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קִבְרוֹת הַתַּאֲוָה (qiv.rot hat.ta.a.vah)

qiv.rot hat.ta.a.vah

Kibroth-hattaavah

H6914 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 5 verses

N:N--L

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
5 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
N:N--L

Word Overview

The phrase qibroth-hattaavah translates directly to "graves of craving" or "graves of lust." It serves as a proper noun for one of the specific stopping places recorded in Israel’s wilderness journey. The name itself acts as a permanent memorial to a moment of intense dissatisfaction and rebellion among the people.

This location appears five times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within Numbers and Deuteronomy. It is situated geographically near the Gulf of Aqaba, marking a distinct stage in the migration from Sinai. The title highlights the severity of the community's desire for food, which led to divine judgment and death, turning their campsite into a place of mourning.

The etymology provides a stark contrast between physical hunger and spiritual discontent. While the people complained about their diet, the resulting punishment was burial. This specific station reminds readers that unchecked desire can lead to tragic consequences, embedding the event in the landscape as a warning against ingratitude.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The name Kibroth-hattaavah means "graves of craving." It marks a place where Israel’s intense dissatisfaction with God’s provision led to severe judgment. Instead of trusting in daily manna, the people demanded meat and other foods they remembered from Egypt. Their greed turned their camp into a burial site, showing how unchecked desire can lead to spiritual death.

This story reminds us that gratitude is not just a feeling but a posture of trust. When we focus on what we lack rather than what God has given, we risk losing our peace and perspective. The wilderness journey was meant to teach reliance on God’s word, yet the people chose complaint over contentment.

Today, this place stands as a warning against letting temporary desires override eternal truths. It invites us to examine our own hearts: are we satisfied with God’s presence, or do we constantly seek more? May we learn from their failure and find rest in His sufficient grace.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • Hattaavah5×
  • from/ Kibroth2×
  • at/ Kibroth1×
  • and/ at/ Kibroth1×
  • Kibroth1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • הַֽתַּאֲוָ֑ה3×
  • קִבְר֣וֹת1×
  • מִ/קִּבְרֹ֣ת1×
  • מִ/קִּבְר֧וֹת1×
  • וּ/בְ/קִבְרֹ֖ת1×
  • הַֽתַּאֲוָֽה\׃1×
  • הַֽתַּאֲוָ֛ה1×
  • בְּ/קִבְרֹ֥ת1×

Key Verses

  • Numbers 11:34
    The name of that place was called Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who lusted.

    This verse explains the origin of the name by linking the burial of those who lusted to the place itself, showing the direct consequence of their desire.

  • Deuteronomy 9:22
    At Taberah, at Massah, and at Kibroth Hattaavah you provoked Yahweh to wrath.

    Moses lists this location alongside other rebellions to remind Israel that their history is marked by moments where they provoked God’s wrath through ingratitude.

  • Numbers 33:16
    They traveled from the wilderness of Sinai, and encamped in Kibroth Hattaavah.

    This travel record places Kibroth-hattaavah as a specific stop after Sinai, grounding the spiritual lesson in a real geographical journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Kibroth-hattaavah mean?

The phrase translates to "graves of craving" or "graves of lust." It is a proper noun for a specific location in the wilderness where Israel buried those who died after complaining about food.

Why did God punish the people at this place?

The people demanded meat and expressed deep dissatisfaction with the manna God provided. Their intense craving and lack of trust led to a plague that killed many, turning their camp into a grave site.

Where is Kibroth-hattaavah located?

It is situated in the wilderness after Israel left Sinai and before they reached Hazeroth. While its exact modern location is debated, it is generally associated with the area near the Gulf of Aqaba.

Every Occurrence (5 verses across 2 books)

Numbers 4 verses
Numbers 11:34

The name of that place was called Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who lusted.

Numbers 11:35

From Kibroth Hattaavah the people traveled to Hazeroth; and they stayed at Hazeroth.

Numbers 33:16

They traveled from the wilderness of Sinai, and encamped in Kibroth Hattaavah.

Numbers 33:17

They traveled from Kibroth Hattaavah, and encamped in Hazeroth.

Deuteronomy 1 verse