Complaint and Quail; Seventy Elders
Numbers 11:1-35
Num.11.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כמתאננים: VERB,hitpael,ptc,3,m,pl
- רע: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- באזני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,cstr
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וישמע: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויחר: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,sg
- אפו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,suff3ms
- ותבער: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- אש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ותאכל: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- בקצה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המחנה: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Num.16:35 (verbal): A fire from the LORD goes out and consumes those who rebel — nearly identical language and motif of divine fire punishing a community's rebellion.
- Lev.10:1-2 (verbal): Nadab and Abihu are consumed by fire from the LORD for offering 'strange fire' — similar depiction of immediate, deadly divine fire in response to improper action.
- Ps.78:21-22 (thematic): The psalm recounts Israel's testing/murmuring and states 'the LORD heard and was wroth,' echoing the cause-effect of complaint → divine anger in Num 11:1.
- Ps.106:25-28 (thematic): Retells Israel's murmuring and rebellion in the wilderness and the resulting divine judgment, linking communal complaint to God's wrath and punishment.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now the people were as those who complain—evil in the ears of the LORD; the LORD heard and his anger was kindled, and a fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed the outskirts of the camp.
- And the people began to complain in the hearing of the LORD, and the LORD heard, and the anger of the LORD was kindled; and fire from the LORD burned among them and consumed at the outskirts of the camp.
Num.11.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצעק: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויתפלל: VERB,hitpael,imperfect,3,m,sg
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ותשקע: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- האש: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Exod.32.11-14 (thematic): Moses intercedes for Israel after their sin and Yahweh relents from destroying them — parallels Num 11:2 where Moses prays and the divine punitive fire is stopped.
- Num.16.47-50 (thematic): In the plague after Korah's rebellion Moses/Aaron make atonement and the death-causing judgment ceases — a closely related episode of communal crying and priestly/prophetic action halting divine punishment.
- Ps.106.23 (quotation): The psalm explicitly recounts Moses’ intercession that turned back God’s wrath on Israel (echoing Exodus/Numbers traditions); it cites the same motif of prayer averting destruction.
- Jonah.3.9-10 (thematic): The city’s cry/repentance leads God to relent and not bring destruction — a thematic parallel in which human appeal or repentance results in the withdrawal of divine judgment.
- Exod.17.11-12 (structural): Moses’ raised hands (supported by Aaron and Hur) directly affect the outcome for Israel in battle — structurally similar as an act of Moses’ intercession/action that changes God’s favor toward the people.
Alternative generated candidates
- The people cried to Moses, and Moses prayed to the LORD; and the fire died down.
- And the people cried out to Moses; and Moses prayed to the LORD, and the fire died down.
Num.11.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- המקום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- תבערה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- בערה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- אש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 11:1 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same narrative: verse 11:1 states that 'the fire of the LORD burned among them' and consumed some, which is the action for which the place is named Taberah in 11:3.
- Leviticus 10:2 (verbal): Nadab and Abihu are consumed by 'fire from the LORD' after offering unauthorized incense—same verbal motif of divine fire as punitive judgment.
- Numbers 16:35 (thematic): When Korah's rebellion is punished, 'fire came out from the LORD and consumed the 250 men'—a closely related episode of Yahweh's consuming fire against the people.
- Deuteronomy 4:24 (allusion): Describes Yahweh as 'a consuming fire,' providing theological background for interpreting incidents where divine fire burns among or against the people.
- 1 Kings 18:38 (thematic): Elijah's altar is consumed when 'the fire of the LORD fell'—another prominent instance of divine fire consuming a sacrifice, illustrating the motif of Yahweh's consuming presence (here vindicatory rather than punitive).
Alternative generated candidates
- The name of that place was called Taberah, because the fire of the LORD had burned among them.
- And the name of that place was called Taberah, because the fire of the LORD had burned among them.
Num.11.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והאספסף: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בקרבו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRS,3,sg
- התאוו: VERB,hitp,perf,3,m,pl
- תאוה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ויבכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- גם: ADV
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- יאכלנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg+PRON,1,pl
- בשר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 16:3 (verbal): The Israelites utter the same complaint—'Who will give us meat to eat?'—a near-verbatim echo of the cry in Num 11:4.
- Numbers 11:33 (structural): Narrative consequence of the craving in 11:4: God provides quail but then judgment follows while the people eat, linking desire and divine punishment.
- Psalm 78:19-31 (thematic): Retells Israel's craving for meat and God's provision of quail followed by judgment; echoes the themes and language of Numbers 11.
- 1 Corinthians 10:10 (allusion): Paul warns believers not to grumble as some of the Israelites did and were destroyed—an explicit New Testament allusion to Israel's complaints (including the episode in Num 11).
- Psalm 106:14-15 (thematic): Summarizes Israel's craving and God's giving of their desire followed by punishment ('he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul'), echoing Num 11's pattern.
Alternative generated candidates
- But the rabble that was among them had a strong craving; and also the Israelites wept again and said, "Who will give us meat to eat?"
- And the rabble that was among them had a strong craving; and the Israelites also wept again and said, "Who will give us flesh to eat?
Num.11.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- זכרנו: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הדגה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נאכל: VERB,qal,impf,1,c,pl
- במצרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- חנם: ADV
- את: PRT,acc
- הקשאים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- האבטחים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- החציר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- הבצלים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- השומים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- Exodus 16:3 (verbal): Almost identical wording and complaint — the Israelites remember the fish and other foods eaten in Egypt and contrast them with manna in the wilderness.
- Psalm 78:29-31 (thematic): Retells Israel’s craving for meat and their complaints about God’s provision in the wilderness, culminating in God supplying quail — echoes the same complaint-motif as Numbers 11.
- John 6:31-33 (allusion): Jesus refers to the manna eaten by the fathers in the wilderness as ‘bread from heaven,’ alluding to the episode of Israel’s grumbling over food and God’s provision.
- Psalm 106:14-15 (thematic): Summarizes Israel’s lusting for meat in the desert and God’s giving of their request with dire consequences — a theological reflection on the same complaint recorded in Numbers 11.
Alternative generated candidates
- We remember the fish that we ate for nothing in Egypt—the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic.
