Numbers 11:20
New International Version
but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it—because you have rejected the LORD, who is among you, and have wailed before him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?"’”

New Living Translation
You will eat it for a whole month until you gag and are sick of it. For you have rejected the LORD, who is here among you, and you have whined to him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?”’”

English Standard Version
but a whole month, until it comes out at 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 come out of Egypt?”’”

Berean Standard Bible
but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and makes you nauseous—because you have rejected the LORD, who is among you, and have cried out before Him, saying, ‘Why did we ever leave Egypt?’ ”

King James Bible
But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?

New King James Version
but for a whole month, until it comes out of 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 up out of Egypt?” ’ ”

New American Standard Bible
but for a whole month, until it comes out of your nose and makes you nauseated; because you have rejected the LORD who is among you and have wept before Him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?”’”

NASB 1995
but 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 leave Egypt?"’”

NASB 1977
but 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 leave Egypt?”’”

Legacy Standard Bible
but a whole month, until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you; because you have rejected Yahweh who is among you and have wept before Him, saying, “Why did we ever go out from Egypt?”’”

Amplified Bible
but a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and is disgusting to you—because you have rejected and despised the LORD who is among you, and have wept [in self-pity] before Him, saying, “Why did we come out of Egypt?”’”

Christian Standard Bible
but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes nauseating to you—because you have rejected the LORD who is among you, and wept before him, ‘Why did we ever leave Egypt? ’ ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes nauseating to you—because you have rejected the LORD who is among you, and cried to Him: ‘Why did we ever leave Egypt?’”

American Standard Version
but a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you; because that ye have rejected Jehovah who is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?

English Revised Version
but a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have rejected the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
but for a whole month, until it comes out of their ears and they're sick of it. This is because they rejected the LORD who is here among them and cried in front of him, asking, 'Why did we ever leave Egypt?'"

Good News Translation
but for a whole month, until it comes out of your ears, until you are sick of it. This will happen because you have rejected the LORD who is here among you and have complained to him that you should never have left Egypt.'"

International Standard Version
but for a whole month—until it comes out your nostrils and makes you vomit. This is because you've despised the LORD, who is among you, and you cried out in his presence by complaining, "Why did we ever leave Egypt?"'"

Majority Standard Bible
but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and makes you nauseous—because you have rejected the LORD, who is among you, and have cried out before Him, saying, ‘Why did we ever leave Egypt?’”

NET Bible
but a whole month, until it comes out your nostrils and makes you sick, because you have despised the LORD who is among you and have wept before him, saying, "Why did we ever come out of Egypt?"'"

New Heart English Bible
but a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it is loathsome to you; because that you have rejected the LORD who is among you, and have wept before him, saying, "Why did we come out of Egypt?"'"

Webster's Bible Translation
But even a whole month, until it shall come out at your nostrils, and it be lothsome to you; because ye have despised the LORD who is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?

World English Bible
but a whole month, until it comes out at your nostrils, and it is loathsome to you; because you have rejected Yahweh who is among you, and have wept before him, saying, “Why did we come out of Egypt?”’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
[but] even to a month of days, until it comes out from your nostrils, and it has become an abomination to you, because that you have loathed YHWH, who [is] in your midst, and weep before Him, saying, Why is this [that] we have come out of Egypt!”

Young's Literal Translation
unto a month of days, till that it come out from your nostrils, and it hath become to you an abomination; because that ye have loathed Jehovah, who is in your midst, and weep before Him, saying, Why is this? -- we have come out of Egypt!'

Smith's Literal Translation
Even to a month of days, till when it shall come out from your nostrils, and it shall be to you for loathsomeness, because that ye rejected Jehovah who is in the midst of you, and ye shall weep before him, saying, Wherefore came we out of Egypt?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But even for a month of days, till it come out at your nostrils, and become loathsome to you, because you have cast off the Lord, who is in the midst of you, and have wept before him, saying: Why came we out of Egypt?

