1. 배경 요약
이스라엘 백성은 출애굽 후 약 2년째 되는 해에 시내광야를 떠나 바란광야로 이동하였습니다(민 10:11-12).
하나님께서는 만나를 내려 백성을 먹이셨지만,
백성들은 단조로운 식사와 광야의 삶에 불평하기 시작했습니다.
잡족과 일부 백성들이 “탐욕을 품었다(הִתְאַוּוּ תַּאֲוָה)”고 기록되어 있습니다(민 11:4).
그들은 애굽의 고기와 채소를 그리워하며 불평했고,
하나님은 메추라기를 바람으로 보내어 진 주변에 가득하게 하셨습니다(민 11:31).
그러나 백성들이 고기를 씹기도 전에 하나님의 진노가 임하여 재앙이 내렸습니다.
그곳의 이름은 "기브롯 핫다아와(קִבְרוֹת הַתַּאֲוָה, 탐욕의 무덤)"였습니다.
2. ‘탐욕’의 히브리어 의미
-
תַּאֲוָה (taʾăwāh)
-
의미: 욕망, 갈망, 탐욕
-
어근: אָוָה(awāh) = 갈망하다
-
긍정적·부정적 의미 모두 가능
-
시 21:2에서는 ‘소원’(긍정)
-
민 11:4에서는 ‘탐욕’(부정)
-
-
묵상:
성경에서 탐욕은 단순한 필요가 아니라,
이미 채워진 후에도 만족하지 못하고
하나님보다 세상적 만족을 더 추구하는 마음을 의미합니다.
3. 민수기 11장의 탐욕과 시편 78편의 자기 욕심 비교
| 본문 | 표현 | 히브리어 | 의미 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 민수기 11:4 | 탐욕을 품으매 | הִתְאַוּוּ תַּאֲוָה | 욕망이 행동으로 드러남 |
| 시편 78:29–30 | 자기 욕심에서 떠나지 않음 | תַּאֲוָה / תַּאֲוָתָם |
배부른 후에도 욕망 집착
|
두 본문 모두 같은 단어 תַּאֲוָה를 사용합니다.
민수기 11장은 욕망이 행동으로 폭발한 모습,
시편 78편은 배부른 뒤에도 만족하지 못하는 마음의 상태를 보여 줍니다.
성경은 사람의 소원을 죄로 보지 않습니다.
그러나 충족 후에도 만족하지 못하고 끝없이 더 많은 것을 구하는 마음은
하나님을 불신하고 은혜를 멸시하는 태도가 됩니다.
4. 적용 – 만족의 영성
사도 바울은 이렇게 말합니다.
“우리가 먹을 것과 입을 것이 있은즉 족한 줄로 알 것이니라” (딤전 6:8)
민수기 11장의 백성들은 만나라는 하늘의 양식을 먹으면서도 만족하지 못했습니다.
우리도 현대 사회에서 더 많은 소유와 즐거움을 추구하며
이미 주신 하나님의 은혜를 잊어버릴 때가 많습니다.
오늘의 적용
-
하나님이 오늘 내게 주신 ‘만나’는 무엇인지 돌아봅니다.
-
이미 주신 것에 감사하며, 더 많은 것을 요구하는 마음을 내려놓습니다.
-
오늘 하루, 족한 줄 아는 마음으로 하나님과 동행합니다.
1. Background Summary
The children of Israel, about two years after the Exodus, departed from Mount Sinai and journeyed to the wilderness of Paran (Numbers 10:11-12).
God provided manna to feed the people,
but they began to complain about their monotonous diet and the hardships of the wilderness.
It is recorded that the mixed multitude and some of the people “lusted exceedingly” (Numbers 11:4, Hebrew: הִתְאַוּוּ תַּאֲוָה).
They longed for the meat and vegetables of Egypt and complained,
and the Lord sent quail from the wind to cover the camp (Numbers 11:31).
However, before they could even finish chewing the meat, the Lord’s anger was kindled, and a plague struck them.
That place was named Kibroth Hattaavah (קִבְרוֹת הַתַּאֲוָה), “the graves of craving.”
KJV references:
-
Numbers 10:11-12:
"And it came to pass in the twentieth year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, that the children of Israel took their journey out of the wilderness of Sinai: and the cloud rested upon them, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud." -
Numbers 11:4-6:
"And the mixed multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?
We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic:
But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes." -
Numbers 11:31-33:
"And there went forth a wind from the Lord, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on that side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth.
And the people stood up all that day, and all night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp.
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."
2. The Hebrew Meaning of ‘Greed’
תַּאֲוָה (taʾăwāh)
-
Meaning: desire, craving, greed
-
Root: אָוָה (awāh) = to desire or long for
-
Can be used positively or negatively
-
Psalm 21:2 uses it positively as a “desire” or “wish”
-
Numbers 11:4 uses it negatively as “greed” or “lust”
-
Reflection:
In the Bible, greed is not simply a need or desire,
but a heart that is never satisfied even after being filled,
pursuing worldly satisfaction above God’s provision.
3. Comparison of Greed in Numbers 11 and Selfish Desire in Psalm 78
| Passage | Expression | Hebrew | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Numbers 11:4 | "lusted exceedingly" | הִתְאַוּוּ תַּאֲוָה | Desire manifested in action |
| Psalm 78:29–30 | "did not leave their craving" | תַּאֲוָה / תַּאֲוָתָם | Clinging to desire after being full |
Both passages use the same Hebrew word תַּאֲוָה (taʾăwāh).Numbers 11 shows desire exploding into action,
while Psalm 78 depicts a state of heart that remains unsatisfied even after being fed.
The Bible does not regard a person’s desires as sinful per se.
However, when one is never content after having enough and continually craves more,
this reveals distrust in God and contempt for His grace.
4. Application – The Spirituality of Contentment
The Apostle Paul says:
"And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." (1 Timothy 6:8 KJV)
The Israelites in Numbers 11 were eating heavenly manna but were not content.
Likewise, we often forget God’s grace already given,
pursuing more possessions and pleasures in today’s society.
Today’s Reflection:
-
What is the ‘manna’ God has given me today?
-
Let me give thanks for what I have received and lay down the desire for more.
-
I will walk with God today with a heart content in what is sufficient.