Exodus Chapter 16

Commentary

Manna and Quail from Heaven

1And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto 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. 2And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: 3And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

4Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. 5And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily. 6And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel, At even, then ye shall know that the LORD hath brought you out from the land of Egypt: 7And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD: and what are we, that ye murmur against us?

8And Moses said, This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD.

9And Moses spake unto Aaron, Say unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, Come near before the LORD: for he hath heard your murmurings. 10And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud. 11And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 12I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God.

13And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host. 14And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. 15And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat. 16This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents. 17And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less. 18And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating. 19And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning. 20Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them. 21And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted.

The Sabbath Observed

(Genesis 2:1-3; Hebrews 4:1-11)

22And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. 23And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning. 24And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein. 25And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the LORD: to day ye shall not find it in the field. 26Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none.

27And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none. 28And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? 29See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. 30So the people rested on the seventh day.

31And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. 32And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commandeth, Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations; that they may see the bread wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt. 33And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations. 34As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept. 35And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan. 36Now an omer is the tenth part of an ephah.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Manna and Quail from Heaven

1 They 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. 2 The whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron in the wilderness; 3 and the children of Israel said to them, “We wish that we had died by the hand of Yahweh 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.”

4 Then 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. 5 It 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.” 6 Moses 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; 7 and in the morning, then you shall see the glory of Yahweh; because he hears your murmurings against Yahweh. Who are we, that you murmur against us?”

8 Moses 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.”

9 Moses said to Aaron, “Tell all the congregation of the children of Israel, ‘Come near before Yahweh, for he has heard your murmurings.’” 10 It happened, as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of Yahweh appeared in the cloud. 11 Yahweh 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.’”

13 It happened at evening that quail came up and covered the camp; and in the morning the dew lay around the camp. 14 When 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. 15 When the children of Israel saw it, they said one to 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.” 16 This 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.” 17 The children of Israel did so, and gathered some more, some less. 18 When 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. 19 Moses said to them, “Let no one leave of it until the morning.” 20 Notwithstanding 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. 21 They gathered it morning by morning, everyone according to his eating. When the sun grew hot, it melted.

The Sabbath Observed
(Genesis 2:1–3; Hebrews 4:1–11)

22 It happened that on 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. 23 He 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.’” 24 They laid it up until the morning, as Moses asked, and it didn’t become foul, neither was there any worm in it. 25 Moses said, “Eat that today, for today is a Sabbath to Yahweh. Today you shall not find it in the field. 26 Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day is the Sabbath. In it there shall be none.”

27 It happened on the seventh day, that some of the people went out to gather, and they found none. 28 Yahweh said to Moses, “How long do you refuse to keep my commandments and my laws? 29 Behold, 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.” 30 So the people rested on the seventh day.

The Jar of Manna

31 The house of Israel called its name Manna, and it was like coriander seed, white; and its taste was like wafers with honey. 32 Moses 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 forth from the land of Egypt.’” 33 Moses 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.” 34 As Yahweh commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept. 35 The 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. 36 Now an omer is the tenth part of an ephah.

Manna and Quail from Heaven

1 On the fifteenth day of the second month after they had left the land of Egypt, the whole congregation of Israel set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, a which is between Elim and Sinai. 2 And there in the desert they all grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 “If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt!” they said. “There we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread, but you have brought us into this desert to starve this whole assembly to death!”

4 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test whether or not they will follow My instructions. 5 Then on the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”

6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “This evening you will know that it was the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, 7 and in the morning you will see the LORD’s glory, because He has heard your grumbling against Him. For who are we that you should grumble against us?”

8 And Moses added, “The LORD will give you meat to eat this evening and bread to fill you in the morning, for He has heard your grumbling against Him. Who are we? Your grumblings are not against us but against the LORD.”

9 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Tell the whole congregation of Israel, ‘Come before the LORD, for He has heard your grumbling.’ ”

10 And as Aaron was speaking to the whole congregation of Israel, they looked toward the desert, and there in a cloud the glory of the LORD appeared.

11 Then the LORD said to Moses, 12 “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight b you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.’ ”

13 That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. 14 When the layer of dew had evaporated, there were thin flakes on the desert floor, as fine as frost on the ground. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they asked one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was.

