Números 11
Matthew Henry · Citado em PreceptAustin
Números 11
Henry - “A few factious, discontented, ill-natured people, may do a great deal of mischief in the best societies, if great care be not taken to discountenance it. This Egyptian rabble were the disordered sheep that infected the flock, the leaven that leavened the whole lump.” FSB says "The Hebrew word (translated rabble) occurs only this one time in the OT, making its meaning uncertain. It appears to be related to a word for gathering, so it probably designates a smaller group who had gathered together to complain." NET Note on had greedy desires; - “they craved a craving” (הִתְאַוּוּ תַּאֲוָה, hit’avvu ta’vah), but the context shows that they had this strong craving for food. The verb describes a strong desire, which is not always negative (Ps 132:13–14). But the word is a significant one in the Torah; it was used in the garden story for Eve’s desire for the tree, and it is used in the Decalogue in the warning against coveting (Deut 5:21). Greedy (08378)(taavah from awah = to incline, to be beautiful, to be desirable) indicating a longing, a desire. It indicates an intense hunger for something. In Numbers 11:4 the KJV says they "fell a-lusting." Compare other negative desires (Ge 3:6, Ps 10:3, Ps 106:14, Ps 112:10, Pr 18:1, Pr 21:25, 26). Positive desires (Ps 10:17, Ps 21:2, Ps 38:9, Pr 10:24, Pr 11:23, Pr 13:19, Pr 19:22) Desires (cravings, longings) (0183) awah And also the sons of Israel wept again (Heb.= returned and wept) - Bush writes that "The import of “returned” in this connection is undoubtedly that of changed their mind, relapsed. That is, they were wrought upon by the contagious example of the mixed multitude to such a degree as to fall away from a previous state of mind, and involve themselves in the rebellious conduct here spoken of." Wept again implies they had wept before, but there is no record in Exodus, Leviticus or the previous chapters in Numbers. The Septuagint is translated "the children of Israel sat down and wept."
Números 11
Henry remarks, “they did not remember the brick-kilns, and the task-masters, the voice of the oppressor, and the smart of the whip. These are forgotten by the ungrateful people.” THOUGHT - They presumed to tell their divine Provider what His gracious provision must taste like: fish, cucumbers, leeks, onions, garlic (11:5). God’s food was sweet bread from heaven; they wanted some of the sharp and the sour. How much like the sinful heart of man which, without a nature from above, does not enjoy the taste of the food of God’s Word. - Irving Jensen NET Note - As with all who complain in such situations, their memory was selective. It was their bitter cries to the LORD from the suffering in bondage that God heard and answered (ED: SEE Ex 1:14+). And now, shortly after being set free, their memory of Egypt is for things they do not now have. It is also somewhat unlikely that they as slaves had such abundant foods in Egypt. Bush on eat free -( For nothing). i. e. which cost them nothing but the trouble of taking. As to the great use of fish as an article of food by the Egyptians, the fact is repeatedly affirmed by Herodotus. They ate them either salted or dried in the sun without any other preparation. Indeed, the Egyptians are the first people whom history mentions as curing any kind of meat with salt for preservation. The salt they used was fossil salt, obtained from the African deserts. Sea salt was abhorred by them, probably from some religious consideration, just as the priests abstained entirely from fish, the reason of which is doubtless to be sought from some ancient idea that the spiritual correspondence of fish rendered them unsuitable as an article of diet to the priesthood. NET Note on free - The adverb “freely” is from the word חָנַן (khanan, “to be gracious”), from which is derived the noun “grace.” The word underscores the idea of “free, without cost, for no reason, gratis.” Here the simple sense is “freely,” without any cost. But there may be more significance in the choice of the words in this passage, showing the ingratitude of the Israelites to God for His deliverance from bondage. To them now the bondage is preferable to the salvation—this is what angered the LORD. LASB - Dissatisfaction comes when our attention shifts from what we have to what we don't have. The people of Israel didn't seem to notice what God was doing for them-setting them free, making them a nation, giving them a new land-because they were so wrapped up in what