King James Version

What Does Numbers 11:20 Mean?

Numbers 11:20 in the King James Version says “But even a whole month , until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But even a whole month , until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt? whole: Heb. month of days”

Numbers 11:20 · KJV

Context

18

And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat.

19

Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days;

20

But even a whole month , until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt? whole: Heb. month of days

21

And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month.

22

Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them?

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The climax: 'But even a whole month' far exceeds the escalating progression of verse 19, shocking the hearers with the extent of God's provision-turned-judgment. The imagery 'until it come out at your nostrils' (Hebrew ad asher yetse' me'appekem, עַד אֲשֶׁר־יֵצֵא מֵאַפְּכֶם) vividly describes revulsion—meat would become so excessive that it would induce nausea and disgust. What they craved would become loathsome. This demonstrates the principle that sinful desires, when granted without restraint, produce disgust rather than delight.

The phrase 'it be loathsome unto you' (Hebrew vehaya lakem lezara, וְהָיָה לָכֶם לְזָרָא) indicates the meat would become repulsive, an object of horror rather than desire. The transformation from craving to disgust illustrates how sin promises satisfaction but delivers emptiness. What appeared desirable becomes detestable when consumed in rebellion rather than received in faith. This pattern appears in the prodigal son's experience (Luke 15:16) and characterizes all idolatrous pursuits—the desired object, once attained, reveals its inability to satisfy.

The explanation 'because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you' exposes the root sin: not merely wanting meat, but rejecting God's presence and provision. The Hebrew ma'astem (מְאַסְתֶּם) translated 'despised' means to reject, spurn, refuse—strong language indicating deliberate repudiation. Their complaint wasn't about food but about God Himself. The phrase 'which is among you' emphasizes God's immanent presence—Yahweh dwelt in the tabernacle among them, visible in cloud and fire, yet they despised Him. The final question 'Why came we forth out of Egypt?' summarizes their rebellion: questioning redemption itself, preferring bondage to freedom under God's leadership.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The month-long meat provision would be fulfilled through quail (verse 31-32), supernatural provision that became plague (verse 33). The historical account shows that many who ate died while the meat was still in their mouths (verse 33), demonstrating the severity of receiving sinful desires. The place was named Kibroth-hattaavah ('graves of craving,' verse 34), a permanent memorial to the danger of lusting after what God has not granted. This event became a warning throughout Israel's history (Psalm 78:26-31; 106:14-15) about the peril of demanding rather than trusting.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the progression from craving to revulsion illustrate the inevitable disappointment that follows when we pursue desires in rebellion against God?
  2. What does the accusation 'ye have despised the LORD which is among you' teach about how complaining against God's provision is actually rejecting God Himself?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
עַ֣ד׀1 of 24
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

חֹ֣דֶשׁ2 of 24

“But even a whole month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

יָמִ֗ים3 of 24
H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

עַ֤ד4 of 24
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

אֲשֶׁר5 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יָצָ֥אנוּ6 of 24

“Why came we forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מֵֽאַפְּכֶ֔ם7 of 24

“at your nostrils”

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

וְהָיָ֥ה8 of 24
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לָכֶ֖ם9 of 24
H0
לְזָרָ֑א10 of 24

“and it be loathsome”

H2214

disgust

יַ֗עַן11 of 24

“unto you because”

H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

כִּֽי12 of 24
H3588

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

מְאַסְתֶּ֤ם13 of 24

“that ye have despised”

H3988

to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear

אֶת14 of 24
H853

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

יְהוָה֙15 of 24

“the LORD”

H3068

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר16 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בְּקִרְבְּכֶ֔ם17 of 24

“which is among”

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

וַתִּבְכּ֤וּ18 of 24

“you and have wept”

H1058

to weep; generally to bemoan

לְפָנָיו֙19 of 24

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

לֵאמֹ֔ר20 of 24

“him saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָ֥מָּה21 of 24
H4100

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

זֶּ֖ה22 of 24
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

יָצָ֥אנוּ23 of 24

“Why came we forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃24 of 24

“out of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

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 11:20 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 11:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 106:15Psalms 78:27-30Numbers 21:51 Samuel 10:192 Samuel 12:10Malachi 1:6

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Numbers 11 →

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