Topical Encyclopedia Hattaavah, a term derived from the Hebrew root word "ta'avah," meaning "desire" or "lust," is a significant event in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. This term is closely associated with the episode recorded in the Book of Numbers, where the Israelites express a strong craving for meat, leading to divine judgment.Biblical Context The account of Hattaavah is found in Numbers 11:4-34. The Israelites, having been delivered from slavery in Egypt and sustained by manna from heaven, begin to express dissatisfaction with their diet. Numbers 11:4-6 states, "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!'" This craving, described as a "strong craving" or "lusting," reflects a deeper spiritual issue of ingratitude and rebellion against God's provision. The Israelites' longing for the foods of Egypt symbolizes a desire to return to their former life, despite the bondage it entailed. Divine Response In response to their complaints, God promises to provide meat for the Israelites. Numbers 11:18-20 records God's words to Moses: "Tell the people: 'Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow you will eat meat, because you have wept in the hearing of the LORD, saying, "Who will feed us meat? For we were better off in Egypt!" Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you will eat it. You will eat it not for one or two days, nor for five or ten or twenty days, but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and makes you nauseous—because you have rejected the LORD, who is among you, and have cried out before Him, saying, "Why did we ever leave Egypt?"'" God's provision of quail, as described in Numbers 11:31-32 , is both a response to their request and a test of their obedience and faith. However, the abundance of quail leads to a severe consequence. Numbers 11:33 states, "But while the meat was still between their teeth and before it was chewed, the anger of the LORD burned against the people, and the LORD struck them with a severe plague." Theological Significance Hattaavah serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers of discontentment and the consequences of yielding to fleshly desires. It highlights the Israelites' failure to trust in God's provision and their tendency to romanticize their past in Egypt, despite the harsh realities of slavery. This episode underscores the importance of gratitude and faithfulness in the believer's walk with God. The event also illustrates the principle that God's judgment can accompany His provision when His gifts are received with ingratitude or misused. The place where this event occurred was named Kibroth Hattaavah, meaning "Graves of Craving," as a lasting testament to the consequences of their lustful desires (Numbers 11:34). Related Themes Hattaavah is thematically linked to other biblical teachings on contentment, obedience, and the dangers of covetousness. The New Testament echoes these themes, urging believers to find contentment in Christ and warning against the love of worldly pleasures (Philippians 4:11-13, 1 Timothy 6:6-10). In summary, Hattaavah is a critical episode in the wilderness journey of the Israelites, serving as a cautionary tale about the perils of discontentment and the importance of trusting in God's provision. Strong's Hebrew 6914. Qibroth Hattaavah -- "the graves of desire," a place in the ...Qibroth Hattaavah. 6913, 6914. Qibroth Hattaavah. 6915 . "the graves of desire," a place in the desert. Transliteration: Qibroth ... /hebrew/6914.htm - 6k Library Sacrifices. Thesaurus Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences)Kibroth-hattaavah. Kibrothhattaavah, Kibroth-hattaavah. Kib'roth-hatta'avah . Easton's Bible Dictionary ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. KIBROTH-HATTAAVAH. ... /k/kibroth-hattaavah.htm - 10k Hattaavah (5 Occurrences) Kib'roth-hatta'avah (5 Occurrences) Kibroth (5 Occurrences) Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences) Taberah (2 Occurrences) Traveled (104 Occurrences) Haze'roth (5 Occurrences) Hazeroth (5 Occurrences) Camped (100 Occurrences) Resources What were the quail mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Hattaavah (5 Occurrences)Numbers 11:34 Numbers 11:35 Numbers 33:16 Numbers 33:17 Deuteronomy 9:22 Subtopics Related Terms |
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