1Das Volk war wie Totenklager, übel in SEINEN Ohren, ER hörte es, sein Zorn entflammte, ein Feuer von IHM zündete auf sie ein, es fraß am Rande des Lagers. 2Das Volk schrie zu Mosche, Mosche setzte sich ein bei IHM, das Feuer sank. 3Er rief den Namen des Ortes Tabera, Zündstatt, denn auf sie eingezündet hatte ein Feuer von IHM. 4Aber der Mischmasch, der drunter war, die lüstete ein Gelüst, es weinten auch die Söhne Jissraels wieder und sprachen: Wer gibt uns Fleisch zu essen! 5wir gedenken der Fischmenge, die wir in Ägypten umsonst zu essen bekamen, der Gurken, der Melonen, des Porrees, der Zwiebeln, des Knoblauchs! 6jetzt ist uns die Seele vertrocknet, von alldem keins mehr! einzig auf das Man unsre Augen! 7Und das Man, wie Koriandersamen wars doch, sein Anblick wie der Anblick des Edelharzes, 8das Volk schlenderte, sie lasen, sie zerriebens auf der Handmühle oder stampftens im Stampf, sie kochtens im Napf, sie machtens zu Kuchen, sein Geschmack war wie der Geschmack von Ölleckerei, 9wann der Tau nachts aufs Lager niederfiel, fiel das Man auf ihn nieder. 10Mosche hörte das Volk weinen, nach seinen Sippen, jeder im Einlaß seines Zelts, SEIN Zorn entflammte sehr, und in Mosches Augen wars übel. 11Mosche sprach zu IHM: Warum tust du übel deinem Knecht, warum habe ich Gunst in deinen Augen nicht gefunden, daß du die Tracht all dieses Volks auf mich legst! 12Bin mit all diesem Volk ich selber schwanger gewesen, oder habe ich selber es gezeugt, daß du zu mir sprichst: Trags an deinem Busen, wie der Wärter den Säugling trägt, hin auf den Boden, den du seinen Vätern zuschwurst! 13Woher sollte ich Fleisch haben, es all diesem Volke zu geben! Denn sie weinen mich an, sprechend: Gib uns Fleisch, daß wir essen! 14Nicht vermag ich selber für mich all dieses Volk zu tragen, denn zu schwer ist es mir! 15Willst du mir solches tun, erwürge, erwürge mich doch, habe ich Gunst in deinen Augen gefunden! daß ich nimmer sehn muß mein Übel! 16ER sprach zu Mosche: Hole mir zusammen siebzig Männer von den Ältesten Jissraels, die du kennst, daß sie die Ältesten des Volks und seine Rollenführer sind, nimm sie ans Zelt der Begegnung, dort sollen sie zu dir treten. 17Ich will niederziehen, will dort zu dir reden, will aussparen vom Geistbraus, der über dir ist, es über sie legen, sie sollen mit dir an der Tracht des Volkes tragen, nicht sollst tragen sie du, du für dich. 18Und zum Volk sollst du sprechen: Heiligt euch auf morgen, ihr sollt Fleisch essen. Denn ihr habt in SEINE Ohren geweint, sprechend: Wer verschafft uns Fleisch zu essen, denn gut hatten wirs in Ägypten! Geben wird ER euch Fleisch und ihr sollts essen. 19Nicht einen Tag nur sollt ihrs essen, nicht ein Tagpaar, nicht fünf Tage, nicht zehn Tage, nicht zwanzig Tage: 20bis zu einer Mondneuung an Tagen, bis es zur Nase euch ausfährt und euch zum Ekel wird! Weil ihr IHN, der drinnen unter euch ist, mißachtet habt und weintet vor ihm, sprechend: Warum sind wir dann aus Ägypten gefahren! 21Mosche sprach: Sechshunderttausend zu Fuß sind das Volk, bei dem drinnen ich bin, und du, du sprichst: Fleisch gebe ich ihnen, eine Mondneuung Tage sollen sies essen! 22soll man Schafe und Rinder für sie metzen, daß es für sie reiche, oder soll man alle Fische des Meeres für sie beiholen, daß es für sie reiche? 23ER sprach zu Mosche: Ist MEINE Hand zu kurz? jetzt wirst du sehn, ob meine Rede dir eintrifft oder nicht. 