Numbers 11:4-35

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 11:10

Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families ,.... So general was their lusting after flesh, and their discontent for want of it; and so great their distress and uneasiness about it, that they wept and cried for it, and so loud and clamorous, that Moses heard the noise and outcry they made: every man in the door of his tent : openly and publicly, were not ashamed of their evil and unbecoming behaviour, and in order to excite and encourage the like temper and disposition in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 11:11

And Moses said unto the Lord, wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant ?.... Or "done evil" F13 הרעת "malefecisti", Pagninus, Montanus, Drusius. to him, that which was distressing to him, and gave him trouble; namely, setting him at the head of the people of Israel, and laying the government of them on his shoulders; which surely was doing him honour, though that is not to be expected without care and trouble; Moses does not seem to be in a good frame of spirit throughout the whole... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 11:12

Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them ?.... Conceived them as a mother, or begotten them as a father? am I a parent of either sort to them, in a literal sense, that I should have the like care of them as parents of their children? but though this was not the case, yet, in a civil and political sense, he was their parent, as every king and governor of a country is, or should be, the father of it, and should have a paternal affection for his subjects, and a tender care of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 11:13

Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people ?.... This seems to countenance the Israelites in their lusting after flesh, as if it was no evil in them, and as if it was but right they should have what they desired, though it was out of his power to give it them: for they weep unto me, saying, give us flesh, that we may eat ; he seems to pity them, whereas he ought to have reproved them for their murmurings and ingratitude, and put them in mind of the manna which was provided... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 11:14

I am not able to bear all this people alone ,.... The burden of government of them, to take care of them and provide sustenance for them; but he was not alone, for, not to take notice of the rulers and officers in the several divisions of the people that assisted and eased him in lighter matters, advised to by Jethro, Exodus 18:21 , the Lord himself was with him in all matters of moment and difficulty; to whom he could apply at any time for advice, and who had promised to supply and did... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 11:15

And if thou deal thus with me ,.... Let the whole weight of government lie upon me, and leave the alone to bear it: kill me, I pray thee, out of hand ; take me out of the world at once, or "kill me now, in killing" F14 הרגני נא הרג "occide me nunc occidendo", Drusius; "occide me jam, occide", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. ; dispatch me immediately, and make a thorough end of me directly: if I have found favour in thy sight ; if thou hast any love for me, or art... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 11:16

And the Lord said unto Moses ,.... Without making any reflection upon him, or upbraiding him with his unbecoming speeches to him, but in a kind and tender manner directs for his assistance and case: gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel ; out from among them, such as were not only men in years, but men of gravity, prudence, and wisdom; elders there were among the people in Egypt, Exodus 3:16 ; and it was from among such as those the seventy men were to be taken; we read of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 11:17

And I will come down and talk with thee there ,.... Descend from heaven, by some visible token of his power and presence, and in a friendly manner converse with him face to face; which was an instance of great condescension and grace, and especially when Moses had showed a very froward peevish spirit; yet all is overlooked, and the Lord vouchsafes the most intimate communion with him, and does him honour before the people: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee ; the spirit... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 11:18

And say thou unto the people ,.... For what follows respects them, as what goes before regarded himself: sanctify yourselves against tomorrow ; or prepare yourselves, as the Targums of Onkelos, and Jonathan, either to receive mercies, or to meet the Lord in the way of his judgments; so Jarchi interprets it,"prepare for punishments,'for what is said should be, and what they had, was not as a blessing, but in a way of punishment: and ye shall eat flesh ; which they lusted after, wept... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 11:19

Ye shall not eat one day ,.... Only, as in Exodus 16:12 , nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days ; but even thirty days, a whole month, as in Numbers 11:20 . read more

Group of Brands