Numbers 11:10

Moses’ Complaint to the Lord

11:10 ¹ Moses heard the people weeping ²  throughout their families, everyone at the door of his tent; and when the anger of the Lord was kindled greatly, Moses was also displeased. ³ 

Numbers 11:33

11:33 But while the meat was still between their teeth, before they chewed it, ⁴  the anger of the Lord burned against the people, and the Lord struck the people with a very great plague.

Numbers 13:28

13:28 But ⁵  the inhabitants ⁶  are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. Moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there.

Numbers 22:3

22:3 And the Moabites were greatly afraid of the people, because they were so numerous. The Moabites were sick with fear because of the Israelites.

Numbers 22:17

22:17 For I will honor you greatly, ⁷  and whatever you tell me I will do. So come, put a curse on this nation for me.’”

[11:10]  ¹ sn Moses begins to feel the burden of caring for this people, a stubborn and rebellious people. His complaint shows how contagious their complaining has been. It is one thing to cry out to God about the load of ministry, but it is quite another to do it in such a way as to reflect a lack of faith in God’s provision. God has to remind the leader Moses that he, the Lord, can do anything. This is a variation on the theme from Exodus – “who am I that I should lead….”

[11:10]  ² tn The participle “weeping” is functioning here as the noun in the accusative case, an adverbial accusative of state. It is explicative of the object.

[11:10]  ³ tn Heb “it was evil in the eyes of Moses.”

[11:33]  ⁴ tn The verb is a prefixed conjugation, normally an imperfect tense. But coming after the adverb טֶּרֶם (terem) it is treated as a preterite.

[13:28]  ⁷ tn The word (אֶפֶס, ’efes) forms a very strong adversative. The land was indeed rich and fruitful, but….”

[13:28]  ⁸ tn Heb “the people who are living in the land.”

[22:17]  ¹⁰ tn The construction uses the Piel infinitive כַּבֵּד (kabbed) to intensify the verb, which is the Piel imperfect/cohortative אֲכַבֶּדְךָ (’akhabbedkha). The great honor could have been wealth, prestige, or position.