Numbers 11:18

KJV

And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for [it was] well with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat.

KJV (with Strong's)

And say {H559} thou unto the people {H5971}, Sanctify {H6942} yourselves against to morrow {H4279}, and ye shall eat {H398} flesh {H1320}: for ye have wept {H1058} in the ears {H241} of the LORD {H3068}, saying {H559}, Who shall give us flesh {H1320} to eat {H398}? for it was well {H2895} with us in Egypt {H4714}: therefore the LORD {H3068} will give {H5414} you flesh {H1320}, and ye shall eat {H398}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Tell the people, 'Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you will eat meat; because you cried in the ears of ADONAI, "If only we had meat to eat! We had the good life in Egypt!" All right, ADONAI is going to give you meat, and you will eat it.

Berean Standard Bible

And say to the people: Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you will eat meat, because you have cried out in the hearing of the LORD, saying: ‘Who will feed us meat? For we were better off in Egypt!’ Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you will eat.

American Standard Version

And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to-morrow, and ye shall eat flesh; for ye have wept in the ears of Jehovah, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore Jehovah will give you flesh, and ye shall eat.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 11:18 captures the LORD's decisive and somewhat severe response to the Israelites' persistent and ungrateful clamoring for meat in the wilderness. Despite God's miraculous provision of manna, the people's discontent escalated into open lament, expressing a dangerous nostalgia for the perceived comforts of their Egyptian bondage. In this verse, God commands Moses to instruct the people to "sanctify" themselves, preparing them for a divine intervention that will indeed provide the desired flesh, but as a consequence of their unholy craving rather than a benevolent gift.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a critical narrative segment describing Israel's journey through the wilderness, specifically after the initial complaints following their departure from Mount Sinai. Earlier in the chapter, the "rabble" among them, followed by the Israelites themselves, expressed intense craving for meat, lamenting their diet of manna and romanticizing their past in Egypt ([Numbers 11:4-6](/numbers/11-4 "Numbers 11:4-6 - The People Crave Meat")). Moses, overwhelmed by the people's incessant grumbling and the burden of leadership, then expresses his own despair to the LORD ([Numbers 11:10-15](/numbers/11-10 "Numbers 11:10-15 - Moses' Complaint")). In response, God promises to provide meat for the people and to empower seventy elders to assist Moses ([Numbers 11:16-17](/numbers/11-16 "Numbers 11:16-17 - God Promises to Provide and Appoint Elders")). Numbers 11:18 is the direct divine command delivered to Moses, setting the stage for the dramatic provision of quail and the subsequent plague at Kibroth-hattaavah ([Numbers 11:31-34](/numbers/11-31 "Numbers 11:31-34 - The Quail and the Plague")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites were a newly liberated people, journeying through a harsh desert environment. Their primary sustenance was the miraculous manna, provided daily by God since their exodus from Egypt ([Exodus 16:4](/exodus/16-4 "Exodus 16:4 - God Provides Manna")). Culturally, the command to "sanctify yourselves" was a familiar preparation for encountering the holy presence or action of God, often involving ritual cleansing and abstinence, as seen before the giving of the Law at Sinai ([Exodus 19:10-11](/exodus/19-10 "Exodus 19:10-11 - Preparation for Sinai")). However, in this instance, it carries an ominous tone, preparing them not just for blessing but for a divine response to their sin. Their longing for the diverse foods of Egypt, including meat, fish, and vegetables ([Numbers 11:5](/numbers/11-5 "Numbers 11:5 - Remembering the Foods of Egypt")), reflects a common human tendency to idealize a past, even one of bondage, when faced with present difficulties and the demands of faith.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes. It highlights the **Divine Response to Discontent**, showing that God hears and responds to His people's grievances, even when those grievances are rooted in ungratefulness and rebellion. The command to "Sanctify yourselves" underscores the theme of **Preparation for Divine Encounter**, indicating that God's actions, whether in blessing or judgment, demand a certain reverence and readiness from His people. Most significantly, it introduces the theme of the **Consequences of Ungrateful Lust**, where God gives the people what they demand, not as a benevolent gift, but as a stern lesson in the dangers of insatiable craving. This provision of meat, as the narrative unfolds, comes with severe consequences, demonstrating that sometimes God's "yes" can be a form of judgment, allowing people to reap the bitter fruit of their desires ([Psalm 78:29-31](/psalms/78-29 "Psalm 78:29-31 - God Gave Them Their Desire")). Finally, the phrase "for [it was] well with us in Egypt" reveals a profound **Dangerous Nostalgia for Bondage**, a spiritual amnesia that forgets the suffering of slavery and romanticizes a past that was anything but "well," demonstrating a profound lack of faith in God's liberating hand and His ongoing provision.