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Numbers 11:1-35 open_in_new
Journeyings from Sinai to moab (Numbers 10:11 to Numbers 22:1)
After a stay at Sinai of nearly a year (cp. Numbers 10:11 with Exodus 19:1) the signal is given for the breaking up of the camp. This second division of the book of Numbers relates the wanderings in the wilderness, and covers a period extending from the second to the fortieth year of the exodus: see Numbers 33:38; Deuteronomy 1:3. But as the events recorded in Numbers 10:14 to Numbers 14:45 took place during the first few months after leaving Sinai, and the death of Aaron in Numbers 20:22 was in the fortieth year, very little space is given to the events of the intervening thirty-eight years of desert life, more especially as Numbers 15:18; Numbers 15:19 are taken up with laws. There are indeed but two events recorded in that long period, viz. the rebellion of Korah and his company, with which is connected the blossoming of Aaron's rod (16, 17), and the death of Miriam and murmuring of the people at Kadesh (Numbers 20:1-13). it appears, therefore, that while the period of sojourn in the wilderness was of supreme importance, by way of preparing the people socially and religiously for the occupation of the land of promise, it was uneventful. In all probability the Israelites led a fairly settled life, some of them scattered at a considerable distance from the headquarters of the camp, and moving about not always as one body but in separate detachments: see on Numbers 9:15-23. During the greater part of this period Kadesh seems to have been their headquarters. See on Numbers 13:26; Numbers 20:1, and cp. Deuteronomy 1:46. It was only near the end of this period that a concerted and continuous march was made from Kadesh to the plains of Moab (Numbers 21).
Murmuring at Taberah and at Kibroth-Hattaavah
1. In the uttermost parts of the camp] What is meant is that the fire began, where probably the murmuring began, at the extremity of the camp, perhaps among the 'mixed multitude' (cp. Numbers 11:4).
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Numbers 11:3 open_in_new
Taberah] 'burning.'
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Numbers 11:4 open_in_new
The mixt multitude] see Exodus 12:38, where, however, a different word is used. Fell a lusting] longed for the delicacies of Egypt (Numbers 11:5). Wept again] This may refer to the story in Exodus 16.
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Numbers 11:15 open_in_new
My wretchedness] i.e. the failure of my attempts to lead this people: cp. the despairing complaint of Elijah in 1 Kings 19:4 and of Jeremiah in Jeremiah 15:10.
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Numbers 11:16 open_in_new
Later Jewish writers saw in this command of God the origin of their Sanhedrim, or Council of Seventy, who regulated the affairs of the nation in later times: cp. Mark 15:1.
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Numbers 11:18 open_in_new
Sanctify] see Exodus 19:10; Exodus 19:15.
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Numbers 11:25 open_in_new
They prophesied] This does not mean that they were able to predict the future, but that they broke out into the praise of God, and declared His will and goodness, while in a state of spiritual exaltation and ecstasy: see on Exodus 7:1.
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Numbers 11:26 open_in_new
Were written] enrolled among the seventy. The fact that Eldad and Medad also received the spirit shows that the spirit of God is not limited to certain places or individuals, and that He is no respecter of persons: cp. Acts 10:34-35; Acts 10:44-48;
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Numbers 11:29 open_in_new
A good example of the magnanimity and unselfishness of Moses: see on Numbers 27:15.
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Numbers 11:31 open_in_new
Two cubits high upon the face of the earth] The simplest interpretation of these words is that the quails were flying at this height (about 3 ft.) above the ground, which allowed the people to capture them easily.
Quails usually fly low, and with the wind (see on Exodus 16:13).
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Numbers 11:32 open_in_new
A homer is about ten bushels. The quails were spread out to dry for preservation.
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Numbers 11:33 open_in_new
The plague was probably due to surfeit: cp. Psalms 78:26-31; Psalms 106:13-15.
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Numbers 11:34 open_in_new
Kibroth-hattaavah] 'the graves of lusting': this and Hazeroth were between Sinai and Kadesh.