Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version But Moses said, “Here I am among six hundred thousand men on foot, and you say, ‘I will give them meat to eat for a whole month!’ New Living Translation But Moses responded to the LORD, “There are 600,000 foot soldiers here with me, and yet you say, ‘I will give them meat for a whole month!’ English Standard Version But Moses said, “The people among whom I am number six hundred thousand on foot, and you have said, ‘I will give them meat, that they may eat a whole month!’ Berean Standard Bible But 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.’ King James Bible 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. New King James Version And Moses said, “The people whom I am among are six hundred thousand men on foot; yet You have said, ‘I will give them meat, that they may eat for a whole month.’ New American Standard Bible But Moses said, “The people, among whom I am included, are six hundred thousand on foot! Yet You have said, ‘I will give them meat, so that they may eat for a whole month.’ NASB 1995 But Moses said, “The people, among whom I am, are 600,000 on foot; yet You have said, ‘I will give them meat, so that they may eat for a whole month.’ NASB 1977 But Moses said, “The people, among whom I am, are 600,000 on foot; yet Thou hast said, ‘I will give them meat in order that they may eat for a whole month.’ Legacy Standard Bible But Moses said, “The people, among whom I am, are 600,000 on foot; yet You have said, ‘I will give them meat, so that they may eat for a whole month.’ Amplified Bible But Moses said, “The people, among whom I am, are 600,000 [fighting men] on foot [besides all the women and children]; yet You have said, ‘I will give them meat, so that they may eat it for a whole month!’ Christian Standard Bible But Moses replied, “I’m in the middle of a people with six hundred thousand foot soldiers, yet you say, ‘I will give them meat, and they will eat for a month.’ Holman Christian Standard Bible But Moses replied, “I’m in the middle of a people with 600,000 foot soldiers, yet You say, ‘I will give them meat, and they will eat for a month.’ American Standard Version 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. Contemporary English Version Moses replied, "At least 600,000 grown men are here with me. How can you say there will be enough meat to feed them and their families for a whole month? English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation But Moses said, "Here I am with 600,000 foot soldiers around me. Yet, you say, 'I will give them meat to eat for a whole month!' Good News Translation Moses said to the LORD, "Here I am leading 600,000 people, and you say that you will give them enough meat for a month? International Standard Version Moses responded, "I'm with 600,000 people on foot and you're saying I am to give them enough meat to eat for a whole month? NET Bible Moses said, "The people around me are 600,000 on foot; but you say, 'I will give them meat, that they may eat for a whole month.' New Heart English Bible Moses said, "The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand men on foot; and you have said, 'I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month.' Webster's Bible Translation 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut 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.’ World English Bible Moses said, “The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand men on foot; and you have said, ‘I will give them meat, that they may eat a whole month.’ Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Moses says, “Six hundred thousand footmen [are] the people in whose midst I [dwell]; and You, You have said, I give flesh to them, and they have eaten [for] a month of days! Young's Literal Translation And Moses saith, 'Six hundred thousand footmen are the people in whose midst I am; and Thou, Thou hast said, Flesh I give to them, and they have eaten, a month of days! Smith's Literal Translation And Moses will say, Six hundred thousand of foot the people which I am in the midst of them: and thou saidst, I will give flesh to them, and they shall eat a month of days. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Moses said: There are six hundred thousand footmen of this people, and sayest thou: I will give them flesh to eat a whole month? Catholic Public Domain Version And Moses said: “There are six hundred thousand footmen of this people, and yet you say, ‘I will give them flesh to eat for a whole month.’ New American Bible But Moses said, “The people around me include six hundred thousand soldiers; yet you say, ‘I will give them meat to eat for a whole month.’ New Revised Standard Version But Moses said, “The people I am with number six hundred thousand on foot; and you say, ‘I will give them meat, that they may eat for a whole month’! Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen Moses said before the LORD, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen, and thou hast said, I will give them meat, that they may eat a whole month. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Moshe said before LORD JEHOVAH: “The people among whom I am are six hundred thousand footmen, and you have said: ‘I shall give flesh to them and they shall eat a month of days.’ OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Moses said: 'The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand men on foot; and yet Thou hast said: I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month! Brenton Septuagint Translation And Moses said, The people among whom I am are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou saidst, I will give them flesh to eat, and they shall eat a whole month. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Seventy Elders Anointed…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.’ 22If all our flocks and herds were slaughtered for them, would they have enough? Or if all the fish in the sea were caught for them, would they have enough?”