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sanctify (Hebrew, _qadash'_):** This verb means "to set apart," "to consecrate," or "to prepare for a holy purpose." In this context, it implies a spiritual and physical readiness to encounter God's action. While often associated with purification for worship, here it serves as a solemn call to cleanse themselves in anticipation of a significant divine manifestation—one that is a direct, and potentially severe, response to their sin. It's a command to acknowledge the gravity of what is about to occur.
* **Wept (Hebrew, _bakah'_):** This word signifies "to weep," "to lament," or "to mourn." The phrase "ye have wept in the ears of the LORD" emphasizes the audible and persistent nature of their complaint. This was not a cry of repentance or genuine distress, but a lament born of discontent, craving, and ungratefulness, directed against God's miraculous provision of manna.
* **Flesh (Hebrew, _basar'_):** This straightforward term refers to "meat" or "flesh." Its repetition in the verse highlights the singular, intense object of the people's craving, contrasting sharply with the manna that God had graciously provided. The desire for "flesh" here symbolizes a deeper spiritual hunger for worldly satisfaction over divine sustenance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh:"**: This is God's direct command to Moses, serving as the divine intermediary. The instruction to "sanctify yourselves" is a solemn preparation, indicating that the coming event is a significant divine intervention. The promise that "ye shall eat flesh" directly addresses their demand, setting the stage for the fulfillment of their desire.
* **"for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat?"**: This clause provides the divine rationale for the coming provision. God explicitly states that His action is a direct response to their audible, persistent, and ungrateful lament. Their weeping was not a humble petition but a complaining demand, challenging God's ability or willingness to provide.
* **"for [it was] well with us in Egypt:"**: This phrase reveals the people's distorted perception and spiritual amnesia. They romanticize their past in Egypt, remembering only the availability of food and forgetting the brutal slavery, oppression, and suffering they endured. This statement underscores their lack of faith in God's present provision and His liberating power.
* **"therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat."**: This concluding declaration confirms God's resolve to fulfill their craving. The "therefore" links God's action directly to their complaint. While it is a promise of provision, the context and the subsequent narrative ([Numbers 11:31-34](/numbers/11-31 "Numbers 11:31-34 - The Quail and the Plague")) reveal that this is not a blessing but a stern, even punitive, granting of their desire, allowing them to experience the consequences of their unholy lust.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 11:18 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Irony** is central, as the people's longing for the "flesh pots of Egypt" (a symbol of their former bondage) is met with a provision of flesh that ultimately brings judgment, demonstrating that sometimes getting what one desires can be worse than not having it. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the phrase "wept in the ears of the LORD," portraying God as intimately attentive to human complaints, even those rooted in ingratitude. The text also uses **Contrast** effectively, juxtaposing the miraculous, daily provision of manna (God's gracious sustenance) with the people's insatiable craving for meat (human desire for worldly satisfaction). Furthermore, the verse contains a strong element of **Foreshadowing**, as the promise of abundant flesh subtly hints at the severe consequences that will follow, preparing the reader for the narrative of the quail and the plague at Kibroth-hattaavah.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 11:18 offers profound theological insights into the nature of God, human sin, and divine provision. It reveals God's perfect hearing and His active engagement with His people, even when their cries are born of discontent rather than genuine need. It underscores the danger of ungratefulness and the spiritual amnesia that can cause people to romanticize past bondage over present freedom and divine guidance. The verse teaches that God, in His sovereignty, may sometimes grant desires that are not aligned with His perfect will, allowing individuals to experience the detrimental consequences of their choices. This serves as a sober reminder that not all answered prayers are blessings, particularly when they stem from selfish cravings rather than trust in God's wisdom and provision. It calls believers to cultivate contentment and to discern their desires in light of God's perfect plan.

