All 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. All that day and night and all the next dayThis phrase emphasizes the relentless and exhaustive effort of the Israelites in gathering quail. The Hebrew context suggests a continuous, almost frantic activity, highlighting the intensity of their desire and the abundance of the provision. Historically, this reflects the human tendency to overindulge when faced with abundance, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture as a caution against greed and lack of trust in God's provision. the people went out and gathered quail
The act of gathering quail signifies the fulfillment of God's promise to provide meat for the Israelites, as previously stated in Numbers 11:18-20. The Hebrew word for "gathered" (אָסַף, 'asaph) implies a collection or harvest, indicating that this was a divinely orchestrated event. Archaeologically, quail migrations in the Sinai region are well-documented, providing a natural explanation for this miraculous provision, yet the timing and scale underscore divine intervention. No one gathered less than ten homers
A "homer" is a large unit of measure, approximately 220 liters or 58 gallons. The phrase underscores the abundance of quail provided by God, far exceeding the people's needs. This abundance serves as a reminder of God's ability to provide beyond human expectations, yet it also foreshadows the consequences of their greed, as later verses reveal the plague that follows their overindulgence. and they spread them out all around the camp
Spreading the quail around the camp suggests preparation for consumption, possibly drying or preserving the meat. This action reflects the human inclination to secure and hoard resources, often driven by fear of scarcity. In a broader scriptural context, it serves as a metaphor for the futility of relying on material abundance for security, contrasting with the biblical call to trust in God's ongoing provision. Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe people of God who were journeying through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. They were often characterized by their complaints and lack of faith. 2. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. He often interceded on behalf of the people. 3. QuailThe birds provided by God in response to the Israelites' complaints about the lack of meat. This event demonstrates God's provision but also His judgment. 4. The WildernessThe setting for the Israelites' journey, representing both physical and spiritual challenges. It was a place of testing and reliance on God. 5. The CampThe temporary dwelling place of the Israelites, symbolizing their transient state and dependence on God's guidance and provision. Teaching Points God's Provision and Human DiscontentDespite God's miraculous provision, the Israelites' dissatisfaction reveals a deeper issue of ingratitude and lack of trust. We must cultivate a heart of thankfulness and trust in God's provision. The Consequences of ComplainingThe Israelites' complaints led to both provision and judgment. Our words and attitudes have consequences, and we should strive to align them with faith and gratitude. The Abundance of God's GiftsThe gathering of quail in abundance shows that God provides more than enough. We should recognize and appreciate the abundance in our lives, both materially and spiritually. The Importance of ObedienceThe Israelites' experience in the wilderness teaches us the importance of obedience to God's commands. Obedience leads to blessing, while disobedience can lead to discipline. Spiritual SustenanceJust as the Israelites needed physical sustenance, we need spiritual sustenance from God's Word and presence. Jesus, the Bread of Life, fulfills our deepest needs. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the gathering of quail reveal about God's character and His relationship with the Israelites? 2. How can we apply the lesson of gratitude from this passage to our daily lives, especially in times of need or complaint? 3. In what ways does the account of the quail connect to Jesus' teaching in John 6 about being the Bread of Life? 4. How can we ensure that our words and attitudes reflect trust and obedience to God, rather than complaint and discontent? 5. Reflect on a time when God provided abundantly for you. How can this passage encourage you to trust in His provision for future needs? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 16This chapter describes a similar event where God provided manna and quail for the Israelites, highlighting His provision and the people's recurring complaints. Psalm 78This psalm recounts the history of Israel, including their rebellion and God's provision of quail, emphasizing the lessons of faith and obedience. John 6Jesus refers to the manna in the wilderness, drawing a parallel to Himself as the Bread of Life, which provides spiritual sustenance. People Eldad, Israelites, Joshua, Medad, Moses, NunPlaces Egypt, Hazeroth, Kibroth-hattaavah, Paran, TaberahTopics Abroad, Amount, Anyone, Birds, Camp, Gather, Gathered, Got, Heaps, Homers, Least, Less, Quail, Quails, Rise, Rose, Round, Smallest, Spent, Spread, Stood, Taking, Ten, Tents, ThemselvesDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 11:32 5616 measures, dry
5850 excess
5866 gluttony Numbers 11:4-34 4438 eating Numbers 11:31-32 1330 God, the provider Numbers 11:31-34 4843 plague Library April 12. "They were as it Were, Complainers" (Num. xi. 1).
