Exodus 16
Read Exodus 16 (WEB)+
1They took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt. 2The whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron in the wilderness; 3and the children of Israel said to them, “We wish that we had died by Yahweh’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots, when we ate our fill of bread, for you have brought us out into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” 4Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from the sky for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law, or not. 5It shall come to pass on the sixth day, that they shall prepare that which they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.” 6Moses and Aaron said to all the children of Israel, “At evening, then you shall know that Yahweh has brought you out from the land of Egypt; 7and in the morning, then you shall see Yahweh’s glory; because he hears your murmurings against Yahweh. Who are we, that you murmur against us?” 8Moses said, “Now Yahweh shall give you meat to eat in the evening, and in the morning bread to satisfy you; because Yahweh hears your murmurings which you murmur against him. And who are we? Your murmurings are not against us, but against Yahweh.” 9Moses said to Aaron, “Tell all the congregation of the children of Israel, ‘Come near before Yahweh, for he has heard your murmurings.’” 10As Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the children of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, Yahweh’s glory appeared in the cloud. 11Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 12“I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel. Speak to them, saying, ‘At evening you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread: and you shall know that I am Yahweh your God.’” 13In the evening, quail came up and covered the camp; and in the morning the dew lay around the camp. 14When the dew that lay had gone, behold, on the surface of the wilderness was a small round thing, small as the frost on the ground. 15When the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they didn’t know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread which Yahweh has given you to eat.” 16This is the thing which Yahweh has commanded: “Gather of it everyone according to his eating; an omer a head, according to the number of your persons, you shall take it, every man for those who are in his tent.” 17The children of Israel did so, and gathered some more, some less. 18When they measured it with an omer, he who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack. They gathered every man according to his eating. 19Moses said to them, “Let no one leave of it until the morning.” 20Notwithstanding they didn’t listen to Moses, but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and became foul: and Moses was angry with them. 21They gathered it morning by morning, everyone according to his eating. When the sun grew hot, it melted. 22On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one, and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. 23He said to them, “This is that which Yahweh has spoken, ‘Tomorrow is a solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to Yahweh. Bake that which you want to bake, and boil that which you want to boil; and all that remains over lay up for yourselves to be kept until the morning.’” 24They laid it up until the morning, as Moses asked, and it didn’t become foul, and there were no worms in it. 25Moses said, “Eat that today, for today is a Sabbath to Yahweh. Today you shall not find it in the field. 26Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day is the Sabbath. In it there shall be none.” 27On the seventh day, some of the people went out to gather, and they found none. 28Yahweh said to Moses, “How long do you refuse to keep my commandments and my laws? 29Behold, because Yahweh has given you the Sabbath, therefore he gives you on the sixth day the bread of two days. Everyone stay in his place. Let no one go out of his place on the seventh day.” 30So the people rested on the seventh day. 31The house of Israel called its name Manna, and it was like coriander seed, white; and its taste was like wafers with honey. 32Moses said, “This is the thing which Yahweh has commanded, ‘Let an omer-full of it be kept throughout your generations, that they may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.’” 33Moses said to Aaron, “Take a pot, and put an omer-full of manna in it, and lay it up before Yahweh, to be kept throughout your generations.” 34As Yahweh commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept. 35The children of Israel ate the manna forty years, until they came to an inhabited land. They ate the manna until they came to the borders of the land of Canaan. 36Now an omer is one tenth of an ephah.
World English Bible (public domain)
“Then the Lord said to Moses, "Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them whether they will walk in my law or not."”
Exodus 16:4
Summary
In Exodus chapter 16, the Israelites find themselves in the wilderness, experiencing hunger and longing for the comforts of Egypt. Complaining against Moses and Aaron, they express their dissatisfaction with their current state. In response, God graciously provides manna, a form of bread from heaven, instructing the people on how to gather it each day. This bread sustains them physically while also serving as a daily reminder of God's provision and faithfulness. However, the chapter emphasizes that the Israelites must only gather what they need for each day, teaching them to rely on God for their daily sustenance and fostering trust in His continued care. The narrative also introduces the concept of the Sabbath, with a double portion of manna provided on the sixth day, setting a rhythm of rest in their lives. Key themes emerge throughout this chapter, including the necessity of dependence on God and the importance of obedience to His commands. God's provision of manna not only meets physical needs but also tests the people's faithfulness and willingness to follow His directives. The contrast between trusting in God and succumbing to fear and doubt underscores the ongoing struggle of the Israelites as they journey toward the Promised Land. The chapter culminates in the establishment of practices that will shape their identity as God's chosen people, emphasizing the theological significance of relying on divine provision in both physical and spiritual dimensions.
