Numbers 11:33

KJV

And while the flesh [was] yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague.

KJV (with Strong's)

And while the flesh {H1320} was yet {H2962} between their teeth {H8127}, ere it was chewed {H3772}, the wrath {H639} of the LORD {H3068} was kindled {H2734} against the people {H5971}, and the LORD {H3068} smote {H5221} the people {H5971} with a very {H3966} great {H7227} plague {H4347}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But while the meat was still in their mouth, before they had chewed it up, the anger of ADONAI flared up against the people, and ADONAI struck the people with a terrible plague.

Berean Standard Bible

But while the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of the LORD burned against the people, and the LORD struck them with a severe plague.

American Standard Version

While the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the anger of Jehovah was kindled against the people, and Jehovah smote the people with a very great plague.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 11:33 delivers a stark and immediate depiction of divine judgment unleashed upon the Israelites in the wilderness. Despite the LORD's consistent and miraculous provision of manna, the people, influenced by a "mixed multitude" and succumbing to intense craving for meat, expressed profound discontent and rebellion. In response to their ungodly lust, God provided an overwhelming abundance of quail, yet even as they consumed the desired flesh, His righteous wrath was kindled, striking them with a devastating plague. This incident at Kibroth-hattaavah serves as an enduring warning about the perilous consequences of ingratitude, covetousness, and a murmuring spirit that rejects divine sufficiency and tests the patience of a holy God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 11:33 culminates a critical narrative sequence within the book of Numbers, immediately following the Israelites' departure from Mount Sinai. The chapter begins with the people's initial complaints about hardship, prompting a punitive fire from the LORD (see [Numbers 11:1-3](/numbers/11-1-3 "Numbers 11:1-3 - Fire from the LORD")). This grumbling quickly escalates into a profound lament for the perceived culinary delights of Egypt—meat, fish, and vegetables—contrasted sharply with their disdain for the manna, God's supernatural daily provision (see [Numbers 11:4-6](/numbers/11-4-6 "Numbers 11:4-6 - The People Crave Meat")). Moses himself becomes overwhelmed by the people's incessant complaining, leading to the appointment of seventy elders to share the burden of leadership (see [Numbers 11:10-17](/numbers/11-10-17 "Numbers 11:10-17 - The Appointment of Seventy Elders")). In response to their insatiable craving, God promises to give them meat, not for a day or two, but for an entire month, until it becomes utterly repulsive, signifying judgment rather than blessing (see [Numbers 11:18-20](/numbers/11-18-20 "Numbers 11:18-20 - God Promises Meat as Judgment")). The miraculous provision of vast quantities of quail, brought by a wind from the LORD, sets the stage for the swift and terrifying judgment described in this verse (see [Numbers 11:31-32](/numbers/11-31-32 "Numbers 11:31-32 - The Provision of Quail")), culminating in the devastating plague at Kibroth-hattaavah, meaning "the graves of craving."

