Exodus 16:2-12

2 The whole congregation of the children of Yisra'el murmured against Moshe and against Aharon in the wilderness;

3 and the children of Yisra'el said to them, "We wish that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Mitzrayim, when we sat by the flesh-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 said the LORD to Moshe, "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 Moshe and Aharon said to all the children of Yisra'el, "At evening, then you shall know that the LORD has brought you out from the land of Mitzrayim;

7 and in the morning, then you shall see the glory of the LORD; because he hears your murmurings against the LORD. Who are we, that you murmur against us?"

8 Moshe said, "Now the LORD shall give you meat to eat in the evening, and in the morning bread to satisfy you; because the LORD hears your murmurings which you murmur against him. And who are we? Your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD."

9 Moshe said to Aharon, "Tell all the congregation of the children of Yisra'el, 'Come near before the LORD, for he has heard your murmurings.'"

10 It happened, as Aharon spoke to the whole congregation of the children of Yisra'el, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud.

11 The LORD spoke to Moshe, saying,

12 "I have heard the murmurings of the children of Yisra'el. 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 the LORD your God.'"

Exodus 16:2-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 16

This chapter begins with an account of the journeying of the children of Israel from Elim to the wilderness of Sin, where they murmured for want of bread, Ex 16:1-3, when the Lord told Moses that he would rain bread from heaven for them, which Moses informed them of; and withal, that the Lord took notice of their murmurings, Ex 16:4-12 which promise the Lord fulfilled; and a description of the bread, and the name of it, are given, Ex 16:13-15, and some instructions are delivered out concerning the quantity of it to be gathered, Ex 16:16-18, the time of gathering and keeping it, Ex 16:19-21, the gathering a double quantity on the sixth day for that and the seventh day, with the reason of it, Ex 16:22-30 and a further description of it, Ex 16:31, and an order to preserve an omer of it in a pot, to be kept for generations to come, that it might be seen by them, Ex 16:32-34, and the chapter is concluded with observing, that this bread was ate by the Israelites forty years, even till they came to the borders of the land of Canaan, and the quantity they ate every day is observed what it was, Ex 16:35,36.