Numbers 11:31New American Standard Bible (NASB ©1995) [2]
— Now there went forth a wind from the LORD and it brought quail from the sea, and let [them] fall beside the camp, about a day’s journey on this side and a day’s journey on the other side, all around the camp and about two cubits [deep] on the surface of the ground.
King James Version (KJV 1769) [2]
— And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let [them] fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits [high] upon the face of the earth.
English Revised Version (ERV 1885)
— And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, about a day's journey on this side, and a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and about two cubits above the face of the earth.
American Standard Version (ASV 1901) [2]
— And there went forth a wind from Jehovah, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, about a day's journey on this side, and a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and about two cubits above the face of the earth.
Webster's Revision of the KJB (WEB 1833)
— And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let [them] fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, around the camp, and as it were two cubits [high] upon the face of the earth.
Darby's Translation (DBY 1890)
— And there went forth a wind from Jehovah, and drove quails from the sea, and cast them about the camp, about a day's journey on this side, and about a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and about two cubits above the earth.
Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR 1902)
— Now, a wind, had sprung up, from Yahweh, and cut off quails from the sea, and let them lie over the camp—as it were a days journey here, and a days journey there, round about the camp,—and as it were two cubits, on the face of the land.
Young's Literal Translation (YLT 1898)
— And a spirit hath journeyed from Jehovah, and cutteth off quails from the sea, and leaveth by the camp, as a day's journey here, and as a day's journey there, round about the camp, and about two cubits, on the face of the land.
Douay-Rheims Challoner Revision (DR 1750)
— And a wind going out from the Lord, taking quails up beyond the sea brought them, and cast them into the camp for the space of one day's journey, on every side of the camp round about, and they flew in the air two cubits high above the ground.
Geneva Bible (GNV 1560)
— Then there went foorth a winde from the Lorde, and brought quailes from the Sea, and let them fall vpon the campe, a dayes iourney on this side, and a dayes iourney on the other side, round about the hoste, and they were about two cubites aboue the earth.
Original King James Bible (AV 1611) [2]
— And there went forth a winde from the LORD, and brought quailes from the sea, and let them fall by the campe, as it were a dayes iourney on this side, and as it were a dayes iourney on the other side round about the campe, and as it were two cubits [high] vpon the face of the earth.
Lamsa Bible (1957)
— And there went forth a wind from before the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, about a day's journey on this side and about a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and about two cubits high upon the face of the earth.
Brenton Greek Septuagint (LXX, Restored Names)
— And there went forth a wind from the Lord, and brought quails over from the sea; and it brought them down upon the camp a day's journey on this side, and a day's journey on that side, round about the camp, as it were two cubits from the earth.
Full Hebrew Names / Holy Name KJV (2008) [2] [3]
— And there went forth a wind from Yahweh, and brought quails from the sea, and let [them] fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits [high] upon the face of the earth. |
And there went forth
5265 {5265} Primeנָסַעnaca`{naw-sah'}
A primitive root; properly to pull up, especially the tent pins, that is, start on a journey.
z8804 <8804> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851) Mood - Perfect (See H8816) Count - 12562
a wind
7307 {7307} Primeרוּחַruwach{roo'-akh}
From H7306; wind; by resemblance breath, that is, a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions).
from
x4480 (4480) Complementמִןmin{min}
For H4482; properly a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses.
x854 (0854) Complementאֵת'eth{ayth}
Probably from H0579; properly nearness (used only as a preposition or adverb), near; hence generally with, by, at, among, etc.
Yähwè
יָהוֶה,
3068 {3068} PrimeיְהֹוָהY@hovah{yeh-ho-vaw'}
From H1961; (the) self Existent or eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.
and brought
1468 {1468} Primeגּוּזguwz{gooz}
A primitive root (compare H1494); properly to shear off; but used only in the (figurative) sense of passing rapidly.
z8799 <8799> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851) Mood - Imperfect (See H8811) Count - 19885
quails
7958 {7958} Primeשְׂלָוs@lav{sel-awv'}
By orthographical variation from H7951 through the idea of sluggishness; the quail collectively (as slow in flight from its weight).
from
x4480 (4480) Complementמִןmin{min}
For H4482; properly a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses.