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Numbers 11 unfold during the Israelites' arduous forty-year wilderness wandering, a period divinely ordained to test and humble them, fostering a deep dependence on God. The "mixed multitude" mentioned in [Numbers 11:4](/numbers/11-4 "Numbers 11:4 - The Mixed Multitude") refers to the non-Israelites who accompanied them out of Egypt, often serving as a catalyst for spiritual contagion and discontent among the Israelites. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, divine judgment through plagues was a well-understood and terrifying manifestation of a deity's power and holiness, often invoked as punishment for rebellion, covenant violation, or sacrilege. The Israelites' craving for meat, seemingly a minor desire, was far from innocuous; it represented a profound rejection of God's supernatural provision and a nostalgic longing for the perceived comforts and security of Egyptian bondage. This was not merely a dietary preference but a profound act of ingratitude, a challenge to God's leadership, and an indictment of His goodness and sufficiency, demonstrating a deep-seated spiritual rebellion against the covenant relationship.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes pervasive throughout the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it emphatically highlights **Divine Wrath and Immediate Judgment**, underscoring that God's patience, while immense, is not infinite, and His justice is swift and decisive when confronted with persistent rebellion and unholy desires. Secondly, it vividly illustrates the severe **Consequences of Ungodly Lust and Complaining**. The Israelites' insatiable craving for meat, born out of dissatisfaction with God's perfect provision, transcended a simple physical need; it revealed a profound spiritual offense rooted in a lack of faith and gratitude. This serves as a potent warning against covetousness and a murmuring spirit, echoing similar warnings found in passages like [1 Corinthians 10:6-11](/1_corinthians/10-6-11 "1 Corinthians 10:6-11 - Warnings from Israel's History"). Thirdly, the incident at Kibroth-hattaavah powerfully demonstrates **God's Holiness and Justice**. While merciful and long-suffering, God is also a consuming fire (as stated in [Hebrews 12:29](/hebrews/12-29 "Hebrews 12:29 - God is a Consuming Fire")) who demands reverence, obedience, and faithfulness from His covenant people. Finally, it profoundly illustrates **The Peril of Receiving What You Want**, particularly when desires are rooted in rebellion and ingratitude. God sometimes grants desires not as a blessing but as a judgment, allowing people to experience the destructive consequences of their own sinful cravings, a principle also powerfully articulated in [Psalm 78:29-31](/psalms/78-29-31 "Psalm 78:29-31 - God Grants Their Desire, Then Sends a Plague").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Flesh (Hebrew, בָּשָׂר, _bâsâr_):** While literally referring to the meat of the quail that God provided, in this context, "flesh" symbolizes the object of the Israelites' intense, inordinate, and ungodly craving. It represents the earthly, carnal desire that superseded their spiritual contentment and trust in God's miraculous provision. The fact that judgment struck while the flesh was "yet between their teeth" underscores the direct and immediate link between their physical act of consumption and their profound spiritual rebellion.
* **Wrath (Hebrew, אַף, _ʼaph_):** This noun, literally meaning "nose" or "nostril," is a common Hebrew idiom for "anger" or "wrath," as anger often manifests physically through flaring nostrils or heavy breathing. In this context, it signifies a fierce, burning indignation from God, a righteous and holy response to the people's flagrant disobedience, ingratitude, and rejection of His grace. It is not an impulsive human temper tantrum but a controlled, holy displeasure against sin that demands justice.
* **Plague (Hebrew, מַכָּה, _makkâh_):** This term denotes a "blow," "stroke," or "slaughter," specifically referring to a divinely inflicted calamity, epidemic, or wound. Its use here emphasizes that the affliction was not a natural consequence or a mere coincidence but a direct, supernatural act of God's judgment. The description of it as a "very great plague" (combining _makkâh_ with _mᵉʼôd_ "very" and _rab_ "great") indicates its widespread, severe, and devastating nature, resulting in significant loss of life among the rebellious Israelites.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And while the flesh [was] yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed":** This clause dramatically emphasizes the astonishing immediacy and precision of God's judgment. It highlights the direct correlation between the act of consuming the lusted-after meat and the sudden onset of divine wrath. The judgment was not delayed, nor did it allow for repentance or a change of heart after the fact; it struck in the very moment of their rebellious indulgence, underscoring God's absolute sovereignty, His intolerance for sin, and the profound seriousness of their transgression.
* **"the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people":** This phrase directly attributes the ensuing calamity to God's active and righteous anger. The verb "kindled" (from _chârâh_) suggests a sudden, intense burst of divine indignation, a holy fire ignited by their profound ingratitude, persistent rebellion, and testing of His patience. It clarifies that the subsequent plague was not an accident or a natural disaster but a deliberate, intentional expression of God's displeasure against their unholy craving and incessant murmuring.
* **"and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague":** This final clause describes the devastating consequence of God's kindled wrath. The verb "smote" (from _nâkâh_) implies a direct, forceful strike or blow, emphasizing the intentionality and power of God's action. The "very great plague" indicates a widespread and severe affliction, resulting in significant casualties among the Israelites. This was a clear, undeniable demonstration of God's power to judge and His unwavering commitment to holiness, even among His chosen covenant people.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 11:33 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its sobering message with maximum impact. **Irony** is profoundly evident, as the very thing the Israelites craved—meat—became the direct instrument of their judgment, transforming a desired blessing into a devastating curse. This highlights the inherent danger of desires not aligned with God's will. The phrase "while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed" utilizes vivid **Imagery** and striking **Juxtaposition**, contrasting the immediate gratification of their lust with the swift, terrifying onset of divine wrath. This creates a powerful sense of suddenness, inevitability, and inescapable consequence. The description of God's "wrath...kindled" is a potent **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like emotion (anger) and action (kindling a fire) to God, making His response relatable while simultaneously emphasizing the intensity and righteous nature of His displeasure. The "very great plague" functions as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Emphasis**, stressing the overwhelming magnitude and severity of the divine judgment, ensuring the reader fully grasps the gravity of the people's sin and the commensurate nature of God's holy response.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 11:33 stands as a sobering testament to the unblemished holiness of God and the profound gravity of human rebellion, particularly when expressed through ungratefulness and insatiable desires. It reveals that God's patience, while vast and enduring, is not infinite, and His justice is an immutable, fundamental aspect of His divine character. The incident at Kibroth-hattaavah ("graves of craving") serves as a stark warning, underscoring the spiritual danger of covetousness and the profound offense of murmuring against divine provision. It teaches a crucial theological lesson: true contentment is found not in pursuing fleshly desires that often lead to spiritual death, but in trusting God's perfect sufficiency and sovereign care. This narrative serves as a perpetual admonition against testing God and reminds believers that even seemingly minor acts of discontent can stem from a deeper lack of faith and reverence, ultimately inviting severe and immediate consequences from a holy God.