So Moses told them, “It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat. 16 This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Each one is to gather as much as he needs. You may take an omer c for each person in your tent.’ ”

17 So the Israelites did this. Some gathered more, and some less. 18 When they measured it by the omer, he who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no shortfall. d Each one gathered as much as he needed to eat.

19 Then Moses said to them, “No one may keep any of it until morning.” 20 But they did not listen to Moses; some people left part of it until morning, and it became infested with maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them.

21 Every morning each one gathered as much as was needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away.

The Sabbath Observed
(Genesis 2:1–3; Hebrews 4:1–11)

22 On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much food—two omers per person e —and all the leaders of the congregation came and reported this to Moses. 23 He told them, “This is what the LORD has said: ‘Tomorrow is to be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake, and boil what you want to boil. Then set aside whatever remains and keep it until morning.’ ”

24 So they set it aside until morning as Moses had commanded, and it did not smell or contain any maggots. 25 “Eat it today,” Moses said, “because today is a Sabbath to the LORD. Today you will not find anything in the field. 26 For six days you may gather, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, it will not be there.”

27 Yet on the seventh day some of the people went out to gather, but they did not find anything. 28 Then the LORD said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to keep My commandments and instructions? 29 Understand that the LORD has given you the Sabbath; that is why on the sixth day He will give you bread for two days. On the seventh day, everyone must stay where he is; no one may leave his place.”

30 So the people rested on the seventh day.

The Jar of Manna

31 Now the house of Israel called the bread manna. f It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey. 32 Moses said, “This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Keep an omer of manna for the generations to come, so that they may see the bread I fed you in the wilderness when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.’ ”

33 So Moses told Aaron, “Take a jar and fill it with an omer of manna. Then place it before the LORD to be preserved for the generations to come.” 34 And Aaron placed it in front of the Testimony, g to be preserved just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

35 The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land where they could settle; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan. 36 (Now an omer is a tenth of an ephah.) h

 

Footnotes:

1 a The geographical name Sin  is related to Sinai  and should not be mistaken for the English word sin .
12 b Hebrew Between the two evenings
16 c An omer  is approximately 2 dry quarts or 2.2 liters; also in verses 18, 32, 33, and 36.
18 d Cited in 2 Corinthians 8:15
22 e 2 omers  is approximately 4 dry quarts or 4.4 liters per person.
31 f Manna  sounds like the Hebrew for What is it?  (see verse 15).
34 g The Testimony  refers to the stone tablets in the ark of the covenant inscribed with the Ten Commandments.
36 h An ephah  was a dry measure having the capacity of about 20 dry quarts or 22 liters.

Manna and Quail from Heaven

1And they journey from Elim, and all the company of the sons of Israel come in unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month of their going out from the land of Egypt. 2And all the company of the sons of Israel murmur against Moses and against Aaron in the wilderness; 3and the sons of Israel say unto them, 'Oh that we had died by the hand of Jehovah in the land of Egypt, in our sitting by the flesh-pot, in our eating bread to satiety -- for ye have brought us out unto this wilderness to put all this assembly to death with hunger.'

4And Jehovah saith unto Moses, 'Lo, I am raining to you bread from the heavens -- and the people have gone out and gathered the matter of a day in its day -- so that I try them whether they walk in My law, or not; 5and it hath been on the sixth day, that they have prepared that which they bring in, and it hath been double above that which they gather day by day.' 6And Moses saith -- Aaron also -- unto all the sons of Israel, 'Evening -- and ye have known that Jehovah hath brought you out from the land of Egypt; 7and morning -- and ye have seen the honour of Jehovah, in His hearing your murmurings against Jehovah, and what are we, that ye murmur against us?'

8And Moses saith, 'In Jehovah's giving to you in the evening flesh to eat, and bread in the morning to satiety -- in Jehovah's hearing your murmurings, which ye are murmuring against Him, and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against Jehovah.'

9And Moses saith unto Aaron, 'Say unto all the company of the sons of Israel, Come ye near before Jehovah, for He hath heard your murmurings;' 10and it cometh to pass, when Aaron is speaking unto all the company of the sons of Israel, that they turn towards the wilderness, and lo, the honour of Jehovah is seen in the cloud. 11And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses, saying, 12I have heard the murmurings of the sons of Israel; speak unto them, saying, Between the evenings ye eat flesh, and in the morning ye are satisfied with bread, and ye have known that I am Jehovah your God.'

