Numbers 11:31

KJV

¶ And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let [them] fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits [high] upon the face of the earth.

KJV (with Strong's)

And there went forth {H5265} a wind {H7307} from the LORD {H3068}, and brought {H1468} quails {H7958} from the sea {H3220}, and let them fall {H5203} by the camp {H4264}, as it were a day's {H3117} journey {H1870} on this side {H3541}, and as it were a day's {H3117} journey {H1870} on the other side {H3541}, round about {H5439} the camp {H4264}, and as it were two cubits {H520} high upon the face {H6440} of the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and ADONAI sent out a wind which brought quails from across the sea and let them fall near the camp, about a day's trip away on each side of the camp and all around it, covering the ground to a depth of three feet.

Berean Standard Bible

Now a wind sent by the LORD came up, drove in quail from the sea, and brought them near the camp, about two cubits above the surface of the ground, for a day’s journey in every direction around the camp.

American Standard Version

And there went forth a wind from Jehovah, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, about a day’s journey on this side, and a day’s journey on the other side, round about the camp, and about two cubits above the face of the earth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 11:31 vividly portrays the Lord's extraordinary, albeit disciplinary, response to the Israelites' grumbling for meat in the wilderness. Following their discontent with manna and their intense craving for a varied diet, God sends an overwhelming deluge of quails, driven by a divine wind, covering an immense area around the camp to an astonishing depth, thereby fulfilling His promise to provide meat in such abundance that it would become a source of revulsion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 11:31 is the dramatic culmination of the Israelites' sustained complaints against the Lord and Moses, detailed from the chapter's beginning. The people, tired of the consistent manna, expressed a deep longing for the food they had in Egypt, leading them to weep at the tent doors ([Numbers 11:4-6](/numbers/11-4 "Numbers 11:4-6 - Israel's Complaining and Lust")). This widespread discontent grieved Moses deeply, causing him to express his overwhelming burden to the Lord ([Numbers 11:11-15](/numbers/11-11 "Numbers 11:11-15 - Moses's Despair and Burden")). In response, God promised not only to provide meat but to do so for an entire month, until it became loathsome to them ([Numbers 11:18-20](/numbers/11-18 "Numbers 11:18-20 - God's Promise of Meat to Satiation")). The preceding verses describe the appointment of seventy elders to assist Moses, and the Spirit's anointing upon them, setting the stage for God's powerful, yet double-edged, fulfillment of His word.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the wilderness journey of the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt, a period characterized by divine provision (manna, water from the rock) and frequent Israelite rebellion. Quails (Coturnix coturnix) were migratory birds known to pass over the Sinai Peninsula, often flying low and exhausted, making them relatively easy to catch. However, the sheer scale and timing described in Numbers 11:31 transcend any natural phenomenon, indicating a direct, miraculous intervention by God. The "day's journey" (approximately 15-20 miles) and "two cubits high" (approximately 3 feet or 0.9 meters) describe an unfathomable quantity, far beyond what any human effort could achieve or even process. This event occurred at Kibroth-hattaavah ("graves of craving"), a name that would forever mark the site of Israel's gluttonous indulgence and God's subsequent judgment.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent in the book of Numbers and throughout the Pentateuch. It highlights the theme of **divine provision**, showcasing God's ability to supply the needs (or even the sinful desires) of His people in miraculous ways, as seen earlier with the manna in [Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Provision of Manna and Quail"). Simultaneously, it underscores the theme of **human discontent and rebellion**, revealing the Israelites' persistent ingratitude despite God's faithfulness, a recurring motif from [Exodus 15](/exodus/15 "Exodus 15 - Israel's Grumbling After the Red Sea") onwards. Most significantly, it demonstrates the theme of **divine judgment**, where God's provision, when given in response to sinful craving, becomes an instrument of discipline. This episode serves as a stark warning about the dangers of unchecked desires and the consequences of despising God's gracious provision, leading directly to the plague mentioned in [Numbers 11:33](/numbers/11-33 "Numbers 11:33 - The Plague at Kibroth-hattaavah").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wind (Hebrew, _ruach_):** The term "wind" (רוּחַ) in Hebrew is rich with meaning, often referring to a literal wind, but also to breath, spirit, or the Spirit of God. Here, "a wind from the LORD" (רוּחַ מֵאֵת יְהוָה) signifies not merely a natural meteorological event, but a direct, powerful, and intentional act of divine agency. It is God Himself who commands and directs this force, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over creation to accomplish His purposes, whether in blessing or in judgment.
