So that place was called TaberahThe naming of places in the Old Testament often reflects significant events or divine encounters. "Taberah" means "burning" in Hebrew, indicating the severity of the event that occurred there. Naming places served as a memorial for the Israelites, reminding them of God's actions and their own responses. This practice is seen throughout the Pentateuch, such as in
Genesis 28:19, where Jacob names Bethel after his vision of the ladder. The naming of Taberah highlights the importance of remembering both God's judgment and mercy.
because the fire of the LORD
The "fire of the LORD" signifies divine judgment and presence. Fire is a recurring symbol of God's holiness and power, as seen inExodus 3:2 with the burning bush and inExodus 19:18 at Mount Sinai. It represents purification and judgment, as inMalachi 3:2-3, where God is described as a refiner's fire. The fire at Taberah serves as a warning against disobedience and a reminder of God's holiness, which demands reverence and obedience from His people.
had burned among them
The burning among the Israelites was a direct response to their complaints and rebellion against God. This event is part of a pattern of Israel's disobedience and God's discipline throughout their wilderness journey. It reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where blessings follow obedience and curses follow disobedience, as outlined inDeuteronomy 28. The burning also prefigures the ultimate judgment and purification that Christ brings, as He baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11). This incident underscores the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance and faithfulness to God.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
TaberahThis is the place where the Israelites experienced the burning wrath of God due to their complaints. The name "Taberah" means "burning" in Hebrew, signifying the divine judgment that occurred there.
2.
The IsraelitesThe people of God who were journeying from Egypt to the Promised Land. They frequently complained about their circumstances, which led to God's anger.
3.
The LORDThe covenant God of Israel, who demonstrated His holiness and justice by sending fire as a response to the people's complaints.
4.
MosesThe leader of the Israelites, who often interceded on behalf of the people when they faced God's judgment.
5.
The Fire of the LORDA manifestation of God's judgment and holiness, which consumed the outskirts of the camp as a response to the people's discontent.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of ComplainingComplaining against God reflects a lack of trust in His provision and plan. The Israelites' complaints led to severe consequences, reminding us to cultivate gratitude and trust in God's sovereignty.
The Holiness of GodGod's response with fire at Taberah underscores His holiness and intolerance of sin. We must approach God with reverence and recognize the seriousness of sin in our lives.
Intercession and LeadershipMoses' role as an intercessor highlights the importance of godly leadership and prayer. Leaders today are called to intercede for those they lead, seeking God's mercy and guidance.
Learning from the PastThe events at Taberah serve as a warning and lesson for believers today. We are encouraged to learn from the past mistakes of the Israelites and strive for obedience and faithfulness.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Numbers 11:3?
2.How does Numbers 11:3 illustrate God's response to Israel's complaints and disobedience?
3.What lessons can we learn from the consequences faced by the Israelites in Numbers 11:3?
4.How does Numbers 11:3 connect with God's holiness and justice in other scriptures?
5.How can we apply the warning in Numbers 11:3 to our daily lives?
6.What role does gratitude play in preventing the attitudes seen in Numbers 11:3?
7.Why is the place called Taberah in Numbers 11:3 significant in biblical history?
8.What does God's anger in Numbers 11:3 reveal about His character?
9.How does Numbers 11:3 challenge the concept of divine justice?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 11?
11.What is the meaning of a heave offering?
12.What are God's seven spirits?
13.Amos 7:3, 6 - If God is 'unchanging,' why does He appear to change His decision in answer to Amos's plea?
14.Why did people live longer than 120 years after God set the limit in Genesis 6:3, as seen in Genesis 11:12-16?What Does Numbers 11:3 Mean
So that place•Numbers 11:1–2 sets the scene: Israel has just left Sinai, and “the people grumbled about their hardship in the hearing of the LORD.”
• The geographical note grounds the event in real history and geography, much likeExodus 15:22–25 (Marah) orGenesis 28:19 (Bethel).
• God records locations to remind future generations where He acted, reinforcingDeuteronomy 6:12, “be careful that you do not forget the LORD.”
was called Taberah• “Taberah” means “Burning,” a memorial name similar to Massah & Meribah (Exodus 17:7) or Gilgal (Joshua 4:20–24).
• Naming turns an incident into a perpetual signpost: every mention of Taberah would recall both God’s holiness and Israel’s disobedience (Psalm 78:17–22).
• Just as Abraham named “The LORD Will Provide” (Genesis 22:14) to commemorate grace, Israel names Taberah to commemorate judgment.
because the fire of the LORD• The phrase “fire of the LORD” appears elsewhere as holy presence and purifying judgment—seeLeviticus 10:2 (Nadab and Abihu) and2 Kings 1:10–12 (Elijah).
• God Himself, not a natural blaze, sent this fire.Hebrews 12:29 affirms, “Our God is a consuming fire,” highlighting His righteous character.
• Divine fire protects the covenant community by purging sin (Zechariah 13:9), underscoring the seriousness of complaining against God’s provision.
had burned among them• The judgment fell “among them,” not merely around them, showing sin’s immediate consequences (Psalm 106:18).
• Yet mercy followed: when Moses interceded, “the fire died down” (Numbers 11:2), reflecting the consistent pattern of mediator-delivered mercy (Exodus 32:11–14;1 Timothy 2:5).
• Paul later cites this episode to warn the church: “These things happened as examples… so we would not crave evil things as they did” (1 Corinthians 10:6,10–11).
summaryTaberah stands as a literal, historical marker of God’s holy response to Israel’s grumbling. The name preserves the memory: where the people complained, the LORD’s fire burned—yet He relented at Moses’ plea. The verse calls every generation to remember that God hears our words, disciplines for our good, and offers mercy through His appointed mediator.
(3)
Taberah--
i.e., burning,a word cognate to the verb which is rendered
burntin
Numbers 11:1 and in this verse.
Verse 3. -
and he called the name of the place Taberah. Or Taberah (
תַּבְעֵרָה). This name does not occur in the list of stations in chapter 33, which mentions nothing between Sinai and Kibroth-Hattaavah. It would seem probable, however, that the conflagration occurred while Israel was encamped, or else there could hardly have been a burning "in the end of the camp." We may therefore suppose either that Tabeerah was some spot in the immediate neighbourhood of Sinai whither the people gathered for their first long march; or that it was one of the halting-places on the "three days' journey" not mentioned in the list, because that journey was considered as all one; or that it was the same place afterwards called Kibroth-Hatta-avah. There is nothing in the narrative to decide a question which is in itself unimportant. It is necessary to remember that where the ancient and local names derived from marked natural features were not available, such names as Tabeerah given to the halting-places of so vast a host must have had a very loose significance.
CHAPTER 11:4-35 KIBROTH HATTAAVAH (verses 4-35).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
So thatהַה֖וּא(ha·hū)Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931:He, self, the same, this, that, as, areplaceהַמָּק֥וֹם(ham·mā·qō·wm)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4725:A standing, a spot, a conditionwas calledוַיִּקְרָ֛א(way·yiq·rā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121:To call, proclaim, readTaberah,תַּבְעֵרָ֑ה(taḇ·‘ê·rāh)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8404:Taberah -- 'burning', a place in the desertbecauseכִּֽי־(kî-)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionthe fireאֵ֥שׁ(’êš)Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 784:A fireof the LORDיְהוָֽה׃(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelhad burnedבָעֲרָ֥ה(ḇā·‘ă·rāh)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1197:To kindle, consume, to be, brutishamong them.בָ֖ם(ḇām)Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew
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OT Law: Numbers 11:3 The name of that place was called (Nu Num.) 
