Charles Ellicott Commentary Numbers 11:1

"And the people were as murmurers, [speaking] evil in the ears of Jehovah: and when Jehovah heard it, his anger was kindled; and the fire of Jehovah burnt among them, and devoured in the uttermost part of the camp." — Numbers 11:1 (ASV)

And when the people complained ... — Better, And the people were as those who complained (or murmured), (which was) evil in the ears of the Lord. The Septuagint has, “And the people murmured sinfully before the Lord.” Compare to 1 Corinthians 10:10: “Neither murmur you as some of them also murmured.”

And consumed those who were in the uttermost parts of the camp — Better, and devoured at the extremity of the camp. Most commentators have remarked, and justly, upon the great severity of the Divine judgments which were inflicted after the giving of the Law, as compared with those which were inflicted before it. Reference may be made in illustration of this point to Exodus 14:11-14; Exodus 15:24–25; Exodus 16:2–8; Exodus 17:3–7.

The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews argues from the just recompense of reward which every transgression and disobedience received under the Law, the impossibility of the escape of those who neglect the great salvation of the Gospel. See Hebrews 2:2-3. Compare also Hebrews 10:28-29; Hebrews 12:25.