the sea,
3220 {3220} Primeיָםyam{yawm}
From an unused root meaning to roar; a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article) the Mediterranean; sometimes a large river, or an artificial basin; locally, the west, or (rarely) the south.
and let [ them] fall
5203 {5203} Primeנָטַשׁnatash{naw-tash'}
A primitive root; properly to pound, that is, smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon (including reject, let alone, permit, remit, etc.).
z8799 <8799> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851) Mood - Imperfect (See H8811) Count - 19885
by
x5921 (5921) Complementעַל`al{al}
Properly the same as H5920 used as a preposition (in the singular or plural, often with prefix, or as conjugation with a particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications.
the camp,
4264 {4264} Primeמַחֲנֶהmachaneh{makh-an-eh'}
From H2583; an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence an army, whether literally (of soldiers) or figuratively (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or even the sacred courts).
as it were a day's
3117 {3117} Primeיוֹםyowm{yome}
From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literally (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figuratively (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverbially).
journey
1870 {1870} Primeדֶּרֶךְderek{deh'-rek}
From H1869; a road (as trodden); figuratively a course of life or mode of action, often adverbially.
on this side,
3541 {3541} Primeכֹּהkoh{ko}
From the prefix K and H1931; properly like this, that is, by implication (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now.
and as it were a day's
3117 {3117} Primeיוֹםyowm{yome}
From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literally (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figuratively (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverbially).
journey
1870 {1870} Primeדֶּרֶךְderek{deh'-rek}
From H1869; a road (as trodden); figuratively a course of life or mode of action, often adverbially.
on the other side,
3541 {3541} Primeכֹּהkoh{ko}
From the prefix K and H1931; properly like this, that is, by implication (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now.
round about
5439 {5439} Primeסָבִיבcabiyb{saw-beeb'}
From H5437; (as noun) a circle, neighbor, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around.
the camp,
4264 {4264} Primeמַחֲנֶהmachaneh{makh-an-eh'}
From H2583; an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence an army, whether literally (of soldiers) or figuratively (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or even the sacred courts).
and as it were two cubits
520 {0520} Primeאַמָּה'ammah{am-maw'}
Prolonged from H0517; properly a mother (that is, unit) of measure, or the forearm (below the elbow), that is, a cubit; also a door base (as a bond of the entrance).
[ high] upon
x5921 (5921) Complementעַל`al{al}
Properly the same as H5920 used as a preposition (in the singular or plural, often with prefix, or as conjugation with a particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications.
the face
6440 {6440} Primeפָּנִיםpaniym{paw-neem'}
Plural (but always used as a singular) of an unused noun ( פָּנֶה paneh, {paw-neh'}; from H6437); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition ( before, etc.).
of the earth.
776 {0776} Primeאֶרֶץ'erets{eh'-rets}
From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land). |
Numbers 11:31-35
_ _ There went forth a wind from the Lord, and brought quails from the sea, etc. — These migratory birds (see on Exodus 16:13) were on their journey from Egypt, when “the wind from the Lord,” an east wind (Psalms 78:26) forcing them to change their course, wafted them over the Red Sea to the camp of Israel.
_ _ let them fall a day’s journey — If the journey of an individual is meant, this space might be thirty miles; if the inspired historian referred to the whole host, ten miles would be as far as they could march in one day in the sandy desert under a vertical sun. Assuming it to be twenty miles this immense cloud of quails (Psalms 78:27) covered a space of forty miles in diameter. Others reduce it to sixteen. But it is doubtful whether the measurement be from the center or the extremities of the camp. It is evident, however, that the language describes the countless number of these quails.
