Numbers 11:22
New International Version
Would they have enough if flocks and herds were slaughtered for them? Would they have enough if all the fish in the sea were caught for them?”

New Living Translation
Even if we butchered all our flocks and herds, would that satisfy them? Even if we caught all the fish in the sea, would that be enough?”

English Standard Version
Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, and be enough for them? Or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, and be enough for them?”

Berean Standard Bible
If all our flocks and herds were slaughtered for them, would they have enough? Or if all the fish in the sea were caught for them, would they have enough?”

King James Bible
Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them?

New King James Version
Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, to provide enough for them? Or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to provide enough for them?”

New American Standard Bible
Are flocks and herds to be slaughtered for them, so that it will be sufficient for them? Or are all the fish of the sea to be caught for them, so that it will be sufficient for them?”

NASB 1995
“Should flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, to be sufficient for them? Or should all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to be sufficient for them?”

NASB 1977
“Should flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, to be sufficient for them? Or should all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to be sufficient for them?”

Legacy Standard Bible
Should flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, to be sufficient for them? Or should all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to be sufficient for them?”

Amplified Bible
Should flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, to be sufficient for them? Or should all the fish of the sea be collected for them to be sufficient for them?”

Christian Standard Bible
If flocks and herds were slaughtered for them, would they have enough? Or if all the fish in the sea were caught for them, would they have enough? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If flocks and herds were slaughtered for them, would they have enough? Or if all the fish in the sea were caught for them, would they have enough?”

American Standard Version
Shall flocks and herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them?

Contemporary English Version
Even if we butchered all our sheep and cattle, or caught every fish in the sea, we wouldn't have enough to feed them."

English Revised Version
Shall flocks and herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Would they have enough if all the flocks and herds were butchered for them? Would they have enough if all the fish in the sea were caught for them?"

Good News Translation
Could enough cattle and sheep be killed to satisfy them? Are all the fish in the sea enough for them?"

International Standard Version
What if we were to slaughter our entire inventory of flocks and herds for them? Would that be enough? What if we could gather all the fish in the sea in nets for them? Would that be enough, either?"

Majority Standard Bible
If all our flocks and herds were slaughtered for them, would they have enough? Or if all the fish in the sea were caught for them, would they have enough?”

NET Bible
Would they have enough if the flocks and herds were slaughtered for them? If all the fish of the sea were caught for them, would they have enough?"

New Heart English Bible
Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, to be sufficient for them? Shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to be sufficient for them?"

Webster's Bible Translation
Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice for them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered for them, to suffice for them?

World English Bible
Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, to be sufficient for them? Shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to be sufficient for them?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Is flock and herd slaughtered for them, that one has found [enough] for them? Are all the fishes of the sea gathered for them, that one has found [enough] for them?”

Young's Literal Translation
Is flock and herd slaughtered for them, that one hath found for them? -- are all the fishes of the sea gathered for them -- that one hath found for them?'

Smith's Literal Translation
Shall the sheep and the oxen be slaughtered for them and suffice for them? and if he shall gather all the fish of the sea to them, and it suffice for them?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Shall then a multitude of sheep and oxen be killed, that it may suffice for their food? or shall the fishes of the sea be gathered together to fill them?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Could a multitude of sheep and oxen be slain, so that there would be enough food? Or will the fishes of the sea be gathered together, in order to satisfy them?”

New American Bible
Can enough sheep and cattle be slaughtered for them? If all the fish of the sea were caught for them, would they have enough?”

New Revised Standard Version
Are there enough flocks and herds to slaughter for them? Are there enough fish in the sea to catch for them?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Shall the flocks and the herds be slaughtered for them, to suffice them? Or shall all the fish of the sea be caught for them, to suffice them?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
If sheep and oxen are slaughtered for them, what do they do for them? And if all of the fish of the sea are caught for them, how are they filled with them?”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
If flocks and herds be slain for them, will they suffice them? or if all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, will they suffice them?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Shall sheep and oxen be slain for them, and shall it suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, and shall it suffice them?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Seventy Elders Anointed
21But Moses replied, “Here I am among 600,000 men on foot, yet You say, ‘I will give them meat, and they will eat for a month.’ 22If all our flocks and herds were slaughtered for them, would they have enough? Or if all the fish in the sea were caught for them, would they have enough?” 23The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not My word will come to pass.”…

Cross References
Exodus 16:13
That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.

Psalm 78:19-20
They spoke against God, saying, “Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness? / When He struck the rock, water gushed out and torrents raged. But can He also give bread or supply His people with meat?”

Psalm 78:27-29
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.

2 Kings 7:2
But the officer on whose arm the king leaned answered the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” “You will see it with your own eyes,” replied Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it.”

2 Kings 7:19
And the officer had answered the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” So Elisha had replied, “You will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of it!”

John 6:7
Philip answered, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to have a small piece.”

John 6:9
“Here is a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish. But what difference will these make among so many?”

John 6:11-13
Then Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. / And when everyone was full, He said to His disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” / So they collected them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

Matthew 14:17-21
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. / “Bring them here to Me,” Jesus said. / And He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. ...

Matthew 15:33-38
The disciples replied, “Where in this desolate place could we find enough bread to feed such a large crowd?” / “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.” / And He instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground. ...

