The Meaning of Numbers 11:4 Explained

Numbers 11:4

KJV: And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?

YLT: And the rabble who are in its midst have lusted greatly, and the sons of Israel also turn back and weep, and say, 'Who doth give us flesh?

Darby: And the mixed multitude that was among them lusted; and the children of Israel also wept again and said, Who will give us flesh to eat?

ASV: And the mixed multitude that was among them lusted exceedingly: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?

Discover Numbers 11:4

CONTEXT: What is the Context of Numbers 11:4?

MEANING: What does Numbers 11:4 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in Numbers 11:4 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in Numbers 11:4?

What is the context of Numbers 11:4?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And the mixt multitude that [was] among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?

What does Numbers 11:4 Mean?

Study Notes

mixt mixed
CF. Exodus 12:38 . Unconverted church members, unable to desire or understand Christ as the Bread of God Exodus 16:35 . See Scofield " Exodus 16:35 " will clamour for things pleasing to the flesh in the work and way of the church: sumptuous buildings, ornate ritual, an easy doctrine. Alas! they lead away the unspiritual believers also.

mixed

This mixed multitude, standing for unconverted church-members, was a source of weakness and division, then as now Numbers 11:4-6 . (See Scofield " Numbers 11:4 ") . There had been a manifestation of divine power, and men were drawn to it without change of heart. CF. Luke 14:25-27 .

Context Summary

Numbers 11:1-15 - The Murmuring Flesh-Lovers

We cannot wonder at the people's murmuring. They were unaccustomed to the fatigues of the desert, and had not realized the length of the journey. Let us beware of querulous complaints. See 1 Corinthians 10:10. Let us also guard against familiarity with those who have never known God's regenerating grace. "The mixed multitude" was largely composed of Egyptians, whose evil example spread to the chosen people, Exodus 12:38. When our religious life is low, we tire of angels' food, and our hearts turn back to the world we have left.

Moses' outcry is hardly to be wondered at. He was thoroughly overstrained by the immense demands of his life. But he ought not to have spoken as though the entire weight of the pilgrimage rested on him. His Almighty Friend was bearing and carrying them during "all the days of old." See Isaiah 63:9. We must never look at our responsibilities apart from Him who makes all grace abound, 2 Corinthians 9:8. [source]

Chapter Summary: Numbers 11

¹ The burning at Taberah quenched by Moses' prayer
⁴ The people crave meat, and loathe manna
¹⁰ Moses complains of his charge
¹⁶ God promises to divide his burden unto seventy elders,
¹⁸ and to give the people meat for a month
²¹ Moses' faith is staggered
³¹ Quails are given in wrath at Kibroth Hattaavah

What do the individual words in Numbers 11:4 mean?

And the mixed multitude who were among them had yielded to craving and again so wept also the sons of Israel and said who will give us to eat meat

וְהָֽאסַפְסֻף֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּקִרְבּ֔וֹ הִתְאַוּ֖וּ תַּאֲוָ֑ה וַיָּשֻׁ֣בוּ וַיִּבְכּ֗וּ גַּ֚ם בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ מִ֥י יַאֲכִלֵ֖נוּ ؟ בָּשָֽׂר

וְהָֽאסַפְסֻף֙	And the mixed multitude
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Article, Noun, masculine singular Root: אֲסַפְסֻף Sense: collection, rabble, collected multitude.
אֲשֶׁ֣ר	who were
Parse: Pronoun, relative Root: אֲשֶׁר Sense: (relative part.).
בְּקִרְבּ֔וֹ	among them
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular Root: קֶרֶב Sense: midst, among, inner part, middle.
הִתְאַוּ֖וּ	had yielded
Parse: Verb, Hitpael, Perfect, third person common plural Root: אָוָה Sense: desire, incline, covet, wait longingly, wish, sigh, want, be greedy, prefer.
תַּאֲוָ֑ה	to craving
Parse: Noun, feminine singular Root: תַּאֲוָה Sense: desire.
וַיָּשֻׁ֣בוּ	and again
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural Root: שׁוּב Sense: to return, turn back.
וַיִּבְכּ֗וּ	so wept
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural Root: בָּכָה Sense: to weep, bewail, cry, shed tears.
גַּ֚ם	also
Parse: Conjunction Root: גַּם Sense: also, even, indeed, moreover, yea.
בְּנֵ֣י	the sons
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct Root: בֵּן Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל	of Israel
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular Root: יִשְׂרָאֵל Sense: the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel.
וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ	and said
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural Root: אָמַר Sense: to say, speak, utter.
יַאֲכִלֵ֖נוּ	will give us to eat
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, third person masculine singular, first person common plural Root: אָכַל Sense: to eat, devour, burn up, feed.
؟ בָּשָֽׂר	meat
Parse: Noun, masculine singular Root: בָּשָׂר Sense: flesh.

What are the major concepts related to Numbers 11:4?

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Similar Scriptures for Numbers 11:4

		1 Corinthians 10:6 [7]
		Exodus 12:38 [6]
		Psalms 106:14 [5]
		Nehemiah 13:3 [4]
		Leviticus 24:10-11 [3]
		Romans 13:14 [3]
		1 Corinthians 15:33 [3]
		Psalms 78:18-20 [3]