* [Psalm 78:29-31](/psalms/78-29-31 "Psalm 78:29-31 - God Gave Them Their Desire, Then Sent a Plague")
* [1 Corinthians 10:6-11](/1_corinthians/10-6-11 "1 Corinthians 10:6-11 - Warnings from Israel's History")
* [James 1:14-15](/james/1-14-15 "James 1:14-15 - Lust Leads to Sin and Death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 11:33 serves as a timeless and potent warning for believers across all generations, urging us to cultivate a posture of profound gratitude, deep contentment, and unwavering trust in God's provision in all circumstances. It compels us to deeply examine the desires of our hearts: are they truly aligned with God's perfect will and abundant provision, or are they rooted in selfish craving, dissatisfaction, and a fundamental lack of trust in His goodness and wisdom? This passage powerfully reminds us that grumbling and murmuring are not trivial offenses but serious expressions of unbelief and rebellion that can provoke divine displeasure. We are called to live with a discerning spirit, recognizing that God's provision, even if it doesn't immediately match our personal desires or expectations, is always ultimately sufficient, perfect, and designed for our spiritual flourishing. The severity and immediacy of the judgment at Kibroth-hattaavah should instill a healthy, reverent fear of the LORD, fostering a humble obedience that seeks to honor Him in every thought, word, and deed, rather than testing His patience with our unholy cravings and discontented spirits.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "manna" (God's consistent, sufficient provision) might I be ungratefully overlooking or despising in my life today?**
* **In what specific areas of my life am I prone to grumbling or craving things beyond what God has already provided, and what might be the underlying spiritual root of that discontent?**
* **How does the swiftness and severity of God's judgment in this passage deepen my understanding of His holiness, justice, and demand for reverence?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to cultivate a heart of deeper contentment, gratitude, and trust in God's perfect provision, even when it differs from my immediate desires?**

### FAQ
**Why was God's judgment so swift and severe in Numbers 11:33?**

Answer: God's judgment was swift and severe because the Israelites' craving for meat was not merely a physical hunger but a profound spiritual rebellion rooted in a deep-seated lack of faith, ingratitude, and a blatant rejection of God's miraculous provision of manna. Their murmuring was persistent, challenging God's authority, goodness, and sufficiency. The immediacy of the judgment—"while the flesh was yet between their teeth"—underscored the direct link between their sin and its consequence, serving as a powerful, undeniable lesson about the gravity of their rebellion and God's unwavering holiness. This was a clear demonstration that God is not to be trifled with, and His patience, while immense, has limits when His people continually provoke Him with unholy desires and ingratitude, a pattern of rebellion also seen in [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - Israel's Rebellion and Forty Years of Wandering").