24Mosche ging hinaus und redete zum Volk SEINE Rede, er holte zusammen siebzig Männer von den Ältesten des Volkes, er stellte sie rings um das Zelt. 25ER zog nieder im Gewölk, er redete zu ihm, er sparte aus vom Geistbraus, der über ihm war, er gabs über die siebzig Männer, die Ältesten. Es geschah: wie über ihnen der Geistbraus ruhte, kündeten sie einher, - nicht taten sies hinfort. 26Zwei Männer waren im Lager geblieben, der Name des einen Eldad, der Name des zweiten Medad, es ruhte der Geistbraus über ihnen, sie waren nämlich unter den Aufgeschriebnen, aber sie waren nicht hinausgegangen ans Zelt, die kündeten einher im Lager. 27Ein Knabe lief und meldete es Mosche, er sprach: Eldad und Medad künden einher im Lager. 28Jehoschua Sohn Nuns, Mosches Amtshelfer von seiner Jünglingszeit an, fiel ein, er sprach: Mein Herr Mosche, wehre ihnen! 29Mosche aber sprach zu ihm: Willst für mich du eifern? wer gäbs, all SEIN Volk wären Künder, daß ER seinen Geistbraus über sie gäbe! 30Mosche wurde in das Lager eingeholt, er und die Ältesten Jissraels. 31Ein Windbraus aber brach auf von IHM her, der trieb vom Meer Wachteln heran, er stieß sie übers Lager, eine Tagreise dahin und eine Tagreise dahin rings um das Lager, bei zwei Ellen hoch über der Fläche der Erde. 32Das Volk machte sich auf all jenen Tag und all die Nacht und all den morgenden Tag, sie holten das Wachtelheer ein, wer wenig nahm holte zehn Malter, sie breiteten sie sich in die Breite rings um das Lager. 33Noch war das Fleisch zwischen ihren Zähnen, bevor es verzehrt war, SEIN Zorn flammte auf das Volk ein, ER schlug auf das Volk ein, einen sehr großen Schlag. 34Man rief den Namen jenes Orts: Gräber des Gelüsts, denn dort hatte man das Volk der Lüsternen begraben. 35Von Gräber-des-Gelüsts zog das Volk nach Chazerot, sie blieben in Chazerot.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 MANNA LOATHED. (Num. 11:1-35)
When the people complained it displeased the Lord, &c.--Unaccustomed to the fatigues of travel and wandering into the depths of a desert, less mountainous but far more gloomy and desolate than that of Sinai, without any near prospect of the rich country that had been promised, they fell into a state of vehement discontent, which was vented at these irksome and fruitless journeyings. The displeasure of God was manifested against the ungrateful complainers by fire sent in an extraordinary manner. It is worthy of notice, however, that the discontent seems to have been confined to the extremities of the camp, where, in all likelihood, "the mixed multitude" [see on
Exod 12:38] had their station. At the intercession of Moses, the appalling judgment ceased [
Num 11:2], and the name given to the place, "Taberah" (a burning), remained ever after a monument of national sin and punishment. (See on
Num 11:34).
4 the mixed multitude that was among them fell a lusting--These consisted of Egyptians. [See on
Exod 12:38.] To dream of banquets and plenty of animal food in the desert becomes a disease of the imagination; and to this excitement of the appetite no people are more liable than the natives of Egypt. But the Israelites participated in the same feelings and expressed dissatisfaction with the manna on which they had hitherto been supported, in comparison with the vegetable luxuries with which they had been regaled in Egypt.
