Numbers 11:22

Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them?

Shall the flocks {H6629} and the herds {H1241} be slain {H7819} for them, to suffice {H4672} them? or shall all the fish {H1709} of the sea {H3220} be gathered together {H622} for them, to suffice {H4672} them?

If whole flocks and herds were slaughtered for them, would it be enough? If all the fish in the sea were collected for them, would even that be enough?"

If all our flocks and herds were slaughtered for them, would they have enough? Or if all the fish in the sea were caught for them, would they have enough?”

Shall flocks and herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them?

Commentary

Context of Numbers 11:22

Numbers 11:22 captures Moses' incredulous question, born of human limitation and weariness, after God promised to provide meat for the entire multitude of Israelites for a month (Numbers 11:18-20). The Israelites had been complaining bitterly about the manna, longing for the variety of food they had in Egypt, and their constant grumbling had deeply burdened Moses (Numbers 11:10-15). Despite witnessing countless miracles, including the provision of quail and manna in the wilderness, Moses struggles to comprehend how such an immense physical provision could be made for millions of people in a barren desert. His question highlights the vast gulf between human capacity and divine omnipotence.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Human Doubt vs. Divine Omnipotence: The core tension of the verse. Moses, God's chosen leader, momentarily falters in his faith, questioning God's ability to fulfill His promise on such a grand scale. This contrasts sharply with God's limitless power and resources.
  • God's Abundant Provision: Despite Moses' skepticism, God's subsequent action (sending vast quantities of quail) unequivocally demonstrates His capacity to provide beyond human imagination. This serves as a powerful reminder that God is not limited by our circumstances or understanding.
  • The Burden of Leadership: Moses' weariness and frustration with the Israelites' complaints contribute to his moment of doubt, illustrating the immense pressure and challenges faced by spiritual leaders.

Linguistic Insights

The repeated phrase "to suffice them" (Hebrew: ΧœΦΈΧ”ΦΆΧ, *lahem*, meaning "for them" or "to them") emphasizes the immense demand from the Israelites. The word for "suffice" (Χ“Φ·ΦΌΧ™, *day*) implies "enough" or "sufficient." Moses' question underscores the human perception of inadequacy when faced with overwhelming need, suggesting that even all imaginable earthly resources would not be *day* (enough) for such a multitude. This sets the stage for God's demonstration of His supernatural sufficiency.

Related Scriptures

This question directly precedes God's powerful rhetorical question in Numbers 11:23, "Is the Lord's hand waxed short?", which serves as a divine rebuke and affirmation of His unlimited power. The narrative here echoes other instances of God's miraculous provision for multitudes, such as when Jesus miraculously fed thousands with a few loaves and fish, demonstrating divine abundance over human scarcity (John 6:9-13).

Practical Application

Numbers 11:22 serves as a timeless reminder for believers not to limit God based on human logic, resources, or perceived impossibilities. When faced with overwhelming challenges or seemingly insurmountable needs, this verse encourages us to shift our perspective from what *we* can do or what *earthly resources* can provide, to what God, in His infinite power and wisdom, is capable of. It calls us to trust in God's promises, even when they defy our understanding, and to remember that His provision is always sufficient, often exceeding our wildest expectations.

Reflection

Moses' question, while born of human frailty, perfectly sets the stage for God to display His unmatched power and faithfulness. It teaches us that God's ways and capabilities are far above our own, and that true faith rests in acknowledging His omnipotence rather than relying solely on what is physically discernible or humanly possible.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • Matthew 15:33

    And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?

  • 2 Kings 7:2

    Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, [if] the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see [it] with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.

  • Luke 1:18

    And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

  • John 6:6

    And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.

  • John 6:7

    Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.

  • Mark 6:37

    He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?

  • Luke 1:34

    Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
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