Exodus Chapter 16
Manna for the Children of Israel
A. God’s Promise to Provide
Exodus 16:1 says, “And they journeyed from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came to the Wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they departed from the land of Egypt.”
This verse marks a significant point in Israel’s journey. The text specifies, “on the fifteenth day of the second month after they departed from the land of Egypt,” showing that one month had passed since the Exodus. In Exodus 12:18, the Israelites began their departure on the fifteenth day of the first month, making this precisely one month later. This timing reveals how quickly the faith of the people would be tested after the miraculous deliverance from Egypt.
The “Wilderness of Sin” mentioned here lies between Elim and Sinai. Elim, described in Exodus 15:27, was an oasis where Israel found rest and refreshment—twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees symbolized divine provision and completeness. Yet between this place of comfort and Mount Sinai, where God would reveal His law, lay the Wilderness of Sin. The name “Sin” here does not relate to moral transgression; in Hebrew, it can also be rendered Zin. However, the name proves to be ironically fitting, for in this wilderness the people indeed would fall into sin through their unbelief and murmuring. Spiritually, it stands as a reminder that the path between refreshment and revelation often leads through testing.
Exodus 16:2–3 continues, “Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. And the children of Israel said to them, ‘Oh, that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.’”
Here we see the congregation once again falling into the familiar pattern of murmuring. Their supplies from Egypt had run low, and fear began to overtake faith. Rather than crying out to God for provision, they turned against their leaders, Moses and Aaron. This complaint revealed the deep unbelief within their hearts. God had just demonstrated His power through the Red Sea and His mercy at Marah, yet the people failed to trust that He who delivered them would also sustain them.
The passage indicates that their fear of starvation was likely anticipated rather than experienced. They had not endured prolonged famine or seen anyone perish from hunger. Instead, at the first sign of discomfort, they gave voice to discontent. This demonstrates how quickly the flesh forgets the works of God. The people who only a short time ago sang praises of deliverance (Exodus 15:1–21) were now filled with doubt and complaint. Their faith had withered in the face of minor hardship.
Their words, “When we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full,” show a selective memory and distorted view of the past. Egypt had been a land of bondage, cruelty, and oppression, yet they remembered it as a place of plenty. This is often the case with those who fall into complaint: they romanticize their former state and forget the misery that came with it. They long for the very conditions from which God has freed them. It is a sobering warning that a complaining spirit can make bondage seem better than freedom when faith grows weak.
Their accusation, “You have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger,” reveals not only their fear but also their willingness to impugn the motives of their leaders. Such accusations were baseless, for Moses and Aaron had faithfully obeyed God’s command to lead Israel toward the Promised Land. Yet a complaining heart often projects its own unbelief upon others, assuming wicked intentions even where none exist.
As the commentator Clarke noted, “Human nature can never be reduced to a more abject state in this world than that in which the body is enthralled by political slavery, and the soul debased by the influence of sin. These poor Hebrews were both slaves and sinners, and were therefore capable of the meanest and most disgraceful acts.” This statement captures the depth of Israel’s failure: though freed from Egypt’s chains, they were still slaves in heart, bound by unbelief and spiritual immaturity.
Israel’s complaint was not merely about hunger, but about faith. They desired comfort without dependence and satisfaction without submission. Their cry for food would soon be answered by divine provision, not because they deserved it, but because God was faithful to His covenant.
Manna for the Children of Israel
B. God Announces Bread from Heaven
Exodus 16:4–5 says, “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not. And it shall be on the sixth day that they shall prepare what they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.’”
This passage introduces one of the most extraordinary miracles of divine provision in Scripture. The Lord declares, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you.” The idea of bread literally raining from heaven was beyond human reasoning, showing that God’s resources are not limited by human expectation. Bread does not normally fall from the sky, yet God was about to demonstrate His supernatural ability to sustain His people in the wilderness.
This promise teaches that God’s provision may come from unexpected sources. Sometimes He uses ordinary means, and other times He works through extraordinary and unseen channels. Just as the Israelites would learn that man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Deuteronomy 8:3), they would also learn that the same God who divided the sea could just as easily provide daily food from heaven.
