Numbers 11

The murmuring of the people, with the punishment and issue thereof, v. 1. Etc. an other murmuring yet, proceeding from a lusting after the flesh and other meat, loathing the Man, 4. Which is withal described here, 7. Mosehs complaint hereupon, wishing he might be released of his charge, 10. God commands him to gather 70. Of the ancientest of Israel before the Tabernacle, for to help him bear the burden, 16. He promiseth to give the people flesh to eat, 18. Rebuketh Moseh for holding it an impossible thing, 21. The seventy men are called, and endowed with necessary gifts, 24. God giveth quails to the Israelites, which they feed on, 31. But yet a grievous plague withal, 33. And journey on, 35.

1. And it came to pass, when the people were complaining, [Oth. And the people were as complaining, [Oth. And the people were as complaining, (or, bemoaning themselves) i.e. full of complaints; or showing themselves sullen, much displeased, disgusted and unsatisfied, full of grumbling, and finding fault with every thing. The reason hereof seemeth to have been the frequent troubles and inconveniences of their journeying] (that) it was evil in the ears of the LORD, [i.e. much displease him greatly. See Gen. 38. On v. 7. Compare below verse 10. And the note.] for the LORD heard it, so that his anger kindled, and the fire of the LORD began to burn and consume in the uttermost of the Camp. [this fire the LORD had caused to fall down from heaven in a wonderful manner, either by lightning or otherwise: so that they well perceived, that it came from the LORD, punishing their evil and refractory complaining. Compare 2 Kings 1:12. And the Annot.]

2. Then the people cried to Moseh, and Moseh prayed to the LORD, and the fire was quenched.

3. Therefore he called the name of that place Tabeera: [This word doth signify a kindling, or brand. In this place the Israelites had pitched their Camp, and it was otherwise called Kibroth-Taava, below verse 34, and 35. And Numb. 33. 16. The diversity of the names implieth the diversity of the situations Tabera, lying nearer to Egypt, and Kibroth Taava nearer unto Canaan. In the rehearsal of the camping-places, Tabara nearer unto Canaan. In the rehearsal of the camping places, Tbara is past over, and Kibroth Taava only mentioned, below chapter 33. 16.] because that the fire of the LORD had burned among them.

4. And the common people [Or the concourse, or gathering root of the multitude, understand hereby such as were come forth with the Israelites out of Egypt, and used to the diet of the Country, continually talking of it, whereby they had caused the Israelites to murmur now. See of these, Exodus 12:38.] which was in the middest of them, was seized with lusting; [Hebr. Were lusted with lusting, or, lusted the lusting, i.e. they lusted exceedingly to eat flesh again, see 2 Chron. 36. On v. 14.] therefore the children of Israel also turned and wept, i.e. wept again. The Verb to turn, being joined to another active Verb, doth often signify but a renewing and repeating of the same action] and said, who shall give us flesh to eat?

5. We remember the fishes which we did eat in Egypt for nothing; the Cucumbers and the Pompions, and the Leeks, and the Onions, and the Garlic.

6. But now our soul [i.e. our life. See Gen. 19. On v. 7. Is dry (or withered) [i.e. faint through want of that refreshing we had by change and variety of diet] there is nothing at all, besides this Man, i.e. our eyes see nothing but Man.]

7. The Man now was like Coriander-seed, and its colour [Heb. eye for the colour is discerned by the eye] was as the colour of the Bedelah. [the meaning is, that the Man in its outward shape and hue, had the colour of the Bedelah; whereof see Gen. 2. On v. 12. It is probable, that the Bedolah here signifieth the gum dropping from the tree of that name, and being very transparent.]

8. The people ran to and fro, and gathered (it) and ground it with mills, or pounded it in morters, and boiled it in pots, [Or kettles] and made cakes of it; [see Gen. 18. On v. 6.] and the taste of it was as the taste of the best moisture of Oil. [i.e. the uppermost part of the Oil, which was altogether free from dregs, and had a sweet savour. See Exod. 16. On v. 31.]