God wasn't doing for them. They could think of nothing but the delicious Egyptian food they had left behind. Somehow they forgot that the brutal whip of Egyptian slavery was the cost of eating that food. Before we judge the Israelites too harshly, it's helpful to think about what occupies our attention most of the time. Are we grateful for what God has given us, or are we always thinking about what we would like to have? We should not allow our unfulfilled desires to cause us to forget God's gifts of life, food, health, work, and friends. Rod Mattoon - When you get carnal and critical, your priorities get out of wack. Important matters tend to be forgotten and the menial, unimportant things capture our focus. The people said, "We remember the fish, vegetables, spices, water melons, and cucumbers. All we have is this manna!" They were moaning about the menu. Did they not remember the whips, slavery, and Pharaoh's army? Did they not remember the plagues or the death of the firstborn? Did they forget about the parting of the Red Sea? These people had become ungrateful and hard-hearted toward God's provisions. This happens today even among God's people. They moan about the menu of their lives. God's "daily bread" is not good enough for them. They want more in this life. A Christian, if not careful, can become hard-hearted, insensitive, unfeeling, indifferent, uncaring, and apathetic. The corrosion from lust and carnality on a person's character is like rust or acid on metal. The strength and durability of spiritual desire and growth are eaten away. We cannot avoid growing old, but we can avoid growing cold. We don't have to get cold or hard-hearted like these people did in this chapter. God commands us to not get hard-hearted. Israel had changed from a contented crowd to a murmuring mob that moaned about the menu. They were not happy campers at all. They were not suffering from empty bellies, but from empty heads and hearts. • Gratefulness gave way to griping. • Contentment changed to criticizing and complaining. • Instead of focusing on the blessings of God, they were focusing on what they did not have. George Bush Notes, Critical and Practical, on the Book of Numbers We remember the fish, etc. They stirred up and inflamed their lust by studiously calling to mind the dainties they formerly enjoyed in Egypt. But even in this they imposed upon themselves, for, as Henry remarks, “they did not remember the brick-kilns, and the task-masters, the voice of the oppressor, and the smart of the whip. These are forgotten by the ungrateful people.” For nothing. Heb. hinnom, gratis, i. e. which cost them nothing but the trouble of taking. As to the great use of fish as an article of food by the Egyptians, the fact is repeatedly affirmed by Herodotus. They ate them either salted or dried in the sun without any other preparation. Indeed, the Egyptians are the first people whom history mentions as curing any kind of meat with salt for preservation. The salt they used was fossil salt, obtained from the African deserts. Sea salt was abhorred by them, probably from some religious consideration, just as the priests abstained entirely from fish, the reason of which is doubtless to be sought from some ancient idea that the spiritual correspondence of fish rendered them unsuitable as an article of diet to the priesthood. The cucumbers. Arabia and Egypt produce abundance of cucumbers, which, owing to the mellowing effects of the sun’s rays, are softer than those with us, and of more easy digestion. It is said by travellers that they are eaten in the East in almost incredible quantities. Melons. The water-melon is no doubt intended. This fruit grows abundantly in the Levant and Egypt. It is about the size, and somewhat of the appearance of a pumpkin. The interior is a pulp of blooming red, and rich in juice. “A traveller in the East who recollects the intense gratitude which the gift of a slice of melon inspired while journeying over the hot and dry plains—or one who remembers the consciousness of wealth and security which he derived from the possession of a melon while prepared for a day’s journey over the same plains—he will readily comprehend the regret with which the Hebrews in the Arabian desert looked back upon the melons of Egypt.” The following account of the uses of melons in Egypt is from Hasselquist. “By melons we are probably to understand the water-melon, which the Arabians call batech. It is cultivated on the banks of the Nile, in the rich clayey earth which subsides