Num. 11 The murmuring of the people, for which the fire breaketh in upon them, Num. 11:1. Moses prayeth to God; the fire is quenched, Num. 11:2. The name of the place, and why called, Num. 11:3. The people murmur again, and lust after flesh, Num. 11:4–6. Manna described, Num. 11:7–9.

Complained, or, murmured; the occasion whereof seems to be their last three days’ journey in a vast howling wilderness, without any benefit; and thereupon the remembrance of their long abode in the wilderness, and the prospect and fear of many other tedious, and fruitless, and dangerous journeys,…

The people, the murmurers being penitent, or others for fear. Unto Moses, whom they knew to be very prevalent with God.

Tabera, from this fire; as it was called Kibroth-hattaa-vah from another occasion, Num. 11:34–35, Num. 33:16; as it is no new thing in Scripture for persons and places to have two names. Both these names were imposed as monuments of the people’s sin, and of God’s just judgment. See Deut. 9:7, Deut.

The mixt multitude, consisting of Egyptians or other people, which being affected with God’s miraculous works in Egypt, and thereupon believing the promise of God to carry them to a land of milk and honey, for their own advantage joined themselves to the Israelites, Ex.

Freely; either without price, for fish was very plentiful, and fishing was there free; or with a very small price; for nothing is sometimes put for a little, as John 18:20, Acts 27:33; and none for few, as Jer. 8:6, 1 Cor. 2:8.

Our soul; either, 1. Our life, as the soul signifies, Gen. 9:5, Ps. 33:19, Job 36:14; or, 2. Our body, which is oft signified by the soul, as Ps. 16:10, Ps. 35:12, Ps. 105:18, Lev. 19:28, Lev. 21:1, Num. 5:2.

As coriander seed; not for colour, for that is black, but for shape and figure. Bdellium is either, 1. The gum of a tree, of a white and bright colour; or rather, 2.

Or, of the most excellent oil; or, of the flour of oil; or, as others, of cakes or paste made with the best oil, the word cakes being easily supplied out of the foregoing member of the verse; or, which is not much differing, like wafers made with honey, as it is said Ex. 16:31.

And then the dew fell again upon it and covered it, as we see Ex. 16:13–14; so the manna lay hid as it were between two beds of dew. Hence the phrase of hidden manna Rev. 2:17.

In the door of his tent; to note, that they were not ashamed of their sin. Moses was displeased; partly, for their great unthankfulness; partly, foreseeing the dreadful judgments coming upon them, and partly, for his own burden expressed in the following verses.

Why didst thou not hear my prayer, when I desired thou wouldst excuse me, and commit the care and government of this unruly people to some other person? See Ex. 3:11, Ex. 4:10.

Have I begotten them; are they my children, that I should be obliged to provide food and all things for their necessity and desire? As a nursing-father beareth the sucking-child; which expression shows the tender care and affection that governors by the command of God ought to have towards their…

All this people, i.e. the burden of providing for and satisfying of them. Object. How was he alone, when there were others added to help him, Ex. 18:21, Ex. 18:24? Answ.

Heb. my evil, i.e. my intolerable anguish and torment, arising from the insuperable difficulty of my office and work of ruling this people, and from the dread of their utter extirpation which they will bring upon themselves, and the dishonour which thence will accrue to God and to religion; as if…

Of whom see Ex. 3:16, Ex. 5:6, Lev. 4:15, Deut. 16:18. Whom thou knowest to be the elders; whom thou by experience discernest to be elders not only in years, and name, and place, but also in wisdom, and gravity, and authority with the people.

I will come down, not by local motion, but by my powerful presence and operation. See Gen. 11:5, Ex. 34:5. Will put it upon them, i.e. I will give the same Spirit to them which I have given to thee.

Sanctify yourselves, i.e. prepare yourselves, either to receive the miraculous blessings of God, the flesh you desire; or rather, Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel, in the way of his judgments, and to receive the punishment which God will inflict upon you; for it is evident, from Num.

Till it come out at your nostrils; which meat loathed and violently vomited up frequently doth; and it be loathsome unto you, being glutted with the abundance of it.

Six hundred thousand footmen, fit for war, Ex. 12:37, besides women, children, &c. That Moses speaks this as doubting or distrusting God’s words is evident enough from Num. 11:22–23. And that Moses was not remarkably punished for this as he was afterward for the same sin, Num.

Will they be sufficient for them? or where shall they have more?

Waxed short, i.e. less able to work such great and glorious miracles as I have done.

Moses went out of the tabernacle, into which he entered to receive God’s answers from the mercy-seat, Num. 7:89. The seventy men, either they are called seventy from the stated number, though two of them were lacking, Num. 11:26, as the apostles are called the twelve, Matt.

Rested upon them, i.e. not only moved them for a time, but took up his settled abode with them, because the use and end of this gift was not temporary, but perpetual; they prophesied, i.e. discoursed of the word and works of God in a singular and marvellous manner, as the prophets did.

In the camp; not going to the tabernacle, as the rest did; either modestly declining that high employment from a tremble sense of their own insufficiency, as Saul did, 1 Sam.

Fearing lest his authority should be diminished by their prophesying; and thereby, as by the signal given at this time, taking authority to themselves without his knowledge and consent.

One of his young men, or one of his choice ministers, a chosen or excellent person; which may be emphatically added, to note that even great and good men may mistake and misjudge about the works of God. Or, from his youth, as the words will bear, and the Chaldee, Syriac, &c. render it.

Enviest thou; art thou grieved because the gifts and graces of God are imparted to others besides me? Compare John 3:26. He saith prophets, not rulers, for that he knew was absurd and impossible.

Among the people, to exercise the gifts and authority now or formerly received.

A wind from the Lord, i.e. an extraordinary and miraculous wind, both for its vehemency and for its effect Quails; a delicious and very nourishing food, which, considering their greedy appetite, and the newness and plenty of it, disposed them to surfeits and other distemper of body, and prepared…

Stood up, or rather rose up, which word is oft used for attempting or beginning to do any business. All night; some at one time, and some at the other, and some, through their greediness or diffidence, at both times. Ten homers, i.e. ten ass loads; which if it seem incredible, you must consider, 1.

Chewed, Heb. cut off, to wit, from their mouths, which is here understood, and expressed Joel 1:5, i.e. ere it was taken away, as the flocks are said to be cut off from the fold, Hab. 3:17, when they are lost and perished.

Kibroth-hattaavah, Heb. The graves of lust, i.e. of the men that lusted, as it here follows. The abstract for the concrete, which is frequent; as poverty, 2 Kings 24:14, pride, Ps. 36:11, deceit, sins, Prov. 13:6;c., dreams, Jer.

Of which place See Poole “Num. 33:17” See Poole “Deut. 1:1”.