13And it cometh to pass in the evening, that the quail cometh up, and covereth the camp, and in the morning there hath been the lying of dew round about the camp, 14and the lying of the dew goeth up, and lo, on the face of the wilderness a thin, bare thing, thin as hoar-frost on the earth. 15And the sons of Israel see, and say one unto another, 'What is it?' for they have not known what it is; and Moses saith unto them, 'It is the bread which Jehovah hath given to you for food. 16This is the thing which Jehovah hath commanded: Gather of it each according to his eating, an omer for a poll; and the number of your persons, take ye each for those in his tent.' 17And the sons of Israel do so, and they gather, he who is gathering much, and he who is gathering little; 18and they measure with an omer, and he who is gathering much hath nothing over, and he who is gathering little hath no lack, each according to his eating they have gathered. 19And Moses saith unto them, 'Let no man leave of it till morning;' 20and they have not hearkened unto Moses, and some of them do leave of it till morning, and it bringeth up worms and stinketh; and Moses is wroth with them. 21And they gather it morning by morning, each according to his eating; when the sun hath been warm, then it hath melted.

The Sabbath Observed

(Genesis 2:1-3; Hebrews 4:1-11)

22And it cometh to pass on the sixth day, they have gathered a second bread, two omers for one, and all the princes of the company come in, and declare to Moses. 23And he saith unto them, 'It is that which Jehovah hath spoken of; a rest -- a holy sabbath to Jehovah -- is to-morrow; that which ye bake, bake; and that which ye boil, boil; and all that is over, let rest for yourselves in charge till the morning.' 24And they let it rest until the morning, as Moses hath commanded, and it hath not stank, and a worm hath not been in it. 25And Moses saith, 'Eat it to-day, for to-day is a sabbath to Jehovah; to-day ye find it not in the field: 26six days ye do gather it, and in the seventh day -- the sabbath -- in it there is none.'

27And it cometh to pass on the seventh day, some of the people have gone out to gather, and have not found. 28And Jehovah saith unto Moses, 'How long have ye refused to keep My commands, and My laws? 29see, because Jehovah hath given to you the sabbath, therefore He is giving to you on the sixth day bread of two days; abide ye each in his place, no one doth go out from his place on the seventh day.' 30And the people rest on the seventh day,

31and the house of Israel call its name Manna, and it is as coriander seed, white; and its taste is as a cake with honey. 32And Moses saith, 'This is the thing which Jehovah hath commanded: Fill the omer with it, for a charge for your generations, so that they see the bread which I have caused you to eat in the wilderness, in My bringing you out from the land of Egypt.' 33And Moses saith unto Aaron, 'Take one pot, and put there the fulness of the omer of manna, and let it rest before Jehovah, for a charge for your generations;' 34as Jehovah hath given commandment unto Moses, so doth Aaron let it rest before the Testimony, for a charge. 35And the sons of Israel have eaten the manna forty years, until their coming in unto the land to be inhabited; the manna they have eaten till their coming in unto the extremity of the land of Canaan. 36and the omer is a tenth of the ephah.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Exodus 16?
2Introduction to Exodus 16
3Context of Exodus 16
4Ancient Key Word Study
5Compare & Contrast
6Exodus 16 Unique Insights
7Exodus 16 Connections to Yeshua
8Exodus 16 Scriptural Echoes
9Exodus 16 Devotional
10Did You Know

What is the meaning of Exodus 16?

Introduction to Exodus 16

In the vast expanse of the wilderness journey, Exodus 16 emerges as a pivotal chapter that showcases יהוה’s supernatural provision for His people through the miracle of manna. This remarkable account not only demonstrates God’s faithful care for Israel but also establishes profound theological principles about trust, provision, and Sabbath observance that would echo throughout biblical history and find their ultimate fulfillment in the Messiah.

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The chapter presents the first major test of Israel’s faith after the triumphant crossing of the Red Sea, revealing both the people’s struggle to trust God and His gracious response to their needs. Through the provision of manna, God introduces a divine educational system that would teach Israel dependence on Him and the importance of following His instructions explicitly.