… Cross References Exodus 12:37 The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth with about 600,000 men on foot, besides women and children. Exodus 16:13-15 That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. / When the layer of dew had evaporated, there were thin flakes on the desert floor, as fine as frost on the ground. / When the Israelites saw it, they asked one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. So Moses told them, “It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat. Psalm 78:19-20 They spoke against God, saying, “Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness? / When He struck the rock, water gushed out and torrents raged. But can He also give bread or supply His people with meat?” Psalm 78:26-29 He stirred the east wind from the heavens and drove the south wind by His might. / He rained meat on them like dust, and winged birds like the sand of the sea. / He felled them in the midst of their camp, all around their dwellings. ... John 6:5-13 When Jesus looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?” / But He was asking this to test him, for He knew what He was about to do. / Philip answered, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to have a small piece.” ... John 6:31-35 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” / Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. / For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” ... Matthew 14:15-21 When evening came, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late. Dismiss the crowds so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” / “They do not need to go away,” Jesus replied. “You give them something to eat.” / “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. ... Matthew 15:32-38 Then Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I have compassion for this crowd, because they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may faint along the way.” / The disciples replied, “Where in this desolate place could we find enough bread to feed such a large crowd?” / “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.” ... Mark 6:35-44 By now the hour was already late. So the disciples came to Jesus and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late. / Dismiss the crowd so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” / But Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.” They asked Him, “Should we go out and spend two hundred denarii to give all of them bread to eat?” ... Mark 8:1-9 In those days the crowd once again became very large, and they had nothing to eat. Jesus called the disciples to Him and said, / “I have compassion for this crowd, because they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. / If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a great distance.” ... Luke 9:12-17 As the day neared its end, the Twelve came to Jesus and said, “Dismiss the crowd so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside for lodging and provisions. For we are in a desolate place here.” / But Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.” “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered, “unless we go and buy food for all these people.” / (There were about five thousand men.) He told His disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” ... 2 Kings 7:1-2 Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the LORD says: ‘About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel, and two seahs of barley will sell for a shekel.’” / But the officer on whose arm the king leaned answered the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” “You will see it with your own eyes,” replied Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it.” 2 Kings 7:19-20 And the officer had answered the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” So Elisha had replied, “You will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of it!” / And that is just what happened to him. The people trampled him in the gateway, and he died. 1 Kings 4:20 The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore, and they were eating and drinking and rejoicing. 1 Kings 17:12-16 But she replied, “As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die.” / “Do not be afraid,” Elijah said to her. “Go and do as you have said. But first make me a small cake of bread from what you have, and bring it out to me. Afterward, make some for yourself and your son, / for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be exhausted and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain upon the face of the earth.’” ... Treasury of Scripture And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and you have said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month. Numbers 1:46 Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty. Numbers 2:32 These are those which were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers: all those that were numbered of the camps throughout their hosts were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty. Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: Jump to Previous Eat Eaten Hundred Six Thou Thousand WholeJump to Next Eat Eaten Hundred Six Thou Thousand WholeNumbers 11 1. The burning at Taberah quenched by Moses' prayer4. 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 Moses replied Moses, as the leader of the Israelites, often communicated directly with God. His role as a mediator is significant, reflecting the intercessory role of Christ. Moses' dialogue with God shows his intimate relationship with the Divine, a privilege that underscores his unique position among the Israelites. Here I am among 600,000 men on foot yet You say, ‘I will give them meat and they will eat for a month.’ Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. In this passage, Moses is expressing doubt about God's promise to provide meat for the Israelites. 2. The Israelites The people of God who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and are now in the wilderness. They are complaining about the lack of meat, longing for the food they had in Egypt. 3. God The Almighty, who has promised to provide for His people. In this context, He is responding to the complaints of the Israelites by promising to provide meat for a month. 4. The Wilderness The setting of this event, where the Israelites are journeying towards the Promised Land. It is a place of testing and reliance on God. 5. Quail The meat that God eventually provides in abundance, demonstrating His power and provision. Teaching Points Trust in God's ProvisionDespite the seemingly impossible situation, God is able to provide abundantly. We are called to trust in His promises and provision, even when circumstances seem dire. The Danger of Complaining The Israelites' complaints reflect a lack of faith and gratitude. As believers, we should cultivate a heart of thankfulness and trust, avoiding the pitfalls of grumbling. God's Patience and Faithfulness God remains faithful and patient with His people, even when they doubt and complain. This encourages us to rely on His steadfast love and mercy. The Role of Leadership Moses' interaction with God shows the burden of leadership and the importance of bringing concerns to God in prayer. Leaders are called to trust God and guide others in faith. The Importance of Obedience God's provision often comes with instructions or conditions. Obedience to His word is crucial in experiencing His blessings fully. