Numbers 11:18

Translations

Modern

And say to the people: Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you will eat meat, because you have cried out in the hearing of the LORD, saying: ‘Who will feed us meat? For we were better off in Egypt!’ Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you will eat.

Traditional

And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the Lord, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore the Lord will give you flesh, and ye shall eat.

Literal

And to the people you shall say, Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat flesh, for you have wept in the ears of YHWH, saying, ‘Who will let us eat flesh, for it was well with us in Egypt.’ And YHWH will give to you flesh, and you shall eat.

Latin

Populo quoque dices: Sanctificamini (cras comedetis carnes: ego enim audivi vos dicere: Quis dabit nobis escas carnium? bene nobis erat in Ægypto), ut det vobis Dominus carnes, et comedatis:

Original

Hebrew

English

And say to the people: Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you will eat meat, because you have cried out in the hearing of the LORD, saying: ‘Who will feed us meat? For we were better off in Egypt!’ Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you will eat.

Notes

Numbers 11:16–30

Jethro suggested that Moses should have different levels of judges (Exodus 18:13–26). He focused on practical issues like the tribal leaders who helped Moses with the registration (Numbers 1:5–15).

In contrast, the group of 70 elders would give Israel spiritual guidance. They needed a share of God's Spirit. Moses already had this, and it made him the Lord's special spokesman. Their ability to lead depended on God's Spirit being with them (compare 1 Samuel 10:6; 19:20; Joel 2:28; Acts 2:16–18; 1 Corinthians 12:10; 2 Peter 1:20–21).

Numbers 11:1–35

This is one of many occasions in the wilderness when Israel was disobedient to the Lord.

Theme notes and profiles

Moses Spirit Empowerment

Related verses

Exodus 19:10
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes
Acts 7:39
But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.
Exodus 16:3–7
“If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt!” they said. “There we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread, but you have brought us into this desert to starve this whole assembly to death!”
Numbers 11:4–6
Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, “Who will feed us meat?
Numbers 11:1
Soon the people began to complain about their hardship in the hearing of the LORD, and when He heard them, His anger was kindled, and fire from the LORD blazed among them and consumed the outskirts of the camp.
Judges 21:2
So the people came to Bethel and sat there before God until evening, lifting up their voices and weeping bitterly.
Joshua 7:13
Get up and consecrate the people, saying, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Among you, O Israel, there are things devoted to destruction. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove them.
Genesis 35:2
So Jacob told his household and all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you. Purify yourselves and change your garments.
Exodus 19:15
“Be prepared for the third day,” he said to the people. “Do not draw near to a woman.”
Numbers 14:2–3
All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness!

Places

Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus

Glossary

Deuteronomy, Book of Manna Numbers, Book of

Topics

Government: Mosaic: Closely Associated with Moses and Subsequent Leaders Inspiration: General Scriptures Concerning Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To Kibrothhattaavah: Flesh Promised Manna: The Israelites: Punished for Despising Moses: Institutes a System of Government Prayer: Answered: Moses, Concerning the Complaint of the Israelites for Meat Sanitation: Gluttony, Disease Resulting From Trouble: Food

Numbers 11:18

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