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Numbers 11:33

Numbers 11:33 in Multiple Translations

But 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.

And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague.

While the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the anger of Jehovah was kindled against the people, and Jehovah smote the people with a very great plague.

But while the meat was still between their teeth, before it was tasted, the wrath of the Lord was moved against the people and he sent a great outburst of disease on them.

But while the people were still biting into the meat, before they even chewed it down, the Lord showed his burning anger against them, killing some of them with a severe disease.

While the flesh was yet betweene their teeth, before it was chewed, euen the wrath of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord smote the people with an exceeding great plague.

The flesh is yet between their teeth — it is not yet cut off — and the anger of Jehovah hath burned among the people, and Jehovah smiteth among the people — a very great smiting;

While the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the LORD’s anger burned against the people, and the LORD struck the people with a very great plague.

And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague.

As yet the flesh was between their teeth, neither had that kind of meat failed: when behold the wrath of the Lord being provoked against the people, struck them with an exceeding great plague.

Then they cooked them and started to eat them. But while they were still eating the meat [MTY], Yahweh showed that he was very angry with them. He struck them with a severe plague/sickness, and many people died.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 11:33

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 11:33 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB הַ/בָּשָׂ֗ר עוֹדֶ֨/נּוּ֙ בֵּ֣ין שִׁנֵּי/הֶ֔ם טֶ֖רֶם יִכָּרֵ֑ת וְ/אַ֤ף יְהוָה֙ חָרָ֣ה בָ/עָ֔ם וַ/יַּ֤ךְ יְהוָה֙ בָּ/עָ֔ם מַכָּ֖ה רַבָּ֥ה מְאֹֽד
הַ/בָּשָׂ֗ר bâsâr H1320 flesh Art | N-ms
עוֹדֶ֨/נּוּ֙ ʻôwd H5750 still Adv | Suff
בֵּ֣ין bêyn H996 between Prep
שִׁנֵּי/הֶ֔ם shên H8127 tooth N-cd | Suff
טֶ֖רֶם ṭerem H2962 before Adv
יִכָּרֵ֑ת kârath H3772 to cut V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
וְ/אַ֤ף ʼaph H639 face Conj | N-ms
יְהוָה֙ Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper
חָרָ֣ה chârâh H2734 to be incensed V-Qal-Perf-3ms
בָ/עָ֔ם ʻam H5971 Amaw Prep | N-ms
וַ/יַּ֤ךְ nâkâh H5221 to smite Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
יְהוָה֙ Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper
בָּ/עָ֔ם ʻam H5971 Amaw Prep | N-ms
מַכָּ֖ה makkâh H4347 wound N-fs
רַבָּ֥ה rab H7227 many Adj
מְאֹֽד mᵉʼôd H3966 much Adv
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 11:33

