31 Now a wind went out from the LORD, and it brought quail from the sea and left them fluttering near the camp, about a day's journey on this side and about a day's journey on the other side, all around the camp, and about two cubits above the surface of the ground. -Numbers 11:31

The Problem

A heap of quail covering such a large area requires an impossible number of quail. For calculations, see Joseph Wheless and Farrell Till's analysis.

The Answer

"Two cubits" refers to the height at which the quail were flying, not heaped.

The quail conundrum is an excellent example of reading an absurdity into the text. Numbers 11:31 does not indicate that the quail were heaped two cubits high. The text clearly says the Lord "left them fluttering" at that height. Secondly, the skeptics demonstrate by their own calculations the allegation makes no sense whatsoever.

Why, then, did Moses mention "two cubits?" Most likely to emphasize the ease at which the Israelites were able to gather the quail.


Bible Apologetics Index