Grumps & grumbles – Chukkat
The people felt they were not getting a fair deal so they spoke against God (Num. 21:5).
The Targum Onkelos is concerned at the thought of anyone criticising God so it amends the verse and says that they grumbled against the memra, the “word” or “command” of God.
People who have a complaint are not allowed to attack God personally. He is great, loving and awesome and perfect, but when God gives a ruling they can and do question the wisdom of the ruling.
The verse goes on to say that the people quarrelled with Moses – something which is both feasible and possible, because though Moses is great he is not perfect, and there may be something in his personality which is error-prone.
