Numbers 11:6

KJV

But now our soul [is] dried away: [there is] nothing at all, beside this manna, [before] our eyes.

KJV (with Strong's)

But now our soul {H5315} is dried away {H3002}: there is nothing at all, beside {H1115} this manna {H4478}, before our eyes {H5869}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But now we're withering away, we have nothing to look at but this man."

Berean Standard Bible

But now our appetite is gone; there is nothing to see but this manna!”

American Standard Version

but now our soul is dried away; there is nothing at all save this manna to look upon.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 11:6 encapsulates the profound spiritual and emotional weariness of the Israelites in the wilderness, expressing their deep discontent with God's miraculous provision of manna. Despite being sustained daily by this unique divine sustenance, the verse reveals their intense dissatisfaction with its monotony, articulating a longing for the diverse foods of Egypt. It serves as a stark testament to their ingratitude and spiritual blindness, highlighting their focus on perceived lack rather than on the consistent, life-giving miracle that sustained their very existence in a desolate land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a pivotal section of the book of Numbers, immediately following an initial wave of general complaining that provoked divine judgment by fire (Numbers 11:1-3). The specific lament of Numbers 11:6 is not an isolated incident but is instigated by the "mixed multitude" (Numbers 11:4), non-Israelites who accompanied the Exodus and whose intense craving for the varied diet of Egypt quickly infected the entire Israelite community. Their passionate weeping and lamenting over the absence of specific foods, coupled with their explicit disdain for the manna, directly precedes Moses' profound exasperation with the people's incessant murmuring. This escalating discontent culminates in God's complex response, involving the provision of quail and a subsequent severe plague, marking a significant downturn in the people's spiritual journey and setting a foundational tone for the ongoing narrative of rebellion and divine judgment throughout the wilderness wanderings.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites, having been recently delivered from centuries of brutal servitude in Egypt—a land renowned for its agricultural abundance, especially along the fertile Nile Delta—found themselves in the stark, barren Sinai wilderness. In this desolate and inhospitable environment, God initiated an unprecedented act of divine care: the daily provision of manna, a unique, bread-like substance that appeared each morning (except on the Sabbath) to sustain the entire nation. This miraculous provision was essential for their survival where no natural food sources existed. The people's nostalgic longing for specific Egyptian delicacies such as fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic (Numbers 11:5) sharply contrasts the rich diet of their former captivity with the uniform manna. Their complaint in Numbers 11:6, therefore, does not arise from starvation or actual deprivation but from a profound spiritual amnesia, as they romanticized the "fleshpots" of Egypt while conveniently forgetting the bitterness of their slavery, despising the very provision that sustained their newfound freedom.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 11:6 powerfully encapsulates several pervasive themes that resonate throughout the Pentateuch and beyond. Firstly, it vividly illustrates the persistent theme of **discontent and ungratefulness** among the Israelites, who repeatedly murmur against God and Moses despite overwhelming evidence of divine power, faithfulness, and miraculous provision. Their declaration of "nothing at all, beside this manna" reveals a deep spiritual weariness and a failure to appreciate the daily miracle. Secondly, the passage highlights the **deceptive nature of memory**, as the people selectively recall the pleasant aspects of their past in Egypt (the food) while conveniently forgetting the harsh reality of their slavery and oppression (compare [Exodus 1:11-14](/exodus/1-11-14 "Exodus 1:11-14 - Egyptian Oppression and Cruelty")). This romanticized and distorted view of their past fuels their present dissatisfaction. Thirdly, it speaks to the **burden of monotony**, illustrating a common human tendency to grow weary even of consistent blessings if they lack variety or excitement. This leads to a loss of appreciation for steady, reliable grace, serving as a stark warning against spiritual apathy and the dangers of allowing immediate desires to eclipse gratitude for God's unwavering faithfulness, a theme powerfully echoed in [Psalm 106:14-15](/psalms/106-14-15 "Psalm 106:14-15 - Israel's Craving and God's Judgment").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Soul (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** The Hebrew term נֶפֶשׁ (_nephesh_, H5315) is a remarkably multifaceted word encompassing "soul," "life," "self," "person," "appetite," or even "breathing creature." In the phrase "our soul is dried away" (נַפְשֵׁנוּ יְבֵשָׁה), it conveys a profound sense of inner depletion, weariness, and spiritual exhaustion. It signifies more than mere physical hunger; it points to a deep inner barrenness, a withered vitality, and a complete absence of joy or contentment specifically tied to their craving for diverse food. This usage highlights a spiritual desiccation, where their very being is devoid of satisfaction in God's current, miraculous provision.
