Numbers 11 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Disparate in this chapter: 11:20
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Numbers 11
Israel’s Restlessness
Fire at Taberah
Verse 11:1 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:1 The people were like those complaining of hardship in YHWH’s hearing. YHWH heard, and His anger flared; fire from YHWH burned among them and consumed the edge of the camp.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:1 The people were grumbling evil things before the Lord. The Lord heard and was stirred to anger; fire from the Lord blazed among them and consumed a part of the camp.
Classification & Notes
Different
Hebrew locates the burning at the camp’s edge; Greek says a part of the camp. The difficult Hebrew opening is more explicit about complaint in Greek.
Verse 11:2 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:2 The people cried out to Moses. Moses prayed to YHWH, and the fire died down.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:2 The people cried out to Moses. Moses prayed to the Lord, and the fire died down.
Classification & Notes
Same
Both describe the people’s appeal, Moses’ prayer, and the fire’s subsiding.
Verse 11:3 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:3 That place was named Taberah, because fire from YHWH had burned among them.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:3 That place was named Burning, because fire from the Lord had blazed among them.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Greek translates the place-name Taberah by its sense, Burning.
Israel Demands Provisions
Verse 11:4 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:4 The mixed crowd among them craved intensely, and the Israelites too wept again, saying, “Who will give us meat to eat?”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:4 The mixed company among them craved intensely, and the Israelites too sat down and wept, saying, “Who will feed us meat?”
Classification & Notes
Different
Hebrew says they wept again; Greek describes sitting down and weeping.
Apostolic reception: Paul uses the wilderness craving as a warning against desiring evil. The admonition is addressed to Christians, showing his moral application of Israel’s story.
Source: 1 Corinthians 10:6
Verse 11:5 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:5 “We remember the fish we ate in Egypt for nothing, the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:5 “We remember the fish we ate in Egypt for nothing, the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic.
Classification & Notes
Same
The remembered foods and the claim that the fish cost nothing correspond.
Verse 11:6 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:6 But now our life is dried up. There is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:6 But now our life is parched; our eyes see nothing except the manna.”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Both voice the same complaint through the image of a dried-up life or appetite.
Verse 11:7 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:7 The manna was like coriander seed, and its appearance was like bdellium.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:7 The manna is like coriander seed, and its appearance is like crystal.
Classification & Notes
Different
Hebrew names bdellium, a substance whose precise identification is debated; Greek names crystal. Neither text supplies the modern botanical identification of manna.
Verse 11:8 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:8 The people went about and gathered it, ground it in mills or crushed it in mortars, boiled it in pots, and made cakes from it. Its taste was like a rich cake made with oil.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:8 The people went about and gathered it, ground it in the mill, crushed it in the mortar, boiled it in the pot, and made cakes baked in ashes. Its pleasant taste was like a cake made with oil.
Classification & Notes
Different
Greek specifies ash-baked cakes. The Hebrew expression for the taste is uncertain; the oil-cake rendering should not be treated as proof of a different food.
Verse 11:9 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:9 When the dew fell on the camp at night, the manna fell upon it.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:9 When the dew fell on the camp at night, the manna fell upon it.
Classification & Notes
Same
The manna falls upon the dew in both texts.
Moses' Crisis of Leadership
Verse 11:10 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:10 Moses heard the people weeping by their families, each at the entrance of his tent. YHWH’s anger flared greatly, and Moses was displeased.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:10 Moses heard them weeping by their groups, each at his doorway. The Lord was stirred to great anger, and it was evil in Moses’ sight.
Classification & Notes
Similar
The family or community grouping and the reactions correspond; Greek does not repeat tent.
Verse 11:11 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:11 Moses said to YHWH, “Why have You treated Your servant badly? Why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You lay the burden of all this people on me?
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:11 Moses said to the Lord, “Why have You treated Your attendant badly? Why have I not found favor before You, that You place the onrush of this people upon me?
Classification & Notes
Different
Hebrew pictures a burden; Greek uses hormē, an impulse or onrush. The Greek servant-title here does not itself specify an ecclesiastical office.
Verse 11:12 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:12 Did I conceive all this people? Did I give birth to them, that You should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing infant, to the land You swore to their fathers’?
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:12 Did I conceive all this people? Did I give birth to them, that You should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing infant, to the land You swore to their fathers’?
Classification & Notes
Same
The parental and nursing images correspond. The singular collective people becomes plural naturally in English.
Verse 11:13 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:13 Where can I get meat to give all this people? For they weep before me, saying, ‘Give us meat to eat!’
