Again they began to clamor for flesh to eat. Though abundantly supplied with manna, they were not satisfied. The Israelites, during their bondage in Egypt, had been compelled to subsist on the plainest and simplest food; but then keen appetite induced by privation and hard labor had made it palatable. Many of the Egyptians, however, who were now among them, had been accustomed to a luxurious diet; and these were the 378 first to complain. At the giving of the manna, just before Israel reached Sinai, the Lord had granted them flesh in answer to their clamors; but it was furnished them for only one day.

De begyndte igen at forlange kød. Skønt de havde rigeligt med manna, var de ikke tilfredse. Under trældommen i Ægypten havde israelitterne været nødt til at leve af den enkleste kost, men på grund af deres afsavn og hårde arbejde havde de en god appetit, og maden smagte dem udmærket. Mange af de ægyptere, der nu var med dem, havde imidlertid været vant til overdådig mad, og de var de første til at klage. Samtidig med mannaen, som de fik lige før ankomsten til Sinaj, gav Herren dem kød som svar på deres krav, men de havde kun fået det en enkelt dag.