Exodus 16:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the Lord said to Moses,

NIV: The Lord said to Moses,

NASB: And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,

CSB: The Lord spoke to Moses,

NLT: Then the Lord said to Moses,

KJV: And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

NKJV: And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,

Several times, the book of Exodus reminds the reader that God is delivering messages to Moses (Exodus 3:14; 6:2; 13:1; 14:1), who relays them to the people, often through Aaron (Exodus 4:13–16; 16:9–10). In this case, the message is connected to an appearance of "the glory of the Lord" in a cloud (Exodus 16:10). God is responding to Israel's faithlessly bitter complaints (Exodus 16:1–3, 7–9).

Exodus 16:1–12 describes how Israel left the oasis at Elim and began complaining to Moses about food. Moses takes these grievances to the Lord, who explains His response. God will provide meat and bread despite the people unfairly criticizing Moses and Aaron. This provision will remind Israel of God's position as their Lord.

As the recently-rescued Israelites (Exodus 14:21–31) journey on, they complain about food. God provides them with manna: a grain-like substance which miraculously appears each morning. The people are given instructions about how to gather and use manna. Only on the sixth day of the week can they collect more and keep leftovers for the following day. That seventh day is to be a time of rest, called a "sabbath."

Israel has celebrated (Exodus 15:1) their miraculous escape through the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21–28). They have survived their first hardship (Exodus 15:23–25). God now provides manna in response to their complaints about food. He also begins to establish the concept of the seventh-day Sabbath. Soon, the Lord will send another miracle regarding water (Exodus 17:1–7) and the people will have their first military battle (Exodus 17:8–16). Shortly after this, Moses' father-in-law will arrive and offer some helpful advice (Exodus 18).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 6/30/2025 4:16:05 PM