And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The people didn't just complain about the lack of food and water; they explicitly blamed God and Moses for bringing them out of Egypt to die. This reveals a deep ingratitude and a distortion of God's rescue, framing it not as salvation but as a prelude to destruction. Their contempt for the manna, calling it "light bread," shows they valued their past slavery over God's provision and the promised freedom.
And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
After a difficult and lengthy march around the land of Edom, the people’s discouragement turned into bitter complaints. They spoke against God and Moses, questioning why they were led out of Egypt only to perish in the wilderness, claiming a lack of both food and water, and expressing disgust for the manna they had been eating. This rebellion immediately provoked God's judgment in the form of fiery serpents.
They were just delivered from slavery, yet their first words in the wilderness are accusations. How can hearts so quickly turn from God's deliverance to bitter complaint?
This verse captures a pivotal moment of spiritual amnesia. The Israelites had just experienced the miraculous power of God, leading them out of Egypt. Yet, in their discomfort, they forget.
The Shift from Trust to Treason
This isn't just about being hungry; it's a deep-seated rebellion of the heart against the very One who saved them.
They call the food God sent from heaven 'light bread.' What does this contempt reveal about their hearts and what we might despise today?
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The phrase 'this worthless food' (or 'light bread' in some translations) is loaded with scorn. It reveals a profound dissatisfaction not just with the physical nourishment, but with God's provision itself.
More Than Just Manna
Understand the original words
Elohim · Hebrew Proper Noun
The Creator and Sovereign Judge of all, the Almighty who is holy, righteous, and the object of Israel's rebellion, distinct from the specific covenant name YHWH.
qeloqel · Hebrew Adjective
Refers to food that is perceived as lacking in value, substance, or divine blessing, often expressing ingratitude for God's gracious provision.
This complaint arose during a difficult leg of the journey around Edom, a time when the people were physically weary and their faith was being tested. Their dissatisfaction with the manna, God's miraculous provision, highlights a spiritual rebellion, not just a physical complaint about food and water.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through Moses, marking the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land.
c. 1446-1406 BC
Wandering in the Wilderness
The Israelites spend 40 years in the wilderness as a consequence of their disobedience and lack of faith, a period marked by both divine provision and their repeated rebellion.
c. 1406 BC
Journey around Edom
The Israelites are denied passage through Edom and are forced to take a long, circuitous route by way of the Red Sea, leading to discouragement.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
Complaints and Divine Judgment
The people complain about the lack of food and water, expressing deep dissatisfaction with the manna provided by God and blaming Moses and God for their hardships.
c. 1406 BC
Fiery Serpents Sent
In response to their grumbling and rebellion, God sends venomous fiery serpents among the people, causing many deaths.
c. 1406 BC
The Bronze Serpent
The Israelites repent and ask Moses to pray for them. God provides a way of healing through a bronze serpent that Moses is to lift up, signifying faith and obedience.
This passage directly identifies the 'people' in this situation as Israel and mentions they 'grumbled,' linking their complaint to tempting Christ, which adds a Christological dimension to their disobedience in Numbers.
Deuteronomy 8:3This verse directly quotes God's response to Israel's grumbling about food, emphasizing that 'man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.' It highlights the spiritual malnutrition of Israel's complaint.
Psalm 78:17-20This Psalm recounts the incident in Numbers, directly stating that 'they sinned still more against him, provoking the Most High in the wilderness' and asking if 'God can spread a table in the wilderness,' echoing the Israelites' lack of faith and disrespect for God's provision.
John 6:31-35Jesus references the manna from heaven, calling Himself the 'true bread from heaven,' which directly contrasts with the Israelites' contempt for the manna and their longing for earthly sustenance, highlighting Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of spiritual need.
Philippians 2:14This verse instructs believers to 'do all things without grumbling or disputing,' which directly addresses the attitude and action of the Israelites in Numbers 21:5, showing how their complaining was contrary to the kind of spirit God desires.
gillNumbers 21:5: "And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread."
And the people spake against God,.... Who went before them in the pillar of cloud and fire, for leading them in such a way; that is, against Christ, as the apostle has taught us to interpret it, 1 Corinthians 10:9 , and is no inconsiderable proof of the deity of Chris…
calvinNumbers 21:4-20: "And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way."
And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.
Itaque loquutus est populus contra Deum et Mosen, Ut quid ascendere nos fecistis ex Aegypto, ut more…
The people didn't just complain about the lack of food and water; they explicitly blamed God and Moses for bringing them out of Egypt to die. This reveals a deep ingratitude and a distortion of God's rescue, framing it not as salvation but as a prelude to destruction. Their contempt for the manna, calling it "light bread," shows they valued their past slavery over God's provision and the promised freedom.
After a difficult and lengthy march around the land of Edom, the people’s discouragement turned into bitter complaints. They spoke against God and Moses, questioning why they were led out of Egypt only to perish in the wilderness, claiming a lack of both food and water, and expressing disgust for the manna they had been eating. This rebellion immediately provoked God's judgment in the form of fiery serpents.
After a difficult and lengthy march around the land of Edom, the people’s discouragement turned into bitter complaints. They spoke against God and Moses, questioning why they were led out of Egypt only to perish in the wilderness, claiming a lack of both food and water, and expressing disgust for the manna they had been eating. This rebellion immediately provoked God's judgment in the form of fiery serpents.
"And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.”" — The people didn't just complain about the lack of food and water; they explicitly blamed God and Moses for bringing them out of Egypt to die. This reveals a deep ingratitude and a distortion of God…
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Last reviewed October 2026