during the inundation. This serves the Egyptians for meat, drink, and physic. It is eaten in abundance during the season, even by the richer sort of people; but the common people, on whom Providence has bestowed nothing but poverty and patience, scarely eat any thing but these, and account this the best time of the year, as they are obliged to put up with worse fare at other seasons. This fruit likewise serves them for drink, the juice refreshing these poor creatures, and they have less occasion for water than if they were to live on more substantial food in this burning climate.” Leeks. The original word occurs sixteen times, but is nowhere rendered “leek” but here. In one instance it is translated “herb,” in another “hay,” and in another “a court;” but in all the other instances it is translated “grass.” As grass, however, could not have been what the Israelites desired, it is supposed by some commentators that “greens,” implying lettuce, succory, endive, or salads in general, is what is meant. In the uncertainty that obtains on this point we give the following extract from Roberts. “To an Englishman the loss of these articles would not give much concern, and he is almost surprised at the Israelites repining at their loss, as at the loss of great delicacies. The people of the East do not in general eat flesh, nor even fish, so that when they can procure it they consider it a delicacy. Cucumbers are eaten in abundance in hot weather, and melons are most delicious and plentiful. I have never seen leeks in the East, and I am doubtful whether they are to be found; but whether or not, there is much difference of opinion as to the translation of the word. D’Oyly and Mant have a quotation to this effect:—‘Whether the following word, rendered leeks, have that signification, may be doubted. Some think it was the lotus, which is a water plant, a kind of water-lily, which the Egyptians used to eat during the heats of summer.’ In the Universal History, (vol. i. p. 486,) it is said, that those ‘Egyptians who dwelt in the marshes, fed on several plants which annually grow, particularly the lotus, of which they made a sort of bread.’ Of the Arabs also, (in the same work,) it is recorded—‘They make a drink of the Egyptian lotus, which is very good for inward heat.’ It has a bulbous root, and is highly esteemed as an article of food. As it grows in tanks, it can only be had in the hottest weather, when the water is dried up; and in this we see a most gracious provision, in allowing it to be taken when most required. Its cooling qualities are celebrated all over India, and the Materia Medica says of it, ‘This is an excellent root, and is also prescribed medicinally, as cooling and demulcent.’ The natives eat it boiled, or in curry, or make it into flour for gruels. I am, therefore, of opinion, that it was the lotus of Egypt respecting which the Israelites were murmuring.” In this opinion Mr. Kitto is inclined to concur, conceding at the same time, that the authority of the Septuagint, which renders it by prasa, looks, is not easily disposed of. He refers to Scheuchzer and others, “who think that the word here denotes a plant of the lotus kind, which grows very abundantly in the low lands of Egypt, and which was of very delicate taste, and held in great estimation. They ate its root, and also made a kind of bread with it. Homer describes the lotus as the first of the plants that grew for the pleasure of the gods. The Arabs, when they can get it, make with it a drink which they highly relish. In India, also, the natives eat it boiled, or in curry, or make it into flour for gruels.”—Pict. Bible. Onions. “Whoever has tasted onions in Egypt must allow that none can be had better in any part of the universe. Here they are sweet, in other countries they are nauseous and strong; here they are soft, whereas in the north, and other parts, they are hard of digestion. Hence they cannot in any place be eaten with less prejudice and more satisfaction than in Egypt. They eat them roasted, cut into four pieces, with some bits of roasted meat, which the Turks in Egypt call kobab, and with this dish they are so delighted, that I have heard them wish they might enjoy it in paradise. They likewise make soup of them in Egypt, cutting the onions in small pieces; this I think one of the best dishes I ever ate.”