Exodus 16:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "I have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’"

NIV: "I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight 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.’ "

NASB: I have heard the grumblings of the sons of Israel; speak to them, saying, ‘ At twilight 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.’?'

CSB: "I have heard the complaints of the Israelites. Tell them: At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will eat bread until you are full. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God."

NLT: I have heard the Israelites’ complaints. Now tell them, ‘In the evening you will have meat to eat, and in the morning you will have all the bread you want. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’'

KJV: I 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.

NKJV: “I have heard the complaints of the children of Israel. Speak to them, saying, ‘At twilight 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.’ ”

God heard the Israelites' concerns (Exodus 16:1–3). He also recognized that these demonstrated a lack of trust. God had done incredible miracles on their behalf (Exodus 3:19–20; 12:29–32; 13:21–22; 14:21–28). Yet they complained as if Moses and Aaron were leading them into starvation. Still, God's love means He will continue to provide for the people.

As promised (Exodus 16:4–6), God will send meat in the evening and bread in the morning. This should remind the people of who God is and what He has done for them. In Hebrew, the word "bread" can broadly refer to food in general. When this "bread" appears, it will come in a form somewhat like grain (Exodus 16:14; Numbers 11:8).

The provision of meat will come in the form of a one-time swarm of quail (Exodus 16:13). These birds are smaller and much lighter than chickens but have been used as a food source for millennia. The bread will arrive regularly for the next forty years (Exodus 16:15, 31, 35).A massive swarm of quail is miraculous enough. The repeated provision of bread each morning is an undeniable act of supernatural power. Israel was meant to respond to these proofs by growing their trust and obedience for the Lord.

God will send Israel quail again, but as a judgment of their greed rather than a provision for hunger (Numbers 11:32–33).

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.