Bible Commentaries
Numbers 11

Verse 1

complained. Hebrew were as complainers, Psalms 78:19 . In this word another inverted nun (, n), to mark the fact of the People's turning back in their hearts. See note on Numbers 10:35 .

it displeased the LORD. Hebrew "was evil in the ears of Jehovah". Some codices, with Targum of Onkelos, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Septuagint, and Syriac, read "eyes" instead of "ears".

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

the fire. Those before the Law not punished, Exodus 14:11-15 ; Exodus 15:24-26 ; Exodus 16:2-4 , Exodus 16:9 , Exodus 16:20 , Exodus 16:27 , Exodus 16:28 ; Exodus 17:2-4 . Punished after Law given. Exodus 32:27-35 . Compare Romans 4:15 .

Verse 3

he called: i.e. Moses called.

the place = that place.

Taberah. Hebrew "burning".

Verse 4

multitude = camp followers. See Exodus 12:38 .

fell a lusting. Hebrew Figure of speech Polyptoton, App-6 . = "lusted a lusting", emphatic for lusted exceedingly. Psalms 106:14 ; Psalms 78:18-20 .

children = sons.

Who shall give? Figure of speech Erotesis ( App-6 ).

Verse 5

the fish. Six items given of Egypt's food: seven of Canaan's, in Deuteronomy 8:8 . See App-10 .

freely = gratuitously.

and. Note Figure of speech Polysyndeton in this verse ( App-6 ), to emphasize the six items. See Numbers 11:8 .

Verse 6

our soul is. Hebrew. nephesh = we [are]. App-13 .

Verse 7

manna. Compare John 6:31-33 . 1 Corinthians 10:3 .

colour. Hebrew "eye", put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for that which it distinguishes. Exodus 16:14 , Exodus 16:31 .

Verse 9

dew fell. Manna between the two dews, compare Exodus 16:13 , Exodus 16:14 .

Verse 10

man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

door = entrance.

Moses also was displeased = it was evil in Moses' eyes, as in Numbers 11:1 .

Verse 11

Wherefore, &c. Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

Verse 12

bosom. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

as = even as.

Verse 13

Whence, &c. Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

Verse 14

it is = the burden is. The Ellipsis to be supplied according to App-6 .

Verse 15

my wretchedness. Should be "thy evil", evil being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 . One of the eighteen emendations of the Sopherim. See App-33 .

wretchedness. Hebrew. ra'a'. See App-44 , put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for punishment due, see above.

Verse 16

said. See note on Numbers 3:40 .

to be = "that [they] be".

tabernacle = tent. Hebrew. ohel . App-40 .

Verse 17

take of = withdraw.

spirit. Hebrew. ruach, spirit, put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit. Compare 1 Corinthians 12:4 . See App-9 .

Verse 18

sanctify = separate. See note on "holy". Exodus 3:5 .

Verse 19

nor. Figure of speech Paradiastole, App-6 , for emphasis.

Verse 20

whole month = a month of days.

Verse 21

them. Some codices have a reading called Sever ( App-34 ), which reads "unto you".

Verse 23

Is . . . ? &c. Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

hand. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for power exercised by it.

Verse 24

People. Some codices, with The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel and Vulgate, read "Israel".

tabernacle. Hebrew. 'ohel, tent. See App-40 .

Verse 25

spake. See note on Numbers 1:1 .

did not cease. So the Vulgate; but Hebrew =. "did not add" (so Septuagint and Syriac), i.e. did not add any more, or again, after that day. Compare Exodus 11:6 . Deuteronomy 5:22 .Job 38:11 . 1 Samuel 19:24 .

Verse 26

men. Hebrew, plural of 'ish or 'enosh. App-14 .

them = the seventy.

written = enrolled. See note on Exodus 17:14 .

went not out. Compare 1 Samuel 10:22 .

in the camp. Compare Psalms 139:7 .

Verse 27

a. Hebrew the, viz. the young man, to be described later.

Verse 29

Enviest thou . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . Art thou jealous for me?

would God. "God" should be in italics. Figure of speech Eonismos. App-6 .

put His spirit. This is the definition of a true prophet. Compare Numbers 11:17 , and Numbers 12:6 .

Verse 31

wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

fall. Compare Psalms 78:27 , Psalms 78:28 .

a day's journey. See App-51 .

cubits. See App-51 .

high upon. Hebrew = "above"; i.e. "[flying] above", so that they could be easily caught. It does not say "deep".

Verse 32

homers. See Leviticus 27:16 , and App-51 .

Verse 33

flesh. Compare Psalms 78:27-31 .

Verse 34

Kibroth-hattaavah. Hebrew graves of lust.