Exodus 16:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: On the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers each. And when all the leaders of the congregation came and told Moses,

NIV: On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much—two omers for each person—and the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses.

NASB: Now on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one. When all the leaders of the congregation came and told Moses,

CSB: On the sixth day they gathered twice as much food, four quarts apiece, and all the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses.

NLT: On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much as usual — four quarts for each person instead of two. Then all the leaders of the community came and asked Moses for an explanation.

KJV: And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses.

NKJV: And so it was, on the sixth day, that they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one. And all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses.

To provide food for Israel (Exodus 16:1–3, 12), God sent manna. This brand-new substance (Deuteronomy 8:3) appeared each morning and had to be collected. Israel was meant to depend on the Lord daily (Exodus 16:21). But when the sixth morning of the week arrives, the people are surprised to find they have collected twice the usual amount: two "omers" instead of one per person. This adds weight to the idea that Israel collected all the manna together, then measured out portions. After collection, each person would have exactly their allotted share (Exodus 16:17–18). The fact that the leaders feel the need to tell Moses about the double portion demonstrates that they weren't expecting it.

The people had been told very directly not to keep manna overnight (Exodus 16:19–20). However, God has a reason for this doubled collection. The seventh day is to be a "Sabbath:" a time of rest. No manna will be provided. The double portion from the sixth day (Exodus 16:26) will remain clean to be used for the seventh (Exodus 16:23–25). Further laws about the Sabbath will be part of Israel's covenant with the Lord (Exodus 20:8–11; 31:12–17; 35:1–3).

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.