Numbers 21:5

Numbers 21:5 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

and spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you led us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!”

King James Version KJV

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.

American Standard Version ASV

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, and there is no water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And crying out against God and against Moses, they said, Why have you taken us out of Egypt to come to our death in the waste land? For there is no bread and no water, and this poor bread is disgusting to us.

Free Bible Version FBV

and made complaints against God and against Moses, saying, “Why did you lead us out of Egypt to die in the desert? We don't have bread or water, and we hate this awful food!”

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And the people spake against God and against Moses, saying, Wherefore haue ye brought vs out of Egypt, to die in the wildernesse? for here is neither bread nor water, and our soule lotheth this light bread.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and the people speak against God, and against Moses, 'Why hast thou brought us up out of Egypt to die in a wilderness? for there is no bread, and there is no water, and our soul hath been weary of this light bread.'

World English Bible WEB

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 bread, there is no water, and our soul loathes this disgusting food!”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And the people spoke against God, and against Moses, Why have ye brought us out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul lotheth this light bread.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And speaking against God and Moses, they said: Why didst thou bring us out of Egypt, to die in the wilderness? There is no bread, nor have we any waters: our soul now loatheth this very light food.

Translation for Translators T4T

and they began to grumble/complain against God and against Moses/me. They said, “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die here in this desert [RHQ]? There is nothing to eat here, and nothing to drink. And we detest this lousy manna food!”

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Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 21:5

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Numbers 21:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/יְדַבֵּ֣ר הָ/עָ֗ם בֵּֽ/אלֹהִים֮ וּ/בְ/מֹשֶׁה֒ לָ/מָ֤ה הֶֽעֱלִיתֻ֨/נוּ֙ מִ/מִּצְרַ֔יִם לָ/מ֖וּת בַּ/מִּדְבָּ֑ר כִּ֣י אֵ֥ין לֶ֨חֶם֙ וְ/אֵ֣ין מַ֔יִם וְ/נַפְשֵׁ֣/נוּ קָ֔צָה בַּ/לֶּ֖חֶם הַ/קְּלֹקֵֽל

וַ/יְדַבֵּ֣ר dâbar H1696 to speak Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms

הָ/עָ֗ם ʻam H5971 Amaw Art | N-ms

בֵּֽ/אלֹהִים֮ ʼĕlôhîym H430 God Prep | N-mp

וּ/בְ/מֹשֶׁה֒ Môsheh H4872 Moses Conj | Prep | N-proper

לָ/מָ֤ה mâh H4100 what? Prep | Part

הֶֽעֱלִיתֻ֨/נוּ֙ ʻâlâh H5927 to ascend V-Hiphil-Perf-2mp | Suff

מִ/מִּצְרַ֔יִם Mitsrayim H4714 Egypt Prep | N-proper

לָ/מ֖וּת mûwth H4191 to die Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

בַּ/מִּדְבָּ֑ר midbâr H4057 mouth Prep | N-ms

כִּ֣י kîy H3588 for Conj

אֵ֥ין ʼayin H369 nothing Part

לֶ֨חֶם֙ lechem H3899 food N-cs

וְ/אֵ֣ין ʼayin H369 nothing Conj | Part

מַ֔יִם mayim H4325 Water (Gate) N-mp

וְ/נַפְשֵׁ֣/נוּ nephesh H5315 soul Conj | N-cs | Suff

קָ֔צָה qûwts H6973 to loathe V-Qal-Perf-3fs

בַּ/לֶּ֖חֶם lechem H3899 food Prep | N-cs

הַ/קְּלֹקֵֽל qᵉlôqêl H7052 worthless Art | Adj

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 21:5

וַ/יְדַבֵּ֣ר dâbar H1696 "to speak" Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms

To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.

Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight

Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.

הָ/עָ֗ם ʻam H5971 "Amaw" Art | N-ms

A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.

Definition: This name means nation, people

Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.

בֵּֽ/אלֹהִים֮ ʼĕlôhîym H430 "God" Prep | N-mp

The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.

Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.

