Numbers 11:1-17 ▼

1 AND when the people complained, it displeased the LORD; and the LORD heard it, and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed in the uttermost parts of the camp.

2 And the people cried to Moses; and Moses prayed to the LORD, and the fire was quenched.

3 And he called the name of that place Yakdana (a burning), because the fire of the LORD burned among them.

4 And the mixed multitude that was among them had a strong craving; and they went about and caused the children of Israel to weep, saying, Who shall give us meat to eat?

5 We remember the fish that we used to eat in Egypt freely, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic;

6 But now our soul is dried up; there is nothing at all, besides this manna, before our eyes.

7 And the manna was like coriander seed, and its color as the color of beryllium.

8 And the people went about and gathered it and ground it in a mill or beat it in a mortar and baked it in pans and made cakes of it; and the taste of it was as the taste of bread kneaded with oil.

9 And when the dew came down upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.

10 Then Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent; and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased.

11 And Moses said to the LORD, My LORD, why hast thou caused displeasure to thy servant? And why have I not found favor in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?

12 Have I conceived all this people? Or have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say to me, Carry them in your bosom, as a nursing father carries the suckling child, to the land which thou swearest to their fathers?

13 Where can I find meat to give to all this people? For they weep protesting to me, saying, Give us meat, that we may eat.

14 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me.

15 And if thou deal thus with me, kill me right away, if I have found favor in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.

16 And the LORD said to Moses, Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be chiefs of the people and its scribes; and bring them to the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may be ready there with you.

17 And I will come down and talk with you there; and I will take some of the spirit which is upon you, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone.