Numbers 11 1

Numbers 11:1 kjv

And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.

Numbers 11:1 nkjv

Now when the people complained, it displeased the LORD; for the LORD heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the LORD burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp.

Numbers 11:1 niv

Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp.

Numbers 11:1 esv

And the people complained in the hearing of the LORD about their misfortunes, and when the LORD heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp.

Numbers 11:1 nlt

Soon the people began to complain about their hardship, and the LORD heard everything they said. Then the LORD's anger blazed against them, and he sent a fire to rage among them, and he destroyed some of the people in the outskirts of the camp.

Numbers 11 verses

Numbers 11 1 Meaning

The Israelites, just three days into their journey from Sinai, began to complain aimlessly and discontentedly. This pervasive murmuring was perceived as deeply wicked and offensive by the LORD. As a direct consequence of their rebellious dissatisfaction, the LORD's intense anger was kindled, and a unique, supernatural "fire of the LORD" emanated from His presence, burning among them and consuming a portion of the camp's outskirts. This served as an immediate divine judgment against their lack of faith and persistent grumbling.

Numbers 11 1 Context

Numbers chapter 11 verse 1 marks a critical turning point in the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. Immediately preceding this verse, chapter 10 concludes with an orderly and detailed account of the Israelites' encampment structure, the setup of the Tabernacle, and their organized departure from Mount Sinai, a journey of "three days" (Num 10:33). They had been led directly by the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. Despite this meticulous divine guidance and organization, the people's patience and faith quickly ran thin. This initial instance of widespread complaint introduces a recurring theme of murmuring, rebellion, and subsequent divine judgment that characterizes much of the wilderness wandering period, ultimately leading to the generation's failure to enter the promised land. The verse sets the stage for God's holy intolerance of persistent ungratefulness and rebellion against His direct provision and leadership.

Numbers 11 1 Word analysis

• Now (וַיְהִי, vayhi): This Hebrew phrase, literally "and it came to pass" or "and it happened," often functions as a literary marker. Here, it introduces a significant shift or new development in the narrative, indicating an immediate and sharp transition from the positive momentum of orderly departure to an unfortunate event of spiritual decline and divine discipline.
• when the people (הָעָם, ha'am): Refers to the collective assembly of Israelites, indicating a widespread discontent. While later verses suggest "the rabble" might have instigated (Num 11:4), the initial complaint is attributed to the broader "people."
• complained (כְּמִתְאֹנְנִים, kəmit'onənīm): This significant Hebrew word, from the root אָנַן ('anēn), means "to complain," "to murmur," or "to grumble." The Hithpael participial form suggests a continuous, habitual state, or "as those who are continually complaining." Scholarly consensus often notes that this particular root suggests not a specific grievance, but a general dissatisfaction, a pervasive attitude of discontent, or even "seeking an occasion to complain." It was likely a deep-seated spiritual issue, expressing distrust in God's providence and leadership without a concrete, identifiable hardship beyond simply being in the wilderness.
• it displeased the LORD (רַע בְּאָזְנֵי יְהוָה, ra b'oznei Yahweh): Literally, "it was evil in the ears of Yahweh." Ra (רַע) is a strong Hebrew word meaning bad, evil, wicked, or harmful. This phrase conveys that the murmuring was not merely irritating to God, but profoundly offensive and morally wrong in His sight, signifying active rebellion and a rejection of His good and sovereign will. God perceived their discontent as sin.
• and the LORD (וַיְהוָה, vayYahweh): The use of God's covenant name, Yahweh (YHVH), emphasizes that the response came from the God who had redeemed them, made a covenant with them, and was faithfully leading them. This makes their complaining a personal affront.
• heard it (וַיִּשְׁמַע, vayishma'): Signifies not just passive auditory reception but active perception and immediate cognizance. God heard their innermost thoughts and the spiritual disposition behind their grumbling. His hearing implies a forthcoming, deliberate response.
• his anger was kindled (וַיִּחַר אַפּוֹ, vayichar appo): A powerful Hebrew idiom, literally "his nose grew hot," expressing intense, righteous divine wrath. This is not capricious human anger, but a holy indignation born of God's perfect justice and zeal against sin and unbelief from His covenant people. It reflects His character as a consuming fire against rebellion.
• and the fire of the LORD (אֵשׁ יְהוָה, esh Yahweh): This is a unique designation, referring to a supernatural, divine manifestation of fire directly from God. It is distinct from ordinary fire and represents His immediate, active judgment and consuming holiness. Similar divine fire appeared in other judgments (Lev 10:2, Num 16:35), signifying God's direct intervention.
• burned among them (וַתִּבְעַר בָּם, vatīva'ar bām): Indicates that the fire raged with destructive power within the camp, directly impacting the people.
• and consumed (וַתֹּאכַל, vattokhal): Literally, "and it ate," emphasizing the thorough and devouring nature of the judgment.
• some of the outskirts of the camp (בִּקְצֵה הַמַּחֲנֶה, biktsēh hammachăneh): Refers to the very edge or periphery of the Israelite encampment. This detail is highly significant. It implies a targeted judgment—perhaps affecting those most rebellious, or possibly the "mixed multitude" who encamped on the outskirts (Num 11:4). It also shows a degree of restraint in God's judgment; He did not consume the entire camp, but delivered a severe warning and disciplinary act. This focused judgment aimed to instil fear and repentance, demonstrating both His holiness and His measured mercy.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Now when the people complained": This phrase encapsulates the sudden and immediate moral failure of the Israelites after receiving significant divine instruction and experiencing organized divine leading. The specific Hebrew verb for "complained" suggests a general, even baseless, dissatisfaction rather than a concrete plea for help, highlighting their spiritual immaturity and lack of faith despite God's presence.
• "it displeased the LORD; and the LORD heard it": This dual declaration powerfully connects human action (complaining) directly to divine perception and negative response. It demonstrates that God is intimately aware of His people's attitudes and hears not just their words but the evil intent behind them. Their murmuring was not inconsequential but morally offensive.
• "And when the LORD heard it, his anger was kindled": This clause reveals the immediate consequence: God's hearing is followed by righteous wrath. This swift progression emphasizes that God does not overlook sin, especially rebellion and distrust from His covenant people, and responds with holy indignation.
• "and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp": This climactic statement describes the physical manifestation of divine judgment. The "fire of the LORD" is a clear sign of God's personal and direct intervention. Its limited scope to the "outskirts of the camp" is both an act of precise judgment and tempered mercy, striking where the sin originated or where it was most flagrant, without annihilating the entire nation. It served as a stark, immediate, and visible warning.