* **Dried Away (Hebrew, _yâbêsh'_):** The verb יָבֵשׁ (_yâbêsh_, H3002) means "to be dry," "to wither," "to be parched," or "to be ashamed." Here, it vividly describes the internal state of the Israelites. Their "soul" is depicted as parched and shriveled, much like a plant deprived of water. This powerful imagery communicates a complete absence of spiritual refreshment, vitality, or inner satisfaction. It underscores the profound discontent that has consumed their inner being, rendering them incapable of appreciating the manna and illustrating their spiritual desiccation.
* **Beside (Hebrew, _biltîy'_):** The Hebrew word בִּלְתִּי (_biltîy_, H1115) functions as a negative particle, meaning "except," "without," "besides," or "nothing but." In this context, "beside this manna" emphasizes the exclusive and singular nature of their complaint. It's not that they had *nothing*, but that they had *nothing else* beyond the manna. This particle underscores their narrow focus and ingratitude, highlighting their inability to see the miraculous provision as sufficient and instead fixating on what they perceived to be lacking, thereby dismissing the entirety of God's sustenance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But now our soul is dried away":** This opening clause immediately establishes the people's deep internal distress and spiritual exhaustion. The introductory "but now" (וְעַתָּה, _wə‘attāh_) marks a stark contrast, perhaps with their former state of expectation or with God's consistent, miraculous provision. Their "soul," representing their very being, desires, and vitality, is described as "dried away," indicating a profound weariness, a lack of spiritual refreshment, and an inner barrenness despite being physically sustained. It is a lament born of spiritual apathy and a failure to find joy in God's presence.
* **"[there is] nothing at all":** This phrase is a dramatic and hyperbolic declaration of their perceived deprivation. Despite the daily, miraculous appearance of manna, the people assert that they possess "nothing at all." This reveals a profound lack of perspective and an obsessive focus on their unfulfilled desires, rather than on the consistent, life-sustaining blessing that God faithfully provides. It underscores their spiritual blindness to the reality of God's sustaining hand and their ingratitude for His abundant care.
* **"beside this manna, [before] our eyes":** This concluding phrase pinpoints the specific object of their intense dissatisfaction: the manna itself. The addition of "before our eyes" emphasizes the constant, unavoidable, and overwhelming presence of the manna. What was once a tangible sign of God's miraculous care and faithfulness has, in their ungrateful eyes, become a monotonous burden and the very symbol of their perceived lack. This reveals a deep-seated spiritual problem where God's provision, intended for their good, is viewed as an irritation rather than a testament to His unwavering love and faithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 11:6 employs several potent literary devices to convey the depth of Israel's discontent. The most striking is **Hyperbole**, evident in the declaration "nothing at all, beside this manna." This extreme exaggeration highlights the people's distorted perception and profound ingratitude, as they were indeed receiving daily, miraculous sustenance. The phrase "our soul is dried away" functions as a powerful **Metaphor** (or implicit simile), comparing their inner being to parched land or a withered plant. This vivid imagery effectively communicates their spiritual and emotional exhaustion, a state of profound weariness and lack of vitality. Furthermore, there is a strong sense of **Irony** in the passage: the manna, which was a miraculous, life-saving provision from God, has become, in the people's ungrateful eyes, the very symbol of their deprivation and monotony. This underscores the human capacity to transform blessings into burdens through a spirit of complaint and ingratitude.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 11:6 offers profound theological insight into the persistent struggle of the human heart with discontent and ingratitude, even in the face of consistent divine faithfulness. It reveals that true spiritual health is not contingent on varied external circumstances or the fulfillment of every fleeting desire, but on a heart that trusts God's wisdom and finds contentment in His sufficient provision. The Israelites' complaint is not merely about food; it exposes a deeper spiritual malaise—a failure to remember God's mighty acts of deliverance, a lack of trust in His ongoing care, and a spiritual dullness that renders them incapable of appreciating the miraculous. This episode serves as a timeless warning against allowing fleeting desires and a romanticized past to overshadow present blessings and God's unwavering faithfulness. It underscores that genuine satisfaction flows from a contented spirit rooted in God alone, recognizing His sovereignty and goodness in all circumstances.

