The Plague or Pestilence: Sent Upon: Israel for Despising Manna
Jump to: Torrey'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
The narrative of the plague sent upon Israel for despising manna is a significant event in the history of the Israelites during their wilderness journey. This episode is recorded in the Book of Numbers, specifically in Numbers 11, and serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of ingratitude and rebellion against God's provision.

Context and Background

After the Exodus from Egypt, the Israelites found themselves in the wilderness, reliant on God's miraculous provision for their sustenance. God provided manna, a heavenly bread, as their daily food. Despite this divine provision, the Israelites grew weary of the manna and began to crave the foods they had in Egypt. Their dissatisfaction and complaints reached a point where they openly expressed their disdain for the manna, longing instead for meat and the variety of foods they remembered from their time in bondage.

Biblical Account

The account in Numbers 11:4-6 describes the Israelites' complaints: "Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, 'Who will feed us meat? We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. But now our appetite is gone; there is nothing to see but this manna!'"

In response to their grumbling, God instructed Moses to gather seventy elders to share the burden of leadership and to prepare the people for the provision of meat. God promised to send quail in abundance, but He also warned of the consequences of their ingratitude.

Numbers 11:18-20 records God's words: "Tell the people: 'Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow you will eat meat, because you have wept in the hearing of the LORD, saying, "Who will feed us meat? For we were better off in Egypt!" Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you will eat it. You will eat it not for one or two days, nor for five or ten or twenty days, 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?"'"

The Plague

As promised, God sent a wind that brought quail from the sea, and they fell around the camp in great numbers. The people gathered the quail eagerly, but as they indulged in their craving, God's anger was kindled against them. Numbers 11:33 states, "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 plague served as a divine judgment upon the Israelites for their lack of faith and gratitude. The place where this event occurred was named Kibroth Hattaavah, meaning "Graves of Craving," as a memorial to those who perished due to their insatiable desire and rebellion against God's provision.

Theological Implications

This episode underscores the importance of contentment and trust in God's provision. The Israelites' craving for the foods of Egypt symbolized a deeper spiritual issue: a longing for their former life of bondage rather than embracing the freedom and sustenance provided by God. The plague was a direct consequence of their rebellion and serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness with which God views ingratitude and disobedience.

The narrative also highlights the role of leadership and intercession, as Moses bore the burden of the people's complaints and interceded on their behalf. It illustrates the challenges faced by leaders in guiding a community that struggles with faith and obedience.

In summary, the plague sent upon Israel for despising manna is a powerful testament to the consequences of rejecting God's provision and the importance of maintaining faith and gratitude in the face of adversity.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Numbers 11:33
And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Against Jovinianus.
... elapsed since the holy brethren of Rome sent to me ... treacherously, and an abomination
is committed in Israel and in ... of your wife, be not sad upon that account ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm

Resources
What is the meaning of pestilence in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Moses in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What are the seven bowls/vials of Revelation? | GotQuestions.org

Plague: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Plague

Plague of Boils and Open Sores

Plague: As a Judgment on the Egyptians

Plague: Darkness

Plague: Death of the Firstborn

Plague: Denounced As a Judgment

Plague: Foretold

Plague: Hail

Plague: Locusts

Plague: On Cattle

Plague: On the Israelites for the Sin of Peor

Plague: On the Israelites of Serpents

Plague: On the Israelites: After Complaining About the Destruction of Korah and his Family

Plague: On the Israelites: After Eating the Quail Meat

Plague: On the Israelites: After Refusing to Enter the Promised Land

Plague: On the Israelites: On Account of David's Sin

Plague: On the Philistines

Plague: The Plague of Blood

Plague: The Plague of Flies

Plague: The Plague of Frogs

Plague: The Plague of Lice

The Plague or Pestilence was Attributed to a Destroying Angel

The Plague or Pestilence: Described As Noisome

The Plague or Pestilence: Desolating Effects of

The Plague or Pestilence: Egypt often Afflicted With

The Plague or Pestilence: Equally Fatal Day and Night

The Plague or Pestilence: Fatal to Man and Beast

The Plague or Pestilence: God's Judgments Upon the Apostasy

The Plague or Pestilence: Inflicted by God

The Plague or Pestilence: Israel Threatened With, As a Punishment for Disobedience

