's Exposition on Numbers 11:31

And there went forth a wind from the Lord,.... Both an east wind and a south wind, according to Psalms 78:26; either first one wind, and then another; one to bring the quails, or whatever are meant,

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 11:31

And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side,

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 11:31

A wind from the Lord, i.e. an extraordinary and miraculous wind, both for its vehemency and for its effect Quails; a delicious and very nourishing food, which, considering their greedy appetite, and the newness and plenty of it, disposed them to surfeits and other distemper of body, and prepared the way for the following plague. God gave them quails once before, , but neither in the same quantity, nor with the same design and effect as now. From the sea; principally from the Red Sea, and both sides of it; where, by the report of ancient heathen writers, they were then in great numbers, and, no doubt, were wonderfully increased by God’ s special providence for this very occasion. Two cubits high; not as if the quails did cover all the ground two cubits high for a day’ s journey on each side of the camp, for then there had been no place left where they could spread them all abroad round about the camp, as it is said they did, ; but the meaning is, that the quails came and fell down round about the camp for a whole day’ s journey on each side of it, and that in all that space they lay here and there in great heaps, which were ofttimes two cubits high.

Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 11:31

(31) And there went forth a wind.—In Psalms 78:26 we read thus: “He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind.” A south-east wind would bring the quails from the neighbourhood of the Red Sea, where they abound. And let them fall.—Better, and scattered them (or, spread them out). Comp. 1 Samuel 30:16 : “They were spread abroad upon all the earth,” or, over all the ground. Round about.—See Note on Numbers 11:24. As it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth.—Or, about two cubits over (or, above) the ground. Had the quails lain upon the earth in a heap for any considerable time, life could only have been preserved by miraculous interference with the ordinary laws of nature, and the Israelites were not allowed to eat of that which had died of itself. Quails commonly fly low, and when wearied with a long flight might fly only about breast-high. On the other hand, the more obvious interpretation of the words is that the quails were spread over the ground, and covered it in some places to the height of two cubits. They were probably taken and killed immediately on their descent, as the following verse seems to indicate, and then spread out and dried and hardened in the sun. Some think that the word which is here rendered quails denotes cranes.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 11:31

Verse 31. A wind from the Lord] An extraordinary one, not the effect of a natural cause. And brought quails, a bird which in great companies visits Egypt about the time of the year, March or April, at which the circumstance marked here took place. Mr. Hasselquist, the friend and pupil of the famous Linnaeus, saw many of them about this time of the year, when he was in Egypt. See his Travels, p. 209. Two cubits high upon the face of the earth.] We may consider the quails as flying within two cubits of the ground; so that the Israelites could easily take as many of them as they wished, while flying within the reach of their hands or their clubs. The common notion is, that the quails were brought round about the camp, and fell there in such multitudes as to lie two feet thick upon the ground; but the Hebrew will not bear this version. The Vulgate has expressed the sense, Volabantque in aere duobus cubitis altitudine super terram. "And they flew in the air, two cubits high above the ground."

Cambridge Bible on Numbers 11:31

31. a wind from Jehovah] He employed a wind to reduce the deluge , to bring and remove the locusts , and to drive back the Red Sea . brought quails across from the sea] Probably from the Gulf of Akaba. It is so understood by the writer of Psa 78:26 who speaks of the east and the south wind. let them fall] left them. The wind suddenly lessened, and the quails came down tired with their long flight. Some of them may have fallen to the ground exhausted, as was frequently the case in quail swarms; but the main body of them were hovering above the ground at a height of about two cubits (c. one yard), and were easily netted. Quails fly northwards to Europe in large numbers in March, returning towards the end of September (see art. ‘Quails’ in Hastings’ DB. iv.).

Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 11:31

31, 32. A wind from the Lord — All winds are produced by the power of Jehovah, (Psalms 135:7,) since neither the laws of nature nor the qualities of matter produce motion.

Sermons on Numbers 11:31

	Sermon	Description
	God's Provision for the Children of Israel by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the provision of God for the children of Israel as they journeyed through the wilderness. He begins by highlighting the contrasting rea
	Conformed to His Image by Manley Beasley	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the message of Romans 7 in the life of a believer who wants to trust God. He uses the examples of Moses and A
	How God Provided for the Children of Israel by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses how God provided for the children of Israel during their time in the wilderness. He focuses on the story of Moses striking the rock to
	The Quail by Harriet N. Cook	Harriet N. Cook reflects on the story of God providing quails to the children of Israel in the wilderness, emphasizing the importance of gratitude and contentment in our relationsh
	John's Gospel - Streams of Living Water by John Vissers	In this sermon, the speaker describes a significant event in the Gospel of John that took place during the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. The festival was a time of celebration
	Deliverance in the Stormy Winds by Charles E. Cowman	Charles E. Cowman reflects on the story of the Lord bringing an east wind to bring locusts upon Egypt, and how the stormy winds were used by God to deliver Israel from the cruel Ph
	(Exodus) Exodus 10:12-20 by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the eighth plague that God sent upon Egypt, which was a swarm of locusts. Unlike the previous plagues, the locusts did not appear miraculousl