Numbers 11:21

And Moses said, The people, among whom I [am, are] six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month.

And Moses {H4872} said {H559}, The people {H5971}, among {H7130} whom I am, are six {H8337} hundred {H3967} thousand {H505} footmen {H7273}; and thou hast said {H559}, I will give {H5414} them flesh {H1320}, that they may eat {H398} a whole {H3117} month {H2320}.

But Moshe said, "Here I am with six hundred thousand men on foot, and yet you say, 'I will give them meat to eat for a whole month!'

But Moses replied, β€œHere I am among 600,000 men on foot, yet You say, β€˜I will give them meat, and they will eat for a month.’

And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month.

Commentary

Numbers 11:21 captures a poignant moment of human doubt in the face of divine promise during the Israelites' wilderness journey. Here, Moses, overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the people's demands and God's seemingly impossible vow, questions how the Lord could possibly provide meat for such a vast multitude for an entire month.

Context

This verse is situated within a narrative where the Israelites, having been miraculously delivered from Egyptian bondage and sustained by manna in the wilderness, begin to complain bitterly. They yearn for the meat, fish, and vegetables they had in Egypt, despising the daily provision of manna. Their persistent grumbling deeply grieves both Moses and the Lord. In response to their insatiable craving, God, though angered by their lack of faith, promises to give them so much meat that they will grow sick of it, not just for a day or two, but for a whole month. Moses' statement in verse 21 is his immediate, human reaction to the enormity of this divine pledge, highlighting the immense population of "six hundred thousand footmen" (referring to adult males, implying a total population of over two million).

Key Themes

  • Human Doubt vs. Divine Power: Moses' question vividly illustrates the limitations of human logic and understanding when confronted with God's infinite power. Despite witnessing numerous miracles, Moses struggles to comprehend how God can fulfill such a massive logistical challenge. This contrasts sharply with God's assurance in Numbers 11:23, "Is the Lord's hand waxed short?"
  • God's Provision: Even amidst the people's rebellion and Moses' skepticism, God's commitment to His people's needs, and sometimes even their desires, remains steadfast. This episode, though ending in judgment for some due to their greed, ultimately underscores God's ability to provide abundantly in the most barren circumstances. The subsequent provision of quail in immense quantities demonstrates His faithfulness to His promise.
  • The Burden of Leadership: Moses' outburst also reflects the immense pressure and weariness he felt as the leader of a constantly complaining people. His plea to God in the preceding verses (Numbers 11:11-15) reveals his deep frustration and feeling of inadequacy for the task.

Linguistic Insights

The term "footmen" (Hebrew: ragli, Χ¨Φ·Χ’Φ°ΧœΦ΄Χ™) specifically refers to men capable of marching or serving in an army, implying adult males. This figure of "six hundred thousand" is a significant number, representing the fighting force, and thus indicating a total population of perhaps 2-3 million people when including women, children, and the elderly. Moses' emphasis on this number underscores the human impossibility of feeding such a vast group with meat for an extended period using conventional means.

Practical Application

Moses' doubt in Numbers 11:21 serves as a relatable reminder that even great leaders of faith can struggle with unbelief when faced with overwhelming circumstances. It prompts us to reflect on our own tendency to limit God based on our human understanding or resources. This verse encourages us to remember that God's power is not constrained by our logic or by the immensity of our problems. When God makes a promise, His ability to fulfill it far surpasses any human limitation. It calls us to trust in God's boundless capacity for provision, even when the path forward seems impossible from our perspective, much like the question posed in Jeremiah 32:27, "Is there anything too hard for me, saith the Lord?"

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 12:37

    ΒΆ And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot [that were] men, beside children.

  • Numbers 1:46

    Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.

  • Genesis 12:2

    And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

  • Exodus 38:26

    A bekah for every man, [that is], half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that went to be numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty [men].

  • Numbers 2:32

    These [are] those which were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers: all those that were numbered of the camps throughout their hosts [were] six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.
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