Numbers 11:4
And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
The 'mixed multitude' included Egyptians and perhaps other nationalities who joined Israel's exodus (Exodus 12:38). Ancient Near Eastern populations were diverse, with foreigners, servants, and refugees living among various peoples. These hangers-on apparently left Egypt for pragmatic rather than spiritual reasons—escaping the plagues or seeking opportunity—without genuine faith commitment to Israel's God. Their presence created ongoing problems, as their worldly values influenced Israel. The foods they craved—fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, garlic—were staples of Egyptian diet. The Nile's fish were abundant and affordable, and Egypt's irrigation agriculture produced vegetables year-round. These were legitimate foods but represented Egyptian life and values. Israel's craving for Egypt despite experiencing bondage there illustrates spiritual blindness caused by fleshly appetite. The incident warned Israel (and warns us) that the church must maintain spiritual discernment about who truly belongs to God's people—mere physical presence doesn't constitute spiritual membership.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the 'mixed multitude's' influence warn about the danger of worldly contamination within God's people?
- What does Israel's selective memory (remembering Egypt's food but forgetting its slavery) teach about how sinful desire distorts judgment?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The 'mixed multitude' (Hebrew 'asaphsuph', אֲסַפְסֻף, 'riffraff' or 'rabble') who left Egypt with Israel now incite craving for meat, demonstrating how spiritual contamination enters through association with the unconverted. These Egyptians and others who joined the Exodus apparently without genuine faith in Israel's God became sources of temptation, their worldly appetites infecting Israel. The phrase 'fell a lusting' (Hebrew 'hit'awu ta'avah', הִתְאַוּוּ תַּאֲוָה, literally 'craved a craving') indicates excessive, self-indulgent desire beyond legitimate need. Their complaint 'Who shall give us flesh to eat?' reveals ingratitude—they had food (manna) but craved variety and luxury. The nostalgia 'We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely'—conveniently forgetting their slavery—illustrates how desire distorts memory and reason. They despised God's provision (the manna their souls 'loatheth,' verse 6) while craving Egypt's pleasures. This exposes the sinful heart's tendency to glorify the past, minimize present blessings, and demand more than God provides. The principle warns against worldly contamination in the church—association with unconverted people whose values remain earthly can tempt believers toward worldliness.