Numbers 11:34 - The name of that place was called Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who lusted.

Generated Verse: Numbers 11:34

What does "Numbers 11:34" mean?


Numbers 11:34 states: "So he called the name of that place Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had the craving." (ESV)

Here's a breakdown of the verse and its meaning:

Kibroth Hattaavah: This translates to "Graves of Craving" or "Graves of Lust." It's a place name given to a specific location in the wilderness where the Israelites were wandering after leaving Egypt.
"because there they buried the people who lusted": This explains the origin of the name. The Israelites had begun to "lust exceedingly" (Numbers 11:4) for meat and complained to Moses about the monotonous diet of manna provided by God. They remembered the food they had in Egypt, even though they were slaves there.

God, in His anger at their lack of faith and ingratitude, provided them with quail, promising them more meat than they could eat.
However, while the meat was still between their teeth, God struck them with a plague, and many of them died and were buried in that place.

In essence, the verse serves as a stark reminder and warning:

Consequences of Ungratefulness and Complaining: The Israelites' dissatisfaction with God's provision and their yearning for what they had left behind in slavery (Egypt) led to a severe judgment.
Danger of Uncontrolled Desire: The "lust" (or "craving" in some translations) highlights the danger of giving in to selfish desires, especially when they lead to ingratitude and rebellion against God.
Memorial of Divine Displeasure: The place name "Kibroth Hattaavah" became a permanent memorial of the event, reminding future generations of the Israelites of the consequences of their ancestors' actions.

The verse is a powerful reminder that God provides for our needs, and we should be content with what we have, trusting in His provision. Giving in to selfish desires and complaining about God's blessings can lead to negative consequences.

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