Exodus 16 1

Exodus 16:1 kjv

And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt.

Exodus 16:1 nkjv

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.

Exodus 16:1 niv

The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt.

Exodus 16:1 esv

They set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the people of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt.

Exodus 16:1 nlt

Then the whole community of Israel set out from Elim and journeyed into the wilderness of Sin, between Elim and Mount Sinai. They arrived there on the fifteenth day of the second month, one month after leaving the land of Egypt.

Exodus 16 verses

Exodus 16 1 Meaning

Exodus 16:1 describes a significant waypoint in the Israelites' journey from Egypt. It states that after leaving Elim, the entire assembly of the children of Israel arrived in the Wilderness of Sin. This specific location is precisely situated between Elim and Mount Sinai, and their arrival occurred on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departure from the land of Egypt. This verse sets the stage for a critical phase of divine provision and testing.

Exodus 16 1 Context

Exodus 16:1 marks the transition to a new phase of the Israelites' wilderness journey. They have already experienced the initial stages of deliverance: the ten plagues in Egypt, the miraculous Red Sea crossing, the bitter waters of Marah sweetened by God, and a brief period of refreshment at Elim with its springs and palm trees. At Elim, their needs were met through natural means provided by God. However, their continued journey brings them into the desolate Wilderness of Sin, a harsh and barren region where their accumulated provisions from Egypt would be depleted, making their complete dependence on God critically evident. The precise timing, "on the fifteenth day of the second month," situates this event approximately one month after their departure from Egypt, emphasizing the strategic timing for God to introduce His systematic provision of manna and quail. This journey from the comfort of Elim into a challenging desert prepares them, both geographically and experientially, for the deeper relationship and covenant awaiting them at Mount Sinai.

Exodus 16 1 Word analysis

• Then they journeyed: (Hebrew: Vayyisu - וַיִּסְעוּ). From the root nasaʿ, meaning "to pull up stakes," "to set out," or "to depart." This term indicates a deliberate and continued movement, consistent with a divinely guided expedition rather than aimless wandering. It suggests an orderly breaking of camp, underscoring the purposeful nature of their migration under God's leading.
• from Elim: (Hebrew: Elim - אֵילִם). Meaning "oaks" or "terebinths," Elim was a place of refreshing reprieve described with twelve springs and seventy palm trees (Ex 15:27). Their departure from this oasis signifies a move from relative comfort back into the stark reality of the wilderness, heightening the impending test of faith regarding sustenance.
• and all the congregation: (Hebrew: wĕḵol-ʿăḏaṯ - וְכָל־עֲדַת). The term ʿedah (congregation, assembly) emphasizes the collective identity and corporate nature of Israel as God's chosen people. "All" underscores the vast number of people involved in this journey, amplifying the logistical challenge of feeding and leading such a multitude, which would be impossible without divine intervention.
• of the children of Israel: Explicitly identifies the covenant people of God, highlighting that God's plan of redemption and leading is specifically for His liberated nation, descendants of Jacob.
• came to the Wilderness of Sin: (Hebrew: Miḏbar Sîn - מִדְבַּר סִין). Not related to the Hebrew word for "sin" (חֵטְא, kheṭ), but likely derived from a geographic name, possibly associated with a lunar deity "Sin" worshipped in the region, or referring to "clay/mud." This designation points to a specific, arid, and desolate geographical area. This wilderness was a place of extreme barrenness, making any survival entirely dependent on extraordinary divine provision, a stark contrast to Elim.
• which is between Elim and Sinai: This phrase precisely locates the Wilderness of Sin geographically. It serves as a crucial navigational marker for their intended destination—Mount Sinai, where the Law would be given. Its placement between an oasis and the mountain of revelation underscores its role as a transitional proving ground where Israel would learn fundamental lessons of divine dependence before receiving the covenant.
• on the fifteenth day of the second month: (Hebrew: bĕḥămishshāh ʿāśār yôm baḥōḏeš haššēnî - בַּחֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר יוֹם בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַשֵּׁנִי). This is a very specific chronological detail. As they left Egypt on the 15th day of the first month (Passover being the 14th), their arrival here one month later on the 15th day of the second month pinpoints the time to exactly 30 days after the Exodus. This month-long period is significant because it provides a realistic timeframe for their provisions brought from Egypt to diminish and for grumbling about food shortages to begin, thus setting the immediate scene for God's dramatic provision of manna and quail.
• after they departed from the land of Egypt: This concluding phrase anchors the current journey phase within the broader context of their miraculous deliverance from bondage, reiterating God's continued guidance and the ongoing fulfillment of His promise to bring them to a land flowing with milk and honey.