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:13 Where can I get meat to give all this people? For they weep before me, saying, ‘Give us meat to eat!’
Classification & Notes
Same
Both retain Moses’ question and the people’s demand.
Verse 11:14 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:14 I cannot carry all this people alone; they are too heavy for me.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:14 I shall not be able to carry this people alone, because this matter is too heavy for me.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Greek explicitly calls the situation a matter; both express Moses’ inability to bear it alone.
Verse 11:15 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:15 If this is how You treat me, please kill me outright, if I have found favor in Your sight, and do not let me see my misery.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:15 If this is how You treat me, kill me outright, if I have found mercy with You, so that I may not see my misery.”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Favor and mercy are related but distinct expressions here. Both preserve the severity of Moses’ request.
The Divine Solution
Verse 11:16 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:16 YHWH said to Moses, “Gather for Me seventy men from Israel’s elders, whom you know to be elders of the people and their officers. Bring them to the Tent of Meeting, and let them stand there with you.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:16 The Lord said to Moses, “Gather for Me seventy men from Israel’s elders, whom you yourself know to be elders of the people and their scribes. Bring them to the Tent of Testimony, and they shall stand there with you.
Classification & Notes
Different
Hebrew officers are designated scribes in Greek. The sanctuary titles also differ.
Verse 11:17 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:17 I will come down and speak with you there. I will take some of the Spirit that is upon you and put it upon them. They will carry the burden of the people with you, so that you do not carry it alone.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:17 I will come down and speak with you there. I will take some of the Spirit that is upon you and put it upon them. They will help you bear the onrush of the people, and you will not carry them alone.
Classification & Notes
Different
The burden/onrush distinction of 11:11 recurs; the sharing of the Spirit and responsibility corresponds.
Verse 11:18 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:18 Say to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat. You have wept in YHWH’s hearing, saying, “Who will give us meat to eat? We had it good in Egypt!” YHWH will give you meat, and you shall eat.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:18 Say to the people, ‘Purify yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat. You have wept before the Lord, saying, “Who will feed us meat? Things are good for us in Egypt!” The Lord will give you meat to eat, and you shall eat meat.
Classification & Notes
Different
Consecration is expressed as purification in Greek; the complaint about Egypt is phrased in the present tense there.
Verse 11:19 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:19 You shall eat it not for one day, or two days, or five days, or ten days, or twenty days,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:19 You shall eat it not for one day, or two days, or five days, or ten days, or twenty days,
Classification & Notes
Same
The ascending sequence of days corresponds.
Verse 11:20 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:20 but for a whole month, until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have rejected YHWH who is among you and have wept before Him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?”’”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:20 You shall eat it for a whole month, until it comes out of your nostrils and gives you a bilious sickness, because you disobeyed the Lord who is among you and wept before Him, saying, “Why did we leave Egypt?”’”
Classification & Notes
Disparate
Hebrew predicts loathing; Greek cholera describes a bilious or vomiting illness, not necessarily the disease now called cholera. Rejection is also rendered disobedience. The stated consequence changes materially.
Verse 11:21 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:21 Moses said, “The people among whom I am number six hundred thousand on foot, yet You have said, ‘I will give them meat, and they shall eat for a whole month.’
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:21 Moses said, “The people among whom I am number six hundred thousand on foot, yet You have said, ‘I will give them meat to eat, and they shall eat for a whole month.’
Classification & Notes
Similar
The large number and promised duration agree; Greek makes to eat explicit twice.
Verse 11:22 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:22 Could flocks and herds be slaughtered for them and be enough? Could all the fish of the sea be gathered for them and be enough?”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:22 Could sheep and cattle be slaughtered for them and be enough? Could all the food of the sea be gathered for them and be enough?”
Classification & Notes
Different
Greek opson is food eaten with bread and can designate fish; its broader wording need not imply a different proposed supply.
Verse 11:23 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:23 YHWH said to Moses, “Is YHWH’s hand too short? Now you will see whether My word comes true for you or not.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:23 The Lord said to Moses, “Will the Lord’s hand not suffice? Now you will know whether My word overtakes you or not.”
Classification & Notes
Similar
The short-hand image is interpreted as sufficiency in Greek. Both assert that the divine promise will be tested by its fulfillment.
The Spirit and the Seventy Elders
Verse 11:24 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:24 Moses went out and told the people YHWH’s words. He gathered seventy men from the elders of the people and stationed them around the tent.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:24 Moses went out and told the people the Lord’s words. He gathered seventy men from the elders of the people and stationed them around the tent.