Go deeper
Ask the AI about Exodus 16
Bring your question about the chapter, the key verse, or how this passage fits the rest of Scripture.
Daily Scripture study
Get a short devotional by email
One passage, one reflection, and one practical question for the day.
Chapter outline
How Exodus 16 unfolds
Exodus 16:1–3 Israel's Complaints in the Wilderness
The Israelites arrive in the wilderness of Sin and murmur against Moses and Aaron, longing for the provisions of Egypt.
Exodus 16:4–8 God's Promise of Provision
Yahweh responds by promising to send bread from heaven and quail, emphasizing their need to rely on Him.
Exodus 16:9–12 Moses Calls the People
Moses instructs the Israelites to draw near to Yahweh, who has heard their complaints and will provide sustenance.
Exodus 16:13–21 Manna and Quail Provided
Quail arrives in the evening, and in the morning, manna appears, teaching the people how to gather it.
Exodus 16:22–30 Instructions for the Sabbath
Moses emphasizes the importance of the Sabbath, instructing that a double portion of manna be gathered on the sixth day.
Exodus 16:31–34 Significance of Manna
The Israelites name the bread 'manna' and Moses commands that some be kept as a testimony of God's provision.
Exodus 16:35–36 Sustained by Manna
The Israelites eat manna for forty years until they reach Canaan, demonstrating God's ongoing provision during their journey.
Key verses
Exodus 16:4Exodus 16:4 captures the essence of the chapter by underscoring God's test of Israel's obedience and trust.
Main themes in Exodus 16
Dependence on God
Dependence on God is highlighted as the Israelites express their hunger in verses 2-3. Their complaints reveal a deep-seated need for daily sustenance, emphasizing the importance of trusting in Yahweh's provision for their survival in the wilderness. This theme is crucial for their identity as they journey toward the Promised Land, reminding them that reliance on God is essential for both physical and spiritual sustenance.
Obedience to God
Obedience to God surfaces prominently in the instructions regarding the gathering of manna in verses 16-20. The consequences faced by those who disobey these commands illustrate the significance of adhering to God's directives, highlighting the seriousness of following His guidance. This theme serves as a reminder to the Israelites that their commitment to divine law is vital for their well-being and relationship with God.
Divine Provision
Divine Provision is clearly evident in God's assurance to send manna and quail in verses 4-8, demonstrating His care for the Israelites during their time of need. The miraculous sustenance not only meets their physical hunger but also serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in providing for His people. This provision reinforces the overarching theme of trust in God's ability to sustain them throughout their challenging wilderness journey.
Celebration of the Sabbath
The celebration of the Sabbath is introduced in verses 22-30, where God commands the Israelites to observe a day of rest. By providing a double portion of manna, God establishes a rhythm of work and rest that is essential for the community's well-being. This practice not only shapes their spiritual identity but also fosters a sense of communal life centered on trust and obedience to God's commands.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Exodus 16
- Numbers 11Both passages reflect the Israelites' complaints about food, highlighting the theme of divine provision even amid dissatisfaction.
- Matthew 4Jesus references manna to illustrate reliance on God's word rather than earthly provisions, connecting spiritual sustenance with physical needs.
- Deuteronomy 8This passage recalls God's provision of manna as a lesson in humility and reliance on Him during Israel's wilderness journey.
- Psalm 78Psalm 78 recounts God's miracles, including the provision of manna, emphasizing His faithfulness and the people's forgetfulness.
- Numbers 16This passage connects through themes of rebellion against leadership and the consequences of disobedience in the wilderness.
- Nehemiah 9Nehemiah reflects on God's provision of manna, acknowledging His mercy and faithfulness despite the people's rebellion.
Study questions
Questions for studying Exodus 16
- What do the Israelites express as they hunger in the wilderness?
- How does God respond to the complaints of the people?
- What instructions does Moses give about gathering manna?
- How does the concept of the Sabbath emerge in this chapter?
- What does the term 'manna' signify for the Israelites?
- How does this chapter illustrate dependence on God for daily needs?
Exodus 16: frequently asked questions
What is Exodus 16 about?+
What is the key verse in Exodus 16?+
What are the main themes of Exodus 16?+
Related chapters