- We remember the fish we ate free in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic.
Num.11.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- נפשנו: NOUN,f,sg,suff-1pl
- יבשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- אין: PART,neg
- כל: DET
- בלתי: NEG
- אל: NEG
- המן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עינינו: NOUN,f,pl,suff-1pl
Parallels
- Exodus 16:3 (verbal): Same wilderness complaint about manna—Israelites say their 'soul loathes' the 'light bread' and recall richer Egyptian food; close verbal and situational parallel to Num 11:6.
- Numbers 21:5 (verbal): A later repetition of the people's complaint: 'there is no bread nor water; and our soul loatheth this light bread,' echoing the language and sentiment of Num 11:6.
- Psalm 78:19–25 (thematic): Retells the wilderness murmuring and God's provision of manna (and meat); thematically parallels the complaint about manna and God's sustaining gift described in Num 11.
- Psalm 106:14–15 (thematic): Speaks of Israel's lusting in the wilderness and states God 'sent leanness into their soul,' echoing the imagery of a 'dried up' soul and the moral consequences of the people's craving in Num 11:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now our soul is dried away; there is nothing at all but this manna before our eyes.
- Now our strength is dried up; there is nothing at all but this manna before our eyes.
Num.11.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והמן: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- כזרע: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גד: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- ועינו: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:3,m
- כעין: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הבדלח: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Exodus 16:31 (verbal): Gives the same physical description of manna — “like coriander seed” (and its taste), a near-verbal parallel to Num 11:7’s description.
- Exodus 16:14 (verbal): Describes the appearance of manna on the ground as a small, round thing (like hoarfrost), another immediate verbal description of manna’s form.
- Numbers 11:8 (structural): Immediate context in the same chapter explaining how the Israelites processed and ate the manna (grinding, baking), complementing the physical description in 11:7.
- Psalm 78:23-25 (thematic): Poetic retelling of God’s provision of “manna” (bread from heaven), emphasizing its role as divine food and recalling the wilderness provision described in Num 11:7.
- John 6:31-35 (quotation): Jesus and the Gospel writer invoke the manna tradition (“our fathers ate the manna…he gave them bread from heaven”) as a typological reference to true bread from heaven, alluding back to the manna accounts like Num 11:7.
Alternative generated candidates
- The manna was like coriander seed, and the appearance of it was like the appearance of bdellium.
- The manna was like coriander seed, and its appearance was like the appearance of bdellium.
Num.11.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- שטו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ולקטו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- וטחנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ברחים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- או: CONJ
- דכו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- במדכה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- ובשלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בפרור: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועשו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- עגות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- טעמו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- כטעם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לשד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השמן: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Exodus 16:14-21 (structural): Narrative of the manna's morning appearance and the people's gathering; includes instructions about collecting, boiling/baking—parallel scene and procedures to those in Num 11:8.
- Exodus 16:31 (verbal): Direct sensory description of manna's taste—'like wafers made with honey'—parallels Num 11:8's comparison of manna to cakes baked with oil.
- Psalm 78:23-25 (thematic): Speaks of God providing 'bread of heaven'/'angel's food' for Israel, emphasizing manna as divine provision like in Num 11:8.
- Deuteronomy 8:3 (thematic): Recalls God feeding Israel with manna in the wilderness to humble and teach dependence—connects to the manna context and its role in Israel's sustenance.
- John 6:31-35 (allusion): Jesus alludes to the Exodus manna ('our fathers ate the manna') and contrasts it with himself as the true Bread of Life, drawing on the same manna tradition underlying Num 11:8.
Alternative generated candidates
- The people went about and gathered it, and ground it in mills or beat it in mortars, and boiled it in pots and made cakes of it; and its taste was like the taste of cakes baked with oil.
- The people went about and gathered it, and ground it in mills or beat it in mortars, and boiled it in pots and made cakes of it; and its taste was like the taste of cakes with oil.
Num.11.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וברדת: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הטל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- המחנה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לילה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ירד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- המן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 16:4 (thematic): God promises to 'rain bread from heaven' to feed the people—same provision of heavenly bread (manna) as in Numbers.
- Exodus 16:14-15 (verbal): Describes the appearance of manna on the ground in the morning with the dew—closely parallels Numbers' image of dew and manna falling on the camp.
- Psalm 78:24-25 (allusion): Poetic retelling that God 'rained down' manna, calling it 'the bread of heaven'—echoes the miraculous provision language of Numbers 11:9.
- Deuteronomy 8:3 (thematic): Uses the manna episode to teach dependence on God's word and provision—reflects the theological significance of the manna described in Numbers.
- John 6:31-35 (thematic): Jesus contrasts the manna given to Israel with himself as the true 'bread from heaven'—draws on the Numbers/Exodus tradition about manna.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.
- When the dew fell on the camp at night, the manna fell upon it.
Num.11.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישמע: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בכה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- למשפחתיו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+3ms
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לפתח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אהלו: NOUN,m,sg,construct+3,m,suf
- ויחר: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,sg
- אף: ADV
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מאד: ADV
- ובעיני: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,pl,cstr
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- רע: ADJ,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 32:10-14 (thematic): God’s wrath is kindled against Israel after their sin, and Moses intercedes on behalf of the people; parallels the motif of divine anger provoked by Israel and Moses’ displeasure/intercession.
- Numbers 11:1 (structural): Immediate context in the same narrative: the people’s complaint brings the fire of the LORD—directly connected structurally and thematically to 11:10.
- Numbers 11:33 (structural): Later in the chapter the people’s craving leads to quail and a deadly plague—shows the consequences of the people’s lament/complaint and divine judgment introduced in 11:10.
- Numbers 14:11-20 (thematic): God threatens to destroy Israel for their rebellion and Moses intercedes; echoes the pattern of divine anger at the people and Moses’ advocacy on their behalf.
- Psalm 106:23-27 (allusion): The psalm recounts Israel’s sin, God’s wrath, and God’s restraint because of Moses’ prayer—retrospective allusion to the same dynamic of anger and Moses’ intervention.
Alternative generated candidates
- Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, each at the entrance of his tent; and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly; Moses was displeased.
- Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, every man at the opening of his tent; and the anger of the LORD was greatly kindled; and Moses was displeased.
Num.11.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- למה: ADV
- הרעת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לעבדך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- ולמה: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- מצתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- חן: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בעיניך: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,const,2,ms
- לשום: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- משא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- Deut.1.12 (verbal): Moses' retrospective account: 'How can I alone bear your problems and your burdens?' closely echoes the complaint about bearing the people's burden placed on him.
- Exod.18.14-18 (thematic): Jethro observes that Moses is overburdened—'what is this that you are doing to the people?...you will wear yourself out'—a parallel concern about the single leader carrying the people's load.
- Num.11.14-15 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same pericope where Moses expands the complaint: 'I cannot carry all this people alone... if you will kill me, then kill me,' repeating the theme of being overwhelmed.
- Jer.20.7-9 (thematic): Jeremiah laments the heavy cost of his prophetic calling—'you have deceived me... you have overpowered me'—another prophetic protest about God’s demands and the personal burden they impose.
Alternative generated candidates
- Moses said to the LORD, "Why have you afflicted your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight, that you should put the burden of all this people upon me?
- And Moses said to the LORD, "Why have you dealt ill with your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight that you should lay the burden of all this people upon me?
Num.11.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- האנכי: PRON,1,sg,emph
- הריתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- אם: CONJ
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- ילדתיהו: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- כי: CONJ
- תאמר: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- שאהו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- בחיקך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cons+PRON,2,m,sg
- כאשר: CONJ
- ישא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- האמן: NOUN,f,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- הינק: NOUN,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- האדמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נשבעת: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- לאבתיו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons+PRON,3,pl
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 1:31 (verbal): Uses almost the same caregiving image — God 'bore you' in the wilderness 'as a man doth bear his son,' echoing Moses' protest that he cannot carry the people in his bosom to the promised land.
- Hosea 11:3-4 (verbal): God's parental imagery — 'I taught Ephraim to walk... I took them up in my arms' — parallels the language of carrying/bearing the people and God's care contrasted with human incapacity.
- Isaiah 46:3-4 (thematic): Affirms divine sustaining care ('I have made, and I will bear; yea, I will carry... even to hoary hairs') addressing who can truly carry and sustain Israel, a theme implicit in Moses' complaint.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 (allusion): Paul's metaphor of apostles as a nursing caregiver ('we were gentle... as a nurse cherisheth her children') echoes the 'nursing/cherishing' imagery Moses uses to reject being asked to carry the people.
- Matthew 23:37 (thematic): Jesus' lament uses a caregiving image ('how often would I have gathered thy children... as a hen gathers her brood') — another scriptural instance of parental/guardian imagery for God's relationship to Israel, related to Moses' carrying motif.
Alternative generated candidates
- Did I conceive all this people? Did I give them birth, that you should say to me, 'Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries the nursing child,' to the land that you swore to give their fathers?
- Was I the one who conceived all this people? Was I the one who gave them birth, that you should say to me, 'Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a sucking child, to the land that you swore to their fathers'?
Num.11.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מאין: ADV,interrog
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- בשר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לתת: VERB,qal,inf
- לכל: PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- יבכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- תנה: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- בשר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ונאכלה: VERB,qal,impf,1,m,pl
Parallels
- Numbers 11:4-6 (verbal): Immediate context: the people complain about manna and explicitly crave meat, recalling fish and other foods — directly sets up Moses' lament 'Where am I to get meat…'.
- Numbers 11:31-32 (structural): Narrative fulfillment: God provides quail in response to the craving for meat, but many die — continuity and consequence of the request 'give us meat.'
- Exodus 16:3 (thematic): Earlier complaint about provision in the wilderness: Israelites wish they had stayed in Egypt, saying 'we sat by pots of meat and ate bread to the full' — similar nostalgia and demand for meat.
- Psalm 78:18-20 (allusion): Poetic retelling of Israel's testing of God in the wilderness, where they ask for meat and doubt God's provision — echoes the complaint 'Give us meat to eat.'
- 1 Corinthians 10:10 (allusion): Paul cites Israel's grumbling in the wilderness as a warning ('do not grumble, as some of them did'), alluding to incidents like the demand for meat and its judgmental outcome.
Alternative generated candidates
- Where shall I get meat to give to all this people? For they weep to me, saying, 'Give us meat, that we may eat.'
- Whence shall I have flesh to give to all this people? For they weep to me, saying, 'Give us flesh that we may eat.'
Num.11.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לא: PART_NEG
- אוכל: VERB,qal,part,1,m,sg
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- לבדי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לשאת: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- כבד: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ממני: PREP,suff,1,m,sg
Parallels
- Exod.18:17-18 (verbal): Jethro tells Moses the work is too heavy and that he will wear out if he continues alone: language and concern closely parallel Moses’ complaint that he cannot bear the people by himself.
- Deut.1:9 (quotation): Moses later recalls telling the people, 'I said to you, “I am not able to bear you myself alone”,' an explicit restatement of the same claim.
- Num.11:11-15 (structural): Immediate context: Moses’ fuller complaint to Yahweh about the burden of leading Israel and his plea for help, of which 11:14 is the concise statement.
- Ps.55:22 (thematic): While not a direct verbal parallel, the psalm addresses the problem of unbearable burdens and urges casting burdens on the Lord—a thematic response to the difficulty Moses expresses.
Alternative generated candidates
- I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.
- I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me.
Num.11.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואם: CONJ
- ככה: ADV
- את: PRT,acc
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- הרגני: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg+PRON,1,sg
- נא: PART
- הרג: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- אם: CONJ
- מצאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- חן: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בעיניך: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,const,2,ms
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- אראה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- ברעתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- Job 6:8-9 (verbal): Job explicitly asks that God would crush him or cut him off — a close verbal parallel to Moses’ plea “kill me… do not let me see my misery,” expressing desire for death to end suffering.
- 1 Kings 19:4 (thematic): Elijah, in prophetic despair, pleads ‘Take my life; it is enough’ — shares the theme of a prophet asking God to end his life rather than endure overwhelming distress.