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Numbers 11:21?2. How does Moses' doubt in Numbers 11:21 challenge our faith in God's provision? 3. What does Moses' question reveal about human limitations versus divine power? 4. How can we apply Moses' experience to trust God in overwhelming situations today? 5. Compare Moses' doubt in Numbers 11:21 with Peter's doubt in Matthew 14:31. 6. How does God's response to Moses encourage us to rely on His promises? 7. How could Moses doubt God's ability to provide for 600,000 men in Numbers 11:21? 8. What does Numbers 11:21 reveal about human limitations in understanding divine power? 9. Why does Moses question God's promise despite witnessing miracles in Egypt? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 11? 11. In Numbers 11:21–22, how feasible is it that enough quail could be provided to feed 600,000 men for a month? 12. How does the Moses Model structure church leadership? 13. Numbers 11:14-15 describes Moses' despair; how consistent is this with the idea of Moses as a faith-driven leader elsewhere in the Torah? 14. What similarities exist between Moses and Jesus? What Does Numbers 11:21 Mean But Moses replied- Moses answers the LORD in the middle of a tense conversation (Numbers 11:16–20). - Earlier he had poured out his exhaustion over carrying the people’s burdens (Numbers 11:11-15). - His response shows honest dialogue with God, similar to Abraham in Genesis 18:23-33 and Jeremiah in Jeremiah 12:1. - Scripture never hides the weaknesses of its heroes; Moses’ words remind us that even the most faithful can feel stretched thin (James 5:17 compares Elijah’s frailty). Here I am among 600,000 men on foot - The figure matches the census total in Numbers 1:46, not counting women and children—well over two million souls in all, echoing Exodus 12:37. - Moses focuses on the visible, massive need: “men on foot” ready for battle yet unable to feed themselves in a desert (Deuteronomy 8:15). - His calculation feels logical, yet it forgets the daily manna miracle already happening (Exodus 16:35). - The tension: large numbers versus limited resources—seen again when the disciples stare at 5,000 hungry people (John 6:5-7). Yet You say - Moses contrasts his human assessment with God’s declaration, almost as if placing two columns side by side: “This is my math” versus “This is Your promise.” - The divine statement in verses 18-20 is crystal clear: meat for an entire month. - Similar faith-stretching moments appear in Genesis 18:14 (“Is anything too difficult for the LORD?”) and Luke 1:37 (“For nothing will be impossible with God”). - Doubt voiced openly becomes the soil in which deeper trust can grow (Psalm 73:16-17). I will give them meat - God is not suggesting a new menu item; He is pledging supernatural provision, just as He sent quail before (Exodus 16:13). - His giving nature flows throughout Scripture: water from a rock (Exodus 17:6), oil that never ran dry (1 Kings 17:14), bread multiplied (Matthew 14:19-20). - The promise highlights that supply comes from Him alone, not from human strategy (Zechariah 4:6). And they will eat for a month - The time frame removes any possibility of coincidence. One evening of quail might be luck; thirty days is obviously God (Psalm 78:26-29 recounts the fulfillment). - It also serves as a gentle warning: their craving will be satisfied to the point of disgust (Numbers 11:19-20), mirroring Psalm 106:15—“He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul.” - The phrase anticipates how God often answers abundantly yet teaches through the abundance (Proverbs 30:8-9). summary Numbers 11:21 captures a moment when Moses, overwhelmed by sheer numbers and practical concerns, voices doubt about God’s ability to feed Israel for an entire month. The verse spotlights the contrast between human limitation and divine sufficiency. God’s faithfulness in past provisions, His clear promise in the present, and His pattern throughout Scripture all converge to show that no logistical challenge can thwart His word. Moses’ honest question becomes a stage for God’s unforgettable answer: nothing is impossible with the LORD. (21) Six hundred thousand footmen.--In Numbers 1:46 the number is stated to be 603,550; but here, as elsewhere, a round number is mentioned.Verse 21. - And Moses said. Moses had not recovered from the impatient and despairing temper into which the ill-behaviour of the people had betrayed him. He could not really have doubted the Divine power to do this, after what he had seen in the desert of Sin (Exodus 16:13), but he spoke petulantly, and indeed insolently, out of the misery which was yet in his heart.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew But Mosesמֹשֶׁה֒ (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver replied, וַיֹּאמֶר֮ (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “Here I am אָנֹכִ֖י (’ā·nō·ḵî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 595: I among בְּקִרְבּ֑וֹ (bə·qir·bōw) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center 600,000 שֵׁשׁ־ (šêš-) Number - feminine singular construct Strong's 8337: Six (a cardinal number) men הָעָ֕ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock on foot, רַגְלִ֔י (raḡ·lî) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7273: A footman yet You וְאַתָּ֣ה (wə·’at·tāh) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you say, אָמַ֗רְתָּ (’ā·mar·tā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say ‘I will give אֶתֵּ֣ן (’et·tên) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set them meat, בָּשָׂר֙ (bā·śār) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1320: Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man and they will eat וְאָכְל֖וּ (wə·’ā·ḵə·lū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 398: To eat for a month.’ חֹ֥דֶשׁ (ḥō·ḏeš) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 2320: The new moon, a month Links Numbers 11:21 NIVNumbers 11:21 NLT Numbers 11:21 ESV Numbers 11:21 NASB Numbers 11:21 KJV Numbers 11:21 BibleApps.com Numbers 11:21 Biblia Paralela Numbers 11:21 Chinese Bible Numbers 11:21 French Bible Numbers 11:21 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 11:21 Moses said The people among whom (Nu Num.) |
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