And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the LORD burnt among them.

NUMBERS 11:3KJV
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Numbers 11:3 (KJV)

What does Numbers 11:3 mean?

Numbers 11:3 explains that the place where the fire of the LORD burned among the Israelites was named "Taberah," which means "burning." The verse connects the name of the location directly to the event where God's fire broke out among the people.

In this passage, Moses is narrating an incident during the Israelites' journey in the wilderness. The people had complained, and as a result, the LORD's anger was kindled, leading to a fire that consumed part of the camp. The naming of the place as "Taberah" serves as a reminder of what happened there and why.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 11:3

  • טַבְעֵרָה (Taberah, transliterated "Taberah") means "burning." The name is given to the place specifically because of the destructive fire event, making the meaning of the name directly tied to the story.
  • אֵשׁ (’esh, transliterated "esh") means "fire." This word emphasizes that it was not just any fire, but one associated with the presence and action of the LORD in response to the people's complaints.
  • יְהוָה (YHWH, transliterated "Yahweh" or "the LORD") is the personal name of God used here, highlighting that the fire was not a natural disaster but a direct act from God.

Why Numbers 11:3 matters

  • Numbers 11:3 clarifies that the place name "Taberah" is not random but serves as a lasting reminder of a specific event where God's judgment was experienced by the Israelites.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of the people's complaints and the immediate consequences that followed, setting the tone for the pattern of behavior and responses seen throughout the wilderness journey.
  • This naming practice helps readers connect locations in the biblical narrative to the events that happened there, making the story more memorable and meaningful.

Where else these words appear

“Taberah” Hebrew H8404 · used in 2 verses

  • Deuteronomy 9:22 And at Taberah, and at Massah, and at Kibrothhattaavah, ye provoked the LORD to wrath.

“the” Hebrew H1931 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 2:11 The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;
  • Genesis 14:17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.
  • 1 Samuel 1:3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.

“burnt” Hebrew H1197 · used in 90 verses

  • Exodus 3:2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
  • 2 Samuel 22:13 Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.
  • Isaiah 30:33 For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.