King James Version

What Does Numbers 11:31 Mean?

Numbers 11:31 in the King James Version says “And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a ... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth. as it were a day's: Heb. as it were the way of a day

Numbers 11:31 · KJV


Context

29

And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!

30

And Moses gat him into the camp, he and the elders of Israel.

31

And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth. as it were a day's: Heb. as it were the way of a day

32

And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp.

33

And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God grants Israel's craving by sending quail blown in by wind from the sea, demonstrating His sovereign control over nature. Yet this gift becomes judgment—He gives them their desire but sends 'leanness into their soul' (Psalm 106:15). This illustrates the danger of insisting on our will over God's wisdom; sometimes God grants requests to reveal the poverty of our desires.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Quail migrate across the Mediterranean and Red Sea regions, flying low when exhausted. God timed their arrival precisely with Israel's complaint, using natural means for supernatural purposes, as He did with the plagues in Egypt.

Reflection Questions

  1. Have you experienced God granting your request only to discover it wasn't what you truly needed?
  2. How can you discern between godly desires and fleshly cravings in your prayers?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וְר֜וּחַ1 of 23

a wind

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

נָסַ֣ע׀2 of 23

And there went forth

H5265

properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey

מֵאֵ֣ת3 of 23
H853

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

יְהוָ֗ה4 of 23

from the LORD

H3068

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

וַיָּ֣גָז5 of 23

and brought

H1468

properly, to shear off; but used only in the (figuratively) sense of passing rapidly

שַׂלְוִים֮6 of 23

quails

H7958

the quail collectively (as slow in flight from its weight)

מִן7 of 23
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַיָּם֒8 of 23

from 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

וַיִּטֹּ֨שׁ9 of 23

and let them fall

H5203

properly, to pound, i.e., smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon (inclusive

עַל10 of 23
H5921

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

הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה11 of 23

by the camp

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

וּכְדֶ֤רֶךְ12 of 23

journey

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

יוֹם֙13 of 23

and as it were a day's

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

כֹּ֔ה14 of 23

on the other side

H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

וּכְדֶ֤רֶךְ15 of 23

journey

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

יוֹם֙16 of 23

and as it were a day's

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

כֹּ֔ה17 of 23

on the other side

H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

סְבִיב֖וֹת18 of 23

round about

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה19 of 23

by the camp

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

וּכְאַמָּתַ֖יִם20 of 23

and as it were two cubits

H520

properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)

עַל21 of 23
H5921

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

פְּנֵ֥י22 of 23

high upon the face

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

הָאָֽרֶץ׃23 of 23

of the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)


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 11:31 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 11:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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