_ _ as it were two cubits high — Some have supposed that they fell on the ground above each other to that height — a supposition which would leave a vast quantity useless as food to the Israelites, who were forbidden to eat any animal that died of itself or from which the blood was not poured out. Others think that, being exhausted with a long flight, they could not fly more than three feet above the earth, and so were easily felled or caught. A more recent explanation applies the phrase, “two cubits high,” not to the accumulation of the mass, but to the size of the individual birds. Flocks of large red-legged cranes, three feet high, measuring seven feet from tip to tip, have been frequently seen on the western shores of the Gulf of Akaba, or eastern arm of the Red Sea [Stanley; Shubert]. |
Numbers 11:31-35
_ _ God, having performed his promise to Moses by giving him assessors in the government, thereby proving the power he has over the spirits of men by his Spirit, he here performs his promise to the people by giving them flesh, proving thereby his power over the inferior creatures and his dominion in the kingdom of nature. Observe, 1. How the people were gratified with flesh in abundance: A wind (a south-east wind, as appears, Psalms 78:26) brought quails, Numbers 11:31. It is uncertain what sort of animals they were; the psalmist calls them feathered fowl, or fowl of wing. The learned bishop Patrick inclines to agree with some modern writers, who think they were locusts, a delicious sort of food well known in those parts, the rather because they were brought with a wind, lay in heaps, and were dried in the sun for use. Whatever they were, they answered the intention, they served for a month's feast for Israel, such an indulgent Father was God to his froward family. Locusts, that had been a plague to fruitful Egypt, feeding upon the fruits, were a blessing to a barren wilderness, being themselves fed upon. 2. How greedy they were of this flesh that God sent them. They flew upon the spoil with an unsatiable appetite, not regarding what Moses had told them from God, that they would surfeit upon it, Numbers 11:32. Two days and a night they were at it, gathering flesh, till every master of a family had brought home ten homers (that is, ten ass-loads) at least. David longed for the water of the well of Bethlehem, but would not drink it when he had it, because it was obtained by venturing; much more reason these Israelites had to refuse this flesh, which was obtained by murmuring, and which, they might easily perceive, by what Moses said, was given them in anger; but those that are under the power of a carnal mind will have their lusts fulfilled, though it be to the certain damage and ruin of their precious souls. 3. How dearly they paid for their feasts, when it came into the reckoning: The Lord smote them with a very great plague (Numbers 11:33), some bodily disease, which probably was the effect of their surfeit, and was the death of many of them, and those, it is likely, the ringleaders in the mutiny. Note, God often grants the desires of his own people in love. He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul, Psalms 106:15. By all that was said to them they were not estranged from their lusts, and therefore, while the meat was in their mouths, the wrath of God came upon them, Psalms 78:30, Psalms 78:31. What we inordinately desire, if we obtain it (we have reason to fear), will be some way or other a grief and cross to us. God satiated them first, and then plagued them, (1.) To save the reputation of his own power, that it might not be said, “He would not have cut them off had he been able to supply them.” And, (2.) To show us the meaning of the prosperity of sinners; it is their preparation for ruin, they are fed as an ox for the slaughter. Lastly, The remembrance of this is preserved in the name given to the place, Numbers 11:34. Moses called it Kibroth-hattaavah, the graves of lusters or of lust. And well it had been if these graves of Israel's lusters had proved the graves of Israel's lust: the warning was designed to be so, but it had not its due effect, for it follows (Psalms 78:32), For all this, they sinned still. |
Numbers 11:31
A wind from the Lord — An extraordinary and miraculous wind both for its vehemency and for its effects. Quails — God gave them quails once before, Exodus 16:13, but neither in the same quantity, nor with the same design and effect as now. From the sea — Principally from the Red — sea, and both sides of it where, by the reports of ancient Heathen writers, they were then in great numbers, and, no doubt, were wonderfully increased by God's special providence for this very occasion. Two cubits high — Not as if the quails did cover all the ground two cubits high for a day's journey on each side of the camp, for then there had been no place left where they could spread them all abroad round about the camp; but the meaning is, that the quails came and fell down round about the camp for a whole day's journey on each side of it, and that in all that space they lay here and there in great heaps, which were often two cubits high. |
- a wind:
Exodus 10:13 And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all [that] night; [and] when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts.
Exodus 10:19 And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt.
Exodus 15:10 Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.
Psalms 135:7 He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.
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- and brought:
Exodus 16:13 And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host.
Psalms 78:26-29 He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind. ... So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire;
Psalms 105:40 [The people] asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
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- quails:
- That the word selav means the quail, we have already had occasion to observe; to which we subjoin the authority of Mr. Maundrell, who visited Naplosa (the ancient Sichem), where the Samaritans live. Mr. Maundrell asked their chief priest what sort of animal he took the selav to be. He answered, they were a sort of fowls; and, by the description Mr. Maundrell perceived he meant the same kind with our quails.
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- a day's journey:
- Heb. the way of a day
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