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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Numbers 11:31–35.
God, having performed his promise to Moses by giving him assessors in the government, thereby proving the power he has over the spirits of men by his Spirit, he here performs his promise to the people by giving them flesh, proving thereby his power over the inferior creatures and his dominion in the kingdom of nature. Observe, 1. How the people were gratified with flesh in abundance: A wind (a south-east wind, as appears, Psa 78:26) brought quails, Num 11:31. It is uncertain what sort of animals they were; the psalmist calls them feathered fowl, or fowl of wing. The learned bishop Patrick inclines to agree with some modern writers, who think they were locusts, a delicious sort of food well known in those parts, the rather because they were brought with a wind, lay in heaps, and were dried in the sun for use. Whatever they were, they answered the intention, they served for a month's feast for Israel, such an indulgent Father was God to his froward family. Locusts, that had been a plague to fruitful Egypt, feeding upon the fruits, were a blessing to a barren wilderness, being themselves fed upon. 2. How greedy they were of this flesh that God sent them. They flew upon the spoil with an unsatiable appetite, not regarding what Moses had told them from God, that they would surfeit upon it, Num 11:32. Two days and a night they were at it, gathering flesh, till every master of a family had brought home ten homers (that is, ten ass-loads) at least. David longed for the water of the well of Bethlehem, but would not drink it when he had it, because it was obtained by venturing; much more reason these Israelites had to refuse this flesh, which was obtained by murmuring, and which, they might easily perceive, by what Moses said, was given them in anger; but those that are under the power of a carnal mind will have their lusts fulfilled, though it be to the certain damage and ruin of their precious souls. 3. How dearly they paid for their feasts, when it came into the reckoning: The Lord smote them with a very great plague (Num 11:33), some bodily disease, which probably was the effect of their surfeit, and was the death of many of them, and those, it is likely, the ringleaders in the mutiny. Note, God often grants the desires of his own people in love. He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul, Psa 106:15. By all that was said to them they were not estranged from their lusts, and therefore, while the meat was in their mouths, the wrath of God came upon them, Psa 78:30, Psa 78:31. What we inordinately desire, if we obtain it (we have reason to fear), will be some way or other a grief and cross to us. God satiated them first, and then plagued them, (1.) To save the reputation of his own power, that it might not be said, "He would not have cut them off had he been able to supply them." And, (2.) To show us the meaning of the prosperity of sinners; it is their preparation for ruin, they are fed as an ox for the slaughter. Lastly, The remembrance of this is preserved in the name given to the place, Num 11:34. Moses called it Kibroth-hattaavah, the graves of lusters or of lust. And well it had been if these graves of Israel's lusters had proved the graves of Israel's lust: the warning was designed to be so, but it had not its due effect, for it follows (Psa 78:32), For all this, they sinned still.
Historical interpretation
Fourteen Centuries of Reception
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How is it that the graves of lust where the people fell in their devotion to flesh remain even to this day in the wilderness? Do we not read that the stupid people gorged themselves with quails until the wrath of God came upon them?
The graves of lust: Or, the sepulchres of concupiscence: so called from their irregular desire of flesh. In Hebrew, Kibroth. Hattaavah.
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Summary
Numbers 11:34 records the naming of Kibrothhattaavah, meaning "Graves of Craving" or "Graves of Lust," a site that serves as a perpetual, somber memorial to the severe divine judgment inflicted upon the Israelites. This judgment was a direct consequence of their intense, ungodly craving for meat, which led them to despise God's miraculous provision of manna and to rebel against His authority, culminating in a devastating plague that claimed the lives of many who succumbed to their unchecked appetites and profound spiritual discontentment.
Context
Literary Context
Numbers 11:34 concludes a dramatic and pivotal narrative that begins earlier in the chapter. The preceding verses detail the Israelites' initial complaints about their hardships, which provoked God's wrath and resulted in a consuming fire (Numbers 11:1-3). Immediately following this, the "rabble" among them, and subsequently the entire Israelite community, expressed an intense craving for the diverse foods they remembered from Egypt, expressing disdain for the manna God had miraculously provided daily (Numbers 11:4-6). Moses, overwhelmed by the immense burden of leadership and the incessant grumbling of the people, cried out to God in despair (Numbers 11:11-15). In response, God promised to provide meat, not as a blessing, but as a judgment, delivering it in such abundance that it would become repulsive to them (Numbers 11:18-20). True to His word, God sent an immense flock of quails, but while the meat was still in their mouths, a severe plague struck the people, resulting in numerous deaths (Numbers 11:31-33). Verse 34 then names the place to commemorate this tragic and divinely orchestrated event.