- Jonah 4:3 (thematic): Jonah tells God to take his life because he is anguished over the situation — another instance of a prophetic figure asking for death out of anguish, paralleling Moses’ request.
- Exodus 32:32-33 (structural): Moses offers himself (‘blot me out of your book’) and intercedes for the people after their sin; structurally parallels the same Moses–God dialogue and extreme self-sacrificial language about life and death.
- Jeremiah 20:14-18 (thematic): Jeremiah curses the day of his birth and wishes he had died at birth — echoes the motif of a prophet wishing not to live because of unbearable misery and shame.
Alternative generated candidates
- If this is the way you will deal with me, kill me, I pray you—if I have found favor in your sight—and do not let me see my misery.
- If you will treat me like this, kill me, I beg you, out of hand, if I have found favor in your sight; and do not let me see my misery.
Num.11.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אספה: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- שבעים: NUM,card,m,pl
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מזקני: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ידעת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- זקני: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ושטריו: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ולקחת: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- אהל: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- מועד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והתיצבו: VERB,hitp,perf,3,m,pl
- שם: ADV
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
Parallels
- Exodus 24:9-11 (verbal): Mentions Moses accompanied by seventy elders who 'saw' God on the mountain — the same numbered group of elders gathered with Moses at the tent of meeting.
- Exodus 18:21-22 (thematic): Jethro's counsel to appoint capable elders as judges over the people parallels Moses' selection of elders to share leadership and governance.
- Numbers 11:24-25 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: Moses brings the seventy elders to the tent; the Spirit rests on them and they prophesy, fulfilling the instruction of v.16.
- Deuteronomy 1:13 (verbal): Moses instructs the people to 'choose for yourselves wise, understanding, and known men' to serve as leaders — echoing Num 11:16's criterion 'whom you know to be the elders'.
- Numbers 27:16-23 (thematic): Procedure for transferring leadership (Moses' commissioning of Joshua by laying on of hands) parallels the theme of designating and empowering successors/leaders among Israel.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD said to Moses, "Gather for me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them stand there with you.
- And the LORD said to Moses, "Gather for me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them stand there with you.
Num.11.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וירדתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- ודברתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
- שם: ADV
- ואצלתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- מן: PREP
- הרוח: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עליך: PREP+2ms
- ושמתי: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- ונשאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אתך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- במשא: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ולא: CONJ
- תשא: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- לבדך: ADV+2ms
Parallels
- Num.27:18-23 (structural): Moses lays his hands on Joshua so that the Spirit resting on Moses may rest on him — a direct narrative parallel showing transfer of spirit and shared leadership responsibility.
- Deut.34:9 (verbal): Joshua is described as filled with the spirit of wisdom when Moses laid his hands on him — echoes the language and function of God putting spirit on others to enable leadership.
- Exod.31:2-3 (thematic): God fills Bezalel with the Spirit to give skill, ability and knowledge for service — a related theme of God imparting his spirit to equip people for communal tasks.
- 1 Sam.16:13 (thematic): After Samuel anoints David, 'the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David' — another instance where God’s Spirit comes upon a leader to empower them for their role.
- Judg.3:10 (thematic): The Spirit of the LORD comes upon Othniel and enables him to deliver Israel — parallels the motif of divine spirit enabling individuals for leadership and deliverance.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will come down and speak with you there; I will take some of the spirit that is upon you and put it upon them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone.
- I will come down and speak with you there; and I will take some of the spirit that is upon you and put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it alone.
Num.11.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- תאמר: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- התקדשו: VERB,hitp,impv,2,m,pl
- למחר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואכלתם: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- בשר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- בכיתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- באזני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,cstr
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- יאכלנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg+PRON,1,pl
- בשר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- במצרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ונתן: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- בשר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואכלתם: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Numbers 11:4-6 (structural): Immediate context of the same complaint episode: lists the people's craving for meat and their reminiscence of Egypt (’it was well for us in Egypt’), which v.18 answers by promising meat.
- Exodus 16:3 (verbal): Early complaint about food in the wilderness using similar language—‘would God we had died... we sat by the flesh-pots’—echoing the Israelites’ longing for Egypt and food there.
- Psalm 78:29 (allusion): In the psalmic retelling God supplies the people's desire for meat (‘so they did eat…and were well filled; for he gave them their own desire’), directly alluding to the quail provision described in Numbers 11.
- Psalm 106:15 (allusion): A theological summary of the episode: ‘Then he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul,’ highlighting the paradox of God granting the people's demand while judging their attitude.
- 1 Corinthians 10:10 (thematic): New Testament warning drawing on Israel’s wilderness example: ‘Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured’—uses the Numbers episode as an ethical warning against complaining despite God’s provision.
Alternative generated candidates
- Tell the people, 'Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat; for you have wept in the hearing of the LORD, saying, "Who will give us meat to eat? For it was better for us in Egypt." Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you shall eat.'"
- Say to the people, 'Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat flesh; for you have wept in the hearing of the LORD, saying, "Who will give us flesh to eat? For it was good for us in Egypt." Therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and you shall eat.
Num.11.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לא: PART_NEG
- יום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- תאכלון: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- יומים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- חמשה: NUM,m,pl
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- עשרים: NUM,card,pl
- יום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 16:4-5 (thematic): God’s provision of daily food (manna) and instructions about daily gathering — contrasts the people’s demand for meat and the promised change in diet for multiple days.
- Exodus 16:21-22 (verbal): Describes the daily gathering of manna and problems when it was kept overnight — parallels the wilderness complaint about food and the issue of duration/regularity of provision.
- Deuteronomy 8:3 (allusion): Reflects the theological lesson about dependence on God’s daily provision (manna) — thematic background to Israel’s grumbling about food in Numbers 11.
- Psalm 78:24-25 (thematic): Retells God’s provision of ‘bread from heaven’/angelic food during the wilderness wanderings — a poetic recounting of the same crisis over food and Israel’s response.
