King James Version

What Does Numbers 11:13 Mean?

Numbers 11:13 in the King James Version says “Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat.” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Numbers 11:13 · KJV

Context

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.

14

I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.

15

And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.

Read Numbers 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moses continues his complaint with the nursing metaphor: 'that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child.' The Hebrew ha'omen (הָאֹמֵן) translated 'nursing father' denotes a guardian or caretaker, someone responsible for a helpless dependent. Moses felt God had assigned him impossible responsibility—caring for millions as a father cares for an infant.

The destination 'unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers' reminds God of His promise. Moses wasn't questioning whether Israel should reach Canaan, but whether he could carry them there. The reference to the patriarchal promise (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) anchors Moses' prayer in covenant theology—God initiated this relationship and made promises He must fulfill. Moses appeals to God's character and commitments, not merely to his own needs.

This prayer demonstrates faith struggling with doubt, hope wrestling with despair. Moses believed God's promise but couldn't see how he could fulfill his role in it. This tension appears throughout Scripture: believers knowing God will accomplish His purposes while feeling inadequate for their assigned part. The resolution comes not through increased human capacity but through God's provision of help (verses 16-17: appointing seventy elders).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The nursing father imagery reflects ancient Near Eastern royal ideology where kings were described as shepherds and fathers who nurtured their people. Moses' point was that even kings, with all their resources, couldn't singlehandedly care for a nation as a father cares for an infant. God's command seemed to require superhuman capacity. The reference to 'the land which thou swarest' recalls God's covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:7; 15:18), renewed with Isaac (Genesis 26:3) and Jacob (Genesis 28:13), emphasizing continuity of God's redemptive plan.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Moses' appeal to God's promises demonstrate the proper way to pray when feeling overwhelmed—grounding requests in God's character and commitments?
  2. What does God's response (providing seventy elders to help) teach about how He typically answers prayers about overwhelming burdens—not by removing responsibility but by providing help?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
מֵאַ֤יִן1 of 15

“Whence”

H370

where? (only in connection with prepositional prefix, whence)

לִי֙2 of 15
H0
בָשָׂ֖ר3 of 15

“should I have flesh”

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

תְּנָה4 of 15

“Give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְכָל5 of 15
H3605

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

הָעָ֣ם6 of 15

“unto 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

הַזֶּ֑ה7 of 15
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

כִּֽי8 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יִבְכּ֤וּ9 of 15

“for they weep”

H1058

to weep; generally to bemoan

עָלַי֙10 of 15
H5921

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

לֵאמֹ֔ר11 of 15

“unto me saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

תְּנָה12 of 15

“Give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָּ֥נוּ13 of 15
H0
בָשָׂ֖ר14 of 15

“should I have flesh”

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

וְנֹאכֵֽלָה׃15 of 15

“that we may eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

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 11:13 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 11:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Mark 8:4Matthew 15:33Mark 9:23John 6:5-9

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