Numbers Chapter 11 · Verse 21
And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month.
Original Language Analysis
שֵׁשׁ
whom I am are six
H8337
שֵׁשׁ
whom I am are six
Strong's:
H8337
Word #:
3 of 18
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
אֶ֙לֶף֙
thousand
H505
אֶ֙לֶף֙
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
5 of 18
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
הָעָ֕ם
The people
H5971
הָעָ֕ם
The people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
7 of 18
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּקִרְבּ֑וֹ
among
H7130
בְּקִרְבּ֑וֹ
among
Strong's:
H7130
Word #:
10 of 18
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
בָּשָׂר֙
them flesh
H1320
בָּשָׂר֙
them flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
13 of 18
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
אֶתֵּ֣ן
I will give
H5414
אֶתֵּ֣ן
I will give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
14 of 18
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Cross References
Exodus 12:37And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.Numbers 1:46Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.Exodus 38:26A bekah for every man, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that went to be numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men.Genesis 12:2And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
Historical Context
The question about slaughtering flocks and herds reflects the reality that Israel's livestock was limited and needed for sacrifices, breeding, and long-term sustenance. The reference to 'fish of the sea' may allude to Egypt (where they had fish, verse 5), emphasizing the impossibility of obtaining it in the landlocked wilderness. Moses' calculation from human perspective couldn't conceive how God would provide for 600,000 men plus women and children (verse 21)—perhaps 2-3 million people total. Yet God's method (bringing quail) exceeded human imagination.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Moses' questioning of God's ability to provide warn against the tendency to calculate divine possibilities by human resources?
- What does this passage teach about the relationship between honest doubt and genuine faith—can we bring our questions to God while still trusting His promises?
Analysis & Commentary
Moses' question 'Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them?' reveals his struggle with God's promise. After complaining about the burden of leadership (verses 10-15), Moses now questions God's ability to provide. The calculation shows Moses thinking in human terms—if they slaughtered their livestock, would it be enough? The question exposes doubt: can God really provide flesh for millions in the wilderness? Moses' faith wavered between trusting God's promise and calculating earthly resources.
The alternative 'or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them?' pushes the impossibility further. The wilderness had no sea nearby, making this option even more absurd than slaughtering livestock. Moses' rhetorical questions anticipate God's response in verse 23: 'Is the LORD's hand waxed short?' Moses had forgotten that the same God who parted the Red Sea, sent manna daily, and brought water from rock could surely provide meat. His questions revealed the common failure of even faithful servants: seeing obstacles rather than omnipotence.
This passage parallels other moments when God's servants doubted divine provision: Abraham laughing at the promise of Isaac (Genesis 17:17), Sarah's unbelief (Genesis 18:12-14), and the disciples questioning how to feed five thousand (John 6:5-9). Yet God's response vindicated His promise—the quail came (verse 31), demonstrating that divine resources far exceed human calculation. Moses' doubt, though rebuked, was answered with proof of God's power, teaching that faith must rest in God's character, not human resources.