"They were as it were, complainers" (Num. xi. 1). There is a very remarkable phrase in the book of Numbers, in the account of the murmuring of the children of Israel in the wilderness. It reads like this: "When the people, as it were, murmured." Like most marginal readings it is better than the text, and a great world of suggestive truth lies back of that little sentence. In the distance we may see many a vivid picture rise before our imagination of people who do not dare to sin openly and unequivocally, …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. )
Ver. 1. "And it shall come to pass, afterwards, I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." The communication of the Spirit of God was the constant prerogative of the Covenant-people. Indeed, the very idea of such a people necessarily requires it. For the Spirit of God is the only inward bond betwixt Him and that which is created; a Covenant-people, therefore, without such an inward …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Deaf Stammerer Healed and Four Thousand Fed.
^A Matt. XV. 30-39; ^B Mark VII. 32-VIII. 9. ^b 32 And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech [The man had evidently learned to speak before he lost his hearing. Some think that defective hearing had caused the impediment in his speech, but verse 35 suggests that he was tongue-tied]; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. 33 And he took him aside from the multitude privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue [He separated …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Baptist's Testimony.
"There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light.... John beareth witness of Him, and crieth, saying, This was He of whom I said, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for He was before me. For of His fulness we all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses; grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. …
Marcus Dods—The Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of St. John, Vol. I Third Sunday after Epiphany
Text: Romans 12, 16-21. 16 Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men. 19 Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord. 20 But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II False Ambition Versus Childlikeness.
(Capernaum, Autumn, a.d. 29.) ^A Matt. XVIII. 1-14; ^B Mark IX. 33-50; ^C Luke IX. 46-50. ^c 46 And there arose a reasoning among them, which of them was the greatest. ^b 33 And he came to Capernaum: ^c 47 But when Jesus saw the reasoning of their heart, ^b and when he was in the house [probably Simon Peter's house] he asked them, What were ye reasoning on the way? 34 But they held their peace: for they had disputed one with another on the way, who was the greatest. [The Lord with his disciples was …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
"The Holy Spirit was not yet given because that Jesus was not yet glorified."--John vii. 39. We have come to the most difficult part in the discussion of the work of the Holy Spirit, viz., the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the tenth day after the ascension. In the treatment of this subject it is not our aim to create a new interest in the celebration of Pentecost. We consider this almost impossible. Man's nature is too unspiritual for this. But we shall reverently endeavor to give a clearer insight …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Third Sunday Before Lent
Text: First Corinthians 9, 24-27; 10, 1-5. 24 Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain. 25 And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air: 27 but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II Eastern Wise-Men, or Magi, visit Jesus, the New-Born King.
(Jerusalem and Bethlehem, b.c. 4.) ^A Matt. II. 1-12. ^a 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem [It lies five miles south by west of Jerusalem, a little to the east of the road to Hebron. It occupies part of the summit and sides of a narrow limestone ridge which shoots out eastward from the central chains of the Judæan mountains, and breaks down abruptly into deep valleys on the north, south, and east. Its old name, Ephrath, meant "the fruitful." Bethlehem means "house of bread." Its modern …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Messiah's Easy Yoke
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. T hough the influence of education and example, may dispose us to acknowledge the Gospel to be a revelation from God; it can only be rightly understood, or duly prized, by those persons who feel themselves in the circumstances of distress, which it is designed to relieve. No Israelite would think of fleeing to a city of refuge (Joshua 20:2. …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Of Immediate Revelation.
Of Immediate Revelation. [29] Seeing no man knoweth the Father but the Son, and he to whom the Son revealeth him; and seeing the revelation of the Son is in and by the Spirit; therefore the testimony of the Spirit is that alone by which the true knowledge of God hath been, is, and can be only revealed; who as, by the moving of his own Spirit, he disposed the chaos of this world into that wonderful order in which it was in the beginning, and created man a living soul, to rule and govern it, so by …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity Blasphemous Accusations of the Jews.
(Galilee.) ^A Matt. XII. 22-37; ^B Mark III. 19-30; ^C Luke XI. 14-23. ^b 19 And he cometh into a house. [Whose house is not stated.] 20 And the multitude cometh together again [as on a previous occasion--Mark ii. 1], so that they could not so much as eat bread. [They could not sit down to a regular meal. A wonderful picture of the intense importunity of people and the corresponding eagerness of Jesus, who was as willing to do as they were to have done.] 21 And when his friends heard it, they went …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 11:32 NIVNumbers 11:32 NLTNumbers 11:32 ESVNumbers 11:32 NASBNumbers 11:32 KJV
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