הַ/בָּשָׂ֗ר bâsâr H1320 "flesh" Art | 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.
עוֹדֶ֨/נּוּ֙ ʻôwd H5750 "still" Adv | Suff
The word 'still' means something continues or happens again, like in Genesis 29:26 and Isaiah 2:11. It can also mean 'more' or 'additionally'.
Definition: subst 1) a going round, continuance adv 2) still, yet, again, besides 2a) still, yet (of continuance or persistence) 2b) still, yet, more (of addition or repetition) 2c) again 2d) still, moreover, besides Aramaic equivalent: od (עוֹד "still" H5751)
Usage: Occurs in 459 OT verses. KJV: again, [idiom] all life long, at all, besides, but, else, further(-more), henceforth, (any) longer, (any) more(-over), [idiom] once, since, (be) still, when, (good, the) while (having being), (as, because, whether, while) yet (within). See also: Genesis 4:25; Judges 9:37; 2 Chronicles 32:16.
בֵּ֣ין bêyn H996 "between" Prep
Between is the meaning of this preposition, used to show a location or a choice, like either or, as seen in Exodus where it describes the space between two objects.
Definition: : between between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: among, asunder, at, between (-twixt...and), [phrase] from (the widest), [idiom] in, out of, whether (it be...or), within. See also: Genesis 1:4; Joshua 24:7; Psalms 68:14.
שִׁנֵּי/הֶ֔ם shên H8127 "tooth" N-cd | Suff
The Hebrew word for tooth can also mean ivory or a sharp cliff. It is used in the Bible to describe the teeth of humans and animals, as well as sharp rocks, and is often translated as tooth or ivory.
Definition: : tooth 1) tooth, ivory 1a) tooth 1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast 1b) tooth, tine (of fork) 1c) ivory 1c1) as material 1c2) of commerce 1d) sharp pointed rock
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: crag, [idiom] forefront, ivory, [idiom] sharp, tooth. See also: Genesis 49:12; Psalms 57:5; Psalms 3:8.
טֶ֖רֶם ṭerem H2962 "before" Adv
This word indicates something has not happened yet, or it happened before something else. It is used to show timing or sequence of events, translated as before, ere, or not yet in the KJV.
Definition: before, not yet, before that
Usage: Occurs in 50 OT verses. KJV: before, ere, not yet. See also: Genesis 2:5; 2 Kings 6:32; Psalms 5:6.
יִכָּרֵ֑ת kârath H3772 "to cut" V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to cut or destroy something, but it also has a special meaning related to making a covenant or agreement. In Genesis 15:18, God makes a covenant with Abram, symbolized by cutting animals in half, showing the seriousness of the promise. This word is used to describe important agreements and alliances.
Definition: : cut/fell 1) to cut, cut off, cut down, cut off a body part, cut out, eliminate, kill, cut a covenant 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cut off 1a1a) to cut off a body part, behead 1a2) to cut down 1a3) to hew 1a4) to cut or make a covenant 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be cut off 1b2) to be cut down 1b3) to be chewed 1b4) to be cut off, fail 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be cut off 1c2) to be cut down 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cut off 1d2) to cut off, destroy 1d3) to cut down, destroy 1d4) to take away 1d5) to permit to perish 1e) (Hophal) cut off
Usage: Occurs in 280 OT verses. KJV: be chewed, be con-(feder-) ate, covenant, cut (down, off), destroy, fail, feller, be freed, hew (down), make a league (covenant), [idiom] lose, perish, [idiom] utterly, [idiom] want. See also: Genesis 9:11; 1 Samuel 24:6; Psalms 12:4.
וְ/אַ֤ף ʼaph H639 "face" Conj | N-ms
This Hebrew word can mean face, but also anger or nose. It is used to describe someone's countenance or emotions, like anger or patience. In the Bible, it appears in various contexts, including descriptions of God's emotions.
Definition: : face 1) nostril, nose, face 2) anger
Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: anger(-gry), [phrase] before, countenance, face, [phrase] forebearing, forehead, [phrase] (long-) suffering, nose, nostril, snout, [idiom] worthy, wrath. See also: Genesis 2:7; Nehemiah 8:6; Psalms 2:5.
יְהוָה֙ 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.
חָרָ֣ה chârâh H2734 "to be incensed" V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To be incensed means to be very angry or furious, like a fire burning. It describes strong emotions like anger, zeal, or jealousy, and is used to express intense feelings in the Bible.
Definition: 1) to be hot, furious, burn, becomeangry, be kindled 1a) (Qal) to burn, kindle (anger) 1b) (Niphal) to be angry with, be incensed 1c) (Hiphil) to burn, kindle 1d) (Hithpael) to heat oneself in vexation
Usage: Occurs in 87 OT verses. KJV: be angry, burn, be displeased, [idiom] earnestly, fret self, grieve, be (wax) hot, be incensed, kindle, [idiom] very, be wroth. See H8474 (תַּחָרָה). See also: Genesis 4:5; 1 Samuel 15:11; Psalms 18:8.
בָ/עָ֔ם ʻam H5971 "Amaw" Prep | 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.
וַ/יַּ֤ךְ nâkâh H5221 "to smite" Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)
Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.
יְהוָה֙ 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.
בָּ/עָ֔ם ʻam H5971 "Amaw" Prep | 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.
מַכָּ֖ה makkâh H4347 "wound" N-fs
A wound or blow, also referring to carnage, pestilence, or defeat. It can describe physical harm, like a beating, or widespread suffering, like a plague.
Definition: 1) blow, wound, slaughter 1a) blow, stripe 1b) beating, scourging 1c) wound 1d) slaughter 1e) defeat, conquest 1f) plague
Usage: Occurs in 46 OT verses. KJV: beaten, blow, plague, slaughter, smote, [idiom] sore, stripe, stroke, wound(-ed). See also: Leviticus 26:21; 2 Chronicles 22:6; Psalms 64:8.
רַבָּ֥ה rab H7227 "many" Adj
This Hebrew word means a chief or captain, someone in charge. It is used in 2 Samuel 23:19 to describe a great and powerful man. The idea is one of leadership and authority.
Definition: adj 1) much, many, great 1a) much 1b) many 1c) abounding in 1d) more numerous than 1e) abundant, enough 1f) great 1g) strong 1h) greater than adv 1i) much, exceedingly
Usage: Occurs in 443 OT verses. KJV: (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). See also: Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 11:1; Psalms 3:2.
מְאֹֽד mᵉʼôd H3966 "much" Adv
Meod means 'much' or 'very' and is used to emphasize something. It can mean 'exceedingly' or 'greatly' and is often used to show strong feelings or actions.
Definition: adv 1) exceedingly, much subst 2) might, force, abundance n m 3) muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly 3a) force, might 3b) exceedingly, greatly, very (idioms showing magnitude or degree) 3b1) exceedingly 3b2) up to abundance, to a great degree, exceedingly 3b3) with muchness, muchness
Usage: Occurs in 278 OT verses. KJV: diligently, especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), [idiom] louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so) sore, utterly, very ([phrase] much, sore), well. See also: Genesis 1:31; 1 Samuel 11:6; Psalms 6:4.

