Topical Encyclopedia Etymology and Meaning Kibroth-hattaavah, translated as "Graves of Craving" or "Graves of Lust," is a significant location mentioned in the Old Testament. The name reflects the events that transpired there, where the Israelites succumbed to their cravings and faced divine judgment. Biblical References Kibroth-hattaavah is primarily mentioned in the Book of Numbers. The key passages are found in Numbers 11:31-35 and Numbers 33:16-17. These passages describe the events that led to the naming of the site and its significance in the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. Historical and Theological Context The events at Kibroth-hattaavah occurred during the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, as they journeyed toward the Promised Land. After leaving Mount Sinai, the Israelites began to complain about their hardships and expressed a strong desire for the foods they had in Egypt, particularly meat. Despite the miraculous provision of manna, their dissatisfaction grew. In response to their complaints, God provided an abundance of quail. Numbers 11:31-32 states, "Now a wind went out from the LORD and drove quail in from the sea; it brought them down all around the camp to about two cubits above the ground, for a day’s journey in any direction. All that day and night and all the next day the people went out and gathered quail. No one gathered less than ten homers. Then they spread them out all around the camp." However, as the people indulged in their craving, God's anger was kindled against them. Numbers 11:33 records, "But while the meat was still between their teeth and before it was chewed, the anger of the LORD burned against the people, and the LORD struck them with a severe plague." This divine judgment resulted in the death of many Israelites, and the place was named Kibroth-hattaavah to commemorate the graves of those who perished due to their lustful desires. Significance in Israel's Journey Kibroth-hattaavah serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of disobedience and ingratitude toward God's provision. It highlights the dangers of succumbing to fleshly desires and the importance of trusting in God's plan and timing. The incident underscores the recurring theme of testing and faithfulness throughout the Israelites' wilderness journey. Lessons and Reflections The events at Kibroth-hattaavah offer several lessons for believers. It emphasizes the need for contentment and gratitude for God's provision, warning against the perils of covetousness and dissatisfaction. The narrative also illustrates the importance of obedience and the serious consequences of rebellion against God's commands. In the broader biblical narrative, Kibroth-hattaavah serves as a cautionary tale, reminding the faithful of the importance of aligning desires with God's will and the necessity of spiritual discipline in the face of temptation. Smith's Bible Dictionary Kibrothhattaavahi.e. as in the margin, the graves of lust , a station of the Israelites in the wilderness, where, growing tired of manna and desiring flesh, they murmured, and God sent them quails in great abundance, but smote great numbers of them with a plague and they died. It is about three days journey from Sinai, and near the Gulf of Akabah and the Wady el Hudherah (Hazeroth.) Easton's Bible Dictionary The graves of the longing or of lust, one of the stations of the Israelites in the wilderness. It was probably in the Wady Murrah, and has been identified with the Erweis el-Ebeirig, where the remains of an ancient encampment have been found, about 30 miles north-east of Sinai, and exactly a day's journey from `Ain Hudherah."Here began the troubles of the journey. First, complaints broke out among the people, probably at the heat, the toil, and the privations of the march; and then God at once punished them by lightning, which fell on the hinder part of the camp, and killed many persons, but ceased at the intercession of Moses (Numbers 11:1, 2). Then a disgust fell on the multitude at having nothing to eat but the manna day after day, no change, no flesh, no fish, no high-flavoured vegetables, no luscious fruits...The people loathed the `light food,' and cried out to Moses, `Give us flesh, give us flesh, that we may eat.'" In this emergency Moses, in despair, cried unto God. An answer came. God sent "a prodigious flight of quails, on which the people satiated their gluttonous appetite for a full month. Then punishment fell on them: they loathed the food which they had desired; it bred disease in them; the divine anger aggravated the disease into a plague, and a heavy mortality was the consequence. The dead were buried without the camp; and in memory of man's sin and of the divine wrath this name, Kibroth-hattaavah, the Graves of Lust, was given to the place of their sepulchre" (Numbers 11:34, 35; 33:16, 17; Deuteronomy 9:22; Comp. Psalm 78:30, 31)., Rawlinson's Moses, p. 175. From this encampment they journeyed in a north-eastern direction to Hazeroth. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia KIBROTH-HATTAAVAHkib-roth-ha-ta'-a-va, kib-roth (qibhroth ha-ta'awah "the graves of greed"): A desert camp of the Israelites, one day's journey from the wilderness of Sinai. There the people lusted for flesh to eat, and, a great number of quails being sent, a plague resulted; hence, the name (Numbers 11:34; Numbers 33:16 Deuteronomy 9:22). Library Moses Removed from Mount Sinai, and Conducted the People to the ... Thesaurus Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences)...Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences). Numbers 11:34 And he called the name of that place Kibrothhattaavah: because there they buried the people that lusted. ... /k/kibrothhattaavah.htm - 10k Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) Kibroth (5 Occurrences) Pitched (101 Occurrences) Journeyed (111 Occurrences) Abode (112 Occurrences) Removed (294 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible ThesuarusConcordance Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences)Numbers 11:34 Numbers 11:35 Numbers 33:16 Numbers 33:17 Deuteronomy 9:22 Subtopics Related Terms Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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