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.

NUMBERS 11:31KJV
Know the Bible

Numbers 11:31 (KJV)

What does Numbers 11:31 mean?

Numbers 11:31 describes how God sent a strong wind that brought quails from the sea and dropped them all around the Israelites’ camp, covering the ground to a depth of about two cubits (roughly three feet) for a day’s journey in every direction. This verse shows the scale and abundance of the quail provided to the Israelites after they complained about lacking meat.

In this passage, the Israelites are in the wilderness, and Moses is leading them. The people had been grumbling about their food, longing for meat instead of the manna God had been providing. In response, God answers their complaint by sending a massive number of quails, making it clear that this was a direct act from the LORD. The description emphasizes both the miraculous nature and the overwhelming quantity of the provision.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 11:31

  • "Wind" (רוּחַ, ruach): This word can mean wind, breath, or spirit. Here, it refers to a physical wind sent by God, highlighting His control over nature to fulfill His purpose.
  • "Quails" (שְׂלָו, selav): This specific bird was not common in the desert, so its sudden abundance would have been striking and clearly miraculous to the Israelites.
  • "Two cubits" (אַמָּה, ammah): A cubit is about 18 inches, so two cubits is roughly three feet. The verse emphasizes just how thickly the quails covered the ground, not just a scattering but a deep layer.
  • "Camp" (מַחֲנֶה, machaneh): This word refers to the Israelites’ encampment, making it clear that the quails fell right where the people were, making them easy to gather.

Why Numbers 11:31 matters

  • Numbers 11:31 clears up any idea that the arrival of the quails was a coincidence; the verse stresses that it was a direct act of God, not a natural event.
  • The scale described—quails covering the ground for a day’s journey in every direction—shows the overwhelming abundance and the seriousness of God’s response to the people’s complaints.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by setting up what happens next: the people’s reaction to the quail and the consequences of their grumbling, which becomes a key lesson in the narrative.

Where else these words appear

“brought” Hebrew H1468 · used in 2 verses

  • Psalms 90:10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

“quails” Hebrew H7958 · used in 4 verses

  • Exodus 16:13 And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host.
  • Numbers 11:32 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.
  • Psalms 105:40 The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.

“side” Hebrew H3541 · used in 21 verses

  • Genesis 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
  • Numbers 6:23 Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them,
  • 1 Kings 22:20 And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.

“fall” Hebrew H5203 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 31:28 And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing.
  • 2 Samuel 5:18 The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
  • Isaiah 21:15 For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.