King James Version

What Does Numbers 11:22 Mean?

Numbers 11:22 in the King James Version says “Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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?

Numbers 11:22 · KJV


Context

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.

24

And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the LORD, and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the tabernacle.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moses' continued doubt: 'there are six hundred thousand footmen' (Hebrew ragli, רַגְלִי—men of war, foot soldiers) specifies the enormity of the congregation. This number (600,000 fighting men) suggests a total population of 2-3 million including women, children, and elderly. Moses emphasizes the scale of the challenge: how could anyone feed such a multitude in the wilderness? His focus on numbers reveals human perspective that measures problems by their magnitude rather than by God's power.

The question 'and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month' contrasts God's promise with apparent impossibility. The pronoun 'thou' emphasizes that this was God's promise, not Moses' idea. Moses essentially says, 'You promised this, but I don't see how it's possible.' This represents the struggle of faith—believing God's word despite visible impossibility. The tension between divine promise and human calculation appears throughout Scripture, resolved always by God proving His word true regardless of circumstances.

This verse captures a crucial moment: the servant of God wrestling with doubt while still committed to God's service. Moses didn't abandon his calling or refuse to speak God's message, but he struggled internally with the logistics. This honest struggling faith differs from Israel's rebellious unbelief—Moses brought his doubt to God (verse 21-22) while Israel complained against God (verses 4-6). The distinction is vital: faith can include questions directed to God, but unbelief makes accusations about God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The figure of 600,000 men matches the census numbers in Numbers 1:46 and 26:51. This large population meant enormous daily needs—water, food, and organization. The wilderness of Sinai/Paran couldn't naturally support such numbers, requiring continuous divine provision. Historical and archaeological debate continues about how literally to interpret these numbers, but the text's theological point remains clear: Israel's needs far exceeded natural provision, requiring supernatural intervention. Whether the numbers are literal or represent military units/tribal divisions, the principle stands—God provides what human resources cannot.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Moses' focus on the size of the problem ('six hundred thousand footmen') illustrate the danger of measuring difficulties by their magnitude rather than by God's power?
  2. What does Moses' bringing his doubt directly to God (rather than speaking it to the people) teach about proper handling of struggles with faith?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
הֲצֹ֧אן1 of 15

Shall the flocks

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

וּבָקָ֛ר2 of 15

and the herds

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

יִשָּׁחֵ֥ט3 of 15

be slain

H7819

to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre)

לָהֶ֖ם4 of 15
H0
וּמָצָ֥א5 of 15

for them to suffice

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

לָהֶ֑ם6 of 15
H0
אִ֣ם7 of 15
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אֶֽת8 of 15
H853

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

כָּל9 of 15
H3605

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

דְּגֵ֥י10 of 15

them or shall all the fish

H1709

a fish (often used collectively)

הַיָּ֛ם11 of 15

of the sea

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

יֵֽאָסֵ֥ף12 of 15

be gathered together

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

לָהֶ֖ם13 of 15
H0
וּמָצָ֥א14 of 15

for them to suffice

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

לָהֶֽם׃15 of 15
H0

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 11:22 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 11:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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