The Plague or Pestilence: Often Broke out Suddenly

The Plague or Pestilence: Often Followed War and Famine

The Plague or Pestilence: One of God's Four Sore Judgments

The Plague or Pestilence: Predicted to Happen Before Destruction of Jerusalem

The Plague or Pestilence: Sent Upon: David's Subjects for his Numbering the People

The Plague or Pestilence: Sent Upon: Israel for Despising Manna

The Plague or Pestilence: Sent Upon: Israel for Making Golden Calf

The Plague or Pestilence: Sent Upon: Israel for Murmuring at Destruction of Korah

The Plague or Pestilence: Sent Upon: Israel for Worshipping Baal-Peor

The Plague or Pestilence: Sent Upon: The Egyptians

The Plague or Pestilence: Specially Fatal in Cities

The Plague or Pestilence: The Diseased State of Man's Heart

The Plague or Pestilence: The Jews Sought Deliverance From, by Prayer

Related Terms

Lord'the (1 Occurrence)

Is'the (1 Occurrence)

The (669438 Occurrences)

Oak-the (1 Occurrence)

Saying'the (1 Occurrence)

Jok'the-el (1 Occurrence)

The-oph'ilus (2 Occurrences)

The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence)

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)

Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences)

Zin (9 Occurrences)

Zarephath (4 Occurrences)

Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences)

Vintage (14 Occurrences)

Kore (4 Occurrences)

Knives (12 Occurrences)

Zidonians (11 Occurrences)

Kareah (14 Occurrences)

Vegetation (18 Occurrences)

Kanah (3 Occurrences)

Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences)

Vicinity (18 Occurrences)

Zeboim (7 Occurrences)

Kadeshbarnea (9 Occurrences)

Kare'ah (14 Occurrences)

Volition

Kol

Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences)

Vashti (10 Occurrences)

Zabdi (17 Occurrences)

Knitted (9 Occurrences)

Kids (12 Occurrences)

Killeth (23 Occurrences)

Vial (12 Occurrences)

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)

Home-born (14 Occurrences)

Kingship (17 Occurrences)

Kadesh-barnea (9 Occurrences)

Zealot (4 Occurrences)

Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Victorious (17 Occurrences)

Zacchaeus (3 Occurrences)

Zenas (1 Occurrence)

Kneel (10 Occurrences)

Zachariah (6 Occurrences)

Kebar (8 Occurrences)

Kerethites (9 Occurrences)

Zeeb (3 Occurrences)

Zoheleth (1 Occurrence)

Zarethan (4 Occurrences)

Kinnereth (7 Occurrences)

Knowledge

Knelt (20 Occurrences)

Visible (12 Occurrences)

Zeus (3 Occurrences)

Ziph (9 Occurrences)

Zebadiah (9 Occurrences)

Zorah (10 Occurrences)

Kenite (9 Occurrences)

Kick (8 Occurrences)

Kedar (11 Occurrences)

Zichri (12 Occurrences)

Ko'rahites (6 Occurrences)

Zeru'iah (24 Occurrences)

Kei'lah (16 Occurrences)

24000 (10 Occurrences)

Vapor (6 Occurrences)

Vanished (13 Occurrences)

Verdict (7 Occurrences)

Violated (23 Occurrences)

Knop (4 Occurrences)

Visiting (10 Occurrences)

Zaphon (4 Occurrences)

Zephani'ah (10 Occurrences)

Zaccur (10 Occurrences)

Koz (5 Occurrences)

Kadmiel (8 Occurrences)

The Plague or Pestilence: Sent Upon: David's Subjects for his Numbering the People
Top of Page
Top of Page