* [Psalm 78:29-31](/psalms/78-29 "God Gave Them Their Desire")
* [1 Corinthians 10:6](/1_corinthians/10-6 "Warnings from Israel's Example")
* [Philippians 4:11-13](/philippians/4-11 "Contentment in All Circumstances")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 11:18 stands as a powerful cautionary tale for believers across all generations. It confronts the insidious nature of discontent and the spiritual danger of ungratefulness, even in the face of miraculous provision. We are prone to romanticize past comforts or long for perceived "better" circumstances, much like the Israelites longed for the "flesh pots of Egypt," forgetting the spiritual freedom and divine presence that truly sustain us. This verse challenges us to examine our hearts: Are we truly content with God's provision, or do we harbor cravings that, if granted, might lead to our detriment? It calls us to trust in God's wisdom, knowing that His refusal of a desire is often a greater act of love than its fulfillment. Our spiritual health depends on cultivating a spirit of gratitude and finding our satisfaction in God Himself, rather than in the fleeting pleasures or perceived necessities of the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my current attitude toward God's provision reflect gratitude or discontent?**
* **Am I prone to romanticize past situations (even difficult ones) instead of trusting God's present leading and provision?**
* **What "flesh" or worldly desires might I be craving that could potentially lead to unintended and detrimental consequences in my spiritual walk?**
* **How can I actively cultivate a spirit of contentment and trust in God's perfect will, even when my circumstances are challenging or my desires are unmet?**

### FAQ
**Why did God command them to "sanctify" themselves if the provision of meat was a judgment?**

Answer: The command to "sanctify yourselves" (Hebrew: *qadash*) is a call to prepare for a holy encounter with God's presence and action. While often associated with purification for worship or receiving blessing, it also signifies preparing for a divine manifestation that carries solemnity and gravity, whether that be blessing or judgment. In this context, it emphasizes the seriousness of their ungratefulness and the impending divine response. It was not a call to make themselves worthy of a blessing, but rather to acknowledge the holiness and power of the God with whom they were contending. It underscored that even in His stern response, God remained holy, and their encounter with His power, even in judgment, required a measure of reverence and readiness. It was a stark reminder of who God is and the gravity of weeping in His ears with unholy demands.

**What does "it was well with us in Egypt" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: This phrase reveals a profound spiritual amnesia and a distorted, selective memory on the part of the Israelites. When they claim "it was well with us in Egypt," they are not referring to their experience as slaves, which was characterized by brutal oppression, forced labor, and the murder of their male infants ([Exodus 1:11-14](/exodus/1-11 "Exodus 1:11-14 - Israel's Oppression in Egypt")). Instead, they are romanticizing the availability of certain foods (fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, garlic - [Numbers 11:5](/numbers/11-5 "Numbers 11:5 - Remembering the Foods of Egypt")) and the perceived stability of their former life, contrasting it with the perceived hardship of the wilderness journey and the monotonous diet of manna. This statement highlights a dangerous preference for physical comfort and perceived security, even under bondage, over the spiritual freedom and covenant relationship offered by God in the wilderness. It demonstrates a profound lack of faith and an inability to see God's liberating hand in their present circumstances.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Israelites' craving for "flesh" in Numbers 11:18, despite God's miraculous provision of manna, foreshadows humanity's deeper spiritual hunger and our tendency to seek satisfaction in earthly desires rather than in God Himself. Just as Israel rejected the heavenly bread for worldly meat, humanity often rejects the true spiritual sustenance offered by God for fleeting pleasures. Jesus, in His ministry, declared Himself to be the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), the ultimate provision sent from heaven, far superior to the manna that sustained Israel physically but did not grant eternal life ([John 6:48-51](/john/6-48 "John 6:48-51 - Jesus, the True Bread from Heaven")). He warned against laboring for food that perishes and instead urged seeking the food that endures to eternal life ([John 6:27](/john/6-27 "John 6:27 - Do Not Work for Food That Perishes")). The "flesh" the Israelites craved brought judgment and death, but Jesus offers His own flesh and blood, through the Eucharist, as true spiritual nourishment that leads to eternal life for those who believe and partake ([John 6:53-56](/john/6-53 "John 6:53-56 - Eat My Flesh and Drink My Blood")). Thus, Numbers 11:18, while depicting a moment of Israel's unfaithfulness and God's stern response, ultimately points to Christ as the one who fully satisfies our deepest spiritual hunger, offering Himself as the true and eternal provision, contrasting sharply with the temporary and often detrimental satisfactions of the world.

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.

Cross-References

Exodus 19:10

And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,

Acts 7:39

To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust [him] from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,

Numbers 11:1

¶ 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.

Exodus 16:3

And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, [and] when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

Exodus 16:7

And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD: and what [are] we, that ye murmur against us?

Exodus 19:15

And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at [your] wives.

Judges 21:2

And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore;