Exodus 16:33 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Moses said to Aaron, "Take a jar, and put an omer of manna in it, and place it before the Lord to be kept throughout your generations."

NIV: So Moses said to Aaron, "Take a jar and put an omer of manna in it. Then place it before the Lord to be kept for the generations to come."

NASB: And Moses said to Aaron, 'Take a jar and put a full omer of manna in it, and place it before the Lord to be kept safe throughout your generations.'

CSB: Moses told Aaron, "Take a container and put two quarts of manna in it. Then place it before the Lord to be preserved throughout your generations."

NLT: Moses said to Aaron, 'Get a jar and fill it with two quarts of manna. Then put it in a sacred place before the Lord to preserve it for all future generations.'

KJV: And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the Lord, to be kept for your generations.

NKJV: And Moses said to Aaron, “Take a pot and put an omer of manna in it, and lay it up before the Lord, to be kept for your generations.”

God often emphasizes the need to teach future generations about what He has done (Exodus 12:24–27; 13:14; Deuteronomy 4:10; 6:7; Psalm 78:5). The story of Israel's path from Egyptian slavery (Exodus 1:11–14), to wilderness travel (Exodus 12:40–41), to the borders of the Promised Land (Numbers 13:1) is fundamental to the nation's identity. For this reason, the Lord instructed certain relics to be kept (Hebrews 9:4). These included the stone tablets recording the covenant (Exodus 25:16), Aaron's staff (Numbers 17:10), and a jar of manna (Exodus 16:32).

Moses directs his brother, Aaron (Exodus 4:14–17), to put a single person's daily portion of manna (Exodus 16:16) in a jar. Normally, manna kept overnight would spoil (Exodus 16:19–20). Only what was collected on the sixth day would last, and that was for only one more day (Exodus 16:23–24). This jar would remain clean, however, so future Israelites would have a token of remembrance once manna was no longer being provided (Exodus 16:35; Joshua 5:12).

Exodus 16:31–36 reads like a footnote or appendix to the story of the exodus so far. God commands Israel to keep a small jar of manna for future generations to see. Aaron puts this by the "testimony" (Exodus 25:16) given by God. This miraculous supply of food (Exodus 16:14–16) would happen daily for forty years, until the people came into the Promised Land (Joshua 5:12). Since these events look forward, it seems likely they were included by Moses and Joshua later.

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 6/16/2025 11:16:12 PM