And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague.
While the meat was still in their mouths, before they had even finished chewing it, the LORD became angry with the people and struck them with a terrible plague.
God immediately punished the Israelites with a deadly plague even as they were eating the meat they had demanded, showing His anger at their ungrateful complaining.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Numbers, the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt, constantly grumbling against God and Moses due to their dissatisfaction with the manna He provided as daily sustenance. God responded to their complaints by sending a massive flock of quail for meat, but their greed and lack of faith provoked His anger. This event illustrates the ongoing tension between God's provision and the people's persistent ingratitude during their journey to the Promised Land.
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