Numbers 11:13
New International Version
Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’

New Living Translation
Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people? They keep whining to me, saying, ‘Give us meat to eat!’

English Standard Version
Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they weep before me and say, ‘Give us meat, that we may eat.’

Berean Standard Bible
Where can I get meat for all these people? For they keep crying out to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’

King James Bible
Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat.

New King James Version
Where am I to get meat to give to all these people? For they weep all over me, saying, ‘Give us meat, that we may eat.’

New American Standard Bible
Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they weep before me, saying, ‘Give us meat so that we may eat!’

NASB 1995
“Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they weep before me, saying, ‘Give us meat that we may eat!’

NASB 1977
“Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they weep before me, saying, ‘Give us meat that we may eat!’

Legacy Standard Bible
Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they weep before me, saying, ‘Give us meat that we may eat!’

Amplified Bible
Where am I to get meat to give to all these people? For they weep before me and say, ‘Give us meat, so that we may eat.’

Christian Standard Bible
Where can I get meat to give all these people? For they are weeping to me, ‘Give us meat to eat! ’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Where can I get meat to give all these people? For they are crying to me: ‘Give us meat to eat!’

American Standard Version
Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat.

Contemporary English Version
They keep whining for meat, but where can I get meat for them?

English Revised Version
Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep crying for me to give them meat to eat.

Good News Translation
Where could I get enough meat for all these people? They keep whining and asking for meat.

International Standard Version
Where am I going to get meat to give this people? After all, they're crying in front of me, 'Give us meat to eat!'

Majority Standard Bible
Where can I get meat for all these people? For they keep crying out to me, ?Give us meat to eat!?

NET Bible
From where shall I get meat to give to this entire people, for they cry to me, 'Give us meat, that we may eat!'

New Heart English Bible
Where could I get meat to give to all this people? For they weep to me, saying, 'Give us meat, that we may eat.'

Webster's Bible Translation
Whence should I have flesh to give to all this people? for they weep to me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat.

World English Bible
Where could I get meat to give all these people? For they weep before me, saying, ‘Give us meat, that we may eat.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
From where do I have flesh to give to all this people? For they weep to me, saying, Give flesh to us, and we eat.

Young's Literal Translation
Whence have I flesh to give to all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give to us flesh, and we eat.

Smith's Literal Translation
Whence to me flesh to give to all this people? for they weep upon me, saying, Thou shalt give to us flesh and we shall eat.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Whence should I have flesh to give to so great a multitude? they weep against me, saying: Give us flesh that we may eat.

Catholic Public Domain Version
From where would I obtain the flesh to give to so great a multitude? They weep against me, saying, ‘Give us flesh, so that we may eat.’

New American Bible
Where can I get meat to give to all this people? For they are crying to me, ‘Give us meat for our food.’

New Revised Standard Version
Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they come weeping to me and say, ‘Give us meat to eat!’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Where can I find meat to give to all this people? For they weep protesting to me, saying, Give us meat, that we may eat.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
From where do I have meat that I shall give to all this people that weep upon me and they say, ‘Give us flesh to eat?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they trouble me with their weeping, saying: Give us flesh, that we may eat.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Whence have I flesh to give to all this people? for they weep to me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Complaint of Moses
12Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth, so that You should tell me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries an infant,’ to the land that You swore to give their fathers? 13Where can I get meat for all these people? For they keep crying out to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ 14I cannot carry all these people by myself; it is too burdensome for me.…

Cross References
Exodus 16:2-3
And there in the desert the whole congregation of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. / “If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt!” they said. “There we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread, but you have brought us into this desert to starve this whole assembly to death!”

Psalm 78:18-20
They willfully tested God by demanding the food they craved. / They spoke against God, saying, “Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness? / When He struck the rock, water gushed out and torrents raged. But can He also give bread or supply His people with meat?”

John 6:31-33
Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” / Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. / For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

Exodus 16:12-15
“I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.’” / That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. / When the layer of dew had evaporated, there were thin flakes on the desert floor, as fine as frost on the ground. ...

Psalm 106:14-15
They craved intensely in the wilderness and tested God in the desert. / So He granted their request, but sent a wasting disease upon them.

John 6:49-51
Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. / This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that anyone may eat of it and not die. / I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And this bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh.”

Exodus 17:2-3
So the people contended with Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why do you contend with me?” Moses replied. “Why do you test the LORD?” / But the people thirsted for water there, and they grumbled against Moses: “Why have you brought us out of Egypt—to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”

Matthew 14:15-21
When evening came, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late. Dismiss the crowds so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” / “They do not need to go away,” Jesus replied. “You give them something to eat.” / “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. ...

