Kibroth Hattaavah
“Graves of craving, or graves of lust”
Summary
A wilderness encampment where the Israelites who craved meat were given quail in abundance but then struck with a plague, giving the place its name meaning 'graves of craving.'
☩The Incident
Kibroth-hattaavah was one of the stations where Israel encamped during their wilderness journey, located about three days' journey from Mount Sinai. Here the people grew tired of manna and craved the meat, fish, cucumbers, and melons they had eaten in Egypt. God's anger was kindled, and He sent a wind that brought quail from the sea, covering the camp to a depth of about two cubits on the ground. While the meat was still between their teeth, before it could be consumed, the Lord struck the people with a severe plague, and many who had craved died there.
☩Significance
The name Kibroth-hattaavah, meaning "graves of craving" or "graves of lust," served as a permanent memorial to the deadly consequences of complaining against God and His provision. This event is cited elsewhere in Scripture as a warning example of the dangers of giving way to sinful desires and testing God. The Psalmist refers to those who "tested God in their heart by asking for food according to their craving," and Paul warns the Corinthians not to crave evil things as some of them did.
References
- 1.George Morrish, "Kibrothhattaavah," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Kibrothhattaavah," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Kibroth Hattaavah," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).