Catholic Public Domain Version
but for up to a month of days, until it exits from your nostrils, and until it turns into nausea for you, because you have slipped away from the Lord, who is in your midst, and because you have wept before him, saying: ‘Why did we go forth out of Egypt?’ ”

New American Bible
but for a whole month—until it comes out of your very nostrils and becomes loathsome to you. For you have rejected the LORD who is in your midst, and in his presence you have cried, ‘Why did we ever leave Egypt?’ ”

New Revised Standard Version
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 wailed before him, saying, ‘Why did we ever leave Egypt?’”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But you shall eat it for a whole month, till it comes out of your nostrils and it become loathsome to you, because you have despised the LORD who is among you and have wept before him, saying, Why did we come forth out of Egypt?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
For a month of days you shall eat it until it goes out of your noses and you shall have nausea, because you rejected LORD JEHOVAH Who is among you and you wept before LORD JEHOVAH and you said, ‘Why have we come out from Egypt?.’”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
but a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you; because that ye have rejected the LORD who is among you, and have troubled Him with weeping, saying: Why, now, came we forth out of Egypt?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
ye shall eat for a full month, until the flesh come out at your nostrils; and it shall be nausea to you, because ye disobeyed the Lord, who is among you, and wept before him, saying, What had we to do to come out of Egypt?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Seventy Elders Anointed
19You will eat it not for one or two days, nor for five or ten or twenty days, 20but for a whole month until it comes out of your nostrils and makes you nauseous— because you have rejected the LORD, who is among you, and have cried out before Him, saying, ‘Why did we ever leave Egypt?’” 21But Moses replied, “Here I am among 600,000 men on foot, yet You say, ‘I will give them meat, and they will eat for a month.’…

Cross References
Exodus 16:8
And Moses added, “The LORD will give you meat to eat this evening and bread to fill you in the morning, for He has heard your grumbling against Him. Who are we? Your grumblings are not against us but against the LORD.”

Psalm 78:29-31
So they ate and were well filled, for He gave them what they craved. / Yet before they had filled their desire, with the food still in their mouths, / God’s anger flared against them, and He put to death their strongest and subdued the young men of Israel.

Psalm 106:14-15
They craved intensely in the wilderness and tested God in the desert. / So He granted their request, but sent a wasting disease upon them.

1 Corinthians 10:6
These things took place as examples to keep us from craving evil things as they did.

1 Corinthians 10:10
And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel.

Exodus 16:13
That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.

Deuteronomy 8:3
He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

John 6:26-27
Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it is not because you saw these signs that you are looking for Me, but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. / Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”

John 6:49-51
Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. / This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that anyone may eat of it and not die. / I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And this bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh.”

Matthew 4:4
But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Psalm 78:18
They willfully tested God by demanding the food they craved.

Psalm 78:21-22
Therefore the LORD heard and was filled with wrath; so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and His anger flared against Israel, / because they did not believe God or rely on His salvation.

Isaiah 1:14
I hate your New Moons and your appointed feasts. They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them.

Isaiah 7:13
Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God as well?

Isaiah 43:24
You have not bought Me sweet cane with your silver, nor satisfied Me with the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened Me with your sins; you have wearied Me with your iniquities.


Treasury of Scripture

But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome to you: because that you have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?

whole month.

Exodus 16:8,13
And Moses said, This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD…

and it

Numbers 21:5
And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

Psalm 78:27-30
He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea: …

Psalm 106:15
And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.

despised

1 Samuel 2:30
Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

2 Samuel 12:10
Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.

Malachi 1:6
A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

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Despised Egypt Rejected Troubled Wailed Weeping Wept
Numbers 11
1. The burning at Taberah quenched by Moses' prayer
4. The people crave meat, and loathe manna
10. Moses complains of his charge
16. God promises to divide his burden unto seventy elders,
18. and to give the people meat for a month
21. Moses' faith is staggered
31. Quails are given in wrath at Kibroth Hattaavah














but for a whole month
This phrase indicates the duration of the consequence that God is about to impose on the Israelites. The Hebrew word for "month" is "חֹדֶשׁ" (chodesh), which signifies a new moon or a lunar month. In the ancient Near Eastern context, time was often measured by lunar cycles. The use of "a whole month" emphasizes the completeness and sufficiency of the period, suggesting that the punishment will be thorough and exhaustive. It reflects God's intention to teach the Israelites a lesson that will not be quickly forgotten.