9. And when the Dew fell down by night upon the Camp, the man did fall down upon the same.

10. Then Moseh heard the people weep by their households and every one at the door of his Tent: and the anger of the LORD was much incensed, also it was evil in the eyes of Moseh. [i.e. it much displeased him. See of this manner of speaking, Gen. 21. On v. 11. And compare above the Annot. On v. 1.]

11. And Moseh said to the LORD; why hast thou done, (dealt) ill by thy servant, and why have I found no grace in thine eyes, [See Gen. 6. On v. 8. As also below, v. 15.] that thou layest the burthen of all this people upon me?

12. Have I then conceived all this people I have brought them forth? [Or, begotten (engendred) them] that thou shouldest say to me: Bear them in thy bosom, like as a foster-father beareth the suckling, unto the land, which thou hast sworn unto their fathers?

13. Whence should I have the flesh, to give unto all this people? For they weep against (or toward) me, saying, Give us flesh that we may eat.

14. I alone am not able to bear all this people: [i.e. the whole burthen of all this people. See above v. 4.] for it is too heavy for me.

15. And if thou do (deal) thus by me, kill me outright [Hebr. Killing, kill me, or, putting to death, put me to death, i.e let me die rather forthwith, that I may be rid of this burthen] if I have found grace in thine eyes: and let me not behold my misfortune. [Hebr. My evil, i.e. my vexation, and continual grievous trouble, compare Gen. 19. The Annot. On v. 19.]

16. And the LORD said to Moseh: gather me seventy men out of the ancientest of Israel. [Of those see Exod. 3. On v. 16. And Lev. 4. On v. 15.] whom thou knowest to be [viz. not onely by name and calling, but in deed and practice] the Ancientest of the people, and the Governours of them: [understand the chief Officers and Commanders. Compare Exodus 5:6. Deuteronomy 16:18.] and thou shalt bring [Hebr. Take, i.e. having taken or made choice of, and bring] them before the Tent of the Congregation, and there they shall put themselves by thee.

17. Then will I come down [Spoken of God after the manner of man; See Genesis 11:5. And 35. 13. With the Annotations. So likewise below, v. 25. And chapter 12. 5.] and speak with thee there: and I will separate of the spirit, [i.e. of the same gifts of the Spirit, and that without impairing the gifts of Moseh. The Word Spirit, is frequently used for the gifts of the Spirit; as below, chapter 27. V. 18. Psalms 51:14. Joel 2:28. John 7:39. Etc] which is upon thee, and lay upon them: and they shall bear the burthen of this people (together) with thee, that thou bear (it) not alone.

18. And to the people thou shalt say, Hallow your selves, [See Lev. 11. On v. 44.] against tomorrow and ye shall eat flesh, for ye have wept before the ears of the LORD saying, who shall give us flesh to eat? For we fared well. [Hebr. It was well, or, good with us] in Egypt, therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat.

19. Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, nor ten days, nor twenty days.

20. For a whole month [Hebr. Month of days, i.e. a full complete month, every day thereof. See Gen. 29. On v. 14. And so in the next verse] until it come forth at your nose, and become a loathing to you, because that ye rejected the LORD, that is in the midst of us, and wept before his face, saying : why did we come forth out of Egypt now? [or thus, or hitherwards]

21. And Moseh said, This people is six hundred thousand foot, [Above chapter 1. 46. There is added to this number, three thousand five hundred and fifty more; whence it should seem, that since that telling, the number was now diminished, or that Moseh contented himself to make the use of the round sum, in lieu of the odd. See the like, Exodus 12:37. Compare Genesis 15:3. And the note there] in whose midst I am; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, and they shall eat a whole month. [Hbr. A month of days]

22. Shall there then be killed sheep and Oxen for them, to satisfy them? [Hebr. To find before them, viz. flesh to satisfy them: the Hebrew word doth properly signify to find, but here it is taken for to be enough, or sufficient; as also Joshua 17:16. Jud. 24. 12.] shall all the fishes of the Sea, be gathered for them to suffice them?

