Translations
Original
Notes
Who will feed us meat?: The Israelites had flocks and herds (for example, 32:1; Exodus 12:32, 38; 17:3; 34:3). But the animals were more valuable for their dairy products and other benefits while alive. They only butchered them for meat occasionally. The Hebrews did not have enough meat to regularly feed such a large population (compare Numbers 11:21–22).
Israel had not given up the attitude that led to judgment at Taberah (11:1–3). At Taberah, the people complained, and the Lord sent fire among them.
Soon after, they joined the foreign rabble (a mixed group of non-Israelites who had left Egypt with them) in craving the foods of Egypt. They longed for the fish, vegetables, and other foods they had known there.
In doing this, they forgot the suffering and slavery they had experienced in Egypt. They remembered the food but ignored the hardship.
This is one of many occasions in the wilderness when Israel was disobedient to the Lord.
Places
Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus
Glossary
Cucumber Deuteronomy, Book of Food and Food Preparation Garlic Leek Manna Melon Moses Numbers, Book of Onion
Topics
Cucumber: General Scriptures Concerning Desert, Journey of Israel Through The: Murmuring of the Mixed Multitude and of Israel, for Flesh Egypt: Diet Used In Egypt: The Country of: Productions of Fishes used As Food by the Egyptians Garlic: General Scriptures Concerning Herbs: Cucumber Herbs: Garlic Herbs: Leeks Herbs: Melon Herbs: Onions Leek: General Scriptures Concerning Manna: The Israelites: Counted Inferior to Food of Egypt Melon: General Scriptures Concerning Murmuring: Israelites Onion: General Scriptures Concerning The Diet of the Jews in Egypt Trouble: Food Ungratefulness