he gave them what they asked, but sent a wasting disease among them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse reveals that "leanness" didn't just mean physical sickness; it describes a spiritual depletion that came from getting exactly what they craved. Their intense desire, when fulfilled, actually starved their souls and left them spiritually famished.
he gave them what they asked, but sent a wasting disease among them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Psalmist recounts the Israelites' journey in the wilderness, highlighting their persistent grumbling and dissatisfaction with God's provision. After complaining about the lack of meat, God grants their selfish desire by sending a massive flock of quail, but this seemingly good gift quickly turns into a curse, leading to sickness and death as their lustful cravings overwhelm them.
Ever felt like God answered your prayer, but it didn't turn out the way you hoped? This verse reveals a chilling truth about how God can give us exactly what we ask for, but in a way that brings destruction.
This verse highlights a crucial aspect of God's justice: sometimes, He grants people their desires, not as a blessing, but as a judgment.
The Taste of Desire
The Israelites, weary of manna in the wilderness, craved meat. They whined, 'Oh, that we had meat to eat!' (Numbers 11:4). They weren't just hungry; they were discontent and yearning for the flesh pots of Egypt. God heard their grumbling, their self-willed lust.
The Bitter Gift
In His sovereign power, God sent quail in overwhelming abundance. He gave them their request. They got their fill of meat, so much so that it piled up around their camp. But this wasn't a sign of favor. Instead, 'he sent a wasting disease among them.' The very thing they craved became the instrument of God's wrath and judgment. This shows us that God doesn't always give us what we ask for for our good, but sometimes grants our desires to expose our hearts and bring about just consequences.
What does it mean for your soul to become 'lean'? This verse uses powerful imagery to describe a spiritual condition that can accompany even physical abundance.
The phrase 'leanness into their soul' is a profound spiritual indicator. While the Israelites gorged on meat, their bodies may have been full, but their souls were suffering.
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Spiritual Starvation
Commentators understand 'leanness' here in a few ways:
This concept reminds us that true life and nourishment come from spiritual connection, not just physical gratification. When we pursue our desires apart from God, even if granted, our souls can become desperately lean.
Understand the original words
razon · Hebrew Noun
A state of physical or spiritual depletion and decline. Often used in Scripture to describe the consequences of divine judgment or the toll of sin upon the body or soul.
This verse points to a specific incident in the Israelites' wilderness journey where their intense craving for meat led to divine judgment. God gave them what they asked for—quail—but it resulted in sickness and death, demonstrating that fulfilling a selfish desire isn't always a blessing and can even bring ruin.
c. 1440 BC
Israelites Leave Egypt
After centuries of slavery, the Israelites are miraculously freed from Egyptian bondage under Moses' leadership.
c. 1440 BC
Journey Through the Wilderness
The Israelites begin their 40-year journey through the Sinai desert towards the Promised Land, facing numerous challenges.
During Wilderness Journey— this verse
Complaints About Food
The Israelites complain about the lack of food, longing for the fleshpots of Egypt and despising the divinely provided manna.
During Wilderness Journey
God Sends Quail and Disease
God grants the Israelites' desire for meat by sending quail, but this leads to a deadly plague among the people as divine judgment.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites begin the military conquest of the Promised Land.
This passage directly parallels the Israelites' complaint about lack of variety in their food and their longing for the flesh pots of Egypt, which led to God sending them meat, but with devastating consequences.
Numbers 11:31-34This is the narrative fulfillment of the psalm's statement, showing God sending quails but then striking the people with a plague because of their greedy and excessive feasting.
Deuteronomy 8:3This verse emphasizes that true sustenance and well-being come from God's word, not just physical food, highlighting the spiritual 'leanness' that results from focusing solely on earthly desires.
Proverbs 15:17This proverb contrasts a simple meal with love to a lavish meal without love, suggesting that outward provision without inner contentment or God's blessing leads to spiritual emptiness, mirroring the 'leanness' in the psalm.
1 Timothy 6:9-10This passage warns against the desire for riches and the pitfalls of worldly wealth, which can lead to spiritual 'leanness' and a departure from faith, much like the Israelites' craving for flesh led to divine judgment.
clarkePsalms 106:15: "And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul."
Sent leanness - They despised the manna, and called it light, that is, innutritive, bread. God gave flesh as they desired, but gave no blessing with it; and in consequence they did not fatten, but grew lean upon it. Their souls also suffered want.
wesleyPsalms 106:15: "And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul."
106:15 Souls - Into their bodies. So their inordinate desire of pampering their bodies, was the occasion of destroying them.
This verse reveals that "leanness" didn't just mean physical sickness; it describes a spiritual depletion that came from getting exactly what they craved. Their intense desire, when fulfilled, actually starved their souls and left them spiritually famished.
The Psalmist recounts the Israelites' journey in the wilderness, highlighting their persistent grumbling and dissatisfaction with God's provision. After complaining about the lack of meat, God grants their selfish desire by sending a massive flock of quail, but this seemingly good gift quickly turns into a curse, leading to sickness and death as their lustful cravings overwhelm them.
The Psalmist recounts the Israelites' journey in the wilderness, highlighting their persistent grumbling and dissatisfaction with God's provision. After complaining about the lack of meat, God grants their selfish desire by sending a massive flock of quail, but this seemingly good gift quickly turns into a curse, leading to sickness and death as their lustful cravings overwhelm them.
"he gave them what they asked, but sent a wasting disease among them." — This verse reveals that "leanness" didn't just mean physical sickness; it describes a spiritual depletion that came from getting exactly what they craved. Their intense desire, when fulfilled, actu…
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Last reviewed October 2026