The bread is later described by the Israelites as “manna” (Exodus 16:31), meaning “What is it?” because they had never seen anything like it before. God, however, referred to it repeatedly as “bread from heaven” (Nehemiah 9:15; Psalm 78:24; Psalm 105:40), and the psalmist even calls it “angels’ food” (Psalm 78:25). These descriptions emphasize its divine origin—it was not earthly bread but heavenly sustenance.
The Lord also commanded, “The people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day.” This reminds us that divine provision does not cancel human responsibility. God supplied the manna, but He required the people to gather it daily. His provision was consistent, but His command required daily obedience and diligence. This rhythm of work and dependence was designed to strengthen their trust in Him.
God further explained, “That I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not.” Every blessing from God carries a responsibility, and every act of divine provision can become a test of faithfulness. The manna would reveal whether the people would obey His instructions or fall into self-reliance. The key test would come on the sixth day, when they were to gather twice as much, so that the seventh day might remain a day of rest. This provision not only supplied their physical need but also reinforced the principle of the Sabbath—a pattern of rest and trust in God rather than in one’s own labor.
The miracle of manna thus became a daily lesson in faith. God provided enough for each day, no more and no less, teaching His people to live in continual dependence upon Him.
C. Moses Declares God’s Provision
Exodus 16:6–8 continues, “Then Moses and Aaron said to all the children of Israel, ‘At evening you shall know that the LORD has brought you out of the land of Egypt. And in the morning you shall see the glory of the LORD; for He hears your complaints against the LORD. But what are we, that you complain against us?’ Also Moses said, ‘This shall be seen when the LORD gives you meat to eat in the evening, and in the morning bread to the full; for the LORD hears your complaints which you make against Him. And what are we? Your complaints are not against us but against the LORD.’”
Moses announced two forms of provision—meat in the evening and bread in the morning. Yet before describing the miracle, he addressed the heart issue behind Israel’s complaints. He told them, “At evening you shall know that the LORD has brought you out of the land of Egypt.” It might seem astonishing that Israel still doubted this truth after witnessing the plagues, the Passover, and the parting of the Red Sea. But experiences alone, no matter how miraculous, cannot permanently change the heart. The same people who had seen God’s might still lacked enduring faith in His goodness.
Moses further said, “In the morning you shall see the glory of the LORD.” This glory was not manifested through fire or thunder but through provision. The glory of God here would be seen in His mercy—His willingness to supply the needs of a grumbling people. The Hebrew term kabed (meaning “weight” or “heaviness”) expresses the gravity and splendor of God’s presence. His glory was revealed not merely in His power to judge but in His compassion to sustain. The people deserved rebuke for their ingratitude, yet God chose instead to display His goodness.
This scene reflects the heart of divine grace. God did not rain down fire from heaven to silence their complaints; He rained down bread to feed them. He did not demand repentance before showing mercy, but He provided first, teaching them through kindness. This foreshadows the nature of Christ, who said in Matthew 5:44–45, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you… that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good.” God’s glory shines brightest when mercy triumphs over judgment.
Moses also reminded them, “He hears your complaints against the LORD… your complaints are not against us but against the LORD.” The people had directed their frustration at Moses and Aaron, but their true rebellion was against God. Every act of murmuring against spiritual leadership is, in essence, murmuring against the Lord who appointed them. Their dissatisfaction was not with human failure but with divine providence.
Finally, Moses declared, “When the LORD gives you meat to eat in the evening.” This refers to the quail that God would send at dusk, while the manna would appear each morning. Through this, the Lord would meet both their immediate craving for meat and their long-term need for daily bread. The provision of both illustrated His comprehensive care for His people.
Israel’s hunger became the occasion for God to reveal His power, His faithfulness, and His grace. In this moment, the wilderness of Sin became a classroom of faith, where the people would learn that the God who delivered them from Egypt was the same God who could sustain them every single day.
B. God’s Provision of Manna
Exodus 16:9–12 says, “Then Moses spoke to Aaron, ‘Say to all the congregation of the children of Israel, “Come near before the LORD, for He has heard your complaints.”’ Now it came to pass, as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud. And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘I have heard the complaints of the children of Israel. Speak to them, saying, “At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. And you shall know that I am the LORD your God.”’”
