Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that it wasn't just the "mixed multitude" — the foreigners who joined Israel — who craved meat, but the Israelites themselves joined in the lament. This reveals a subtle but crucial point: the Israelites, despite their covenant relationship with God, were susceptible to the desires and complaints of those outside their covenant community, demonstrating how easily negative influences can spread.
Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat!
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just days after God’s fiery judgment at Taberah, the Israelites are already grumbling again. This time, a "mixed multitude"—people who joined Israel but weren't of their bloodline—start craving the familiar foods of Egypt, and the Israelites quickly join in their lament, weeping for meat. This complaint sparks God's anger anew, revealing the deep discontent simmering beneath the surface of the journey.
Ever feel like the grumblers in the group start a chain reaction? Israel's desert journey shows us how a restless minority can stir up discontent.
The verse highlights a 'mixed multitude' among the Israelites – non-Israelites who joined them when they left Egypt. These individuals, having fewer ties to God and less to lose, were often the first to voice dissatisfaction.
God provided manna, a miraculous daily bread. So why did Israel's hearts ache for the 'good old days' of Egypt?
The Israelites weren't starving; they were being fed by God's direct provision – the manna. Yet, they longed for the familiar foods of Egypt: fish, cucumbers, onions, and garlic. This wasn't just about hunger; it was about nostalgia and dissatisfaction with God's current provision.
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Tears can signal pain, but sometimes they reveal a stubborn refusal to accept God's way. Israel's repeated weeping shows a dangerous pattern.
The phrase 'wept again' is crucial. It points to a recurring problem. This wasn't the first time Israel had complained or shed tears out of dissatisfaction.
Understand the original words
ereb · Hebrew Noun (Collective)
A collective term referring to a "mixed multitude" of non-Israelites who accompanied the Israelites out of Egypt. They often served as a source of influence for worldly desires and discontent within the community.
ta'awah · Hebrew Noun
An intense, immoderate desire for something, often used in a negative context to describe lusting after things contrary to God's will or provision. It represents a heart turned away from contentment in God.
Yisra'el · Hebrew Proper Noun
The people chosen by God through the covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They are set apart as a holy nation to reflect God's character to the world.
This incident highlights the profound spiritual danger of dissatisfaction. Those who had witnessed God's mighty acts and were even now being miraculously fed with manna still longed for Egypt's perceived comforts, revealing a deep-seated ingratitude and mistrust that brought severe judgment.
c. 1446 BC
Israel's Exodus from Egypt
Millions of Israelites, along with a 'mixed multitude' of other nationalities, leave Egypt after centuries of slavery, miraculously led by Moses. They are initially sustained by God's direct provision.
c. 1446 BC
Murmurings Begin in the Wilderness
Shortly after leaving Egypt, the Israelites begin to grumble about the lack of food and water, and they yearn for the comforts they left behind, despite God's provision of manna.
c. 1446 BC
The Taberah Incident
A fire from the Lord breaks out among the Israelites due to their complaints, and is only quenched when Moses intercedes for them, leading to the place being named Taberah ('burning').
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Craving for Meat in the Wilderness
The mixed multitude and Israelites begin to intensely crave meat, weeping and complaining bitterly to Moses and Aaron. They recall the 'fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic' they ate freely in Egypt, contrasting it with the manna.
c. 1446 BC
God Promises and Sends Quail
God, angered by their persistent complaints, promises to give them meat to eat for a whole month. A strong wind brings vast numbers of quail, and the people gather them greedily.
c. 1446 BC
Plague at Kibroth-hattaavah
While the meat is still being consumed, God strikes the people with a severe plague. The place is named Kibroth-hattaavah ('graves of craving') because of the many who died.
This passage describes the Israelites' earlier complaint about lacking meat and wishing they had died in Egypt, showing a recurring pattern of discontent with God's provision.
Psalm 78:18-20The Psalmist recounts this very incident, highlighting the Israelites' testing of God and their demand for meat, which led to severe consequences and demonstrated their lack of faith.
1 Corinthians 10:6Paul directly uses this event as a warning to believers, urging them not to crave evil things or be idolaters, as the Israelites were in their lusting for flesh.
Numbers 11:31-34This passage details the immediate consequence of their craving, where God sent quail but also a plague that struck the people, showing the serious danger of discontent and lust.
jfbNumbers 11:4: "And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?"
- the mixed multitude that was among them fell a lusting—These consisted of Egyptians. [See on [73]Ex 12:38.] To dream of banquets and plenty of animal food in the desert becomes a disease of the imagination; and to this excitement of the appetite no people are more liable than the natives of Egypt. But the Israelites participated in t…
clarkeNumbers 11:4: "And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?"
The mixed multitude - האספסף hasaphsuph, the collected or gathered people. Such as came out of Egypt with the Israelites; and are mentioned Exodus 12:38 . This mongrel people, who had comparatively little of the knowledge of God, feeling the difficulties and fatigues of the journey, were the first to complain; and then we find the chil…
The verse highlights that it wasn't just the "mixed multitude" — the foreigners who joined Israel — who craved meat, but the Israelites themselves joined in the lament. This reveals a subtle but crucial point: the Israelites, despite their covenant relationship with God, were susceptible to the desires and complaints of those outside their covenant community, demonstrating how easily negative influences can spread.
Just days after God’s fiery judgment at Taberah, the Israelites are already grumbling again. This time, a "mixed multitude"—people who joined Israel but weren't of their bloodline—start craving the familiar foods of Egypt, and the Israelites quickly join in their lament, weeping for meat. This complaint sparks God's anger anew, revealing the deep discontent simmering beneath the surface of the journey.
Just days after God’s fiery judgment at Taberah, the Israelites are already grumbling again. This time, a "mixed multitude"—people who joined Israel but weren't of their bloodline—start craving the familiar foods of Egypt, and the Israelites quickly join in their lament, weeping for meat. This complaint sparks God's anger anew, revealing the deep discontent simmering beneath the surface of the journey.
"Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat!" — The verse highlights that it wasn't just the "mixed multitude" — the foreigners who joined Israel — who craved meat, but the Israelites themselves joined in the lament. This reveals a subtle but cruc…
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Last reviewed October 2026