Numbers 11 - Introduction

JE

Taberah. The Manna and Quails. The resting of the spirit upon the elders

During the journey between Sinai and Paran (the arrival at which is stated in anticipation by P in Numbers 10:12) five incidents are placed by the compiler, viz. the three in the present chapter, the fragmentary narrative in Numbers 12:1, and the vindication of Moses against Aaron and Miriam in Numbers 12:2-15. The first and the last two create no special difficulties. But the two which intervene have been fused by a compiler, who has also combined with them a fragment from a third narrative, and these must be separated with care. When this is done, however, a very difficult chapter becomes comparatively clear.