Numbers 11:10

KJV

Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then Moses {H4872} heard {H8085} the people {H5971} weep {H1058} throughout their families {H4940}, every man {H376} in the door {H6607} of his tent {H168}: and the anger {H639} of the LORD {H3068} was kindled {H2734} greatly {H3966}; Moses {H4872} also was displeased {H7489}{H5869}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moshe heard the people crying, family after family, each person at the entrance to his tent; the anger of ADONAI flared up violently; and Moshe too was displeased.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Moses heard the people of family after family weeping at the entrances to their tents, and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly, and Moses was also displeased.

American Standard Version

And Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, every man at the door of his tent: and the anger of Jehovah was kindled greatly; and Moses was displeased.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 11:10 captures a moment of profound crisis in the wilderness journey, vividly portraying the widespread and deeply personal discontent of the Israelites. Despite God's miraculous provision of manna, the people's insatiable craving for the foods of Egypt led to a collective lament that permeated every family and tent. This pervasive rebellion ignited the fierce anger of the LORD, demonstrating His righteous indignation against their persistent ingratitude and unbelief, while simultaneously inflicting a heavy burden and deep displeasure upon Moses, their faithful leader.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 11:10 is a pivotal verse within the larger narrative of Israel's wilderness wanderings, specifically following their departure from Mount Sinai and the initial stages of their journey towards the Promised Land. Chapter 11 opens with a general complaint that draws God's fiery judgment (`/numbers/11-1`), followed by the specific "craving" (`/numbers/11-4`) that originates with the "rabble" or "mixed multitude" among them, quickly spreading to the entire Israelite community. This craving manifests as a deep dissatisfaction with the divinely provided manna, leading to a nostalgic, yet distorted, longing for the "fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic" of Egypt (`/numbers/11-5`). Verse 10 serves as the climax of this widespread lament, setting the stage for Moses' profound despair and God's subsequent, yet complex, response of providing quail and then judgment (`/numbers/11-31`). It underscores a recurring theme of rebellion and divine patience, often contrasted with Moses' intercession, which is notably absent in this specific verse, highlighting the depth of his own exasperation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites had been miraculously delivered from slavery in Egypt and were now sustained by God's daily provision of manna in the harsh wilderness. Their journey was not merely physical but also a period of spiritual formation, testing their faith and obedience. Culturally, communal lament was a recognized expression of distress, but here it is directed against God's provision and leadership, signaling a profound spiritual rebellion. The "door of his tent" signifies a private yet pervasive weeping, indicating that this was not just a public outburst but a deep, personal dissatisfaction that had infiltrated the very fabric of family life. The imagery evokes a sense of utter despair and rejection of their current circumstances, despite the clear evidence of God's miraculous care. This widespread murmuring was a direct challenge to the authority of both God and Moses, echoing earlier incidents of complaint in the wilderness, such as at Marah (`/exodus/15-24`) and Rephidim (`/exodus/17-3`).
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights the **persistent nature of human rebellion and ungratefulness** against divine provision, even in the face of undeniable miracles. The people's weeping demonstrates a profound lack of faith and a spiritual amnesia regarding God's mighty acts of deliverance. Secondly, it underscores **God's righteous anger and holy intolerance for sin**, particularly for murmuring and unbelief that challenges His sovereignty and goodness. The "anger of the LORD was kindled greatly" reveals that God takes their complaints personally, viewing them as a rejection of Him. Thirdly, the verse portrays the **immense burden of spiritual leadership**, as Moses is deeply "displeased" and overwhelmed by the people's constant ingratitude. This foreshadows his later struggles and even his own failure to fully trust God at Meribah (`/numbers/20-12`), demonstrating the toll that leading a rebellious people can take. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **divine judgment and consequence**, setting the stage for the plague at Kibroth-Hattaavah (`/numbers/11-33`), where their craving is met with devastating results.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Weep (Hebrew, _bakah'_):** This verb signifies a deep, often audible, expression of sorrow, grief, or lamentation. It implies more than just shedding tears; it conveys a profound emotional distress and wailing. In this context, it highlights the intensity and widespread nature of the Israelites' discontent, suggesting a collective outpouring of misery and regret, not over sin, but over their perceived lack of desirable food. It underscores the depth of their spiritual malaise and ungratefulness, as they lamented their present blessings in favor of a romanticized past of bondage.