When Moses instructed Aaron to call the people to draw near, he was summoning them to witness the presence and mercy of God, who had heard their complaints. Though their attitude was wrong, God’s patience and faithfulness did not fail. The text reveals that as Aaron spoke, “the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud.” This was a visible manifestation of divine presence, confirming to the Israelites that the God who had led them by a pillar of cloud and fire still dwelt among them. Whether the voice of the Lord was heard by all or only by Moses is uncertain, but the people could clearly see the evidence of divine authority and knew that Moses was God’s chosen spokesman.
When God said, “I have heard the complaints of the children of Israel,” it reaffirmed His awareness of their suffering and murmuring. Though Moses already knew this from the earlier revelation (Exodus 16:4–5), this public statement served to remind Israel that God hears all, even their ungrateful words. Yet, instead of punishing them, God responded with grace: “At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread.” Through this, He not only met their physical needs but revealed His character as Jehovah-Jireh—the Lord who provides. The purpose of these provisions was so that they would “know that I am the LORD your God.” This phrase marks a theme throughout Exodus: the wilderness was God’s classroom where Israel would learn His nature, His holiness, and His sufficiency.
Exodus 16:13–14 continues, “So it was that quails came up at evening and covered the camp, and in the morning the dew lay all around the camp. And when the layer of dew lifted, there, on the surface of the wilderness, was a small round substance, as fine as frost on the ground.”
At twilight, the Lord sent quail to cover the camp. These small migratory birds, common to the region, often flew low and became exhausted during migration, making them easy to catch. God orchestrated this natural event miraculously to provide abundant meat for the people. This act of mercy is remarkable—God could have answered their grumbling with judgment but instead gave them what they desired.
In the morning, another wonder appeared: “a small round substance, as fine as frost on the ground.” The bread from heaven arrived quietly with the morning dew, subtle yet supernatural. It was delicate, requiring careful gathering. Exodus 16:31 describes it as like coriander seed, white, and tasting like wafers made with honey. Numbers 11:7 adds that it was the color of bdellium, resembling pearls. The people could grind it or beat it, bake it or boil it, and its taste was like pastry prepared with oil (Numbers 11:8).
Ancient Jewish tradition adds colorful details, claiming the manna took on the flavor of whatever food one desired—sweet for the young, nourishing like bread for the strong, and mild like honey for the aged. Though such legends embellish the truth, they emphasize the completeness of God’s provision: He met the needs of all His people, regardless of age or condition. Some stories even describe how God sent a north wind and a cleansing rain to sweep and purify the desert floor before the manna fell, portraying the holiness and care of the divine Provider.
Others have attempted to explain manna naturally, identifying it with “mann,” a sweet resin found in limited quantities on tamarisk trees in the Sinai region. However, that natural substance differs greatly: it appears only seasonally, in small amounts, and cannot sustain a multitude daily for forty years. The manna of Exodus was a continuous, supernatural provision that appeared every morning, except on the Sabbath, for four decades—an ongoing miracle that no natural explanation can replicate.
The Lord’s purpose in providing manna was not merely to fill stomachs but to teach hearts. As stated in Deuteronomy 8:3, “So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.” The manna was both a physical and spiritual lesson, revealing dependence upon God as the source of all life. It illustrated that divine provision often requires cooperation—God sent it, but Israel had to rise early and gather it. As Spurgeon observed, “Animals are often taught through their food. When they could not be reached in any other way, they have been instructed by their hunger.” God used hunger as His teacher and manna as His textbook.
Exodus 16:15 records, “So when the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, ‘What is it?’ For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, ‘This is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat.’”
The people’s first reaction was bewilderment—“What is it?” The Hebrew phrase man hu gave rise to the name manna. They had never seen anything like it before. Their lack of recognition illustrates how God’s provision often comes in unfamiliar forms. They expected sustenance, but not in this manner. Similarly, many today fail to recognize the ways God answers prayer because His provision does not fit their expectations. Yet Moses clarified plainly, “This is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat.” This moment marked the beginning of a forty-year relationship of daily dependence, a pattern of faith sustained by divine grace.