Context of Exodus 16

This chapter is strategically positioned between the miracle at the Red Sea (Exodus 15) and the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19). The Israelites have just experienced their first bitter trial at Marah, where God turned bitter waters sweet (Exodus 15:22-27). Now, one month into their journey, they face their first crisis of sustenance in the Wilderness of Sin.

The positioning of this narrative is crucial for understanding God’s pedagogical method in forming His covenant people. Before giving them the Torah, He first teaches them practical lessons about trust, obedience, and His character through daily provision. This chapter serves as a foundation for understanding the relationship between physical and spiritual sustenance, a theme that would later be developed throughout Scripture.

Within the broader narrative of the Pentateuch, this chapter introduces the concept of Sabbath observance before the formal giving of the Ten Commandments, suggesting that certain divine principles predate their formal codification at Sinai. This anticipatory revelation of Sabbath law demonstrates God’s progressive method of teaching His people and preparing them for the fuller revelation to come.

Ancient Key Word Study

  • Manna (מָן): Derived from the Hebrew question “man hu?” meaning “What is it?” This word encapsulates both the mystery and the miracle of God’s provision. The root relates to the concept of “portion” or “gift,” emphasizing that this was not merely food but a daily reminder of God’s grace and care.
  • Grumbling (לוּן): This Hebrew verb appears seven times in the chapter, highlighting the recurring theme of Israel’s complaints. The word carries connotations of “staying overnight,” suggesting a persistent, festering discontent rather than momentary frustration.
  • Glory (כָּבוֹד): The manifestation of God’s glory in verse 10 uses this term, which literally means “weight” or “heaviness.” In this context, it represents the tangible presence of God’s authority and power, visible to all Israel as a response to their complaints.
  • Congregation (עֵדָה): This term appears repeatedly, emphasizing the corporate nature of both Israel’s sin and God’s provision. The word derives from the root meaning “to appoint” or “to meet,” highlighting Israel’s status as an appointed assembly before God.
  • Sabbath (שַׁבָּת): First mentioned here before the giving of the Ten Commandments, this word comes from the root meaning “to cease” or “to rest.” Its usage here establishes the pattern of six days of work followed by holy rest.
  • Portion (עֹמֶר): This measurement term becomes significant as the daily allocation of manna, representing God’s precise provision for each person’s needs. The word later became associated with the offering of first fruits, connecting provision with worship.
  • Evening (עֶרֶב): This term marks the beginning of God’s provision cycle, with quail coming in the evening and manna appearing in the morning. The word carries the concept of “mixing” or “intermingling,” suggesting the transition period between day and night.
  • Test (נָסָה): God’s provision of manna is explicitly described as a test, using this Hebrew word that implies proving or trying. It suggests divine examination of Israel’s obedience and trust.

Compare & Contrast

  • Verse 3’s complaint “Would that we had died by the hand of יהוה in Egypt” uses the emphatic form “מִי-יִתֵּן” (who would give?) rather than a simple wish expression, highlighting the dramatic and irrational nature of their complaint. The phrase purposefully contrasts their current situation with an idealized memory of Egypt.
  • In verse 4, God’s statement “I will rain bread from heaven” employs the verb הִנְנִי מַמְטִיר (behold, I will rain) rather than the simpler “I will give,” emphasizing the supernatural nature of the provision and creating a deliberate contrast with Egypt’s natural irrigation system.
  • The description of manna as “fine as frost” (verse 14) uses the term דַק (fine) which is also used in describing the plague of dust in Egypt, creating an intentional linguistic connection between God’s acts of judgment and provision.
  • Verse 15’s “What is it?” (מָן הוּא) could have been expressed with the more common “מה זה,” but the chosen phrase became the name of the bread itself, preserving the people’s initial wonder and confusion.
  • The command regarding Sabbath preparation in verse 23 uses the unusual double expression שַׁבָּתוֹן שַׁבַּת-קֹדֶשׁ (“a sabbath observance, a holy sabbath”) rather than a simpler construction, emphasizing the absolute nature of the command.
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Exodus 16 Unique Insights

The rabbinical tradition provides fascinating insights into the nature of manna as both physical and spiritual food. The Midrash teaches that the manna would taste like whatever the eater desired, reflecting God’s intimate knowledge of each person’s needs. This miraculous property is seen as a precursor to the World to Come, where physical and spiritual satisfaction will be perfectly aligned.