until it comes out of your nostrils
This vivid imagery is meant to convey the overwhelming abundance and excess of the quail that God will provide. The Hebrew word "אַף" (aph) can mean "nose" or "nostrils," and it is used here to illustrate the point of saturation and disgust. The phrase suggests that what the Israelites thought they desired would become repulsive to them. This serves as a metaphor for the consequences of unchecked desires and the dangers of ingratitude towards God's provision.

and makes you nauseous
The Hebrew root "זָרָה" (zara) is used here, which can mean to loathe or to be disgusted. This reflects the physical and emotional response that the Israelites will have to the quail. The lesson here is about the spiritual and moral consequences of craving what is outside of God's will. It serves as a warning against the pursuit of fleshly desires that lead to spiritual sickness and dissatisfaction.

because you have rejected the LORD
The Hebrew word "מָאַס" (ma'as) means to reject or despise. This phrase highlights the gravity of the Israelites' sin, which is not merely a complaint about food but a deeper rejection of God's authority and provision. In the biblical narrative, rejecting the LORD is tantamount to turning away from the covenant relationship that God established with His people. It underscores the seriousness of their rebellion and the breach of trust between God and Israel.

who is among you
This phrase emphasizes God's presence with the Israelites. The Hebrew word "בְּקֶרֶב" (beqerev) means "in the midst" or "among." It serves as a reminder that God is not distant or detached but is actively present with His people. This presence is a source of guidance, protection, and provision. The Israelites' rejection of God is all the more grievous because it is a rejection of the One who dwells among them, leading them through the wilderness.

and have wailed before Him, saying, ‘Why did we ever leave Egypt?’
The Hebrew word "בָּכָה" (bakah) means to weep or wail, indicating the intensity of the Israelites' complaint. Their lament, "Why did we ever leave Egypt?" reveals a longing for their past life of bondage, forgetting the oppression they endured. This reflects a lack of faith and trust in God's plan and a failure to appreciate the freedom and future He promised. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of romanticizing the past and failing to trust in God's provision and promises for the future.

Verse 20. - But even a whole month. There is some little difficulty about these words, because the Israelites do not seem to have made a long stay at Kibroth-Hattaavah, and the miraculous supply does not seem to have followed them. The words are words of stern irony and displeasure, and need not be literally pressed: it was enough that animal food was given them in quantity sufficient to have gorged the whole nation for a month, if they had eared to go on eating it (see below on verse 33).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
but for
עַ֣ד ׀ (‘aḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

a whole month—
חֹ֣דֶשׁ (ḥō·ḏeš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2320: The new moon, a month

until
עַ֤ד (‘aḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

it comes out
יֵצֵא֙ (yê·ṣê)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

of your nostrils
מֵֽאַפְּכֶ֔ם (mê·’ap·pə·ḵem)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 639: The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire

and makes
וְהָיָ֥ה (wə·hā·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

you
לָכֶ֖ם (lā·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

nauseous—
לְזָרָ֑א (lə·zā·rā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2214: Loathsome thing

because
יַ֗עַן (ya·‘an)
Adverb
Strong's 3282: Heed, purpose, to indicate the reason, cause

you have despised
מְאַסְתֶּ֤ם (mə·’as·tem)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 3988: To spurn, to disappear

the LORD
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

who
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

is among you,
בְּקִרְבְּכֶ֔ם (bə·qir·bə·ḵem)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center

and cried out
וַתִּבְכּ֤וּ (wat·tiḇ·kū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 1058: To weep, to bemoan

before Him
לְפָנָיו֙ (lə·p̄ā·nāw)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

saying,
לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Why
לָ֥מָּה (lām·māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

did we ever
זֶּ֖ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

leave
יָצָ֥אנוּ (yā·ṣā·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

Egypt?’”
מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃ (mim·miṣ·rā·yim)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa


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OT Law: Numbers 11:20 But a whole month until it come (Nu Num.)
Numbers 11:19
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