Historical & Cultural Context
The events described in Numbers 11 occur during the Israelites' arduous wilderness journey, a period of profound dependence on God following their miraculous deliverance from Egyptian slavery. Their craving for meat and the varied diet of Egypt reflects a common human tendency to romanticize a past, even one of bondage, when current circumstances are challenging or perceived as monotonous. The manna, God's supernatural daily provision, was meant to teach them reliance on Him (Deuteronomy 8:3). Culturally, the act of naming a place after a significant event was a widespread practice in the ancient Near East, serving as a permanent memorial, a warning, or a celebration. This etiological naming ensured that the story and its lessons would be remembered by future generations. The nomadic lifestyle of the Israelites during this period meant their survival was entirely predicated on God's direct intervention and provision, making their complaints a profound act of distrust and rebellion against divine authority.
Key Themes
Numbers 11:34 powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes prevalent throughout the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the danger of ungodly craving and profound discontentment. The Israelites' "lusting" for meat was not merely a dietary preference but a symptom of their deeper spiritual rebellion, ingratitude, and lack of faith in God's faithful provision (Psalm 78:29-31). Secondly, the episode vividly highlights God's holiness and His righteous judgment against sin. While God is characterized by patience and mercy, He is also utterly just and will not tolerate persistent murmuring, defiance, and idolatrous desires that challenge His sovereignty. The swift and devastating plague demonstrates the gravity of their sin and God's unwavering commitment to His covenant and His own character. Finally, the verse reinforces the theme of the severe consequences of complaining and rebellion against divine authority. Their grumbling was not merely directed at Moses but was a direct affront to the Lord Himself (Numbers 14:27), reflecting a profound distrust in His goodness and leading to repeated disciplinary actions throughout their wilderness wanderings.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This compound proper noun literally translates to "graves of craving" or "graves of lust." It is derived from the plural of qever (grave, burial place) and taʼavah (craving, desire, lust) with the definite article. The name itself is an enduring monument and a stark indictment, permanently marking the location where the devastating consequences of ungodly desire were dramatically revealed through divine judgment. It serves as a perpetual reminder of the destructive power of unchecked human appetite and rebellion against God's will.
This verb, from which the noun taʼavah (craving) is derived, denotes a strong wish or desire. While ʼâvâh can refer to legitimate desires, in this context, and frequently in the Old Testament, it carries a negative connotation, signifying an excessive, illicit, or inordinate craving that disregards divine boundaries or provision. Here, it describes the Israelites' intense, sinful longing for meat, which did not stem from true necessity but from profound discontentment and a rejection of God's miraculous manna. This "lusting" was a spiritual failing, indicating a heart that was not satisfied with God's perfect provision and instead yearned for the perceived comforts of their past bondage, even slavery.
Verse Breakdown
"And he called the name of that place Kibrothhattaavah:"
This clause signifies a deliberate act of naming, likely initiated by Moses, which formally designated the location. This naming is not merely descriptive but serves as an etiological marker, explaining the origin and significance of the place's name. It immortalizes the tragic event, ensuring that future generations would remember the severe consequences of the Israelites' sin and God's judgment. The act of naming also consecrates the place as a site of divine reckoning and a perpetual warning.
"because there they buried the people that lusted."
This explanatory clause provides the explicit and solemn reason for the name "Kibrothhattaavah." It directly links the mass burial site to the specific sin of "lusting" or "craving" for meat, which provoked God's righteous wrath and resulted in the deadly plague. The phrase "the people that lusted" underscores that the judgment was a direct and just consequence of their sinful desire and subsequent rebellious murmuring, not merely a random misfortune. It highlights the direct correlation between sin, particularly ungodly desire, and its severe, often devastating, consequences.