5 We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely--(See on
Exod 7:17). The people of Egypt are accustomed to an almost exclusive diet of fish, either fresh or sun-dried, during the hot season in April and May--the very season when the Israelites were travelling in this desert. Lower Egypt, where were the brick-kilns in which they were employed, afforded great facilities for obtaining fish in the Mediterranean, the lakes, and the canals of the Nile.
cucumbers--The Egyptian species is smooth, of a cylindrical form, and about a foot in length. It is highly esteemed by the natives and when in season is liberally partaken of, being greatly mellowed by the influence of the sun.
melons--The watermelons are meant, which grow on the deep, loamy soil after the subsidence of the Nile; and as they afford a juicy and cooling fruit, all classes make use of them for food, drink, and medicine.
leeks--by some said to be a species of grass cresses, which is much relished as a kind of seasoning.
onions--the same as ours; but instead of being nauseous and affecting the eyes, they are sweet to the taste, good for the stomach, and form to a large extent the aliment of the laboring classes.
garlic--is now nearly if not altogether extinct in Egypt although it seems to have grown anciently in great abundance. The herbs now mentioned form a diet very grateful in warm countries where vegetables and other fruits of the season are much used. We can scarcely wonder that both the Egyptian hangers-on and the general body of the Israelites, incited by their clamors, complained bitterly of the want of the refreshing viands in their toilsome wanderings. But after all their experience of the bounty and care of God, their vehement longing for the luxuries of Egypt was an impeachment of the divine arrangements; and if it was the sin that beset them in the desert, it became them more strenuously to repress a rebellious spirit, as dishonoring to God and unbecoming their relation to Him as a chosen people.
6 But now . . . there is nothing . . . beside this manna--Daily familiarity had disgusted them with the sight and taste of the monotonous food; and, ungrateful for the heavenly gift, they longed for a change of fare. It may be noticed that the resemblance of the manna to coriander seed was not in the color, but in the size and figure; and from its comparison to bdellium, which is either a drop of white gum or a white pearl, we are enabled to form a better idea of it. Moreover, it is evident, from the process of baking into cakes, that it could not have been the natural manna of the Arabian desert, for that is too gummy or unctuous to admit of being ground into meal. In taste it is said to have been like "wafers made with honey" (
Exod 16:31), and here to have the taste of fresh oil. The discrepancy in these statements is only apparent; for in the latter the manna is described in its raw state; in the former, after it was ground and baked. The minute description given here of its nature and use was designed to show the great sinfulness of the people, in being dissatisfied with such excellent food, furnished so plentifully and gratuitously.
10 Moses said unto the Lord, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant, &c.--It is impossible not to sympathize with his feelings although the tone and language of his remonstrances to God cannot be justified. He was in a most distressing situation--having a mighty multitude under his care, with no means of satisfying their clamorous demands. Their conduct shows how deeply they had been debased and demoralized by long oppression: while his reveals a state of mind agonized and almost overwhelmed by a sense of the undivided responsibilities of his office.
16 the Lord said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders-- (
Exod 3:16;
Exod 5:6;
Exod 24:9;
Exod 18:21,
Exod 18:24;
Lev 4:15). An order of seventy was to be created, either by a selection from the existing staff of elders or by the appointment of new ones, empowered to assist him by their collective wisdom and experience in the onerous cares of government. The Jewish writers say that this was the origin of the Sanhedrin, or supreme appellate court of their nation. But there is every reason to believe that it was only a temporary expedient, adopted to meet a trying exigency.
17 I will come down--that is, not in a visible manner or by local descent, but by the tokens of the divine presence and operations.
and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee--"The spirit" means the gifts and influences of the Spirit (
Num 27:18;
Joel 2:28;
John 7:39;
1Cor 14:12), and by "taking the spirit of Moses, and putting it upon them," is not to be understood that the qualities of the great leader were to be in any degree impaired but that the elders would be endowed with a portion of the same gifts, especially of prophecy (
Num 11:25) --that is, an extraordinary penetration in discovering hidden and settling difficult things.
18 say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to-morrow, and ye shall eat flesh--that is, "prepare yourselves," by repentance and submission, to receive to-morrow the flesh you clamor for. But it is evident that the tenor of the language implied a severe rebuke and that the blessing promised would prove a curse.
21 Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand . . . Shall the flocks and herds be slain for them, to suffice them?--The great leader, struck with a promise so astonishing as that of suddenly furnishing, in the midst of the desert, more than two millions of people with flesh for a whole month, betrayed an incredulous spirit, surprising in one who had witnessed so many stupendous miracles. But it is probable that it was only a feeling of the moment--at all events, the incredulous doubt was uttered only to himself--and not, as afterwards, publicly and to the scandal of the people. (See on
Num 20:10). It was, therefore, sharply reproved, but not punished.
