Numbers 21:5 and spoke against God and against Moses: "Why have you led us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!"

◄ Numbers 21:5 ►

New International Version
they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”

New Living Translation
and they began to speak against God and Moses. “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die here in the wilderness?” they complained. “There is nothing to eat here and nothing to drink. And we hate this horrible manna!”

English Standard Version
And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.”

Berean Standard Bible
and spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you led us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!”

King James Bible
And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

New King James Version
And the people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.”

New American Standard Bible
So the people spoke against God and Moses: “Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we are disgusted with this miserable food.”

NASB 1995
The people spoke against God and Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food.”

NASB 1977
And the people spoke against God and Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food.”

Amplified Bible
So the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no bread, nor is there any water, and we loathe this miserable food.”

Christian Standard Bible
The people spoke against God and Moses: “Why have you led us up from Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The people spoke against God and Moses: “Why have you led us up from Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!”

American Standard Version
And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, and there is no water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

Contemporary English Version
that they complained against God and said to Moses, "Did you bring us out of Egypt, just to let us die in the desert? There's no water out here, and we can't stand this awful food!"

English Revised Version
And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, and there is no water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
and criticized God and Moses. They said, "Why did you make us leave Egypt-just to let us die in the desert? There's no bread or water, and we can't stand this awful food!"

Good News Translation
and spoke against God and Moses. They complained, "Why did you bring us out of Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We can't stand any more of this miserable food!"

International Standard Version
the people complained against the LORD and Moses. "Why did you bring us out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?" they asked. "There's no food and water, and we're tired of this worthless bread."

Majority Standard Bible
and spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you led us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!”

NET Bible
And the people spoke against God and against Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness, for there is no bread or water, and we detest this worthless food."

New Heart English Bible
The people spoke against God, and against Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no bread, and there is no water; and our soul loathes this light bread."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the people spoke against God, and against Moses, Why have ye brought us out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul lotheth this light bread.

World English Bible
The people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no bread, there is no water, and our soul loathes this disgusting food!”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and the people speak against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in a wilderness? For there is no bread, and there is no water, and our soul has been weary of this light bread.”

Young's Literal Translation
and the people speak against God, and against Moses, 'Why hast thou brought us up out of Egypt to die in a wilderness? for there is no bread, and there is no water, and our soul hath been weary of this light bread.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the people will speak against God, and against Moses, For what brought ye us up from Egypt to die in the desert? for no bread, and no water; and our soul loathed upon this light bread.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And speaking against God end Moses, they said: Why didst thou bring us out of Egypt, to die in the wilderness? There is no bread, nor have we any waters: our soul now loatheth this very light food.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And speaking against God and Moses, they said: “Why did you lead us away from Egypt, so as to die in the wilderness? Bread is lacking; there are no waters. Our soul is now nauseous over this very light food.”

New American Bible
so the people complained against God and Moses, “Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in the wilderness, where there is no food or water? We are disgusted with this wretched food!”

New Revised Standard Version
The people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And the people murmured against God and against Moses, saying, Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For neither is there bread, nor water; and our soul is wearied with this inferior bread (manna).

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the people complained against God and against Moshe and they said, “Why did you bring us out from Egypt that we should die in the wilderness, because there is no bread and no water and our soul is weary of the small bread?”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And the people spoke against God, and against Moses: 'Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, and there is no water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the people spoke against God and against Moses, saying, Why is this? Hast thou brought us ought of Egypt to slay us in the wilderness? for there is not bread nor water; and our soul loathes this light bread.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Bronze Serpent
4Then they set out from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, in order to bypass the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient on the journey 5 and spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you led us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!” 6So the LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and many of the Israelites were bitten and died.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

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!”

Exodus 17:3
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?”

Numbers 11:4-6
Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, “Who will feed us meat? / We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. / But now our appetite is gone; there is nothing to see but this manna!”

Numbers 14:2-4
All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness! / Why is the LORD bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” / So they said to one another, “Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt.”

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.

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?”

Psalm 106:13-15
Yet they soon forgot His works and failed to wait for His counsel. / They craved intensely in the wilderness and tested God in the desert. / So He granted their request, but sent a wasting disease upon them.

1 Corinthians 10:9-10
We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes. / And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel.

John 6:41-43
At this, the Jews began to grumble about Jesus because He had said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” / They were asking, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How then can He say, ‘I have come down from heaven?’” / “Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus replied.

John 6:49
Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died.

Deuteronomy 9:22
You continued to provoke the LORD at Taberah, at Massah, and at Kibroth-hattaavah.

Psalm 78:56-57
But they tested and disobeyed God Most High, for they did not keep His decrees. / They turned back and were faithless like their fathers, twisted like a faulty bow.

Psalm 95:8-9
do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, in the day at Massah in the wilderness, / where your fathers tested and tried Me, though they had seen My work.

Hebrews 3:8-9
do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness, / where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works.

Hebrews 3:16-18
For who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? / And with whom was God angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? / And to whom did He swear that they would never enter His rest? Was it not to those who disobeyed?