* [Exodus 16:3](/exodus/16-3 "Exodus 16:3 - Israel's Complaint for Food")
* [Psalm 78:17-19](/psalms/78-17-19 "Psalm 78:17-19 - Israel's Rebellion and Tempting God")
* [1 Corinthians 10:6](/1_corinthians/10-6 "1 Corinthians 10:6 - Warnings from Israel's Example")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The lament of Numbers 11:6 resonates deeply with the human condition, serving as a mirror reflecting our own tendencies towards discontent and a spiritual amnesia that blurs the memory of God's past mercies. Like the Israelites, we often grow weary of the "daily manna" in our lives—the consistent, perhaps unremarkable, blessings that faithfully sustain us, such as stable employment, good health, faithful relationships, or the quiet, enduring presence of God. We can easily fall into the trap of romanticizing a perceived "better" past or constantly craving novelty and excitement, thereby overlooking the profound grace embedded in the mundane. This verse challenges us to cultivate a radical and intentional gratitude, to consciously recognize God's faithful hand in our everyday provisions, and to diligently guard our hearts against the insidious creep of complaint. True spiritual vitality comes not from a constant stream of new experiences or possessions, but from a soul that finds its deepest satisfaction and contentment in the unwavering faithfulness of God, even when His provision seems simple or repetitive. It calls us to trust that God's "daily bread" is always sufficient and perfectly suited for our needs, fostering a spirit of contentment in His sovereign care.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "manna" in your life—consistent, perhaps mundane blessings—might you be taking for granted or even complaining about, despite it being a faithful provision from God?**
* **How might a spirit of discontent blind you to God's faithfulness and lead you to romanticize past situations or crave things that might not be truly beneficial for your spiritual well-being?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper and more consistent sense of gratitude for God's daily provisions, even when they seem simple or repetitive?**

### FAQ
**Why were the Israelites so discontent with manna, even though it was miraculous?**

Answer: The Israelites' discontent with manna, as expressed in Numbers 11:6, stemmed primarily from a spiritual rather than a physical problem. While the manna was indeed a miraculous and life-sustaining provision from God, its unchanging nature led to a sense of monotony. Having been accustomed to the varied and abundant diet of Egypt (Numbers 11:5), the people grew weary of eating only manna day after day. This weariness, however, was symptomatic of a deeper spiritual issue: a profound lack of gratitude, a failure to trust God's wisdom and provision, and a romanticized memory of their past in Egypt, conveniently forgetting the brutal slavery they endured there (compare [Exodus 16:3](/exodus/16-3 "Exodus 16:3 - Israel's Complaint for Food")). Their complaint was not that the manna was insufficient for their physical needs, but that it lacked variety, revealing a deep spiritual fatigue and ungratefulness despite constant divine care and the miraculous nature of their sustenance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Israelites' rejection of manna, the "bread from heaven" (Exodus 16:4), due to its perceived monotony and their craving for the "fleshpots" of Egypt, serves as a poignant type foreshadowing humanity's greater rejection of Jesus Christ, the true "Bread of Life" (John 6:35). Just as manna miraculously sustained Israel in the wilderness, Jesus offers eternal life and spiritual sustenance to all who believe. In [John 6](/john/6 "John 6 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), Jesus explicitly contrasts Himself with the manna, stating, "Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die" ([John 6:49-50](/john/6-49-50 "John 6:49-50 - The Bread of Life That Gives Life")). The Israelites craved physical variety and fleeting pleasures, ultimately dying in the wilderness due to their unbelief and rebellion (1 Corinthians 10:5-6). Similarly, many today, like those who walked away from Jesus after His "hard saying" about eating His flesh and drinking His blood ([John 6:60-66](/john/6-60-66 "John 6:60-66 - Many Disciples Turn Away")), find the simplicity and singular focus on Christ insufficient. They seek satisfaction in worldly pursuits, diverse philosophies, or self-effort, rather than finding complete contentment and eternal life in the singular, unchanging, and perfect provision of Christ. Numbers 11:6 thus stands as a somber warning against spiritual ingratitude and a profound invitation to embrace the one who truly satisfies the soul, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

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

Numbers 21:5

And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for [there is] no bread, neither [is there any] water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

2 Samuel 13:4

And he said unto him, Why [art] thou, [being] the king's son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.