24 Moses . . . gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people, &c.--The tabernacle was chosen for the convocation, because, as it was there God manifested Himself, there His Spirit would be directly imparted--there the minds of the elders themselves would be inspired with reverential awe and their office invested with greater respect in the eyes of the people.
25 when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease--As those elders were constituted civil governors, their "prophesying" must be understood as meaning the performance of their civil and sacred duties by the help of those extraordinary endowments they had received; and by their not "ceasing" we understand, either that they continued to exercise their gifts uninterruptedly the first day (see
1Sam 19:24), or that these were permanent gifts, which qualified them in an eminent degree for discharging the duty of public magistrates.
26 But there remained two of the men in the camp--They did not repair with the rest to the tabernacle, either from modesty in shrinking from the assumption of a public office, or being prevented by some ceremonial defilement. They, however, received the gifts of the Spirit as well as their brethren. And when Moses was urged to forbid their prophesying, his answer displayed a noble disinterestedness as well as zeal for the glory of God akin to that of our Lord (
Mark 9:39).
31 There went forth a wind from the Lord, and brought quails from the sea, &c.--These migratory birds (see on
Exod 16:13) were on their journey from Egypt, when "the wind from the Lord," an east wind (
Ps 78:26) forcing them to change their course, wafted them over the Red Sea to the camp of Israel.
let them fall a day's journey--If the journey of an individual is meant, this space might be thirty miles; if the inspired historian referred to the whole host, ten miles would be as far as they could march in one day in the sandy desert under a vertical sun. Assuming it to be twenty miles this immense cloud of quails (
Ps 78:27) covered a space of forty miles in diameter. Others reduce it to sixteen. But it is doubtful whether the measurement be from the center or the extremities of the camp. It is evident, however, that the language describes the countless number of these quails.
as it were two cubits high--Some have supposed that they fell on the ground above each other to that height--a supposition which would leave a vast quantity useless as food to the Israelites, who were forbidden to eat any animal that died of itself or from which the blood was not poured out. Others think that, being exhausted with a long flight, they could not fly more than three feet above the earth, and so were easily felled or caught. A more recent explanation applies the phrase, "two cubits high," not to the accumulation of the mass, but to the size of the individual birds. Flocks of large red-legged cranes, three feet high, measuring seven feet from tip to tip, have been frequently seen on the western shores of the Gulf of Akaba, or eastern arm of the Red Sea [STANLEY; SHUBERT].
32 people stood up--rose up in eager haste--some at one time, others at another; some, perhaps through avidity, both day and night.
ten homers--ten asses' loads; or, "homers" may be used indefinitely (as in
Exod 8:14;
Judg 15:16); and "ten" for many: so that the phrase "ten homers" is equivalent to "great heaps." The collectors were probably one or two from each family; and, being distrustful of God's goodness, they gathered not for immediate consumption only, but for future use. In eastern and southern seas, innumerable quails are often seen, which, when weary, fall down, covering every spot on the deck and rigging of vessels; and in Egypt they come in such myriads that the people knock them down with sticks.
spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp--salted and dried them for future use, by the simple process to which they had been accustomed in Egypt.
33 while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed--literally, "cut off"; that is, before the supply of quails, which lasted a month (
Num 11:20), was exhausted. The probability is, that their stomachs, having been long inured to manna (a light food), were not prepared for so sudden a change of regimen--a heavy, solid diet of animal food, of which they seem to have partaken to so intemperate a degree as to produce a general surfeit, and fatal consequences. On a former occasion their murmurings for flesh were raised (
Exod 16:1-
Exod 16:8) because they were in want of food. Here they proceeded, not from necessity, but wanton, lustful desire; and their sin, in the righteous judgment of God, was made to carry its own punishment.
34 called the name of that place Kibrothhattaavah--literally, "The graves of lust," or "Those that lusted"; so that the name of the place proves that the mortality was confined to those who had indulged inordinately.
35 Hazeroth--The extreme southern station of this route was a watering-place in a spacious plain, now Ain-Haderah.