Numbers 11:31
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְר֜וּחַ
a wind
H7307
וְר֜וּחַ
a wind
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
1 of 23
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
נָסַ֣ע׀
And there went forth
H5265
נָסַ֣ע׀
And there went forth
Strong's:
H5265
Word #:
2 of 23
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey
מֵאֵ֣ת
H853
מֵאֵ֣ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֗ה
from the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
from the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיָּ֣גָז
and brought
H1468
וַיָּ֣גָז
and brought
Strong's:
H1468
Word #:
5 of 23
properly, to shear off; but used only in the (figuratively) sense of passing rapidly
שַׂלְוִים֮
quails
H7958
שַׂלְוִים֮
quails
Strong's:
H7958
Word #:
6 of 23
the quail collectively (as slow in flight from its weight)
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
7 of 23
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַיָּם֒
from the sea
H3220
הַיָּם֒
from the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
8 of 23
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
וַיִּטֹּ֨שׁ
and let them fall
H5203
וַיִּטֹּ֨שׁ
and let them fall
Strong's:
H5203
Word #:
9 of 23
properly, to pound, i.e., smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon (inclusive
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה
by the camp
H4264
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה
by the camp
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
11 of 23
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
וּכְדֶ֤רֶךְ
journey
H1870
וּכְדֶ֤רֶךְ
journey
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
12 of 23
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
יוֹם֙
and as it were a day's
H3117
יוֹם֙
and as it were a day's
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
13 of 23
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
כֹּ֔ה
on the other side
H3541
כֹּ֔ה
on the other side
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
14 of 23
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
וּכְדֶ֤רֶךְ
journey
H1870
וּכְדֶ֤רֶךְ
journey
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
15 of 23
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
יוֹם֙
and as it were a day's
H3117
יוֹם֙
and as it were a day's
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
16 of 23
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
כֹּ֔ה
on the other side
H3541
כֹּ֔ה
on the other side
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
17 of 23
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
סְבִיב֖וֹת
round about
H5439
סְבִיב֖וֹת
round about
Strong's:
H5439
Word #:
18 of 23
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה
by the camp
H4264
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה
by the camp
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
19 of 23
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
וּכְאַמָּתַ֖יִם
and as it were two cubits
H520
וּכְאַמָּתַ֖יִם
and as it were two cubits
Strong's:
H520
Word #:
20 of 23
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
21 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Historical Context
Quail migrate across the Mediterranean and Red Sea regions, flying low when exhausted. God timed their arrival precisely with Israel's complaint, using natural means for supernatural purposes, as He did with the plagues in Egypt.
Questions for Reflection
- Have you experienced God granting your request only to discover it wasn't what you truly needed?
- How can you discern between godly desires and fleshly cravings in your prayers?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God grants Israel's craving by sending quail blown in by wind from the sea, demonstrating His sovereign control over nature. Yet this gift becomes judgment—He gives them their desire but sends 'leanness into their soul' (Psalm 106:15). This illustrates the danger of insisting on our will over God's wisdom; sometimes God grants requests to reveal the poverty of our desires.