Exodus 16:16–19 continues, “This is the thing which the LORD has commanded: ‘Let every man gather it according to each one’s need, one omer for each person, according to the number of persons; let every man take for those who are in his tent.’ Then the children of Israel did so and gathered, some more, some less. So when they measured it by omers, he who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack. Every man had gathered according to each one’s need. And Moses said, ‘Let no one leave any of it till morning.’”
Here God established specific guidelines for gathering manna. Each household was to collect what was needed, approximately one omer per person. The command emphasized personal responsibility and contentment. There was no central collection point or redistribution system; each family had to work for its own portion. No one could hoard or delegate their duty, for God intended to teach diligence, equality, and dependence. Remarkably, when they measured their gatherings, “he who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.” God’s provision proved perfectly sufficient for every person—neither excessive nor lacking. This principle of divine balance reflects Paul’s later words in 2 Corinthians 8:15, where he applies the same verse to Christian generosity.
Moses further commanded, “Let no one leave any of it till morning.” This restriction reinforced the daily dependence God desired to cultivate in His people. The manna was fresh each morning, symbolizing the believer’s need for daily communion with God. Hoarding would demonstrate mistrust in His promise to provide tomorrow.
Exodus 16:20–21 says, “Notwithstanding they did not heed Moses. But some of them left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them. So they gathered it every morning, every man according to his need. And when the sun became hot, it melted.”
Despite clear instruction, some of the people disobeyed. They tried to save manna overnight, and it spoiled, breeding worms and emitting a foul odor. Their failure was not due to ignorance but unbelief. They doubted God’s faithfulness to provide again the next day. The stench of decaying manna became a physical representation of spiritual decay caused by disobedience. Yet through this, the Lord taught them the necessity of trust. As they experienced the consequences, obedience eventually followed, and they learned to gather it fresh each morning.
The note that “when the sun became hot, it melted” reveals another divine lesson. God required early rising and diligence, building discipline into their dependence. The manna was not designed for the lazy. His provision demanded effort, reinforcing that blessings come to those who seek Him earnestly.
Through this miraculous provision, God demonstrated His faithfulness, trained His people in obedience, and revealed that His word sustains life more than physical food.
C. The Naming and Gathering of Manna
Exodus 16:15 says, “So when the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, ‘What is it?’ For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, ‘This is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat.’”
When the Israelites first saw the manna spread across the ground, they were astonished and confused. They said, “What is it?”—in Hebrew, man hu—which literally means “What is that?” This question became its very name: manna. It was something entirely new, foreign to their experience, a manifestation of divine provision that defied natural explanation.
Moses then clarified, “This is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat.” In other words, this was no ordinary food but a supernatural gift—directly supplied by the hand of God. It symbolized the truth that God Himself would sustain His people day by day. Just as later Jesus would say in John 6:32–33, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world,” so here the manna prefigured Christ Himself as the Bread of Life.
Yet, at this early moment, the Israelites did not recognize the gift before them. “For they did not know what it was.” This underscores a profound spiritual principle: God often provides for His people in ways that are unfamiliar or unexpected. His blessings sometimes appear in humble, unrecognized forms. The Israelites were looking for something grand and obvious, but God’s provision lay quietly on the ground, waiting for faith to perceive it. Many today, like Israel, fail to recognize God’s hand in His daily mercies because His provision comes clothed in simplicity.
Exodus 16:16–19 continues, “This is the thing which the LORD has commanded: ‘Let every man gather it according to each one’s need, one omer for each person, according to the number of persons; let every man take for those who are in his tent.’ Then the children of Israel did so and gathered, some more, some less. So when they measured it by omers, he who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack. Every man had gathered according to each one’s need. And Moses said, ‘Let no one leave any of it till morning.’”
Here the Lord gave practical and moral instruction regarding His provision. “Let every man gather it according to each one’s need.” Each household was to gather for itself—there was no centralized manna depot, no tribal overseer to distribute it. God’s command required individual obedience and responsibility. This preserved personal discipline, discouraged laziness, and prevented the sin of entitlement. No one could live off the labor of another, for every man had to rise early and gather his own portion.
