Exodus Chapter 16 — Bread from Heaven
God provides miraculous bread from heaven and quail to feed the Israelites in the wilderness while introducing laws for the Sabbath rest.
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Notable Verses
Exodus 16:4
“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from the sky for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.”
This verse establishes the miraculous nature of the provision and its purpose as a test of faith.
Exodus 16:23
“He said to them, “This is that which the LORD has spoken, ‘Tomorrow is a solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD.’ ””
This is a foundational moment in the Bible where the Sabbath is explicitly set apart as a day of rest before the giving of the Ten Commandments.
Exodus 16:31
“The house of Israel called its name “Manna”, and it was like coriander seed, white; and its taste was like wafers with honey.”
This verse provides the specific physical description and name of the miraculous food that sustained Israel for forty years.
Chapter Summary
In Exodus 16, the Israelites travel to the Wilderness of Sin and begin to complain against Moses and Aaron because of hunger. They nostalgically recall the food they had in Egypt, prompting God to intervene. The Lord promises to rain bread from heaven and provide meat in the evening to test the people's obedience. That evening, quail covers the camp, and the next morning, a fine, flake-like substance remains after the dew evaporates. The Israelites call it 'Manna' and are instructed to gather only what they need for each day. On the sixth day, they are commanded to gather a double portion because the seventh day is a holy Sabbath, and no manna will appear. Despite warnings, some attempt to store manna overnight—where it rots—or search for it on the Sabbath. Moses eventually commands that a jar of manna be kept as a memorial for future generations, noting that Israel ate this provision for forty years.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to the text, the name Manna is derived from the question the Israelites asked when they first saw it: 'What is it?' (Man hu). It appeared as a small, round thing, similar to frost or coriander seed.
God commanded them to gather only a daily portion to test their obedience and reliance on Him. When some people tried to save it until morning, it bred worms and became foul, except for the portion gathered for the Sabbath.
On the sixth day, the people gathered a double portion of manna. This portion did not spoil overnight, allowing them to rest on the seventh day, the Sabbath, when no manna fell from the sky.
The text states that the children of Israel ate manna for forty years, until they reached the borders of the land of Canaan and entered an inhabited land.
Study Note
The measurement 'omer' used in this chapter is roughly equivalent to two liters, representing a generous daily individual portion.
Related Chapters
Exodus 15
The previous chapter where the Israelites encountered bitter water at Marah and were refreshed at Elim.
Exodus 20
The chapter where the Sabbath is officially codified as one of the Ten Commandments.
John 6
A New Testament passage where Jesus discusses the manna in the wilderness in relation to His own identity.
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