Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Numbers 11

Num 11:1 And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.

the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them

Miracles (O.T.). vs. 1-3; Num 16:31-35. (Gen 5:24; Jon 2:1-10.)

Num 11:3 And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the LORD burnt among them.

Taberah

A burning.

Num 11:4 And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?

the mixt multitude

Cf. Scofield Exodus 12:38, note. Unconverted church members, unable to desire or understand Christ as the Bread of God (Scofield Exodus 16:35, note), will clamour for things pleasing to the flesh in the work and way of the church: sumptuous buildings, ornate ritual, an easy doctrine. Alas! they lead away the unspiritual believers also.

Num 11:6 But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.

manna

Scofield Exodus 16:35, note.

Num 11:15 And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.

Bible prayers (O.T.). vs. 11-15; Num 12:13. (Gen 15:2; Hab 3:1-16.)

Num 11:17 And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.

the spirit

Holy Spirit. vs. 17, 25, 26, 29; Num 24:2. (Gen 1:2; Mal 2:15.)

Num 11:24 And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the LORD, and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the tabernacle.

the words of the LORD

Inspiration. Num 22:38. (Exo 4:15; Rev 22:19.)

Num 11:25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.

the spirit that was upon him

There was no more power than before—only more machinery. Moses had murmured (Numbers 11:11) because of the burden that God had laid upon him. God, in distributing the burden, shows that Moses' power had, all along, been in proportion to his burden.

Num 11:31 And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of all the earth.

two cubits high upon the face of all the earth

The correct rendering is, "about two cubits above the face of the earth," that is, within reach of the people that they might slay them for food. The statement is not that the quails were piled up from the face of the earth two cubits deep. The level of their flight was two cubits above the earth.

cubit

One cubit = 1 ft. 5.48 in.

Num 11:35 And the people journeyed from Kibrothhattaavah unto Hazeroth; and abode at Hazeroth.

journeyed

Num 33:17.

Kibrothhattaavah

i.e. graves of lust. Numbers 33:17.