- Numbers 11:33 (structural): Immediate narrative sequel: the people gorge on quail and God’s judgment follows — directly connected to the promise in 11:18–20 about eating meat for many days.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall eat not one day, nor two days, nor five days, nor ten days, nor twenty days,
- You shall not eat it for one day, nor for two days, nor for five, nor for ten, nor for twenty days,
Num.11.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- עד: PREP
- חדש: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עד: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יצא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מאפכם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+2,m,pl
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- לזרא: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יען: CONJ
- כי: CONJ
- מאסתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בקרבכם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+2,m,pl
- ותבכו: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- לפניו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- למה: ADV
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- יצאנו: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,pl
- ממצרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 11:4-6 (verbal): Immediate context: the people crave meat and complain about the manna — the demand that prompts God's rebuke in 11:20 is first stated here.
- Numbers 11:33-34 (structural): Continuation of the episode: God sends quail in response to the craving, many eat and a plague follows, illustrating the 'loathing' and judgment anticipated in 11:20.
- Numbers 14:2-3 (thematic): The congregation weeps and declares they would have been better off in Egypt — closely parallels the complaint in 11:20 ('Why did we come out of Egypt?').
- Exodus 16:3 (thematic): Earlier complaint about the food provided in the wilderness (manna); expresses the people's dissatisfaction with divine provision that underlies the rebuke in 11:20.
- Psalm 78:19-31 (allusion): A liturgical retelling of Israel's grumbling, the demand for meat, God's provision of quail and subsequent punishment — echoes the whole Numbers 11 episode and its themes of despising the Lord.
Alternative generated candidates
- but a whole month—until it comes out at your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have despised the LORD who is among you and have wept before him, saying, "Why did we ever come out of Egypt?"
- but for a whole month, until it comes out at your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you; because you have despised the LORD who is among you, and you have wept before him, saying, "Why did we ever come out of Egypt?"'"
Num.11.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- שש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מאות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- רגלי: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- בקרבו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRS,3,sg
- ואתה: CONJ+PRON,2,m,sg
- אמרת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- בשר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אתן: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ואכלו: VERB,qal,imp,2,mp
- חדש: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 11:4–6 (verbal): Immediate context: the people’s craving for meat and the mixed multitude’s complaint ("we remember the fish... the cucumbers... the leeks...") that prompts Moses’ remark about giving them meat for a month.
- Numbers 11:31–32 (structural): Narrative fulfilment: God sends a vast number of quail to satisfy the demand Moses calls impossible, leading to the month-long provision mentioned in 11:21.
- Exodus 16:3 (verbal): Earlier episode of Israelite grumbling over food ('Who will give us meat to eat? We remember the fish...'), showing a recurring theme of craving provision and complaint in the wilderness.
- Psalm 78:18–31 (allusion): Liturgical retelling of the wilderness complaints and God’s response (including giving quail), echoing the complaint-about-meat motif and divine provision described in Numbers 11.
- Psalm 106:14–15 (thematic): Summary evaluation of Israel’s craving for flesh and God’s giving of their request to their detriment—parallels the demand for meat and the month‑long provision in Numbers 11.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Moses said, "The people among whom I am number six hundred thousand footmen; and you say, 'I will give them meat to eat for a whole month.'"
- But Moses said, "The people among whom I am number six hundred thousand footmen; and you have said, 'I will give them flesh, that they may eat for a whole month.'
Num.11.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הצאן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ובקר: CONJ,NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ישחט: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ומצא: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- אם: CONJ
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- דגי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- הים: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- יאסף: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ומצא: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Numbers 11:31-32 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: despite Moses' claim that flocks, herds or all the fish cannot be provided, the LORD sends a great wind and brings quail to the camp to satisfy the people’s craving.
- Exodus 16:3 (verbal): When the people complain about food in the wilderness they specifically recall the fish they ate in Egypt; both verses invoke fish as a remembered or desired provision.
- Psalm 78:18-29 (allusion): The psalm retells the wilderness episode—Israel’s craving for meat, their testing of God, and God’s provision of manna and quail—using language and themes parallel to Numbers 11.
- Psalm 106:13-15 (thematic): Summarizes Israel’s ‘lusting’ for meat in the desert and God’s response: He gave them their request but punished them—paralleling Moses’ protest about supplying flocks/herds/fish and the episode’s negative outcome.
Alternative generated candidates
- Shall flocks and herds be slain for them, that they should suffice? Or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered for them, that they should suffice?
- Shall flocks and herds be slain for them, to suffice for them? Or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered for them and suffice for them?"
Num.11.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- היד: NOUN,f,sg,def
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- תקצר: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- עתה: ADV
- תראה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- היקרך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- אם: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
Parallels
- Gen.18:14 (verbal): God’s rhetorical question about His power—“Is anything too hard for the LORD?”—echoes the challenge to Moses about whether the LORD’s hand is too short to fulfill His word.
- Jer.32:27 (verbal): Divine assertion of omnipotence—“Behold, I am the LORD…the thing is not impossible for me”—parallels the same theme/question of whether God can carry out His word.
- Isa.55:11 (thematic): God’s promise that His word will accomplish its purpose (“so shall my word be… it shall not return unto me void”) connects directly to the Numbers challenge—whether God’s word will come to pass.
- Job 42:2 (thematic): Job’s confession that God can do all things (“I know that thou canst do every thing”) reflects the same theological conviction of God’s ability to act and vindicate His word, underlying Moses’ challenge.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD said to Moses, "Is the hand of the LORD too short? Now you shall see whether my word will come to pass for you or not."
- And the LORD said to Moses, "Is the hand of the LORD shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come to pass for you or not."
Num.11.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויאסף: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שבעים: NUM,card,m,pl
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מזקני: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,const
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויעמד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- סביבת: NOUN,f,sg,const
- האהל: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Exodus 24:1, 9–11 (verbal): Mentions Moses together with seventy elders who accompany him up the mountain and stand near God — closely parallels the motif of seventy elders being gathered and standing around the tent.
- Numbers 11:16 (quotation): Immediate parallel in the same chapter where God instructs Moses to 'gather unto me seventy men' — this verse records the execution of that command.
- Exodus 18:21–26 (thematic): Jethro's advice to appoint capable men to share judicial and leadership duties parallels the institutional function of selecting elders to assist Moses.
- Acts 6:1–6 (allusion): The apostles select and lay hands on chosen leaders to share ministry burdens — a New Testament echo of appointing leaders (and communal prayer/commissioning) to assist primary leaders.