Study Notes — Numbers 11:33

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Psalms 78:30–31 Yet before they had filled their desire, with the food still in their mouths, God’s anger flared against them, and He put to death their strongest and subdued the young men of Israel.
2 Psalms 106:14–15 They craved intensely in the wilderness and tested God in the desert. So He granted their request, but sent a wasting disease upon them.
3 Numbers 25:9 but those who died in the plague numbered 24,000.
4 Numbers 16:49 But those who died from the plague numbered 14,700, in addition to those who had died on account of Korah.
5 Deuteronomy 28:27 The LORD will afflict you with the boils of Egypt, with tumors and scabs and itch from which you cannot be cured.

Numbers 11:33 Summary

This verse, Numbers 11:33, teaches us that God gets angry when we're disobedient and ungrateful, like when the people craved other food instead of being content with what He had given them. It's like when we have a big meal, but instead of saying thank you, we complain that it's not what we wanted. God wants us to be grateful and trust in His goodness, as seen in Psalm 100:4-5 and Matthew 6:25-34, which remind us to seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness, and He will provide for our needs. We can learn from the people's mistake and try to be content with what God gives us, remembering that He loves us and wants what's best for us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did God get angry with the people in Numbers 11:33?

God got angry with the people because they were disobedient and ungrateful, craving other food instead of being content with what He had provided, as seen in Numbers 11:4-6 and Deuteronomy 8:3, which reminds us that God provides for our needs.

What kind of plague did God strike the people with in Numbers 11:33?

The Bible doesn't specify the exact nature of the plague, but it's clear that it was a severe punishment for the people's disobedience, similar to other instances in the Bible, such as Exodus 32:35, where God struck the people with a plague for worshiping the golden calf.

Is it wrong to enjoy the blessings God gives us, like the quail in Numbers 11:31-32?

No, it's not wrong to enjoy God's blessings, but it's wrong to crave them excessively or make them an idol, as the people did in Numbers 11:4-6, forgetting that God is the one who provides, as stated in Psalm 104:27-28.

How does this verse relate to the rest of the Bible's teaching on gratitude and contentment?

This verse fits with the overall theme of the Bible, which teaches us to be grateful and content with what God provides, as seen in Philippians 4:11-12 and 1 Timothy 6:6-10, and to trust in His goodness and provision.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways I can cultivate a heart of gratitude and contentment in my own life, like the opposite of the people in Numbers 11:33?
  2. How do I balance enjoying God's blessings with not making them an idol, and what role does trust in God's goodness play in this balance?
  3. In what ways can I remember that God is the one who provides for my needs, and how can I express my thanks to Him for His provision, as in Psalm 100:4-5?
  4. What are some potential consequences of disobedience and ungratitude in my own life, and how can I learn from the example of the people in Numbers 11:33?

Gill's Exposition on Numbers 11:33

And while the flesh [was] yet between their teeth,.... When they had just got it into their mouths, and were about to bite it: ere it was chewed; or "cut off"; or cut into pieces by the "incisores",

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 11:33

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 11:33

Chewed, Heb. cut off, to wit, from their mouths, which is here understood, and expressed , i.e. ere it was taken away, as the flocks are said to be cut off from the fold, , when they are lost and perished. The sense is, before they had done eating their quails, which lasted for a month, as appears from . A very great plague; whether it was leanness sent into them, , whereby the food was deprived of its nourishing power, which it hath only from God’ s blessing; or surfeit, a punishment most suitable to their sin, and most likely to follow their intemperate desire and use of this food; or the pestilence; it is not much material: but a great and sore plague unquestionably it was. Quest. Why did God so sorely punish the people’ s murmuring and complaining for lack of flesh here, when he spared them after the same sin, Exodus 16? Answ. Because this sin was a far greater sin than that, and aggravated with worse circumstances; as proceeding not from necessity, as that did, when as yet they had no food, but from mere lust and wantonness, when they had manna constantly given them; as committed after large experience of God’ s care and kindness, after God had pardoned their former sins, and after God had in a solemn and terrible manner made known his laws and duty to them.

Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 11:33

(33) With a very great plague.—The noun, maccah. plague, is cognate to the verb which is rendered smote. It is frequently used of a stroke inflicted by God, as, e.g., pestilence or any epidemic sickness. A surfeit, such as that in which the Israelites had indulged, especially under the circumstances in which they were placed, would naturally produce a considerable amount of sickness. Here, then, as in the account of the plagues of Egypt and in other parts of the sacred history, the natural and the supernatural are closely combined.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 11:33

Verse 33. The wrath of the Lord was kindled] In what way, and with what effects, we cannot precisely determine. Some heavy judgment fell upon those murmurers and complainers, but of what kind the sacred writer says nothing.

Cambridge Bible on Numbers 11:33

33. ere it was chewed] ere it came to an end, i.e. before the supply of flesh ran short.

Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 11:33

33. While the flesh… teeth — Before the flesh was chewed and swallowed, the wrath of Jehovah burned against the people, not as Knobel supposes, as the effect of the excessive quantity of quails

Sermons on Numbers 11:33

SermonDescription
Anton Bosch Ruth the Moabitess by Anton Bosch Anton Bosch delves into the history of the Moabites, known for immorality, seduction, and leading Israel astray through incestuous relationships, idol worship, and schemes to draw

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