* **Kindled (Hebrew, _charah'_):** This verb literally means "to burn" or "to be hot," and is frequently used to describe the onset of anger or wrath. When applied to the LORD, as here, it denotes a fierce, intense, and consuming divine indignation. The addition of "greatly" (מְאֹד, _me'od_) amplifies the intensity, indicating that God's anger was not a fleeting emotion but a profound and righteous response to their persistent rebellion and direct challenge to His authority and provision.
* **Displeased (Hebrew, _ra'ah'_):** The phrase "Moses also was displeased" uses the Hebrew root רָעַע (_ra'a'_) which means "to be evil, bad, displeasing." In this construction, it signifies that the situation was "evil" or "bad" in Moses' eyes, conveying his deep frustration, disappointment, and exasperation. It reflects the immense emotional and spiritual toll the people's ungratefulness took on their leader, mirroring, in a human way, God's own sentiment. Moses, who had repeatedly interceded for them, was now himself overwhelmed by their persistent lack of faith.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families,"**: This clause emphasizes the pervasive nature of the lament. It was not an isolated incident or a few individuals complaining, but a widespread phenomenon that had infiltrated every household. Moses, as the leader, was acutely aware of this collective sorrow, which was directed at their circumstances and, implicitly, at God's provision. The weeping signifies a deep-seated dissatisfaction and a profound lack of contentment.
* **"every man in the door of his tent:"**: This phrase further underscores the personal and intimate nature of their discontent. While weeping "throughout their families" suggests a communal aspect, "every man in the door of his tent" implies a private, yet universal, expression of grief or lament. The tent door was a common place for family life and social interaction, making this a public display of private misery, indicating that the discontent was not hidden but openly expressed, even if within the family unit.
* **"and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly;"**: This marks the divine response to the people's widespread complaining. God's anger is described as "kindled greatly," signifying a fierce and intense indignation. This was not a minor irritation but a profound displeasure rooted in their ungratefulness, their rejection of His miraculous provision, and their challenge to His authority. Their weeping was not an act of repentance but of rebellion, provoking a righteous divine wrath.
* **"Moses also was displeased."**: This final clause highlights the parallel and shared sentiment between God and Moses. Just as God was greatly angered, Moses too was deeply frustrated and disappointed. This reveals the immense burden of leadership and the emotional toll taken by the people's persistent ingratitude. Moses, who had faithfully led and interceded for them, was now himself overwhelmed by their lack of trust and their constant murmuring, reflecting a profound weariness.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 11:10 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The phrase "weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent" utilizes **Hyperbole** and **Synecdoche** to emphasize the absolute pervasiveness and depth of the people's discontent. It suggests an almost universal lament, where no one was exempt from this spirit of complaint. The description of God's reaction, "the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly," is a clear example of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human emotion (anger) and physical action (kindling a fire) to God, making His righteous indignation relatable and impactful. This vivid imagery conveys the intensity of His displeasure. Furthermore, the verse employs **Juxtaposition** by placing the anger of the LORD directly alongside Moses' displeasure, creating a powerful parallel that highlights the shared burden and frustration experienced by both divine and human leadership in response to the people's rebellion. This dual displeasure serves as a form of **Emphasis**, underscoring the gravity of the Israelites' sin of murmuring.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 11:10 is a stark theological statement on the nature of human sin, divine sovereignty, and the consequences of ungratefulness. The people's weeping is not a lament of repentance but a cry of discontent, revealing a deep-seated unbelief and a rejection of God's faithful provision. This act of murmuring, often seen as a minor transgression, is here treated with the utmost seriousness by God, demonstrating that true faith involves contentment and trust in His goodness, even when circumstances are challenging. Their desire for the "fleshpots of Egypt" over God's miraculous manna reveals a heart that prefers the illusion of past comfort, even in bondage, to the freedom and provision offered by God in the wilderness. This spiritual blindness provokes God's righteous anger, underscoring His holiness and His intolerance for a rebellious spirit that despises His grace.