1 Corinthians 10:3-4
They all ate the same spiritual food / and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.

Deuteronomy 8:3
He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

Matthew 15:32-38
Then Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I have compassion for this crowd, because they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may faint along the way.” / The disciples replied, “Where in this desolate place could we find enough bread to feed such a large crowd?” / “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.” ...

2 Kings 4:42-44
Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha. / But his servant asked, “How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?” “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” / So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD.

John 6:26-27
Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it is not because you saw these signs that you are looking for Me, but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. / Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”

Isaiah 55:2
Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.

Luke 9:12-17
As the day neared its end, the Twelve came to Jesus and said, “Dismiss the crowd so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside for lodging and provisions. For we are in a desolate place here.” / But Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.” “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered, “unless we go and buy food for all these people.” / (There were about five thousand men.) He told His disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” ...


Treasury of Scripture

From where should I have flesh to give to all this people? for they weep to me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat.

Matthew 15:33
And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?

Mark 8:4
And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?

Mark 9:23
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

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Eat Trouble Wailing Weep Weeping Whence
Numbers 11
1. The burning at Taberah quenched by Moses' prayer
4. The people crave meat, and loathe manna
10. Moses complains of his charge
16. God promises to divide his burden unto seventy elders,
18. and to give the people meat for a month
21. Moses' faith is staggered
31. Quails are given in wrath at Kibroth Hattaavah














Where can I get meat
In this phrase, Moses expresses a deep sense of frustration and helplessness. The Hebrew word for "meat" is "בָּשָׂר" (basar), which can refer to any kind of flesh or food. This highlights the Israelites' craving for physical sustenance beyond the manna provided by God. Historically, this reflects the Israelites' struggle to trust in God's provision, a recurring theme throughout their wilderness journey. The desire for meat symbolizes a longing for the comforts of Egypt, representing a spiritual struggle between reliance on God and the temptation to return to former ways.

to give all these people?
Moses is overwhelmed by the responsibility of leading a large group of people. The phrase "all these people" underscores the vast number of Israelites, estimated to be over a million. This immense responsibility weighs heavily on Moses, illustrating the burden of leadership. The Hebrew word for "people" is "עָם" (am), often used to denote a community or nation. This reflects the collective identity of the Israelites as God's chosen people, yet also highlights their frequent discontent and lack of faith. Moses' question reveals his human limitations and foreshadows the need for divine intervention.

For they keep crying out to me
The phrase "keep crying out" indicates persistent and intense complaints from the Israelites. The Hebrew root "צָעַק" (tsa'aq) conveys a sense of crying out in distress or protest. This reflects the Israelites' continual dissatisfaction and lack of gratitude for God's provision. Historically, this behavior is consistent with their repeated grumblings throughout the Exodus narrative. Moses, as their leader, becomes the focal point of their complaints, which adds to his burden. This situation underscores the challenge of leading a people who struggle with faith and contentment.

‘Give us meat to eat!’
This demand highlights the Israelites' insistent desire for physical satisfaction. The repetition of the request for meat emphasizes their fixation on immediate gratification rather than spiritual growth. The Hebrew word "נָתַן" (natan), meaning "to give," suggests an expectation or entitlement, reflecting a lack of trust in God's provision. This demand is a direct challenge to Moses' leadership and God's plan, illustrating the tension between human desires and divine will. It serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and reliance on God, even when circumstances seem challenging.

(13) Whence should I have flesh . . .?--Moses does not justify the murmuring of the people, and was doubtless conscious of their sinfulness. At the same time, he displays a spirit of discontent, and almost of despair, at God's dealings with himself; and he appears to treat the demand of the Israelites. for flesh as one which was not altogether unreasonable.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Where
מֵאַ֤יִן (mê·’a·yin)
Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 370: Whence?

can I get meat
בָּשָׂ֔ר (bā·śār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1320: Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man

for
לָתֵ֖ת (lā·ṯêṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

all
לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

these
הַזֶּ֑ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

people?
הָעָ֣ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they keep crying out
יִבְכּ֤וּ (yiḇ·kū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1058: To weep, to bemoan

to me,
עָלַי֙ (‘ā·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

‘Give
תְּנָה־ (tə·nāh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

us meat
בָשָׂ֖ר (ḇā·śār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1320: Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man

to eat!’
וְנֹאכֵֽלָה׃ (wə·nō·ḵê·lāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural
Strong's 398: To eat


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OT Law: Numbers 11:13 Where should I get meat to give (Nu Num.)
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