The early church fathers, particularly Origin and Augustine, saw in the manna a type of the Eucharist and the Word of God. They noted that just as manna had to be gathered fresh daily, so too must believers seek spiritual nourishment through daily engagement with Scripture and prayer. The fact that the manna appeared with the dew was seen as symbolic of the gentle, quiet way God often provides for His people’s needs.

The preservation of an omer of manna in the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 16:33-34) carries profound theological significance. This eternal reminder of God’s provision stood alongside the tablets of the Law and Aaron’s rod that budded, forming a powerful trinity of symbols representing God’s provision, authority, and life-giving power.

The chapter also contains the first biblical mention of the Sabbath, introducing this crucial concept before its formal codification in the Ten Commandments. This suggests that the Sabbath principle was woven into the fabric of creation itself, rather than being merely a legal requirement. The double portion provided on the sixth day demonstrates God’s providence in enabling Sabbath observance.

Exodus 16 Connections to Yeshua

The manna serves as a profound type of Yeshua the Messiah, who declared Himself to be the true bread from heaven (John 6:32-33). Just as the manna sustained Israel physically in the wilderness, Yeshua provides spiritual sustenance for all who trust in Him. The daily gathering of manna parallels our need for daily dependence on the Messiah.

The people’s grumbling and lack of trust, despite having witnessed incredible miracles, points to humanity’s persistent struggle with faith and our need for a Savior who would perfectly trust the Father. Yeshua demonstrated this trust during His forty days in the wilderness, quoting Deuteronomy’s reflection on the manna experience to counter Satan’s temptation (Matthew 4:4).

Exodus 16 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter’s themes resonate throughout Scripture, finding particular emphasis in:

  • Deuteronomy 8:3: Moses reflects on the manna as a lesson that man does not live by bread alone.
  • Psalm 78:23-25: The psalmist describes manna as “the bread of angels.”
  • John 6:31-58: Yeshua draws direct parallels between the manna and Himself as the bread of life.
  • 1 Corinthians 10:3-4: Paul identifies the manna as spiritual food pointing to the Messiah.
  • Revelation 2:17: The promise of hidden manna to overcomers in the church at Pergamum.

Exodus 16 Devotional

In our modern world of abundant food and instant gratification, the lessons of Exodus 16 challenge us to examine our own trust in God’s provision. Just as the Israelites had to gather manna daily, we too must cultivate a daily dependence on God for our physical and spiritual needs. The chapter invites us to consider: Are we truly trusting God for our daily bread, or are we relying on our own resources and planning?

The Sabbath regulations surrounding the manna remind us of God’s concern for our rest and worship. In a culture that often glorifies constant productivity, the command to rest and trust God’s provision for that rest remains countercultural and vital. How might our lives change if we truly trusted God enough to pause our striving and honor His rhythm of work and rest?

Did You Know

  • The term “manna” appears in ancient Egyptian texts referring to a natural substance from the tamarisk tree, but the biblical manna’s properties were clearly supernatural, including its ability to breed worms after one day except before the Sabbath.
  • According to Jewish tradition, the manna had a pearl-like appearance and would dissolve in the sun, teaching the people to rise early for both physical and spiritual nourishment.
  • The Talmud records that the depth of the manna coating varied according to the righteousness of the recipient – the righteous found it at their doorstep, while others had to go search for it.
  • Archaeological discoveries have shown that the ancient Egyptian diet closely matched the foods the Israelites claimed to miss, validating the historical accuracy of their complaints.
  • The omer measurement mentioned in this chapter became standardized as approximately 2.2 liters, enough for one person’s daily bread portions.
  • The double portion principle introduced here influenced Jewish Sabbath practices through the ages, including the tradition of placing two loaves of bread on the Sabbath table.
  • The preservation of manna in a golden jar (mentioned in Hebrews 9:4) represents the only divinely preserved food mentioned in Scripture.
  • According to rabbinic tradition, the taste of manna was preserved perfectly in the jar throughout Israel’s history until the destruction of the First Temple.
  • The manna ceased to appear exactly 40 years after it began, on the day after the first Passover in the Promised Land.

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Jean Paul Joseph
Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

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