The measurement—“one omer for each person”—was an approximate daily ration. Scholars estimate it may have ranged from a cupful to a gallon, though the precise amount is less important than the principle behind it: God’s provision was perfectly sufficient for each person’s daily need. When the people gathered, “he who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.” This miracle revealed that God’s provision was always exact—no excess, no deficiency. It demonstrated His sovereignty over both abundance and limitation. The Apostle Paul later applied this truth in 2 Corinthians 8:15, teaching that God’s economy in grace and generosity operates the same way: “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”
Moses added, “Let no one leave any of it till morning.” This instruction emphasized trust in God’s daily provision. The manna would not last beyond a single day, except for the Sabbath, teaching Israel to rely on the Lord anew each morning. Hoarding manna would signify mistrust—an attempt to secure tomorrow’s bread without faith. God’s command therefore trained them to depend upon Him daily. The lesson was clear: they were to live day by day, relying upon His word and grace for each new sunrise.
Exodus 16:20–21 says, “Notwithstanding they did not heed Moses. But some of them left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them. So they gathered it every morning, every man according to his need. And when the sun became hot, it melted.”
Despite God’s clear instruction, some of the people disobeyed. They left part of their gathered manna until morning, perhaps out of fear that God would not provide again. Their lack of faith led to decay—the manna they tried to preserve “bred worms and stank.” This vivid imagery symbolizes the corruption that comes from disobedience. God’s gifts, when hoarded or handled with unbelief, become spoiled and useless. Their disobedience not only provoked Moses’ anger but served as a public reminder that unbelief carries an immediate and unpleasant consequence.
Yet, even through this failure, God’s mercy remained. The text says, “So they gathered it every morning, every man according to his need.” The discipline of their experience taught them to obey. The stench of spoiled manna taught the sweetness of faith. They began to learn the rhythm of divine provision: to seek early, to trust daily, and to rest in God’s consistency.
Finally, “When the sun became hot, it melted.” This detail reveals the necessity of diligence. The manna had to be gathered early before it vanished with the heat. This encouraged discipline and work ethic among the people. God was not only feeding their bodies but training their character. His provision demanded effort; they could not be idle or complacent. Thus, the manna served a dual purpose: it met physical hunger and molded spiritual maturity.
Through these lessons, Israel learned that God’s sustenance is daily, sufficient, and moral in nature—it tests, teaches, and transforms. The manna was more than bread; it was a sermon of dependence, a picture of faith, and a prophecy of Christ, the true Bread from Heaven.
D. God Provides Double on the Day Before the Sabbath
Exodus 16:22–30 says, “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. Then he said to them, ‘This is what the LORD has said: “Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. Bake what you will bake today, and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all that remains, to be kept until morning.”’ So they laid it up till morning, as Moses commanded; and it did not stink, nor were there any worms in it. Then Moses said, ‘Eat that today, for today is a Sabbath to the LORD; today you will not find it in the field. Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, which is the Sabbath, there will be none.’”
On the sixth day, something remarkable occurred—the Israelites discovered that the quantity of manna gathered was twice as much as usual. Each person collected two omers instead of one, a clear indication that God had prearranged provision for the coming Sabbath. This miracle affirmed both His care and His intent to establish the Sabbath principle among His people. Surprised by the abundance, “all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses.” Though God had already revealed this to Moses earlier (Exodus 16:5), the event unfolded so distinctly that it prompted official inquiry.
Moses explained, “Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD.” This is the first explicit mention of the Sabbath given to Israel after their deliverance from Egypt. While the concept of rest traces back to creation—when God rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2–3)—this was the first time the Sabbath was formally instituted for the nation. God now sanctified it as a sign of covenantal relationship. He essentially forced Israel to honor the Sabbath by ceasing the provision of manna on that day.
God instructed them to bake and boil whatever they desired on the sixth day, then preserve the remainder until morning. Miraculously, the portion kept overnight did not spoil or breed worms as it had on other days. This demonstrated that God’s commands were accompanied by supernatural preservation. When the people obeyed, His provision endured; when they disobeyed, it decayed.
Moses told them plainly, “Eat that today, for today is a Sabbath to the LORD; today you will not find it in the field.” In other words, there would be no manna on the ground the seventh day. The pattern was established—six days of gathering, one day of rest. This rest was not mere idleness but a spiritual observance dedicated to the Lord, acknowledging His sovereignty and sufficiency.