Treasury of Scripture

And the people spoke against God, and against Moses, Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loathes this light bread.

spake

Numbers 11:1-6
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…

Numbers 14:1-4
And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night…

Numbers 16:13,14,41
Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us? …

and our soul

Numbers 11:6-9
But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes…

Exodus 16:15,31
And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat…

Psalm 78:24,25
And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven…

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Numbers 21

1. Israel destroys the Canaanites at Hormah
4. The people murmuring are plagued with fiery serpents
7. They repenting are healed by a bronze serpent
10. Various journeys of the Israelites
21. Sihon is overcome
33. And Og

Berean Study Bible

And the people spoke against God and against Moses
This phrase highlights the recurring theme of rebellion and dissatisfaction among the Israelites during their wilderness journey. The Hebrew word for "spoke" (דִּבֵּר, dibber) implies not just casual conversation but a deliberate act of complaint or accusation. This reflects a deeper spiritual issue of distrust and ingratitude towards divine leadership. Historically, this period was marked by a series of tests and trials meant to refine the Israelites' faith. Speaking "against God and against Moses" indicates a direct challenge to both divine authority and the appointed human leader, Moses, who was God's chosen instrument for their deliverance.

Why have you brought us up out of Egypt
The phrase "brought us up out of Egypt" recalls the miraculous deliverance from slavery, a foundational event in Israel's history. The Hebrew root for "brought up" (עָלָה, alah) suggests an elevation or ascent, symbolizing not just a physical relocation but a spiritual journey towards a promised relationship with God. The question posed by the Israelites reveals a lack of understanding and appreciation for the purpose of their liberation. It underscores a common human tendency to romanticize the past, even when it was marked by oppression, due to fear or discomfort with the present challenges.

to die in the wilderness?
The wilderness, or "midbar" (מִדְבָּר), in Hebrew, is often a place of testing and transformation in the Bible. It is a harsh environment that strips away comforts and distractions, forcing reliance on God. The Israelites' fear of dying in the wilderness reflects a crisis of faith, as they struggle to trust in God's provision and promises. This phrase captures the tension between the physical reality of their journey and the spiritual growth it was intended to produce. Historically, the wilderness period was a time of covenant formation and identity shaping for the Israelites, preparing them for life in the Promised Land.

For there is no bread or water
The complaint of "no bread or water" highlights the Israelites' focus on immediate physical needs. Bread and water are basic sustenance, and their absence is a legitimate concern. However, this complaint overlooks the miraculous provision of manna and water from the rock, which God had already provided. The Hebrew word for "bread" (לֶחֶם, lechem) and "water" (מַיִם, mayim) are not just physical necessities but also symbols of spiritual nourishment and life. This phrase challenges believers to trust in God's provision, even when it seems insufficient by worldly standards.

and we detest this miserable food!
The term "miserable food" refers to the manna, described elsewhere as "the bread of heaven" (Psalm 78:24). The Hebrew word for "detest" (קָצָה, qatsah) conveys a strong sense of loathing or disgust. This reaction to God's miraculous provision reveals a heart hardened by ingratitude and a lack of spiritual discernment. Manna, while monotonous, was a daily reminder of God's faithfulness and care. This phrase serves as a caution against allowing familiarity to breed contempt, urging believers to recognize and appreciate God's blessings, even when they come in unexpected forms.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(5) This light bread.--The word rendered light denotes something vile or worthless. It was thus that the Israelites regarded the manna which was given to them from heaven; even as the "spiritual meat" which is given to Christ's Church in His word and ordinances is too commonly regarded amongst ourselves.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 5. - There is no bread, neither is there any water. The one of these statements was no doubt as much and as little true as the other. There was no ordinary supply of either; but as they had bread given to them from heaven, so they had water from the rock, otherwise they could not possibly have existed. Our soul loatheth this light bread. קְלקֵל, a stronger form than קַל from קָלַל. Septuagint, διακένῳ. They meant to say, as their fathers had (chapter 11:6), that it was unsavory and unsubstantial in comparison with the heavy and succulent diet of Egypt (see note on chapter Numbers 20:3).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

and spoke
וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר (way·ḏab·bêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

against God
בֵּֽאלֹהִים֮ (bê·lō·hîm)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

and against Moses:
וּבְמֹשֶׁה֒ (ū·ḇə·mō·šeh)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

“Why
לָמָ֤ה (lā·māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

have you led us up
הֶֽעֱלִיתֻ֙נוּ֙ (he·‘ĕ·lî·ṯu·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine plural | first person common plural
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

out of Egypt
מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם (mim·miṣ·ra·yim)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

to die
לָמ֖וּת (lā·mūṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

in the wilderness?
בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר (bam·miḏ·bār)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

There is no
אֵ֥ין (’ên)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

bread
לֶ֙חֶם֙ (le·ḥem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain

or water,
מַ֔יִם (ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

and we
וְנַפְשֵׁ֣נוּ (wə·nap̄·šê·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

detest
קָ֔צָה (qā·ṣāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6973: To feel a loathing, abhorrence, or sickening dread

this wretched
הַקְּלֹקֵֽל׃ (haq·qə·lō·qêl)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7052: Contemptible, worthless

food!”
בַּלֶּ֖חֶם (bal·le·ḥem)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain

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OT Law: Numbers 21:5 The people spoke against God and against (Nu Num.)