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?
NUMBERS 11:20KJVWhat does Numbers 11:20 mean?
Numbers 11:20 describes how God tells the Israelites they will eat meat for a whole month, so much that it will become disgusting to them, as a response to their complaints and rejection of Him after being brought out of Egypt. The verse highlights that their dissatisfaction was not just about food, but about despising the LORD who was present among them.
In this verse, God is speaking through Moses to the Israelites, who have been complaining about their hardships and longing for the food they had in Egypt. God’s response is not just to provide meat, but to do so in overwhelming abundance, turning their craving into something repulsive. The verse shows the seriousness of their ingratitude and how their complaints were seen as a rejection of God’s presence and care.
The Hebrew behind Numbers 11:20
- "Despised" (מָאַס, ma'as): This word means to reject or treat with contempt. Here, it emphasizes that the Israelites' complaints were more than just grumbling about food—they were rejecting the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH) Himself, who was living among them.
- "Nostrils" (אַף, aph): The Hebrew word for "nostrils" is often used for both literal and figurative senses. In this verse, it paints a vivid picture of the meat becoming so excessive that it is forced out through their noses, underlining the overwhelming and unpleasant consequence of their demand.
- "Loathsome" (זָרָה, zarah): This word means to be detestable or disgusting. It shows that what the people craved would ultimately become something they could not stand, highlighting the danger of unchecked desires.
- "Among" (קֶרֶב, qerev): This word means "in the midst of." It stresses that the LORD was not distant but present with the Israelites, making their rejection even more serious.
Why Numbers 11:20 matters
- Numbers 11:20 clears up the misunderstanding that the Israelites’ complaint was only about food; the verse shows their deeper issue was rejecting God’s presence and care.
- The verse emphasizes how God sometimes gives people what they demand to teach them a lesson about their true needs and the consequences of their desires.
- This verse connects to the larger story of Israel’s journey, showing a pattern of complaint and God’s response, and helps explain why this generation faced such serious consequences in the wilderness.