The Sabbath principle here teaches that God not only provides for man’s needs but also commands rest from labor. The double portion on the sixth day illustrated divine sufficiency, teaching that those who trust in God’s provision can rest without fear of lack.
E. No Manna Comes on the Sabbath
Exodus 16:27–30 continues, “Now it happened that some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather, but they found none. And the LORD said to Moses, ‘How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws? See! For the LORD has given you the Sabbath; therefore He gives you on the sixth day bread for two days. Let every man remain in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.’ So the people rested on the seventh day.”
Despite clear instruction, “some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather.” Their disobedience reflected the same unbelief that had already caused problems earlier. God had plainly stated that no manna would fall on the Sabbath, yet some still went searching for it. Their behavior revealed a lack of faith, as if God might change His word.
But, as Scripture records, “they found none.” God’s word proved true exactly as spoken. This was a divine object lesson in trust: they were to believe His promises without requiring proof through experience. This same principle applies today—many seek fulfillment, joy, or sustenance in places God has declared barren. As then, they find none.
The Lord’s rebuke followed: “How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws?” His tone conveys both disappointment and authority. He reminded them that the Sabbath was not a burden but a gift—“See! For the LORD has given you the Sabbath.” The Sabbath was God’s provision for man’s refreshment and spiritual renewal, not a restriction. By giving twice as much bread on the sixth day, God enabled His people to rest in His sufficiency.
Moses commanded, “Let every man remain in his place.” This instruction reinforced the principle of rest and reflection. The Israelites were to cease striving and trust fully in God’s completed provision. As a result, “the people rested on the seventh day.” For the first time in generations, after centuries of bondage in Egypt’s relentless labor, they experienced true rest under the care of their Redeemer.
F. Manna Preserved as a Testimony
Exodus 16:31–36 says, “And the house of Israel called its name Manna. And it was like white coriander seed, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. Then Moses said, ‘This is the thing which the LORD has commanded: “Fill an omer with it, to be kept for your generations, that they may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.”’ 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.’ As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept. And the children of Israel ate manna forty years, until they came to an inhabited land; they ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan. Now an omer is one-tenth of an ephah.”
The Israelites formally named the substance manna, meaning “What is that?” echoing their original astonishment in Exodus 16:15. The description—“like white coriander seed”—highlights its fine, small, pearl-like appearance, requiring humble and careful gathering. God provided sustenance that demanded patience and attentiveness, teaching them discipline even in receiving His blessings.
Its taste—“like wafers made with honey”—shows that God’s provision was not only sufficient but pleasant. He did not feed them with bland necessity but with food that was both nourishing and sweet. The sweetness of manna foreshadowed the satisfaction found in the will of God and, ultimately, in Christ Himself. As Psalm 34:8 declares, “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!”
God then commanded, “Fill an omer with it, to be kept for your generations.” This preserved portion served as a perpetual reminder of divine faithfulness. Moses instructed Aaron to place the pot “before the LORD”—later within the Ark of the Covenant, referred to here as “the Testimony.” Hebrews 9:4 confirms this, listing “the golden pot that had the manna” among the sacred items kept in the Ark. It stood as a tangible witness of God’s miraculous care throughout the wilderness journey.
Verse 35 records, “And the children of Israel ate manna forty years, until they came to an inhabited land.” For four decades, God sustained an entire nation daily in a barren desert. Yet as soon as they entered the Promised Land, the manna ceased (Joshua 5:12), teaching them to transition from supernatural sustenance to the ordinary blessing of labor. God’s providence was constant, but His methods changed to match their season of life.
The manna, therefore, pointed forward to Jesus Christ, the true Bread from Heaven. In John 6:32–33, Jesus declared, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Just as the Israelites had to receive manna daily to live, so must we receive Christ spiritually to have eternal life.
To receive the true Bread from Heaven is to:
Come aware of our need, hungry for righteousness.
Receive Him personally, each one for himself and his household.
Seek Him daily, continually feeding upon His word and presence.
Approach Him humbly, in reverence and gratitude.
Take Him inwardly, allowing His life to become ours.
In the wilderness, manna sustained the body; in Christ, the Bread of Life sustains the soul.