—Hasselquist. This is confirmed by Mr. Kitto. “In warm countries the onion often constitutes a staple article of diet. The sun has the same mellowing effect upon it as upon the cucumber, so that its savor is more bland than when grown in this country, and its use far less likely to affect the stomach with any disagreeable consequences. Most of the people of Western Asia are remarkably fond of onions. We have known poor Arabs wait for more than an hour, till the refuse of onions employed in cooking should be thrown away.” Garlic. “The original word occurs but this once in the Scriptures, where it is undoubtedly correctly rendered. Its botanical character is too well known to require description. It is now usually distinguished in the kitchen-garden by the name of ‘eschalot’ or ‘shallot.’ A variety of this plant cultivated in France is called ‘the onion of Egypt.’ They are eaten like onions, and are peculiarly agreeable to the palate. Garlic was so much in request among the ancients, that Homer makes it a part of the entertainment which Nestor served up to his guest Machaon. It formed a favorite viand to the common people among the Greeks and Romans.”—Pict. Bible. Keith Green Song PLAY: So You Want to Go Back to Egypt So you wanna go back to Egypt Where it's warm and secure Are you sorry you bought the one way ticket When you thought you were sure? You wanted to live in the land of promise But now it's getting so hard Are you sorry you're out here in the desert Instead of your own back yard? Eating leaks and onions by the Nile Ooh, what breath for dining-out in style Ooh, my life's on the skids Building the pyramids Well, there's nothing to do but travel And we sure travel a lot 'Cause it's hard to keep your feet from moving When the sand gets so hot And in the morning it's manna hotcakes We snack on manna all day And we sure had a winner last night for dinner Flaming manna souffle Well, we once complained for something new to munch The ground opened up and had some of us for lunch Ooh, such fire and smoke Can't God even take a joke? Huh? (No!) So you wanna to back to Egypt Where your friends wait for you You can throw a big party and tell the whole gang Of what they said was all true And this Moses acts like a big shot Who does he think he is? Well it's true that God works lots of miracles But Moses thinks they're all his Oh we're having so much trouble even now Why'd he get so mad about that c-c-cow, that golden calf? Moses seems rather idle He just sits around, he just sits around and writes the Bible! Oh, Moses, put down your pen What? Oh no, manna again? Oh, manna waffles Manna burgers Manna bagels? Fillet of manna Manna patty? Bamanna bread Numbers 11:6 but now our appetite is gone. There is nothing at all to look at except this manna." BGT Numbers 11:6 νυνὶ δὲ ἡ ψυχὴ ἡμῶν κατάξηρος οὐδὲν πλὴν εἰς τὸ μαννα οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ ἡμῶν NET Numbers 11:6 But now we are dried up, and there is nothing at all before us except this manna!" NLT Numbers 11:6 But now our appetites are gone. All we ever see is this manna!" ESV Numbers 11:6 But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at." NIV Numbers 11:6 But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!" KJV Numbers 11:6 But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes. YLT Numbers 11:6 and now our soul is dry, there is not anything, save the manna, before our eyes.' LXE Numbers 11:6 But now our soul is dried up; our eyes turn to nothing but to the manna. ASV Numbers 11:6 but now our soul is dried away; there is nothing at all save this manna to look upon. CSB Numbers 11:6 But now our appetite is gone; there's nothing to look at but this manna!" Nu 21:5 2Sa 13:4 Numbers 11 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries MONOTONOUS MANNA! but now our appetite is gone - NET = "But now we are dried up." This is a lame excuse. Sometimes my dog does not like his dry food, but if I refuse to give him anything else, eventually his appetite returns! It was not their appetite for food which had gone, but their hunger and thirst for righteousness! The complaining heart romanticizes the past but it also exaggerates the problems of the present. -- David Guzik Bush - We see nothing else, we expect nothing else, but this same monotonous manna, of which we have become sick of the sight. There is nothing at all to look at except this manna - "All we ever see is this manna!" (NLT) Well, this was true, but it was nutritious, did not spoil, was free and was food in the will of God, which flesh of quails would prove not to be to Israel's chagrin. They despised the LORD's provision and in so doing rejected the LORD (see Nu 11:20+). As