Numbers 11 1 Bonus section

• The naming of the place as Taberah ("Burning") in Num 11:3, right after this event, serves as a permanent memorial and a constant reminder for the Israelites, ensuring this costly lesson of disobedience and divine judgment would not be easily forgotten.
• This immediate act of judgment establishes a clear pattern: the people complain, God gets angry, and judgment follows. This recurring motif is a significant aspect of the wilderness narrative.
• The fact that this rebellion occurred only three days after leaving Sinai, after witnessing so many miracles and receiving God's laws, emphasizes the deeply ingrained spiritual issues of unbelief and lack of self-control within the Israelite heart, foreshadowing the 40 years of wandering due to their faithlessness.
• The nature of "the fire of the LORD" can be linked to other biblical instances of God's manifest presence and judgment (e.g., Mount Sinai as a mountain of fire, the consumption of Nadab and Abihu, the fire consuming Korah's company), reiterating that God's holiness demands reverence and obedience.

Numbers 11 1 Commentary

Numbers 11:1 starkly opens a crucial period of Israel's wilderness wanderings by demonstrating the rapid moral decline and lack of faith among the people, just days after their impressive, divinely-led departure from Sinai. Their "complaining" (as suggested by the unique Hebrew verb kəmit'onənīm) was not a cry of specific distress but a manifestation of aimless, persistent discontent – a spirit of grumbling that God deemed deeply "evil" in His sight. This ungrateful attitude revealed a profound distrust in God's goodness, wisdom, and leadership, despite His constant provision (pillar of cloud/fire, manna).

God's immediate and fiery response highlights His absolute holiness and His intolerance for rebellion and faithlessness within His covenant community. The "fire of the LORD" was a direct, supernatural judgment, showing that murmuring is not trivial in God's eyes; it's a serious affront. The targeting of "the outskirts of the camp" signifies both divine justice and measured mercy. It points to a precise strike—possibly affecting the most culpable or the instigators, like the mixed multitude (Num 11:4), who may have been encamped on the periphery—and a warning, rather than a full destruction. This limited judgment underscores that God disciplines His people to lead them to repentance, rather than abandon them. The place was later called Taberah (meaning "burning"), serving as a permanent reminder of the immediate and destructive consequences of grumbling against the LORD. It underscores that trust and gratefulness are essential components of living under God's loving rule.