Words-group Analysis

• Then they journeyed from Elim...came to the Wilderness of Sin: This segment emphasizes the continuity and purposefulness of their travel. Moving from the comforting oasis of Elim to the barren Wilderness of Sin highlights a transition from natural, readily available sustenance to an environment requiring explicit divine provision, thus setting up the impending miracle of manna.
• all the congregation of the children of Israel: This highlights the collective nature of their experience. The entire nation was undergoing this journey, facing the same challenges, and equally reliant on God's intervention, reinforcing their corporate identity under the covenant.
• between Elim and Sinai: This phrase provides crucial geographical context, defining the Wilderness of Sin as a critical stage in their pilgrimage. It situates it as a waypoint before the major spiritual encounter at Mount Sinai, signifying a period of preparatory testing and a demonstration of God's capacity to sustain His people even in the harshest conditions before formal covenant.
• on the fifteenth day of the second month after they departed from the land of Egypt: This precise chronological detail is highly significant. It underlines the calculated nature of God's plan. The one-month mark from the Exodus precisely coincides with the likely depletion of their food supplies, orchestrating the perfect scenario for God to intervene with supernatural daily sustenance, revealing His reliability and faithfulness.

Exodus 16 1 Bonus Section

• The Wilderness of Sin is thought to be located in the lowland region (Debbet er-Ramleh) bordering the granite mountains of Sinai. Its name does not relate to human transgression, but is likely a geographical term.
• The biblical chronology is remarkably precise, indicating not just the month but the exact day (15th of the second month, Iyar) of their arrival. This exactness underscores the structured and divinely orchestrated nature of the Exodus narrative.
• The specific dates in Exodus demonstrate a deliberate pedagogical pattern by God. The initial journey out of Egypt, the murmuring at Marah, the rest at Elim, and now the entrance into the Wilderness of Sin all lead to the climax of the Law-giving at Sinai (which they reach in the third month, Ex 19:1). Each location and time teaches a vital lesson about God's character and Israel's obedience.
• This verse indirectly sets up a theological point: Human self-sufficiency is futile in the face of true need, particularly in a divinely guided journey. God often leads His people into situations where their resources fail, to demonstrate His unparalleled power and care.

Exodus 16 1 Commentary

Exodus 16:1 serves as a crucial geographical and temporal pivot in Israel's post-Exodus narrative. Having enjoyed a period of rest and natural replenishment at Elim, the multitude now faces the true test of faith in the inhospitable Wilderness of Sin. This journey is not haphazard; it is part of God's deliberate leading, taking them from a place of limited, natural comfort into an environment designed to force absolute dependence upon Him. The timing, precisely one month after their departure from Egypt, signifies that any remaining provisions they carried would have by now diminished, creating a natural void that only divine intervention could fill. This verse sets the stage not for human struggle and failure, but primarily for God to reveal a deeper dimension of His nature as their faithful Provider. It is here, in this barren expanse, that the miraculous provision of manna and quail will begin, demonstrating God's consistent care and teaching His people the discipline of daily reliance, a lesson vital for their continued journey towards the Promised Land and for receiving His Law at Sinai.