Therefore the name of that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had the craving.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The name "Kibroth-hattaavah" (Graves of Craving) highlights that this wasn't just a place of death, but a stark monument to unchecked desire. The text points to the people who had the craving being buried, not necessarily everyone in the camp, emphasizing that the judgment was specifically for those consumed by their inordinate desires.
Therefore the name of that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had the craving.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following the incident where God sent a massive flock of quails and a plague punished the Israelites for their gluttony and lust, they moved on from that place. The Israelites themselves named this location "Kibroth-hattaavah," which means "graves of craving," to remember the judgment that fell upon those who couldn't control their desires. Their journey continued to Hazeroth.
Why give a place such a grim name? This wasn't just a geographical marker; it was a memorial.
The Israelites didn't just pass through Kibroth-hattaavah; they left a piece of their history there. The very name of the place—'Graves of Craving'—served as a constant, stark reminder of the Israelites' sin. It wasn't just about being buried; it was about why they were buried. Their intense, unbridled desire for the foods of Egypt led to God's judgment, and the name commemorated this tragic outcome. It’s a powerful lesson that our actions and attitudes have lasting consequences, even leading to places and memories that carry the weight of our failures.
They had manna, a miracle food from heaven. So why the desperate longing for Egyptian leftovers?
This incident highlights a dangerous spiritual trap: discontentment. Even with God's direct provision (the manna), the Israelites looked back with longing for the 'flesh-pots of Egypt.' This wasn't just about food; it was about rejecting God's current plan and provision in favor of familiar, but ultimately enslaving, comforts. Their 'craving' was a symptom of a deeper issue – a lack of trust and contentment in God's presence and power to sustain them in the wilderness. It shows us that what we desire can be just as spiritually destructive as what we do.
God's provision was abundant, yet their grumbling led to death. What does this tell us about divine justice?
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The text makes it clear that God's judgment at Kibroth-hattaavah wasn't arbitrary. It was a direct consequence of the people's persistent grumbling and ungrateful craving, which amounted to despising God. While they received the flesh they craved, it became their downfall. This underscores a crucial theological truth: God’s grace is not a license for sin or discontent. While He is merciful and often answers our prayers, He also upholds His holiness and justice. The 'graves of craving' serve as a solemn reminder that our desires, if left unchecked and ungrateful, can lead to spiritual death.
Understand the original words
Qibroth Hatta'avah · Hebrew Proper Noun
Literally 'Graves of Craving.' A place name given to commemorate a specific event where divine judgment fell upon those whose hearts were dominated by lust and dissatisfaction with God's provision.
ta'avah · Hebrew Noun
An intense, often sinful, desire or longing for something forbidden or outside of God's will. It signifies a discontented heart that rebels against God's appointed circumstances.
The naming of this place as 'Graves of Craving' powerfully highlights how unchecked desires and ingratitude can lead to divine judgment, even amidst God's provision.
c. 1440 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites are freed from slavery in Egypt after God's powerful intervention. This marks the beginning of their journey into the wilderness.
c. 1440 BC
Journey from Egypt to Sinai
The Israelites travel from the Red Sea to Mount Sinai, where they receive the Law. This period is marked by their dependence on God's provision.
c. 1440 BC
Murmuring at Taberah
The people begin to complain about their hardships in the wilderness, and God sends fire to consume some of them. Moses intercedes, and the fire is quenched.
c. 1440 BC— this verse
Craving for Meat
The Israelites, especially the mixed multitude, begin to intensely crave meat, lamenting the loss of the diet they enjoyed in Egypt. This longing escalates into widespread discontent.
c. 1440 BC
Divine Judgment and Death
God sends a massive flock of quail, which the people greedily consume. While they are still eating, God strikes them with a devastating plague, and many die.
c. 1440 BC
Naming of Kibroth-hattaavah
The place where the people who craved meat were buried is named Kibroth-hattaavah, meaning 'Graves of Craving,' serving as a perpetual reminder of their sin and its consequences.
c. 1440 BC
Journey to Hazeroth
The Israelites depart from Kibroth-hattaavah and set up camp at Hazeroth, continuing their journey through the wilderness.
This psalm recounts the Israelites' craving for meat and God's provision of quail, which ultimately led to judgment, mirroring the event in Numbers 11 and highlighting their ingratitude despite God's abundance.
1 Corinthians 10:6Paul directly references the Israelites' lusting and God's judgment as a warning to New Testament believers, showing that this historical event has enduring spiritual significance.
Jude 1:16Jude describes people as 'grumblers and malcontents, who walk according to their lusts,' echoing the spirit of the Israelites at Kibroth-hattaavah and their destructive cravings.
Philippians 4:11-12Paul's contentment in all circumstances stands in stark contrast to the Israelites' dissatisfaction and craving, illustrating a godly attitude versus a sinful one.
jfbNumbers 11:34: "And he called the name of that place Kibrothhattaavah: because there they buried the people that lusted."
- called the name of that place Kibrothhattaavah—literally, "The graves of lust," or "Those that lusted"; so that the name of the place proves that the mortality was confined to those who had indulged inordinately.
ellicottNumbers 11:34: "And he called the name of that place Kibrothhattaavah: because there they buried the people that lusted."
(34) Kibroth-hattaavah — i.e., the graves of lust ‘or, desire ) . In Numbers 33:16 , Kibroth-hattaavah is mentioned as the first station after the departure from Sinai, whereas it is obvious that there must have been an encampment at Taberah. Taberah may have been the name given to a part of Kibroth-hattaavah, or the two names may have belonged to the same place.
The name "Kibroth-hattaavah" (Graves of Craving) highlights that this wasn't just a place of death, but a stark monument to unchecked desire. The text points to the people who had the craving being buried, not necessarily everyone in the camp, emphasizing that the judgment was specifically for those consumed by their inordinate desires.
Following the incident where God sent a massive flock of quails and a plague punished the Israelites for their gluttony and lust, they moved on from that place. The Israelites themselves named this location "Kibroth-hattaavah," which means "graves of craving," to remember the judgment that fell upon those who couldn't control their desires. Their journey continued to Hazeroth.
Following the incident where God sent a massive flock of quails and a plague punished the Israelites for their gluttony and lust, they moved on from that place. The Israelites themselves named this location "Kibroth-hattaavah," which means "graves of craving," to remember the judgment that fell upon those who couldn't control their desires. Their journey continued to Hazeroth.
"Therefore the name of that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had the craving." — The name "Kibroth-hattaavah" (Graves of Craving) highlights that this wasn't just a place of death, but a stark monument to unchecked desire. The text points to the people who had the craving being…
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Last reviewed October 2026