This chapter informs us of the complaints of the people of Israel, which brought the fire of the Lord upon them, and consumed many of them; and which, at the intercession of Moses, was quenched, and the place from thence called Taberah, Nu 11:1; and of the lusting of the mixed multitude after flesh, to increase which, they called to mind their food in Egypt; and to show their folly and ingratitude in so doing, the manna is described, Nu 11:4; and of the uneasiness of Moses, and his complaints of the heavy burden of the people upon him, Nu 11:10; and to make him easy, it is promised, that seventy of the elders of Israel should partake of his spirit, and assist in bearing the burden, Nu 11:16; and that the people should have flesh to serve them a whole month, Nu 11:18; at which last Moses expressed some degree of unbelief, Nu 11:21; however God fulfilled his promise with respect to both.
Some of the spirit of Moses was taken and given to seventy elders, who prophesied, and two men are particularly taken notice of, who did so, Nu 11:24; quails in great numbers were brought by a wind to the people; but while they were eating them wrath came upon them, and they were smitten with a plague, whence the place was called Kibrothhattaavah, Nu 11:31; and from thence they removed to Hazeroth, Nu 11:35.
Ver. 1. And [when] the people complained,.... Or "were as complainers" ; not merely like to such, but were truly and really complainers, the k, "caph", here being not a note of similitude, but of truth and reality, as in Ho 5:10.
This Hebraism is frequent in the New Testament, Mt 14:5. What they complained of is not said, it being that for which there was no foundation; it is generally supposed to be of their journey; but if they were come but eight miles, as observed on Nu 10:33; they could not be very weary; and especially as they were marching towards the land of Canaan, it might be thought they would be fond and eager of their journey.
Some think it was for want of flesh, being weary of manna, and that this was only the beginning of their complaints on that head, which opened more afterwards; but if that is the case, one would think that the fire, which consumed many of them, would have put a stop to that.