Literary Devices
Numbers 11:34 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. Etiology is central, as the verse explicitly provides the origin and meaning of the place name Kibrothhattaavah, directly linking it to the significant event of divine judgment and mass burial. This etiological naming functions as a powerful mnemonic device, ensuring that the story's critical lesson is permanently embedded within the very name of the place. There is also a striking element of Irony present; the very object of their intense, ungodly desire—meat—became the direct instrument of their destruction and the cause of their burial. What they craved for sustenance ultimately led to their demise. Furthermore, the name Kibrothhattaavah functions as powerful Symbolism, representing not merely a physical burial ground but a perpetual warning against the insidious dangers of ungodly craving, profound discontentment, and outright rebellion against God's faithful provision. The name itself becomes a stark monument to human sin and divine justice, a sobering reminder etched into the very landscape of their wilderness journey.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Numbers 11:34 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of human desire and the unwavering principle of divine justice. It unequivocally reveals that God's patience has limits and that persistent, ungrateful craving, especially when it manifests as open rebellion against His provision and authority, incurs severe and often immediate consequences. The episode underscores that true satisfaction and spiritual flourishing are found not in fulfilling every fleshly desire, but in trusting implicitly and being content with God's perfect wisdom and abundant provision. The "graves of craving" serve as a somber reminder that what we lust for outside of God's will can become our spiritual, and even physical, undoing, leading to profound spiritual death. This event powerfully foreshadows the New Testament emphasis on the spiritual battle against the desires of the flesh and the paramount importance of contentment in Christ, warning against the dangers of idolatry of the heart.
Reflection and Application
The naming of Kibrothhattaavah offers a timeless and profoundly sobering lesson for believers today: the immense danger of unchecked desire and the spiritual peril of discontentment. In a world saturated with consumerism, instant gratification, and the relentless pursuit of more, this passage calls us to a deep, honest examination of the cravings that reside within our own hearts. Are we truly satisfied with God's faithful provision, or do we, like the Israelites, murmur and lust for things outside of His perfect will, even when He has miraculously sustained us? Our cravings—whether for material possessions, social status, fleeting comforts, or even specific experiences—can quickly devolve into idolatry if they supplant our trust, gratitude, and devotion towards God. This verse challenges us to diligently cultivate a spirit of profound contentment and to recognize that true life, lasting joy, and genuine blessing come from abiding in God's will and finding our satisfaction in Him, not from fulfilling every carnal appetite. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is not merely a benevolent provider but also a holy and just judge, and our rebellion, even in seemingly small acts of discontent, is a serious offense against His sovereignty and infinite goodness.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did God's judgment seem so severe for merely craving meat?
God's judgment at Kibrothhattaavah was not merely for the physical craving of meat, but for what that intense craving profoundly represented: a deep-seated spiritual rebellion, profound ingratitude, and a fundamental distrust in God's faithful and miraculous provision. The Israelites had just witnessed numerous divine interventions, including their miraculous deliverance from Egyptian slavery, the parting of the Red Sea, and their daily sustenance by the supernatural manna. Their intense desire for meat, specifically the "fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic" they remembered from Egypt (Numbers 11:5), was a blatant rejection of God's miraculous manna and a longing for the perceived comforts of their former bondage. This was a direct insult to God's wisdom, goodness, and infinite ability to provide. Their "lusting" was a symptom of a much deeper spiritual illness—a murmuring heart that despised God's gifts, challenged His divine authority, and yearned for a past that, despite its material variety, was one of slavery. The severity of the plague underscored the immense gravity of their sin, serving as a stark and unforgettable warning against discontentment and rebellion, not just for them but for all future generations. It powerfully demonstrated that God takes seriously the state of the human heart and its attitude towards His divine care and covenant faithfulness.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The tragic events at Kibrothhattaavah, forever marked by the "graves of craving," powerfully foreshadow humanity's deeper, inherent spiritual hunger and the ultimate, perfect provision found exclusively in Jesus Christ. The Israelites craved physical meat, a desire that ultimately led to death, but humanity's true, profound craving is for spiritual sustenance, a hunger that only the Bread of Life can truly satisfy. Jesus Himself declared, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst", directly contrasting His eternal, life-giving provision with the temporary manna and quail that could not ultimately prevent physical death. The severe judgment at Kibrothhattaavah for their sin of craving and rebellion points to the ultimate judgment justly due to all humanity for its sin, a judgment that Christ, in His infinite love, bore completely on the cross. He became the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, satisfying divine justice and offering profound forgiveness and reconciliation. Through transformative faith in Him, we are granted a new heart, no longer enslaved to the destructive "lusts of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16-17), but rather empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to walk in contentment, obedience, and freedom, finding our deepest and most abiding satisfaction not in fleeting earthly desires but in the abundant grace and eternal life found only in Him.