* **Quails (Hebrew, _selav_):** The Hebrew word for "quails" (שְׂלָו) refers to a specific migratory bird (Coturnix coturnix) known to traverse the Sinai region. While quails were a natural part of the ecosystem, their appearance in such unprecedented numbers, at a specific time, and in a precise location, points to a miraculous intervention rather than a mere natural occurrence. This was not a random flock but a divinely orchestrated delivery, precisely to meet (and overwhelm) the Israelites' demand for meat.
* **Two cubits high (Hebrew, _ammatayim_):** A cubit was an ancient unit of length, typically the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, roughly 18 inches (45 cm). Thus, "two cubits high" (אַמָּתַיִם) translates to approximately three feet (0.9 meters). This detail emphasizes the immense, almost unbelievable, quantity of quails. They were not merely scattered but piled deep on the ground, creating a literal mountain of meat, far exceeding any reasonable need or capacity for consumption. This hyperbole underscores the overwhelming nature of God's provision and the excess of the people's craving.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And there went forth a wind from the LORD":** This opening clause immediately establishes the divine origin and supernatural nature of the event. It was not a random gust but a directed, purposeful wind, directly commanded by Yahweh, emphasizing His active involvement and control over creation.
* **"and brought quails from the sea":** The wind's specific action was to transport the quails. "From the sea" likely refers to the Gulf of Aqaba or the Mediterranean, indicating the birds were migrating and were supernaturally diverted and concentrated towards the Israelite camp, highlighting the precision of God's intervention.
* **"and let [them] fall by the camp":** The quails were not merely blown over but "fell" or "were dropped" precisely at the location of the camp. This implies a controlled descent, making them accessible for the Israelites to gather, fulfilling God's promise to provide meat directly to them.
* **"as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp":** This describes the vast geographical extent of the quail deposit. A "day's journey" was roughly 15-20 miles (24-32 km). This means the quails covered an area extending approximately 15-20 miles in every direction from the center of the camp, creating a circular area roughly 30-40 miles (48-64 km) in diameter. This emphasizes the staggering, unprecedented scale of the provision.
* **"and as it were two cubits [high] upon the face of the earth":** This final clause describes the astonishing depth of the quail deposit. At approximately three feet high, the quails were piled up, not just scattered. This detail underscores the overwhelming abundance and the sheer, almost repulsive, quantity of meat, fulfilling God's promise that they would have meat until it became nauseating to them.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 11:31 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Divine Intervention** is paramount, as the "wind from the LORD" explicitly points to God's direct, miraculous involvement in orchestrating this event, transcending natural phenomena. The description of the quails covering "a day's journey" in every direction and lying "two cubits high" utilizes **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the scale to emphasize the overwhelming abundance and the dramatic nature of God's response. This vivid imagery creates a powerful mental picture of an almost unbelievable quantity of meat, underscoring both God's immense power and the magnitude of the people's gluttonous desire. There is also an element of **Irony**, as God grants the Israelites their sinful desire for meat, but the very abundance of this provision becomes a source of judgment and ultimately, death, as described in the subsequent verses. The detailed, almost clinical, description of the quails' fall and accumulation serves to ground the miraculous in concrete, albeit exaggerated, terms, making the divine act both awe-inspiring and terrifying.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 11:31 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of God's provision, human desire, and divine judgment. It reveals that God is not only capable of providing abundantly but can also use that very abundance as a means of discipline when desires are rooted in rebellion and ingratitude rather than genuine need. This episode highlights the danger of craving what God has not given or despising what He has provided, demonstrating that sometimes, the most severe judgment is to be given over to one's own sinful desires. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty over creation, able to command even the winds and the creatures of the air to fulfill His purposes, whether for blessing or for a terrifying display of justice. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that God's ways are higher than our ways, and our desires, when unchecked and rebellious, can lead to devastating consequences.