Alternative generated candidates
- So Moses went out and told the people the words of the LORD; and he gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people and set them around the tent.
- So Moses went out and told the people the words of the LORD; and he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people and set them around the tent.
Num.11.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וירד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בענן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויאצל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מן: PREP
- הרוח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- ויתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- שבעים: NUM,card,m,pl
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הזקנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כנוח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- הרוח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויתנבאו: VERB,hitpael,perf,3,m,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- יספו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Numbers 27:18-23 (structural): God instructs Moses to designate a successor (Joshua) by laying on hands and transferring authority — a parallel episode of transferring leadership/role within Israel's community structure.
- Deuteronomy 34:9 (verbal): States that Joshua was 'full of the spirit of wisdom' because Moses had laid his hands on him — explicitly links laying on of hands with the imparting of God's spirit, echoing Num 11:25.
- 1 Samuel 10:10 (verbal): 'The Spirit of the LORD came upon Saul, and he prophesied' — closely parallels the pattern in Num 11:25 where the Spirit comes upon leaders and they prophesy.
- Joel 2:28-29 (thematic): Declares a future outpouring of God's Spirit on 'all flesh' with resulting prophecy, dreams and visions — thematically related to the expansion of prophetic gifting in Num 11.
- Acts 2:17-18 (quotation): Peter cites Joel at Pentecost as fulfillment of God's outpouring of the Spirit and widespread prophecy, reading the Num.11 gifting of elders into the broader NT promise and experience of Spirit and prophecy.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and he took of the spirit that was upon him and put it upon the seventy elders; and when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied—but they did not continue.
- Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the spirit that was upon him and put it upon the seventy elders; and when the spirit rested upon them they prophesied — and did not cease.
Num.11.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישארו: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- שני: NUM,m,pl,construct
- אנשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- במחנה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שם: ADV
- האחד: PRON,indef,sg,m
- אלדד: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- ושם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השני: ADJ,m,sg,def
- מידד: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- ותנח: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- הרוח: NOUN,f,sg,def
- והמה: CONJ,PRON,3,pl
- בכתבים: PREP,NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- יצאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- האהלה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויתנבאו: VERB,hitpael,impf,3,pl
- במחנה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Num.11.25 (structural): Immediate literary parallel/continuation: the same scene of the Spirit resting on others and their prophesying (context for Eldad and Medad).
- 1 Samuel 10:10 (thematic): Saul has the Spirit of God come upon him and he prophesies among the prophets — a parallel motif of unexpected individuals empowered by the Spirit to prophesy.
- Judges 11:29 (thematic): The Spirit of the LORD comes upon Jephthah (and other judges), enabling decisive action — another Old Testament example of the Spirit’s empowering presence on individuals.
- Joel 2:28-29 (allusion): Prophetic promise that God will pour out his Spirit and 'they shall prophesy' on all flesh — background paradigm for occurrences of spontaneous prophecy like Eldad and Medad.
- Acts 2:17-18 (quoting Joel) (quotation): New Testament citation of Joel to explain outpouring of the Spirit and prophecy on unexpected people (sons, daughters, servants) — used interpretively for episodes of Spirit-driven prophecy in Scripture.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now two men remained in the camp: the one named Eldad and the other named Medad; and the spirit rested on them—though they were written down among the registered—and they were in the camp and prophesied.
- Now two men remained in the camp: the name of one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad; and the spirit rested on them; and they were among those written, but had not gone out to the tent; and they prophesied in the camp.
Num.11.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וירץ: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הנער: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויגד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- למשה: PREP+NOUN,prop,sg,m
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלדד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומידד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מתנבאים: VERB,hitp,ptc,-,m,pl
- במחנה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 11:26 (verbal): Immediate context: this verse immediately precedes v.27 and reports the people prophesying with similar language ('they prophesied in the camp'), showing the same phenomenon that the young man reports about Eldad and Medad.
- Numbers 11:29 (thematic): Moses' reaction to the report in v.27 ('Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets') thematically interprets Eldad and Medad’s prophesying as a desirable outpouring of prophetic gifting for the community.
- Joel 2:28–29 (allusion): Joel promises that God will pour out his spirit so that sons and daughters, old and young, will prophesy—a prophetic democratization that echoes the unexpected prophesying of Eldad and Medad among the people.
- Acts 2:17–18 (thematic): Peter cites Joel at Pentecost to explain that the Spirit’s outpouring results in widespread prophecy (including youths and servants), paralleling the New Testament reading of episodes like Eldad and Medad as instances of Spirit-empowered prophecy among many.
- 1 Samuel 10:10–11 (thematic): When Saul is seized by the spirit and prophesies with a band of prophets, bystanders ask in astonishment whether Saul is among the prophets—parallel in theme to unexpected individuals (Eldad and Medad) prophesying within a wider community setting.
Alternative generated candidates
- And a young man ran and told Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp."
- And a young man ran and told Moses, and said, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp."
Num.11.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויען: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- משרת: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מבחריו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כלאם: PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Num.11.29 (structural): Immediate literary continuation: Moses' famous reply ('I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets...') directly answers Joshua's demand to restrain Eldad and Medad.
- Exod.33.11 (verbal): Uses the same characterization of Joshua as Moses' attendant/young man who stayed near the tent, paralleling the phrase 'יהושע בן־נון משרת משה מבחריו.'
- 1 Sam.10.10-11 (thematic): Saul's sudden prophetic ecstasy and the people's surprised question ('Is Saul also among the prophets?') echo the unexpected occurrence of prophecy and the reaction of alarm or confusion that Joshua displays.
- 1 Sam.19.20-24 (thematic): Saul's messengers (and Saul himself) prophesy unexpectedly when sent with hostile intent—parallel to Eldad and Medad prophesying in the camp and to the difficulty of suppressing prophetic speech.
- Joel 2.28 (thematic): Promise that the Spirit will be poured out and 'your sons and your daughters shall prophesy' resonates with the broader theme behind Joshua's attempt to forbid prophecy: the question who may prophesy among God's people.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Joshua the son of Nun, the attendant of Moses from his youth, said, "My lord Moses, forbid them!"
