Numbers 11 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

2. In the wilderness (10:11–19:22) * The Israelites set out, the Israelites rebel about the manna, Miriam and Aaron rebel against Moses, the leaders explore Canaan, and the Israelites refuse to enter Canaan and are punished (10:11–14:45)In this chapter, the Israelites complain about the manna that Yahweh provided for them and ask for meat instead. Yahweh gives them meat but also punishes them. Yahweh also appoints 70 men to help Moses lead the Israelites.

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

The manna

In this chapter, the Israelites complain about the food that Yahweh provided for them, which was called “manna.” See [Exodus 16](../../exo/16/01.md) for more information about how God provided the manna for them. Here, the Israelites want meat instead of manna. God provides them with meat, but he also punishes them for failing to be content with the manna. The author also briefly describes the manner. It is shaped like small seeds, and it has the consistency or color of gum resin. (See: manna)

The Spirit

In [11:17](../11/17.md), [25–26](../11/25.md), and [29](../11/29.md), the “Spirit” is mentioned. Scholars debate whether the word refers to God’s own Spirit, which he gave to Moses, or whether it refers to Moses’ spirit, which Yahweh had enabled in a special way. Either way, it is clear that Yahweh enabled Moses to lead the Israelites, and now Yahweh also enables the 70 men to lead the Israelites too. It is recommended that you follow the UST and indicate that the Spirit is God’s Spirit. However, also consider how translations that your readers might be familiar with treat the word “Spirit” here. (See: holyspirit and spirit)

Prophesying

In this chapter, Yahweh sends his Spirit on 70 leaders. When they receive the Spirit, they “prophesy.” The author does not indicate exactly what they said or did. In some cases, “prophesying” means not being in control of one’s body and saying strange things. In other cases, “prophesying” means speaking words from God. In this context, it is likely that the leaders “prophesied” by speaking words from God, but they may also have acted strangely as they did so. (See: prophet)

The quails

In this chapter, Yahweh sends birds called “quails” to the Israelites. These birds are good to eat. They are brown and have a wingspan of around 32–35 centimeters. They migrate in large numbers through the Sinai area twice a year.

Translation Issues in This Chapter

“People” as singular and plural

The singular word “people” occurs frequently in this chapter. Sometimes, plural words refer to “people” (for example, see [11:8](../11/08.md)), and sometimes singular words refer to “people” (for example, see [11:10](../11/10.md)). This happens because the word “people” is singular in form but refers to many persons. The ULT preserves the singular and plural alternation, and the UST models how to express the ideas in plural form. Consider how you would naturally refer to a group of people in your language. (See: grammar-collectivenouns)

Quotes in quotes

There are several times in this chapter where there are quotes inside quotes. In fact, [11:18](../11/18.md) includes a quote inside a quote inside a quote. Consider how your language indicates that a quote contains a quote. The UST models how to express the idea with only one level of quotations. (See: figs-quotesinquotes)

Metaphors with the Spirit

In this chapter, Yahweh and the author speak as if the Spirit were an object that could be taken from one person, given to another person, and “rest” on top of them. This metaphor portrays how Yahweh shared the Spirit that he gave to Moses with the 70 leaders, who now also received the Spirit from Yahweh. Yahweh and the author do not mean that Moses had less of the Spirit now. Rather, they mean that the Spirit now enables the 70 leaders to lead the Israelites along with Moses. See the notes for translation options. (See: figs-metaphor)