Classification & Notes
Same
Both describe the same gathering and placement.
Verse 11:25 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:25 YHWH came down in the cloud and spoke to him. He took some of the Spirit that was upon him and put it upon the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, but did not do so again.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:25 The Lord came down in a cloud and spoke to him. He took some of the Spirit that was upon him and put it upon the seventy men, the elders. When the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not do so again.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Both final clauses literally deny adding further. The rendering did not do so again follows that construction; the traditional interpretation did not cease is not silently substituted for it.
Rabbinic reception: Rashi records both the Sifrei interpretation that the elders prophesied only that day and the Targum’s interpretation that their prophecy did not cease. This disagreement is within reception of the Hebrew clause, not a newly established Hebrew–Greek textual variant.
Source: Rashi, Numbers 11:25
Verse 11:26 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:26 Two men remained in the camp: one was named Eldad and the other Medad. The Spirit rested upon them. They were among those enrolled, but had not gone out to the tent; they prophesied in the camp.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:26 Two men were left in the camp: one was named Eldad and the other Medad. The Spirit rested upon them. They were among those enrolled, but had not come to the tent; they prophesied in the camp.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Greek Μωδαδ (Modad) is rendered with the familiar English form Medad. Both include these men among those enrolled and locate their prophecy in the camp.
Verse 11:27 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:27 A young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp!”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:27 The young man ran up and reported to Moses, saying, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp!”
Classification & Notes
Similar
The Greek name-form Μωδαδ (Modad) again appears as the familiar Medad; the report corresponds in substance.
Verse 11:28 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:28 Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ attendant from his youth, answered, “My lord Moses, restrain them!”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:28 Joshua son of Nun, the chosen attendant of Moses, answered, “My lord Moses, prevent them!”
Classification & Notes
Different
The difficult Hebrew expression is rendered from his youth here; Greek explicitly describes Joshua as chosen. This is a characterization difference, not proof of a different Joshua.
Verse 11:29 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:29 Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? If only all YHWH’s people were prophets, and YHWH would put His Spirit upon them!”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:29 Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for me? Who would make all the Lord’s people prophets, when the Lord gives His Spirit upon them?”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Greek retains the wish through a rhetorical question. Both connect the people’s prophecy with the Lord’s gift of His Spirit.
Verse 11:30 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:30 Moses returned to the camp, he and the elders of Israel.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:30 Moses returned to the camp, he and the elders of Israel.
Classification & Notes
Same
The return and its participants correspond.
The Quail and the Plague
Verse 11:31 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:31 A wind went out from YHWH and brought quail from the sea. It cast them down by the camp, about a day’s journey on this side and a day’s journey on that side, all around the camp, about two cubits above the ground.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:31 A wind went out from the Lord and carried quail across from the sea. It cast them upon the camp, a day’s journey on this side and a day’s journey on that side, around the camp, about two cubits above the ground.
Classification & Notes
Similar
The extent and height correspond. Neither rendering converts the cubits into an exact modern measure or decides whether the birds were flying or accumulated at that level.
Verse 11:32 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:32 The people rose and gathered quail all that day, all night, and all the next day. Whoever gathered least gathered ten homers. They spread them out for themselves around the camp.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:32 The people rose all that day, all night, and all the following day and gathered quail. Whoever gathered least gathered ten kors, and they cooled them for themselves in cooling places around the camp.
Classification & Notes
Different
Greek uses the equivalent measure-name kor and explicitly describes cooling; Hebrew describes spreading out. The texts do not state a monetary value.
Verse 11:33 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:33 The meat was still between their teeth, before it was consumed, when YHWH’s anger flared against the people, and YHWH struck the people with a very great plague.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:33 The meat was still between their teeth, before it was gone, when the Lord grew angry against the people and struck the people with a very great plague.
Classification & Notes
Similar
The wording for the meat’s disappearance differs slightly; the timing and severe plague correspond.
Verse 11:34 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:34 That place was named Kibroth-hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had craved.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:34 That place was named Graves of Craving, because there they buried the people who had craved.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Greek translates the Hebrew place-name by its meaning.
Verse 11:35 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
11:35 From Kibroth-hattaavah the people set out for Hazeroth, and they remained at Hazeroth.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
11:35 From Graves of Craving the people set out for Hazeroth, and the people were at Hazeroth.
Classification & Notes
Similar
The itinerary corresponds; Greek again translates the first place-name.