23. But the LORD said to Moseh; should the LORD”S hand be shortened then? [i.e. his power so small and confined, that he should not be able to perform, what he foretold? [thou shalt see now, whether my word shall come to pass to thee or not?

24. And Moseh went forth, and spoke the words of the LORD unto the people; and gathered seventy men out of the ancientest of the people, [According as God had commanded him; above v. 26. And put them round about the Tent. [viz. of the Congregation. See above v. 16.]

25. Then the LORD came down in the cloud [Which covered the Tabernacle ; Exodus 40:38. Others, in a cloud. This cloud was a token of the Majesty and present apparition of God, so likewise below, ch. 12. On v. 5.] and spoke unto them, and separated of the spirit, [See above on v. 17.] that was upon him, laid (him) upon the seventy men, those ancientest: and it came to pass, when the spirit rested upon them, that they prophesied, [this word signifieth here, to utter and declare through the inspiration of the spirit the great virtues and mighty deeds of God. See the same word used in the like sense, 1 Samuel 10:5, 6 Joel 2:28. Acts 2:15.] but afterwards no more. [i.e. afterwards they prophesied no more; this visible token being sufficient for once, to render them assured within themselves of their calling unto this charge, and to get them established before the people : as likewise happened to Saul, 1 Sam 10. 6, 10, 13. Others, and ceased not. Viz. to prophesy, i.e. from that day forwards the spirit of Prophecy forsook them not.]

26. But two men did remain in the Camp: the name of the one was Eldad, and the others name was Medad; and that spirit rested upon them; (for they were among the enrolled,) [i.e. of the number of those whom Moseh called in unto his assistance: as appeareth above, verse 24. 25. Though they were not come forth to the Tent] and they prophesied in the Camp.

27. Then (there) ran a youth, and brought word to Moseh, and said : Eldad and Medad prophesy in the Camp.

28. And Joshua the son of Nun the servant of Moseh, one of his chosen young men; [Others, from his very youth] answered and said; My LORD Moseh forbid them.

29. But Moseh answered to them; Art thou zealous for me? [i.e. doth envy seize upon thee, or dost thou grudge unto any that he hath the same or like gifts of the holy Spirit with me? Compare herewith the jealousy of John the Baptist his disciples , John 3:26.] Oh that [Heb. Who shall give that, etc. a Hebrew phrase of wishing ought, whereof see Deut. 5. On v. 29.] all the people of the LORD were Prophets, that the Lord would give his spirit over them.

30. After that Moseh gathered himself to the Camp, he and the ancient of Israel.

31. Then (there) went forth a wind from the LORD, and raked quails from the sea, and scattered them by the Camp about a day’s journey this way, and about a day’s journey that way, round about the Camp: and (they) were about two ells above the earth.

32. Then the people arose, all that day and all that night, and all the next day, and gathered the quails ; he that had least, had gathered ten Homers: [Of the word Homer, signifying a certain measure, see Lev. 27. On v. 16, oth. heaps] and they spread them asunder for themselves [Hebr. spreading they spread them] round about the Camp.

33. That flesh was yet betwixt their teeth, before is was chewed, [By the former twentieth verse it appeareth that this happened at the end of a month, thus long they satisfied their lusting after flesh-meat] then the anger of the LORD, kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague.

34. Therefore they called the name of that place, Kibroth-Taavah, [i.e. lust-graves, a camping place so called by reason that there were so many buried there, who having loathed the Man, had glutted themselves with flesh, which the LORD indeed had given them, but in his anger] for there they buried the people, that had been lusting.

35. From Kabroth-Taava the people journeyed to Hazeroth, [Another camping-place of the Israelites in the wilderness. See of this likewise, Numbers 33:17. And Deuteronomy 1:1.] and they staid [Hebr. were] in Hazeroth.