וּ/בְ/מֹשֶׁה֒ Môsheh H4872 "Moses" Conj | Prep | N-proper

Moses, the Israelite leader, was born to Amram and Jochebed and led the Exodus from Egypt. He received the law from God and is considered a key figure in the Bible. Moses means 'drawn' in Hebrew.

Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.2.10; son of: Amram (H6019) and Jochebed (H3115); brother of: Aaron (H0175) and Miriam (H4813); married to Zipporah (H6855); father of: Gershom (H1647) and Eliezer (H0461H); also called Manasseh at Jdg.18.30(?) § Moses = "drawn" the prophet and lawgiver, leader of the exodus

Usage: Occurs in 704 OT verses. KJV: Moses. See also: Exodus 2:10; Exodus 13:1; Exodus 32:21.

לָ/מָ֤ה mâh H4100 "what?" Prep | Part

This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.

Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may

Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.

הֶֽעֱלִיתֻ֨/נוּ֙ ʻâlâh H5927 "to ascend" V-Hiphil-Perf-2mp | Suff

To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.

Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself

Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.

מִ/מִּצְרַ֔יִם Mitsrayim H4714 "Egypt" Prep | N-proper

This word means Egypt, a country in northeastern Africa, and is used in the Bible to describe the land and its people. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often referring to the Nile River and the Egyptians. Egypt is an important setting for many biblical events.

Definition: § Egypt = "land of the Copts" a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows Egyptians = "double straits" adj 2) the inhabitants or natives of Egypt

Usage: Occurs in 569 OT verses. KJV: Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim. See also: Genesis 10:6; Exodus 6:13; Exodus 34:18.

לָ/מ֖וּת mûwth H4191 "to die" Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.

Definition: 1) to die, kill, have one executed 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to die 1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death 1a3) to die, perish (of a nation) 1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct) 1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch 1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be killed, be put to death 1d1a) to die prematurely

Usage: Occurs in 695 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. See also: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 21:18; Numbers 35:21.

בַּ/מִּדְבָּ֑ר midbâr H4057 "mouth" Prep | N-ms

The wilderness refers to a desert or open field, like the one the Israelites wandered in after leaving Egypt. It can also mean a place of solitude or a region without many people. In the Bible, it is often associated with the journey to the Promised Land.

Definition: 1) mouth 1a) mouth (as organ of speech)

Usage: Occurs in 257 OT verses. KJV: desert, south, speech, wilderness. See also: Genesis 14:6; Joshua 5:4; Psalms 29:8.

כִּ֣י kîy H3588 "for" Conj

A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.

Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.

אֵ֥ין ʼayin H369 "nothing" Part

This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.

Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of

Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.

לֶ֨חֶם֙ lechem H3899 "food" N-cs

This Hebrew word refers to food, especially bread or grain. It's used throughout the Bible to describe meals, sacrifices, and daily life, highlighting the importance of food in ancient Israelite culture.

Definition: : food(eating) 1) bread, food, grain 1a) bread 1a1) bread 1a2) bread-corn 1b) food (in general)

Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. See also: Genesis 3:19; 1 Samuel 20:34; Psalms 14:4.

וְ/אֵ֣ין ʼayin H369 "nothing" Conj | Part

This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.

Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of

מַ֔יִם mayim H4325 "Water (Gate)" N-mp

This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.

Definition: This name means water, refreshment

Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.

וְ/נַפְשֵׁ֣/נוּ nephesh H5315 "soul" Conj | N-cs | Suff

The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.

Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain

Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.

קָ֔צָה qûwts H6973 "to loathe" V-Qal-Perf-3fs

This Hebrew word means to feel disgusted or anxious, like when the Israelites loathed the manna in Numbers 21:5. It can also mean to be grieved or abhor something, as in Psalm 119:163. It's about strong feelings of dislike.

Definition: 1) to be grieved, loathe, abhor, feel a loathing or abhorrence or sickening dread 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to feel a loathing at, abhor 1a2) to feel a sickening dread 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause sickening dread 1b2) to cause loathing

Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: abhor, be distressed, be grieved, loathe, vex, be weary. See also: Genesis 27:46; Numbers 22:3; Proverbs 3:11.

בַּ/לֶּ֖חֶם lechem H3899 "food" Prep | N-cs

Definition: : food(eating) 1) bread, food, grain 1a) bread 1a1) bread 1a2) bread-corn 1b) food (in general)

Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. See also: Genesis 3:19; 1 Samuel 20:34; Psalms 14:4.

הַ/קְּלֹקֵֽל qᵉlôqêl H7052 "worthless" Art | Adj

Worthless or insubstantial is what this Hebrew word means, used in the Bible to describe things without value or importance, like worthless idols or empty pursuits.

Definition: contemptible, worthless

Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: light. See also: Numbers 21:5.

Study Notes — Numbers 21:5

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Numbers 21:5 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 21:5
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 21:5
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 21:5
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 21:5
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 21:5
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 21:5
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 21:5
Barnes' Notes on Numbers 21:5
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 21:5
Sermons on Numbers 21:5

Context — The Bronze Serpent

3And the LORD heard Israel’s plea and delivered up the Canaanites. Israel devoted them and their cities to destruction; so they named the place Hormah. 4Then they set out from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, in order to bypass the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient on the journey

5and spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you led us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!”

6So the LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and many of the Israelites were bitten and died. 7Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Intercede with the LORD so He will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses interceded for the people.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Psalms 78:19	They spoke against God, saying, “Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness?
2	Numbers 16:13–14	Is it not enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the wilderness? Must you also appoint yourself as ruler over us? Moreover, you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey or given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you gouge out the eyes of these men? No, we will not come!”
3	Exodus 17:2–3	So the people contended with Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why do you contend with me?” Moses replied. “Why do you test the LORD?” But the people thirsted for water there, and they grumbled against Moses: “Why have you brought us out of Egypt—to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”
4	Numbers 16:41	The next day the whole congregation of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron, saying, “You have killed the LORD’s people!”
5	Exodus 16:2–3	And there in the desert they all grumbled against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt!” they said. “There we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread, but you have brought us into this desert to starve this whole assembly to death!”
6	Exodus 14:11	They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us into the wilderness to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?
7	Numbers 11:1–9	Soon the people began to complain about their hardship in the hearing of the LORD, and when He heard them, His anger was kindled, and fire from the LORD blazed among them and consumed the outskirts of the camp. And the people cried out to Moses, and he prayed to the LORD, and the fire died down. So that place was called Taberah, because the fire of the LORD had burned among them. Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, “Who will feed us meat? We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. But now our appetite is gone; there is nothing to see but this manna!” Now the manna resembled coriander seed, and its appearance was like that of gum resin. The people walked around and gathered it, ground it on a handmill or crushed it in a mortar, then boiled it in a cooking pot or shaped it into cakes. It tasted like pastry baked with fine oil. When the dew fell on the camp at night, the manna would fall with it.
8	Numbers 17:12	Then the Israelites declared to Moses, “Look, we are perishing! We are lost; we are all lost!
9	Numbers 14:1–4	Then the whole congregation lifted up their voices and cried out, and that night the people wept. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness! Why is the LORD bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” So they said to one another, “Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt.”
10	Exodus 16:15	When the Israelites saw it, they asked one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. So Moses told them, “It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat.

Numbers 21:5 Summary

[The Israelites were unhappy with their situation and spoke against God and Moses, complaining about the lack of food and water, as stated in Numbers 21:5. This shows that even though God had provided for their physical needs, they still grumbled and complained, which is a pattern of behavior that we can learn from, as seen in verses like Exodus 16:3 and 1 Corinthians 10:10. We can apply this lesson to our own lives by learning to trust God's provision and be thankful for what He gives us, as encouraged in verses like Matthew 6:25-34 and Philippians 4:19. By doing so, we can cultivate a heart of gratitude and trust in God's goodness, even in difficult circumstances.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main complaint of the Israelites in Numbers 21:5?

The Israelites are unhappy with the lack of bread and water, and they also dislike the food they have been given, as stated in Numbers 21:5, which is a pattern of behavior also seen in Exodus 16:3 and Exodus 17:3.

Why are the Israelites speaking against God and Moses?

The Israelites are speaking against God and Moses because they are frustrated with their current situation and feel that they were better off in Egypt, as seen in Numbers 21:5, which is similar to the complaints in Exodus 14:11-12 and Exodus 16:3.

What is the significance of the Israelites' complaint about the 'wretched food'?

The Israelites' complaint about the 'wretched food' refers to the manna that God had provided for them, as seen in Exodus 16:4-36, which shows that even though God provided for their physical needs, they still grumbled and complained.

How does this verse relate to other instances of Israelite complaining in the Bible?

This verse is part of a pattern of complaining and rebellion by the Israelites, as seen in Exodus 15:24, Exodus 16:2, and Numbers 14:2, which demonstrates their lack of trust and faith in God's provision and leadership.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I complain against God or His leaders in my life, and how can I learn to trust Him more?
How can I cultivate a heart of gratitude, even in difficult circumstances, like the Israelites in Numbers 21:5?
What are some ways that God provides for me, even when I do not appreciate or recognize it, and how can I learn to be more thankful for His provision?
In what ways can I apply the lesson of trusting God's provision, as seen in Numbers 21:5 and other verses like Matthew 6:25-34 and Philippians 4:19, to my own life?

Gill's Exposition on Numbers 21:5

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

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 21:5

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 21:5

Against God; against Christ, their chief Conductor, whom they tempted, . This light bread, i.e. of small substance and virtue. Thus contemptuously do they speak of manna, whereas it appears it yielded excellent nourishment, because in the strength of it they were able to go so many and such tedious journeys.

Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 21:5

Numbers 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.Ver. 5. This light bread.]

Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 21:5

(5) This light bread.—The word rendered light denotes something vile or worthless. It was thus that the Israelites regarded the manna which was given to them from heaven; even as the “spiritual meat” which is given to Christ’s Church in His word and ordinances is too commonly regarded amongst ourselves.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 21:5

Verse 5. This light bread.] הקלקל hakkelokel, a word of excessive scorn; as if they had said, This innutritive, unsubstantial, cheat - stomach stuff.

Cambridge Bible on Numbers 21:5

5. our soul [i.e. appetite] loatheth this worthless bread] They despised the manna, declaring that it was useless for satisfying hunger.

Barnes' Notes on Numbers 21:5

This light bread - i. e. “this vile, contemptible bread.”

Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 21:5

EDOM VIA RED SEA, Numbers 21:4-5.A glance at the map will reveal the necessity of this countermarch down the Arabah to the head of the eastern arm of the Red Sea, called the Elanitic Gulf.

Sermons on Numbers 21:5

	Sermon	Description
	(Christ—the Way God Makes Man Righteous) 8. Saving Faith by Denny Kenaston	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of believing in and resting in the word of God. He highlights that God's current message to the world is one of mercy, but wa
	Numbers 21:5 by Chuck Smith	Chuck Smith discusses the sin of complaining among the Israelites, emphasizing that while they had valid reasons to complain about their monotonous diet of manna, they also had muc
	The Serpent, the Curse: Jesus Lifted Up by T. Austin-Sparks	T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the connection between the serpent lifted by Moses in the wilderness and Jesus being lifted up on the cross, illustrating how Christ bore the curse and
	The New Birth as Set Forth in John 3:2-21 by R.A. Torrey	R.A. Torrey emphasizes the critical doctrine of the New Birth as outlined in John 3:2-21, asserting its universal necessity for all individuals, regardless of their moral or religi
	Glory of God in Dry Places by Carter Conlon	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the common struggle that believers face when they leave the sanctuary and enter a hostile world. He emphasizes that the devil continuously bo
	Lord Increase My Unbelief by Carter Conlon	This sermon emphasizes the need to overcome unbelief and trust in God's power to work miracles in our lives. It calls for a rejection of lies and doubts that hinder us from experie
	God at War With Flesh by Major Ian Thomas	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the battle between Joshua and Amalek. The preacher emphasizes that the outcome of the battle was not dependent on Joshua's abilities, but ra