- And Joshua son of Nun, the attendant of Moses from his youth, said, "My lord Moses, forbid them!"
Num.11.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- המקנא: ADJ,qal,part,m,sg,def
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ומי: CONJ+PRON,interr
- יתן: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- עם: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- נביאים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כי: CONJ
- יתן: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- רוחו: NOUN,f,sg,prsuf3ms
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Numbers 11:17 (structural): Immediate context: God promises to 'take of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them,' supplying the basis for Moses’ wish that all the LORD’s people be prophets.
- Numbers 11:25 (structural): Narrative fulfillment in the same chapter: the Spirit rests on the seventy elders and they prophesy, illustrating Moses’ desire realized in part.
- Joel 2:28-29 (allusion): Shares the theme of an outpouring of God’s Spirit resulting in prophecy upon many ('I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh'), echoing Moses’ hope for widespread prophecy.
- Acts 2:17-18 (quotation): Peter quotes Joel at Pentecost to explain the Spirit’s outpouring—sons and daughters prophesying—directly paralleling Moses’ aspiration that all the LORD’s people be prophets.
- 1 Samuel 10:10-11 (thematic): When the Spirit of the LORD comes upon Saul he prophesies among the prophets; similar motif of receiving God’s Spirit leading to prophetic speech.
Alternative generated candidates
- But Moses said to him, "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD's people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit upon them!"
- But Moses said to him, "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD's people were prophets, that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!"
Num.11.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאסף: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- המחנה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- וזקני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 11:25 (structural): Same episode: the LORD puts His spirit on the seventy elders so that they prophesy; this is the immediate narrative context for Moses and the elders returning to the camp.
- Numbers 11:29 (verbal): Moses' remark — wishing all the LORD’s people were prophets — directly responds to Eldad and Medad’s prophesying and connects to the return of Moses and the elders in v.30.
- Joel 2:28-29 (thematic): Prophetic promise that God will pour out His Spirit on all flesh and sons and daughters will prophesy; thematically anticipates Moses’ wish that all Israel might be prophets.
- 1 Samuel 10:10-11 (thematic): When the Spirit of the LORD comes upon Saul he prophesies among a company of prophets; parallels the phenomenon of unexpected prophetic activity occurring in a camp or group.
- Exodus 24:9-11 (structural): Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and the seventy elders go up and ‘see’ the LORD together; provides background for the institutional role and significance of the seventy elders in Numbers 11.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Moses returned to the camp, he and the elders of Israel.
- And Moses returned to the camp, he and the elders of Israel.
Num.11.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ורוח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נסע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מאת: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויגז: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שלוים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מן: PREP
- הים: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- ויטש: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- המחנה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כדרך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כה: ADV
- וכדרך: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כה: ADV
- סביבות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- המחנה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וכאמתים: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- על: PREP
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Exodus 16:13 (verbal): Reports the same phenomenon: quails came up and covered the camp in the evening as God provided meat for Israel—direct parallel in event and wording.
- Psalm 78:26-31 (quotation): A poetic retelling of the Numbers episode—'he rained down flesh like dust, winged birds like the sand of the sea' and they fell around the camp, explicitly echoing the quail provision.
- Psalm 105:40-41 (allusion): Recalls heavenly provision of food ('he rained down manna' / gave food from heaven) and places the wilderness sustenance—including quail/manna—within the tradition of divine supply.
- 1 Corinthians 10:9-11 (thematic): The apostle Paul cites Israel's wilderness experiences (including their complaints and judgments) as moral examples for Christians—Numbers' quail episode functions as a warning about craving and rebellion.
Alternative generated candidates
- A wind went out from the LORD and brought quail from the sea and let them fall beside the camp, about a day's journey on this side and a day's journey on the other side, all around the camp; and as it were two cubits fell upon the face of the ground.
- And a wind went out from the LORD and brought quail from the sea, and let them fall beside the camp, about a day's journey on this side and on that side of the camp; and about two cubits above the face of the earth they were spread around.
Num.11.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כל: DET
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- הלילה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- יום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המחרת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויאספו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- השלו: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הממעיט: ADJ,m,sg,def
- אסף: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- חמרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וישטחו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- שטוח: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- סביבות: ADV
- המחנה: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Exod.16:13 (verbal): Reports quail coming in the evening to the Israelites — the same miraculous provision of meat mentioned in Num 11:32.
- Exod.16:16-18 (structural): Describes the prescribed daily gathering of manna, each according to need; Num 11:32 contrasts this controlled provision with the excessive gathering of quail (ten homers).
- Ps.78:27-31 (quotation): Retells the episode of God giving quail and the people's gluttony, noting their lack of satisfaction and the ensuing divine anger — a direct literary reflection on the Numbers event.
- Ps.105:40 (verbal): Explicitly states that God caused quail to appear for them, echoing the report in Numbers 11 of quail covering the camp.
- John 6:31-35 (allusion): Jesus invokes the manna tradition (bread from heaven) to contrast God’s provision with human craving — thematically related to Israel’s demand for meat and the temporary, problematic fulfillment in Num 11.
Alternative generated candidates
- And while the people stood all that day and all that night and all the next day, and gathered the quail, those who gathered least gathered ten homers; and they spread them out for themselves all around the camp.
- And the people rose all that day and all that night and all the next day and gathered the quail; those who gathered least gathered ten homers; they spread them out for themselves all around the camp.
Num.11.33 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הבשר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עודנו: ADV
- בין: PREP
- שניהם: PRON,3,m,pl
- טרם: ADV
- יכרת: VERB,niphal,impf,3,m,sg
- ואף: CONJ
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- חרה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בעם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בעם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מכה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- רבה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- מאד: ADV
Parallels
- Psalm 78:30-31 (quotation): Poetic retelling of the same incident: 'while their meat was yet in their mouths' and the LORD's wrath striking Israel — a direct recounting of the quail-and-plague event.
- Numbers 11:1 (structural): Earlier complaint in the same chapter leads to divine anger and a destructive judgment ('the LORD’s fire burned among them'), paralleling the theme of immediate punishment for murmuring.