* [Exodus 16:2-3](/exodus/16-2 "Israel's First Murmuring for Food")
* [Numbers 14:22-23](/numbers/14-22 "God's Judgment on the Murmuring Generation")
* [1 Corinthians 10:6-10](/1_corinthians/10-6 "Warnings from Israel's Wilderness History")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 11:10 serves as a powerful and timeless warning against the insidious nature of discontent and ungratefulness. In an age of abundant provision, it challenges us to examine our own hearts: do we truly appreciate God's daily blessings, or do we, like the Israelites, constantly crave something more, something different, something we imagine is better? The people's weeping was not just a complaint about food; it was a symptom of a deeper spiritual malady—a lack of trust in God's wisdom and goodness. This verse calls us to cultivate a spirit of profound gratitude, recognizing that all good gifts come from above and that true contentment is found in Christ, not in fleeting desires. It also invites empathy for those in leadership, reminding us of the immense emotional and spiritual toll that guiding a flock can take, and prompting us to support and pray for our spiritual leaders rather than adding to their burdens through our own complaints. Ultimately, it reminds us that our attitudes matter to God, and persistent murmuring can indeed kindle divine displeasure.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "fleshpots of Egypt" that I might be longing for, distracting me from God's present provision?**
* **How does my own complaining or discontent reflect a deeper lack of trust in God's goodness and sovereignty?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a more profound and consistent spirit of gratitude for God's daily blessings?**
* **How can I better support and pray for my spiritual leaders, recognizing the burdens they carry?**

### FAQ

**Why was God's anger "kindled greatly" over what seems like just complaining about food?**

Answer: The Israelites' complaining was far more than a simple grumble about their diet. It represented a profound spiritual rebellion and a direct challenge to God's authority and faithfulness. God had miraculously delivered them from slavery, parted the Red Sea, and was sustaining them daily with manna in the wilderness. Their lament for the foods of Egypt (`/numbers/11-5`) was a rejection of His divine provision and a romanticization of their past bondage, implying that slavery was preferable to God's care. This persistent murmuring, seen throughout the wilderness narrative (e.g., `/exodus/16-2`), demonstrated a deep lack of faith, ungratefulness, and a questioning of God's love and power. For God, it was not just about the food, but about the heart attitude of unbelief and defiance against His covenant relationship with them. His anger was a righteous response to their spiritual infidelity and contempt for His grace.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 11:10, with its depiction of Israel's discontent and God's righteous anger, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Israelites craved the "fleshpots of Egypt," longing for physical sustenance that ultimately led to spiritual death. In contrast, Jesus declared Himself to be the "bread of life" (`/john/6-35`), the true manna from heaven, offering eternal sustenance that truly satisfies the deepest longings of the human soul. While Israel murmured against God's provision, Jesus perfectly submitted to the Father's will, even unto death on the cross, becoming the ultimate sacrifice that appeases divine wrath against human sin. Moses, burdened and displeased by the people's rebellion, foreshadows Christ, who, though tempted in every way, remained without sin (`/hebrews/4-15`), and who, unlike Moses, did not grow weary of His people's failings but continually intercedes for them as our great High Priest (`/hebrews/7-25`). The anger of the LORD, kindled greatly against Israel's ungratefulness, was fully poured out on Christ at Calvary, so that those who believe in Him might receive grace instead of judgment (`/romans/5-8`). Thus, Jesus is the answer to humanity's deep-seated discontent and rebellion, offering true satisfaction, perfect obedience, and ultimate reconciliation with a holy God, transforming hearts of murmuring into hearts of gratitude and worship.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.