King James Version

What Does Numbers 11:21 Mean?

Numbers 11:21 in the King James Version says “And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them fles...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Numbers 11:21 · KJV

Context

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?

23

And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD'S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moses' question 'Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them?' reveals his struggle with God's promise. After complaining about the burden of leadership (verses 10-15), Moses now questions God's ability to provide. The calculation shows Moses thinking in human terms—if they slaughtered their livestock, would it be enough? The question exposes doubt: can God really provide flesh for millions in the wilderness? Moses' faith wavered between trusting God's promise and calculating earthly resources.

The alternative 'or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them?' pushes the impossibility further. The wilderness had no sea nearby, making this option even more absurd than slaughtering livestock. Moses' rhetorical questions anticipate God's response in verse 23: 'Is the LORD's hand waxed short?' Moses had forgotten that the same God who parted the Red Sea, sent manna daily, and brought water from rock could surely provide meat. His questions revealed the common failure of even faithful servants: seeing obstacles rather than omnipotence.

This passage parallels other moments when God's servants doubted divine provision: Abraham laughing at the promise of Isaac (Genesis 17:17), Sarah's unbelief (Genesis 18:12-14), and the disciples questioning how to feed five thousand (John 6:5-9). Yet God's response vindicated His promise—the quail came (verse 31), demonstrating that divine resources far exceed human calculation. Moses' doubt, though rebuked, was answered with proof of God's power, teaching that faith must rest in God's character, not human resources.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The question about slaughtering flocks and herds reflects the reality that Israel's livestock was limited and needed for sacrifices, breeding, and long-term sustenance. The reference to 'fish of the sea' may allude to Egypt (where they had fish, verse 5), emphasizing the impossibility of obtaining it in the landlocked wilderness. Moses' calculation from human perspective couldn't conceive how God would provide for 600,000 men plus women and children (verse 21)—perhaps 2-3 million people total. Yet God's method (bringing quail) exceeded human imagination.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Moses' questioning of God's ability to provide warn against the tendency to calculate divine possibilities by human resources?
  2. What does this passage teach about the relationship between honest doubt and genuine faith—can we bring our questions to God while still trusting His promises?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
אָמַ֗רְתָּ1 of 18

“and thou hast said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מֹשֶׁה֒2 of 18

“And Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

שֵׁשׁ3 of 18

“whom I am are six”

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

מֵא֥וֹת4 of 18

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אֶ֙לֶף֙5 of 18

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

רַגְלִ֔י6 of 18

“footmen”

H7273

a footman (soldier)

הָעָ֕ם7 of 18

“The people”

H5971

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר8 of 18
H834

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

אָֽנֹכִ֖י9 of 18
H595

i

בְּקִרְבּ֑וֹ10 of 18

“among”

H7130

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

וְאַתָּ֣ה11 of 18
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

אָמַ֗רְתָּ12 of 18

“and thou hast said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בָּשָׂר֙13 of 18

“them flesh”

H1320

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

אֶתֵּ֣ן14 of 18

“I will give”

H5414

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

לָהֶ֔ם15 of 18
H0
וְאָֽכְל֖וּ16 of 18

“that they may eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

חֹ֥דֶשׁ17 of 18

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

יָמִֽים׃18 of 18

“a whole”

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

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 11:21 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 11:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 12:37Numbers 1:46Exodus 38:26Genesis 12:2Numbers 2:32

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