- Exodus 16:3 (thematic): The people's craving for the food of Egypt and complaints about manna set the thematic backdrop for demanding meat and provoke God's judgment in Numbers 11.
- 1 Corinthians 10:10 (allusion): Paul alludes to Israel's murmuring and divine destruction ('Neither murmur...and were destroyed of the destroyer') as a New Testament warning tied to the same rebellious episode and its punishment.
Alternative generated candidates
- While the meat was yet between their teeth, before it was consumed, the anger of the LORD was kindled against the people; and the LORD struck the people with a very great plague.
- While the meat was yet between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD struck the people with a very great plague.
Num.11.34 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שם: ADV
- המקום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- קברות: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- התאוה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- שם: ADV
- קברו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3m
- את: PRT,acc
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- המתאוים: PART,hitp,ptcp,masc,pl,def
Parallels
- Numbers 11:33 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation describing the quail, the LORD’s wrath, and the many who died—directly part of the same episode that explains the place-name Kibroth‑hatta'avah.
- Numbers 11:5 (verbal): The people's specific list of foods they 'lusted' for (fish, cucumbers, leeks, etc.) provides the motive for the incident and the name 'graves of craving' recorded in 11:34.
- Numbers 33:16 (structural): Later itinerary summary that names Kibroth‑hatta'avah among the stations of Israel’s wanderings, an explicit allusion to the event and its memorializing place‑name.
- Psalm 106:14–15 (thematic): The psalm recounts Israel’s lusting in the wilderness and God’s punitive response (granting their desires but sending leanness), thematically echoing the craving and judgment behind Kibroth‑hatta'avah.
- 1 Corinthians 10:6–11 (thematic): Paul uses Israel’s wilderness history—including their craving, idolatry and death—as moral examples for Christians, explicitly treating their lust and consequent judgment as instructive, paralleling the lesson of Kibroth‑hatta'avah.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he called the name of that place Kibroth-hatta'avah, because there they buried the people who had yielded to craving.
- And he called the name of that place Kibroth-hattaavah (Graves of Craving), because there they buried the people who had the craving.
Num.11.35 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מקברות: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- התאוה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- נסעו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- חצרות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ויהיו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בחצרות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 11:31–34 (verbal): Immediate narrative context: describes the quail episode, the people’s greedy eating, God’s anger, and the naming of the place Kibroth‑Hattaavah — the direct background to the movement recorded in 11:35.
- Numbers 33:16–17 (structural): Itinerary list repeating the same stage‑movement (from Kibroth‑Hattaavah to Hazeroth), placing Num 11:35 within the larger travel itinerary of Israel.
- Psalm 78:26–29 (thematic): Poetic retelling of God supplying quail to satisfy Israel’s craving (taʿavah); parallels the quail provision and the people’s desire that underlie the Kibroth episode.
- Psalm 106:14–15 (thematic): Summarizes Israel’s lusting in the wilderness and God’s granting of their request with adverse consequences — thematically echoes the craving, divine response, and judgment associated with Kibroth‑Hattaavah.
Alternative generated candidates
- From Kibroth-hatta'avah the people journeyed to Hazeroth, and they encamped at Hazeroth.
- From Kibroth-hattaavah the people journeyed to Hazeroth and abode at Hazeroth.
And the people began to complain in the hearing of the LORD; and when the LORD heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some at the edge of the camp. And the people cried out to Moses; and Moses prayed to the LORD, and the fire subsided. And the name of that place was called Taberah, because the fire of the LORD had burned among them. Now the rabble that was among them had a craving; and the Israelites also wept again and said, “Who will give us meat to eat?
We remember the fish that we ate free in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up; there is nothing before our eyes but this manna. And the manna was like coriander seed, and its appearance was like the appearance of bdellium.
The people would go about and gather it, and grind it in mills or beat it in mortars, and bake it in pans, and make cakes of it; and its taste was like the taste of rich food.
When the dew fell on the camp at night, the manna fell on it.
Moses heard the people weeping throughout their clans, everyone at the door of his tent; and the anger of the LORD was greatly kindled; Moses was displeased. And Moses said to the LORD, “Why have you dealt ill with your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me?
Did I conceive all this people? Did I bear them, that you should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nursing father carries the sucking child,’ to the land that you swore to their fathers?
From where shall I have meat to give to all this people? For they weep to me, saying, ‘Give us meat, that we may eat.’
I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.
If this is the way you will treat me, kill me, I pray you, if I have found favor in your sight; and do not let me see my wretchedness.” And the LORD said to Moses, “Gather for me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them stand there with you.
I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the spirit that is on you and put it on them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you will not bear it yourself alone. And say to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat; for you have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, “Who will give us meat to eat? For it was well with us in Egypt.” Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you shall eat.
You shall eat it not one day, nor two days, nor five days, nor ten days, nor twenty days,
but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you—because you have rejected the LORD who is among you and have wept before him, saying, “Why did we ever come up out of Egypt?”’” And Moses said, “The people among whom I am number six hundred thousand footmen; and you have said, ‘I will give them meat, and they shall eat for a whole month.’”
Shall flocks and herds be slain for them, or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered for them? Would it suffice to give them meat? And the LORD said to Moses, “Is the hand of the LORD short? Now you shall see whether my word will come to pass for you or not.” So Moses went out and told the people the words of the LORD; and he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people and set them around the tent.
Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and he took of the spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders; and when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied—though afterward they did not continue to prophesy. Now two men remained in the camp: Eldad and Medad. The spirit rested on them; and they were among those registered, though they had not gone out to the tent; and they prophesied in the camp. And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” And Joshua the son of Nun, the attendant of Moses from his youth, said, “My lord Moses, stop them!” And Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets, that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!” And Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp. Now a wind went out from the LORD and brought quail from the sea and let them fall beside the camp, about a day’s journey on this side and about a day’s journey on the other side, all around the camp; and about two cubits above the surface of the ground. And the people rose all that day and all that night and all the next day, and gathered the quail; he who gathered least gathered ten homers; and they spread them out for themselves all around the camp.
While the meat was yet between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD struck the people with a very great plague. And he called the name of that place Kibroth-hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had the craving.
From Kibroth-hattaavah the people journeyed to Hazeroth and remained at Hazeroth.