Exodus 16:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Moses said, "Eat it today, for today is a Sabbath to the Lord; today you will not find it in the field.

NIV: "Eat it today," Moses said, "because today is a sabbath to the Lord. You will not find any of it on the ground today.

NASB: Then Moses said, 'Eat it today, for today is a Sabbath to the Lord; today you will not find it in the field.

CSB: "Eat it today," Moses said, "because today is a Sabbath to the Lord. Today you won’t find any in the field.

NLT: Moses said, 'Eat this food today, for today is a Sabbath day dedicated to the Lord. There will be no food on the ground today.

KJV: And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the Lord: to day ye shall not find it in the field.

NKJV: Then Moses said, “Eat that today, for today is a Sabbath to the Lord; today you will not find it in the field.

Israel was provided a daily portion of "bread" from heaven (Exodus 16:12). This came in the form of "manna" (Exodus 16:31), a thin, flaky, grain-like substance (Exodus 16:14–15; Numbers 11:7–8). It had to be collected every morning (Exodus 16:21). Anything kept overnight would become putrid (Exodus 16:19–20). However, the Lord provided a double portion on the sixth morning of the week (Exodus 16:22). This collection, alone, would last an extra day. This was to give the people food during the seventh day, when they were to observe a time of rest (Exodus 16:23–24).

The Sabbath was an important concept in the covenant between the Lord and Israel (Exodus 20:8–11; 31:12–17; 35:1–3). Observing it was a sign of obedience, as well as identification with God. Resting rather than working expressed faith in God's ability to provide. God would not send manna on the seventh day (Exodus 16:26). As is the pattern of all mankind, some Israelites ignore this instruction and earn an angry response from the Lord (Exodus 16:27–29).

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 7/30/2025 2:57:07 PM