What does Exodus 16:2 mean?
ESV: And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness,
NIV: In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
NASB: But the whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.
CSB: The entire Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.
NLT: There, too, the whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron.
KJV: And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:
NKJV: Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.
Verse Commentary:
Ancient writing used figures of speech just as do modern texts. Here, Scripture indicates that "the whole congregation" raises complaints against Moses. This phrase broadly refers to every person of the nation. In context, this use is probably not literal. It's unlikely that infants voiced their frustrations about Moses. A few Israelites might have been content. But for all practical purposes, the entire nation gripes at their leaders because of food (Exodus 16:3).
It's important to notice that the people are not merely complaining "about" food. They target Moses and Aaron (Exodus 16:8). The implication is that the people blame leadership for their hunger. This is much like their prior complaints regarding water (Exodus 15:24–26). It's likely Moses and Aaron personally heard these protests; later, Moses will take good advice about how to spread out decision-making (Exodus 18).
Verse Context:
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.
Chapter Summary:
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."
Chapter Context:
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).
Book Summary:
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 6/15/2025 5:38:49 AM
© Copyright 2002-2025 Got Questions Ministries. All rights reserved.
Text from ESV, NIV, NASB, CSB, NLT, KJV, NKJV © Copyright respective owners, used by permission.
