Exodus 16:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the people of Israel did so. They gathered, some more, some less.

NIV: The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little.

NASB: The sons of Israel did so, and some gathered much and some little.

CSB: So the Israelites did this. Some gathered a lot, some a little.

NLT: So the people of Israel did as they were told. Some gathered a lot, some only a little.

KJV: And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.

NKJV: Then the children of Israel did so and gathered, some more, some less.

God has provided manna (Exodus 16:31) as a food source for Israel (Exodus 16:6–7, 12). This appears as the morning dew evaporates (Exodus 16:14–15). The people were instructed to gather a certain volume of this per person (Exodus 16:16). As expected, not everyone gathered the same amount. Yet God has a plan to ensure that all people are provided for. Once it was all gathered Israel would have exactly what they needed (Exodus 16:22)—no more, no less (Exodus 16:18).

This daily (Exodus 16:19–20) supply would continue for the next forty years (Exodus 16:35; Joshua 5:12). This "bread" would become an important symbol of God's provision for His people. Jesus would use it as a powerful prediction of His work as Messiah (John 6:48–51). God expects trusting obedience from His people (Matthew 6:11–12).

Exodus 16:13–30 explains the miraculous provision of meat and bread during Israel's journey through the wilderness. Quail—small birds—arrive at night. In the morning, the ground is covered in a strange substance. This becomes a bread-like food for Israel, later called "manna" (Exodus 16:31). It also symbolizes their daily dependence on God—it could not be kept longer than instructed, so the people had to continually trust the Lord to provide more. To further prove this, God instructs the people to rest on the seventh day of the week.

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 6/18/2025 11:48:13 AM