**Does God still punish people in this way today?**

Answer: While God's character of holiness and justice remains eternally unchanged, the *form* of His judgment often differs in the New Covenant era. Direct, immediate, physical plagues as seen in Numbers are less common, but the spiritual principles remain profoundly relevant. God still allows people to experience the natural, destructive consequences of their sinful desires (as articulated in [James 1:15](/james/1-15 "James 1:15 - Lust Leads to Sin and Death")), and He lovingly disciplines His children for their good (as taught in [Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5-11 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God Disciplines His Children")). Ultimately, the greatest judgment for sin has been fully and perfectly borne by Christ on the cross. For those who reject Him, the ultimate judgment is eternal separation from God. However, the narrative in Numbers 11:33 serves as a timeless and solemn warning against presuming upon God's grace and persisting in unrepentant sin.

**What does "lusted a lust" (Numbers 11:4) mean in this context, and how does it relate to Numbers 11:33?**

Answer: The phrase "lusted a lust" from [Numbers 11:4](/numbers/11-4 "Numbers 11:4 - The Craving for Meat") is a powerful Hebraism, an emphatic construction meaning "they intensely lusted" or "they craved with a great, overwhelming craving." The Hebrew word for "lust" here is _ta'avah_ (תַּאֲוָה), which signifies a strong, often inordinate, illicit, or sinful desire. In this context, it refers to the Israelites' intense, unholy, and deeply discontented craving for meat, which went far beyond legitimate hunger and escalated into outright rebellion against God's provision and authority. Numbers 11:33 is the direct, immediate, and devastating fulfillment of the consequence of this "lusted lust." God, in His sovereign judgment, gave them precisely what they craved, but because the desire was rooted in sin, defiance, and ingratitude, the "blessing" of abundance became a curse, leading to the devastating plague. It powerfully demonstrates that sometimes God gives people over to their sinful desires as a form of judgment, allowing them to reap the bitter fruit of their own rebellion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 11:33, with its stark portrayal of divine wrath against unholy craving and rebellion, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several interconnected ways. The Israelites' rejection of manna, God's heavenly bread and miraculous daily provision, for the "flesh" they craved, powerfully foreshadows humanity's persistent tendency to reject God's true spiritual provision for fleeting, earthly desires. Jesus, however, declares Himself to be the "bread of life" who came down from heaven, offering eternal satisfaction and true sustenance to all who come to Him, standing in stark contrast to the temporary and ultimately fatal quail (see [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life") and [John 6:51](/john/6-51 "John 6:51 - Jesus Gives His Flesh for the Life of the World")). The wrath of the LORD, so vividly displayed at Kibroth-hattaavah as a "very great plague," was fully and finally poured out upon Jesus on the cross. He became the ultimate sacrifice, bearing the entirety of God's righteous judgment for the sins of humanity, including our unholy cravings, discontented hearts, and rebellious spirits (see [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us") and [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")). Through faith in Him, believers are mercifully spared the wrath that our own lusts and rebellion justly deserve, finding true contentment, complete forgiveness, and eternal life, free from condemnation (see [Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")).

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

Psalms 78:30

They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat [was] yet in their mouths,

Psalms 78:31

The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen [men] of Israel.

Psalms 106:14

But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.

Psalms 106:15

And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.

Numbers 16:49

Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah.

Numbers 25:9

And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.

Deuteronomy 28:27

The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed.