Old Testament
Numbers 11:20
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You'll eat it for a whole month — until it comes out your nostrils and you're sick of it — because you have rejected the LORD who is right here among you, and you've wept before him, saying, "Why did we ever leave Egypt?"'"
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But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?
What Numbers 11:20 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, God is expressing His frustration with the Israelites for their complaints about the food He provided. They longed for the comforts of Egypt, forgetting the hardships they faced there. God tells them they will eat quail for a month until they are sick of it, as a consequence of their rejection of Him. This punishment serves as a reminder of their ungratefulness and lack of faith. The phrase 'until it comes out your nostrils' emphasizes the extent of their dissatisfaction and the seriousness of their rebellion against God. It highlights the danger of longing for the past and failing to appreciate God's provision in the present. The Israelites' weeping reflects their discontent, but it also shows their failure to trust in God's plan for them. This verse serves as a warning about the consequences of ingratitude and the importance of recognizing God's presence and provision in our lives.
How to apply Numbers 11:20 to your life
This verse encourages us to appreciate what we have and to trust in God's provision. Instead of longing for the past, we should focus on the blessings in our current situation. Recognizing God's presence can help us cultivate gratitude and contentment in our lives.
Curated for this public verse page. Numbers Summary
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Illustrated scene from Moses's story: Seventy Elders and the Quail (Numbers 11:1–35)
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Moses
Photo: Zeev Stein / PikiWiki Israel, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 2.5. Source. Location: Tel Beer Sheva National Park, Israel. Resized for the web.
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Beersheba
Where Abraham and Isaac dug wells and worshiped the LORD, at the southern edge of the land.
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Keep studying Numbers 11:20
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At a Glance — the Book of Numbers
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Moses
- Written
- Around 1400 BC
- Genre
- Law (Pentateuch)
- Original Audience
- The Israelites in the wilderness
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Numbers 11:20 mean?
Numbers 11:20 conveys God's frustration with the Israelites for complaining about their food and longing for Egypt. He tells them they will eat quail for a month until they are sick of it, highlighting their ingratitude and rebellion against Him.
What is the significance of 'until it comes out your nostrils' in Numbers 11:20?
The phrase 'until it comes out your nostrils' emphasizes the extreme dissatisfaction the Israelites will feel. It illustrates the seriousness of their rebellion and serves as a warning about the consequences of ingratitude.
How does Numbers 11:20 relate to ingratitude?
Numbers 11:20 highlights ingratitude by showing how the Israelites despised God's provision and longed for their past in Egypt. Their complaints led to a consequence that forced them to confront their ungratefulness.
What lesson can we learn from Numbers 11:20?
The lesson from Numbers 11:20 is to appreciate what we have and trust in God's provision. It encourages us to focus on our current blessings rather than longing for the past.
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