* [Psalm 78:26-31](/psalms/78-26 "Psalm 78:26-31 - God's Provision and Israel's Rebellion")
* [1 Corinthians 10:6](/1_corinthians/10-6 "1 Corinthians 10:6 - Warnings from Israel's History")
* [Romans 1:24](/romans/1-24 "God Giving People Over to Their Desires")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 11:31 offers a stark and enduring lesson for believers today, challenging us to deeply examine the nature of our desires and our posture towards God's provision. In a world saturated with consumerism and the constant pursuit of "more," this passage warns against the spiritual peril of discontentment and the insatiable craving for things outside of God's perfect will. Are we truly thankful for the daily "manna" God provides – our basic needs, His constant presence, His faithful sustenance – or are we constantly grumbling, longing for something different, something seemingly more exciting or fulfilling, much like the Israelites longed for the "flesh pots" of Egypt? This text compels us to cultivate a spirit of contentment, trusting that God knows what is truly good for us, even if it doesn't align with our immediate cravings. It reminds us that sometimes, getting exactly what we want, especially when it stems from a rebellious heart, can lead to spiritual and even physical detriment. True satisfaction is found not in the abundance of possessions or the fulfillment of every desire, but in a grateful heart that rests in God's sovereign and wise provision.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "manna" has God faithfully provided in your life that you might be taking for granted or even despising?**
* **Are there desires in your heart that, if granted, might become a source of spiritual harm rather than blessing?**
* **How can you cultivate a deeper sense of contentment and gratitude for God's daily provision, even when it feels mundane or insufficient?**
* **In what ways might your cravings for "more" (materially, relationally, professionally) be rooted in discontentment rather than a godly ambition?**

### FAQ

**Was the provision of quails a blessing or a judgment?**

Answer: The provision of quails in Numbers 11:31 was a complex act that served as both a fulfillment of God's promise and a severe judgment. While God did provide the meat the Israelites craved, the manner and scale of the provision, coupled with the subsequent plague, clearly indicate it was a disciplinary act. God gave them what they wanted, not what was good for them, allowing their sinful desires to lead to their own undoing. This is evident in the immediate context where the people were struck with a severe plague "while the meat was still between their teeth" ([Numbers 11:33](/numbers/11-33 "Numbers 11:33 - The Plague at Kibroth-hattaavah")). It demonstrates God's power to provide, but also His willingness to allow the consequences of rebellious desires to manifest.

**How could the quails be "two cubits high"? Is this literal?**

Answer: The description of the quails being "two cubits high" (approximately three feet deep) is likely a use of hyperbole, a literary device to emphasize the overwhelming, almost unbelievable, quantity of the birds. While quails did migrate in large numbers and could be caught, the text's aim is to convey the miraculous and excessive nature of God's provision in response to Israel's gluttonous demands. It highlights that the quails were not merely scattered but piled up in an astonishing abundance, far beyond what was needed or even manageable, thereby underscoring the severity of God's response to their craving. This vivid imagery communicates the sheer magnitude of the event and the extent to which God fulfilled His word, even to their detriment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of the quails in Numbers 11:31, while a stark account of divine provision and judgment, ultimately points us to the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Israelites' craving for meat stemmed from their discontent with God's perfect provision (manna), highlighting humanity's inherent tendency to reject God's sustaining grace and seek fulfillment in earthly desires. This foreshadows the deeper spiritual hunger that only Christ can satisfy. While the quails brought temporary satiety followed by judgment, Jesus declares Himself to be the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), the true spiritual sustenance that descends from heaven, offering eternal life to those who believe, unlike the manna that their fathers ate and died ([John 6:49-50](/john/6-49 "John 6:49-50 - The True Bread from Heaven")). The judgment that followed the quails, leading to death at Kibroth-hattaavah, stands in stark contrast to Christ's ultimate sacrifice, where He bore the judgment for our sinful cravings and rebellion, offering life instead of death. He is the ultimate provision, not merely for physical hunger, but for the soul's deepest longing, satisfying us completely and eternally, so that we "shall never hunger" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). In Christ, God's provision is not a double-edged sword of blessing and judgment for our rebellion, but pure grace, freely given to redeem us from the consequences of our insatiable desires and lead us to true life.

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 16:13

¶ And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host.

Psalms 105:40

[The people] asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.

Psalms 78:26

He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind.

Psalms 78:29

So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire;

Exodus 10:13

And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all [that] night; [and] when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts.

Exodus 15:10

Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.

Exodus 10:19

And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt.