Numbers 11:5

KJV

We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:

KJV (with Strong's)

We remember {H2142} the fish {H1710}, which we did eat {H398} in Egypt {H4714} freely {H2600}; the cucumbers {H7180}, and the melons {H20}, and the leeks {H2682}, and the onions {H1211}, and the garlick {H7762}:

Complete Jewish Bible

We remember the fish we used to eat in Egypt - it cost us nothing! -and the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, the garlic!

Berean Standard Bible

We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic.

American Standard Version

We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt for nought; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 11:5 vividly portrays the Israelites' profound discontent and spiritual amnesia in the wilderness, as they nostalgically recall the diverse and seemingly abundant diet of Egypt—fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic—contrasting it sharply with the monotonous manna provided by God. This verse encapsulates their deep spiritual weariness and selective memory, revealing a dangerous human tendency to idealize a past of servitude for the sake of physical comforts, thereby devaluing divine provision, miraculous liberation, and the true freedom found in God's presence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 11 immediately follows the detailed instructions for the tabernacle's construction and the orderly departure from Mount Sinai in [Numbers 10](/numbers/10 "Numbers 10 - Departure from Sinai"). This chapter marks a fresh wave of Israelite complaining, beginning with a general malaise described as "evil in the ears of the LORD" [Numbers 11:1](/numbers/11-1 "Numbers 11:1 - Israel's Complaining and Fire from the LORD"). This grumbling quickly escalates from a general weariness to a specific, intense craving for the foods of Egypt. The "mixed multitude," non-Israelites who joined the exodus, are identified as instigators of this craving [Numbers 11:4](/numbers/11-4 "Numbers 11:4 - The Mixed Multitude's Craving"), but their discontent soon infects the entire congregation. This lament for Egyptian delicacies, particularly the rich variety of vegetables and fish, stands in stark contrast to the divine provision of manna, which had miraculously sustained them daily since [Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna and Quail"). The narrative swiftly moves from this complaint to God's response, providing quail in abundance but also sending a severe plague, illustrating the dire consequences of their ingratitude and fleshly desires.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites had endured approximately 430 years of brutal slavery in Egypt [Exodus 12:40](/exodus/12-40 "Exodus 12:40 - Sojourning in Egypt"). While their lives were marked by harsh labor, oppression, and the murder of their male infants, the Nile River valley was exceptionally fertile, providing a wide array of agricultural products. Fish was a common staple, and vegetables like cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic were integral components of the Egyptian diet. The phrase "eat freely" (KJV) or "without cost" (NIV/ESV) does not imply they were not slaves, but rather that these foods were readily available and consumed to their fill, perhaps in stark contrast to the perceived scarcity or monotony of the wilderness diet. Their recollection is a highly selective memory, focusing solely on the physical comforts while conveniently forgetting the brutal servitude, the cries for deliverance, and the miraculous liberation God had wrought on their behalf. This longing for the "fleshpots of Egypt" [Exodus 16:3](/exodus/16-3 "Exodus 16:3 - Israel's Complaint for Food") reveals a profound spiritual amnesia and a failure to appreciate their newfound freedom and divine sustenance.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 11:5 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prominent in the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. It exemplifies the recurring theme of **Israel's rebellion and unfaithfulness** in the wilderness, a persistent pattern of grumbling against God and Moses despite overwhelming evidence of divine care and miraculous provision [Numbers 14:22](/numbers/14-22 "Numbers 14:22 - Ten Times They Tested Me"). It highlights the danger of **selective memory and idealizing the past**, where the profound hardships of slavery are conveniently forgotten in favor of nostalgic recollections of superficial physical comforts. Furthermore, the verse underscores the tension between **fleshly desires and spiritual obedience**, demonstrating how immediate gratification and earthly cravings can overshadow trust in God's perfect, albeit sometimes challenging, provision. This episode ultimately serves as a stark warning about **testing God's patience** and the severe consequences of persistent ingratitude and unbelief, setting the stage for further judgments and the prolonging of their wilderness journey towards the Promised Land, a journey that required faith in God's daily provision, much like the journey of the early church in [Acts 4](/acts/4 "Acts 4 - The Believers Share Their Possessions").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Remember (Hebrew, _zâkar'_):** This verb (H2142) signifies "to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention." In this context, it denotes a vivid, collective recollection, not merely a passive memory but an active, almost obsessive dwelling on past experiences. The Israelites' "remembering" is not an act of grateful reflection on God's past deliverance but a selective, distorted recall of perceived comforts, fueling their present discontent and highlighting their spiritual amnesia regarding the true nature of their Egyptian bondage.
* **Freely (Hebrew, _chinnâm'_):** The adverb (H2600) means "gratis, i.e., devoid of cost, reason or advantage; without a cause (cost, wages), causeless, to cost nothing." When the Israelites claim they ate "freely" in Egypt, it does not suggest they were not slaves, but rather that these foods were readily available and consumed without the effort, anxiety, or perceived "cost" associated with their current wilderness existence. This word underscores their skewed perception, where the immense "cost" of slavery (oppression, forced labor, and infanticide) was conveniently forgotten in favor of perceived dietary abundance.
* **Fish (Hebrew, _dâgâh'_):** This collective noun (H1710) for "fish" highlights a significant component of the Egyptian diet. Egypt, with its abundant Nile River and extensive irrigation canals, was renowned for its fish. For the Israelites, fish would have been a common and accessible protein source. Its inclusion here, alongside the various vegetables, emphasizes the comprehensive nature of their "lost" diet and the perceived lack of variety in the wilderness, even though manna was described as having a taste like "wafers with honey" [Exodus 16:31](/exodus/16-31 "Exodus 16:31 - Description of Manna") and could be prepared in various ways.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"We remember the fish,"**: This opening phrase immediately establishes the Israelites' nostalgic and discontented longing for their past life in Egypt. The use of "we remember" indicates a collective, shared sentiment of dissatisfaction, implying that this craving was widespread among the congregation. It sets the tone for a lament focused on material comforts rather than spiritual blessings or the miraculous freedom God had granted them.
* **"which we did eat in Egypt freely;"**: This clause clarifies the source of their remembered diet and adds a crucial element of their distorted perception. The word "freely" (as discussed above) suggests a perception of effortless abundance and unhindered consumption, contrasting sharply with their current reality of daily manna gathering. It highlights their selective memory, where the harsh realities of slavery are overshadowed by the perceived ease of food acquisition, demonstrating a profound ingratitude for their liberation.
* **"the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:"**: This detailed enumeration provides the specific items of their craving, painting a vivid picture of the rich and varied diet they associated with Egypt. These were common staples in the Egyptian diet, providing not just sustenance but also flavor, texture, and variety. The meticulous list underscores the intensity of their longing and their focus on sensory gratification, suggesting a deep dissatisfaction with the simple, albeit miraculous, manna, which they had come to despise as "worthless food" [Numbers 21:5](/numbers/21-5 "Numbers 21:5 - Israel's Complaint in the Wilderness").

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 11:5 employs several literary devices to convey the depth of the Israelites' discontent and the spiritual implications of their complaint. **Irony** is profoundly present, as the people remember eating "freely" in a land where they were brutally enslaved, highlighting their spiritual blindness and selective memory. This starkly contrasts with their actual freedom and God's miraculous, daily provision. The verse also uses **Enumeration** (or **Listing**) through the detailed cataloging of specific foods (cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, garlic). This exhaustive list emphasizes the breadth and intensity of their cravings, underscoring their perceived deprivation and the monotony of the manna. The **Contrast** between the desired Egyptian diet and the divinely provided manna is central to the passage's theme, setting up the tension between human fleshly desire and faithful reliance on divine provision. Furthermore, there's an element of **Hyperbole** in their lament, as their intense longing for these specific foods suggests an exaggerated sense of loss, overlooking the miraculous nature and sufficiency of the manna, which sustained millions for forty years.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 11:5 serves as a profound theological statement on the human propensity for discontent and ungratefulness, even in the face of miraculous divine provision. The Israelites' longing for the "fleshpots of Egypt" reveals a spiritual amnesia, where the bitterness of slavery is forgotten in favor of idealized physical comforts. This act of grumbling is not merely about food; it is a profound lack of trust in God's ability and willingness to sustain them, a rejection of His sovereign care and liberating power. Their desire for the familiar, even if it meant returning to bondage, highlights the insidious nature of idolatry—prioritizing created comforts over the Creator and His perfect, liberating plan. This episode underscores the constant spiritual battle between fleshly desires and faithful obedience, serving as a timeless warning against allowing immediate gratification to eclipse a deeper reliance on God and His ultimate purposes.

* [Exodus 16:3](/exodus/16-3 "Exodus 16:3 - Israel's Complaint for Food")
* [Psalm 78:17-20](/psalm/78-17-20 "Psalm 78:17-20 - Israel's Rebellion in the Wilderness")
* [1 Corinthians 10:6](/1_corinthians/10-6 "1 Corinthians 10:6 - Warnings from Israel's Example")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 11:5 stands as a powerful mirror reflecting our own human tendencies toward discontent and ungratefulness. Like the Israelites, we often idealize past circumstances, forgetting the difficulties and focusing only on perceived comforts, leading us to complain about God's present provisions. This verse challenges us to examine our hearts: Are we truly grateful for God's daily grace, or are we constantly yearning for something "more" or "different," even if it means sacrificing spiritual freedom for fleeting physical satisfaction? It calls us to cultivate a spirit of contentment and trust, recognizing that God's provision, though sometimes seemingly monotonous or challenging, is always sufficient and perfectly suited for our journey. Our longing for "Egypt's delicacies" can distract us from the miraculous journey God has us on, hindering our spiritual growth and obscuring the blessings of His presence. True spiritual maturity involves learning to trust God's wisdom and provision even when it doesn't align with our immediate desires, finding satisfaction in Him alone.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Egyptian delicacies" might I be longing for in my life, causing me to be ungrateful for God's current provision?**
* **How does selective memory of past comforts hinder my appreciation for God's present blessings and guidance?**
* **In what ways might I be prioritizing immediate physical or material gratification over spiritual nourishment and trust in God's perfect plan?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper sense of contentment and gratitude for God's daily provision, even when circumstances are challenging or seem monotonous?**
* **What steps can I take to actively remember God's past faithfulness and allow it to shape my present attitude of gratitude?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Israelites complain about food when God was providing manna?**

Answer: The Israelites complained about food, specifically longing for the diverse diet of Egypt, despite God's miraculous provision of manna, due to a complex interplay of spiritual discontent, lack of faith, and physical weariness. While manna was a supernatural, daily provision that sustained them perfectly, it was also monotonous in its consistency. They grew weary of its singular nature, losing sight of its divine origin and sufficiency. Their "mixed multitude" [Numbers 11:4](/numbers/11-4 "The Mixed Multitude's Craving"), a group of non-Israelites who joined the exodus, instigated the craving for meat and the varied produce of Egypt, and this discontent quickly spread throughout the entire congregation. This complaint stemmed from a profound spiritual amnesia and selective memory, where they idealized the physical comforts of Egypt ("freely" eating diverse foods) while conveniently forgetting the brutal slavery, oppression, and cries for deliverance they endured there. Their focus shifted from God's liberating power and faithful provision to their own immediate physical desires, revealing a deep-seated ingratitude and a testing of God's patience.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 11:5, with its depiction of Israel's craving for earthly food over divine provision, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, the true "Bread of Life." The manna, though miraculous and heavenly in origin, was a temporary, physical sustenance that ultimately could not prevent death [John 6:49](/john/6-49 "John 6:49 - Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died."). The Israelites' rejection of this heavenly bread for the "fleshpots of Egypt" foreshadows humanity's persistent tendency to seek satisfaction in worldly pleasures and physical comforts rather than in God's ultimate spiritual provision. Jesus, however, declares Himself to be the bread that gives eternal life, stating, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst" [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"). Unlike the perishable food of Egypt or even the manna, Christ offers spiritual nourishment that truly satisfies the deepest longings of the soul, leading to eternal life [John 6:51](/john/6-51 "John 6:51 - Jesus Gives His Flesh for the Life of the World"). The Israelites' grumbling highlights their spiritual blindness to God's perfect care and their preference for slavery's comforts over freedom's challenges; conversely, Christ's perfect obedience and self-sacrifice provide the ultimate antidote to human discontent, offering true freedom from the slavery of sin and the tyranny of our fleshly desires [Romans 8:2-4](/romans/8-2-4 "Romans 8:2-4 - Life in the Spirit"), and leading us into abundant life in Him [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - The Good Shepherd"). He is the ultimate provision, far surpassing any earthly delicacy.

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 16:3

And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, [and] when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

Psalms 17:14

From men [which are] thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, [which have] their portion in [this] life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid [treasure]: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their [substance] to their babes.

Philippians 3:19

Whose end [is] destruction, whose God [is their] belly, and [whose] glory [is] in their shame, who mind earthly things.)