King James Version

What Does Numbers 11:11 Mean?

Numbers 11:11 in the King James Version says “And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy si...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?”

Numbers 11:11 · KJV

Context

9

And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.

10

Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased .

11

And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?

12

Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers?

13

Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat.

Read Numbers 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moses' prayer reveals the crushing burden of leading a rebellious people. The question 'Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant?' expresses raw, honest anguish before God—not irreverent complaint but desperate appeal. Moses doesn't hide his struggle but brings it to God. The question 'wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight' reveals Moses' feeling that the leadership burden itself indicates divine displeasure, though this wasn't actually so.

The phrase 'that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me' emphasizes the weight of responsibility. The Hebrew word for 'burden' (massa, מַשָּׂא) denotes a heavy load, something carried with difficulty. Moses experienced what all faithful leaders face: the gap between people's needs and leader's capacity. His honest prayer demonstrates that bringing struggles to God, even when they include pointed questions, is proper piety when done with humility and faith.

This prayer anticipates Christ's greater burden-bearing as the Good Shepherd. While Moses felt overwhelmed by Israel's spiritual needs, Christ actually bore the full weight of His people's sin. Moses asked 'Why me?' but Christ voluntarily took up the burden, saying 'I will' (John 10:11). Moses' intercession as mediator prefigured Christ's perfect mediatorial work between God and humanity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Moses' complaint must be understood against the backdrop of his role as mediator between God and Israel. Following the golden calf incident (Exodus 32), Moses repeatedly interceded for the people, standing in the gap between God's wrath and Israel's sin. The cumulative burden of months of complaint, rebellion, and ingratitude had brought Moses to a breaking point. Yet unlike Israel's sinful complaining, Moses' complaint was directed properly to God, not others, and sought resolution through dependence on God, not human resources.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Moses' example of honest, anguished prayer encourage believers to bring their struggles directly to God rather than suppressing or denying them?
  2. What does Moses' feeling of being overwhelmed reveal about the nature of spiritual leadership and the necessity of depending on God's strength?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 19

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מֹשֶׁ֜ה2 of 19

“And Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֶל3 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָ֗ה4 of 19

“unto the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לָמָ֤ה5 of 19
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

הֲרֵעֹ֙תָ֙6 of 19

“Wherefore hast thou afflicted”

H7489

properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)

לְעַבְדֶּ֔ךָ7 of 19

“thy servant”

H5650

a servant

וְלָ֛מָּה8 of 19
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

לֹֽא9 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

מָצָ֥תִי10 of 19

“and wherefore have I not found”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

חֵ֖ן11 of 19

“favour”

H2580

graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)

בְּעֵינֶ֑יךָ12 of 19

“in thy sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

לָשׂ֗וּם13 of 19

“that thou layest”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

אֶת14 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מַשָּׂ֛א15 of 19

“the burden”

H4853

a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire

כָּל16 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָעָ֥ם17 of 19

“of all this people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הַזֶּ֖ה18 of 19
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

עָלָֽי׃19 of 19
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 11:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 11:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 1:12Exodus 5:22Psalms 143:2Lamentations 3:39-40Malachi 3:142 Corinthians 11:28

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