King James Version

What Does Numbers 11:4 Mean?

Numbers 11:4 in the King James Version says “And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting : and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who sh... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting : and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? fell: Heb. lusted a lust wept: Heb. returned and wept

Numbers 11:4 · KJV


Context

2

And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the LORD, the fire was quenched. was: Heb. sunk

3

And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the LORD burnt among them. Taberah: that is, A burning

4

And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting : and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? fell: Heb. lusted a lust wept: Heb. returned and wept

5

We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:

6

But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The 'mixed multitude' (Hebrew 'asaphsuph', אֲסַפְסֻף, 'riffraff' or 'rabble') who left Egypt with Israel now incite craving for meat, demonstrating how spiritual contamination enters through association with the unconverted. These Egyptians and others who joined the Exodus apparently without genuine faith in Israel's God became sources of temptation, their worldly appetites infecting Israel. The phrase 'fell a lusting' (Hebrew 'hit'awu ta'avah', הִתְאַוּוּ תַּאֲוָה, literally 'craved a craving') indicates excessive, self-indulgent desire beyond legitimate need. Their complaint 'Who shall give us flesh to eat?' reveals ingratitude—they had food (manna) but craved variety and luxury. The nostalgia 'We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely'—conveniently forgetting their slavery—illustrates how desire distorts memory and reason. They despised God's provision (the manna their souls 'loatheth,' verse 6) while craving Egypt's pleasures. This exposes the sinful heart's tendency to glorify the past, minimize present blessings, and demand more than God provides. The principle warns against worldly contamination in the church—association with unconverted people whose values remain earthly can tempt believers toward worldliness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The 'mixed multitude' included Egyptians and perhaps other nationalities who joined Israel's exodus (Exodus 12:38). Ancient Near Eastern populations were diverse, with foreigners, servants, and refugees living among various peoples. These hangers-on apparently left Egypt for pragmatic rather than spiritual reasons—escaping the plagues or seeking opportunity—without genuine faith commitment to Israel's God. Their presence created ongoing problems, as their worldly values influenced Israel. The foods they craved—fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, garlic—were staples of Egyptian diet. The Nile's fish were abundant and affordable, and Egypt's irrigation agriculture produced vegetables year-round. These were legitimate foods but represented Egyptian life and values. Israel's craving for Egypt despite experiencing bondage there illustrates spiritual blindness caused by fleshly appetite. The incident warned Israel (and warns us) that the church must maintain spiritual discernment about who truly belongs to God's people—mere physical presence doesn't constitute spiritual membership.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the 'mixed multitude's' influence warn about the danger of worldly contamination within God's people?
  2. What does Israel's selective memory (remembering Egypt's food but forgetting its slavery) teach about how sinful desire distorts judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וְהָֽאסַפְסֻף֙1 of 14

And the mixt multitude

H628

gathered up together, i.e., a promiscuous assemblage (of people)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר2 of 14
H834

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

בְּקִרְבּ֔וֹ3 of 14

that was among

H7130

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

הִתְאַוּ֖וּ4 of 14

them fell a lusting

H183

to wish for

תַּֽאֲוָ֑ה5 of 14
H8378

a longing; by implication, a delight (subjectively, satisfaction, objectively, a charm)

וַיָּשֻׁ֣בוּ6 of 14

again

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

וַיִּבְכּ֗וּ7 of 14

also wept

H1058

to weep; generally to bemoan

גַּ֚ם8 of 14
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

בְּנֵ֣י9 of 14

and the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל10 of 14

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ11 of 14

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מִ֥י12 of 14
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

יַֽאֲכִלֵ֖נוּ13 of 14

to eat

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

בָּשָֽׂר׃14 of 14

Who shall give us flesh

H1320

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


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 11:4 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 11:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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