Mark 6:37-44
But Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.” They asked Him, “Should we go out and spend two hundred denarii to give all of them bread to eat?” / “Go and see how many loaves you have,” He told them. And after checking, they said, “Five—and two fish.” / Then Jesus directed them to have the people sit in groups on the green grass. ...

Mark 8:4-9
His disciples replied, “Where in this desolate place could anyone find enough bread to feed all these people?” / “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied. / And He instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then He took the seven loaves, gave thanks and broke them, and gave them to His disciples to set before the people. And they distributed them to the crowd. ...

Luke 9:13-17
But Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.” “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered, “unless we go and buy food for all these people.” / (There were about five thousand men.) He told His disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” / They did so, and everyone was seated. ...

Luke 18:27
But Jesus said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

Genesis 18:12-14
So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” / And the LORD asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Can I really bear a child when I am old?’ / Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.”


Treasury of Scripture

Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them?

2 Kings 7:2
Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.

Matthew 15:33
And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?

Mark 6:37
He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?

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Numbers 11
1. The burning at Taberah quenched by Moses' prayer
4. The people crave meat, and loathe manna
10. Moses complains of his charge
16. God promises to divide his burden unto seventy elders,
18. and to give the people meat for a month
21. Moses' faith is staggered
31. Quails are given in wrath at Kibroth Hattaavah














If all our flocks and herds were slaughtered for them
This phrase begins with a hypothetical scenario posed by Moses, reflecting his doubt and frustration. The Hebrew root for "flocks and herds" (צֹאן וּבָקָר, tson u'baqar) refers to the primary livestock of the Israelites, symbolizing wealth and sustenance. Historically, these animals were central to the nomadic lifestyle of the Israelites, providing not only food but also materials for clothing and trade. Moses' mention of slaughtering all the livestock underscores the enormity of the task he perceives in feeding the people, highlighting his human limitations and the need for divine intervention.

would they have enough?
The phrase "would they have enough?" (הֲיִסְפְּקוּ לָהֶם, ha'yispequ lahem) captures Moses' skepticism about the sufficiency of resources. The root word "ספק" (saphak) means to be sufficient or enough. This reflects a common human concern about scarcity and provision, which is a recurring theme in the wilderness narratives. Moses' question is rhetorical, emphasizing the impossibility of meeting the people's needs through natural means alone. It invites readers to consider the contrast between human insufficiency and divine abundance.

Or if all the fish in the sea were caught for them
Here, Moses expands his hypothetical to include "all the fish in the sea" (כָּל־דְּגֵי הַיָּם, kol-degei ha'yam). The sea, often representing chaos and the unknown in ancient Near Eastern thought, is used to illustrate the vastness of the resources that would be required. The act of catching fish (דָּגָה, dagah) implies human effort and labor. This phrase serves to further highlight the futility of relying solely on human efforts to meet the needs of the people, pointing instead to the necessity of divine provision.

would they have enough?
The repetition of "would they have enough?" reinforces the theme of insufficiency. It echoes the earlier part of the verse, creating a parallel structure that emphasizes Moses' doubt. This repetition serves to drive home the point that no amount of human effort or resource can satisfy the needs of the people without God's intervention. It challenges the reader to reflect on their own reliance on God for provision and to trust in His ability to provide beyond human limitations.

(22) Shall the flocks and the herds . .?--Rather, Shall flocks and herds . .? The definite article is not used here, nor the possessive pronoun, as elsewhere, where the flocks and herds of the Israelites are denoted. (Comp. Exodus 10:9; Exodus 34:3; Deuteronomy 12:6.) There is no evidence, therefore, that Moses alluded exclusively, or even primarily, to the flocks and herds which the Israelites had brought out of Egypt. Moreover, a large number of the sheep and goats must have been recently slain at the Passover. Whether the encampment was, or was not within an easy distance of the 'lanitic Gulf, the gathering together of the fish of the sea in sufficient quantities to satisfy such a multitude for so long a time would require a miraculous agency; and the same agency could also bring together from unknown sources flocks and herds. The expression may be regarded as a form of natural hyperbole.

Verse 22. - Shall the flocks and herds be slain? Which they had brought out of Egypt with them (see on Exodus 12:32), and which no doubt were carefully husbanded, partly in order to supply them with milk and other produce, partly in order to maintain the sacrifices of the law. All the fish of the sea. A wild expression from which nothing can be fairly argued as to the present position of the camp.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If flocks
הֲצֹ֧אן (hă·ṣōn)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

and herds
וּבָקָ֛ר (ū·ḇā·qār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1241: Beef cattle, ox, a herd

were slaughtered for them,
יִשָּׁחֵ֥ט (yiš·šā·ḥêṭ)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7819: To slaughter, beat

would they have enough?
וּמָצָ֣א (ū·mā·ṣā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

Or if
אִ֣ם (’im)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the fish
דְּגֵ֥י (də·ḡê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1709: A fish

in the sea
הַיָּ֛ם (hay·yām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin

were caught for them,
יֵאָסֵ֥ף (yê·’ā·sêp̄)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 622: To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove

would they have enough?”
וּמָצָ֥א (ū·mā·ṣā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present


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OT Law: Numbers 11:22 Shall flocks and herds be slain (Nu Num.)
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