Exodus 16 12

Exodus 16:12 kjv

I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God.

Exodus 16:12 nkjv

"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.' "

Exodus 16:12 niv

"I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, 'At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.'?"

Exodus 16:12 esv

"I have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to them, 'At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God.'"

Exodus 16:12 nlt

"I have heard the Israelites' complaints. Now tell them, 'In the evening you will have meat to eat, and in the morning you will have all the bread you want. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.'"

Exodus 16 verses

Exodus 16 12 Meaning

Exodus 16:12 declares God's direct response to the Israelites' deep-seated complaints in the wilderness. He hears their discontent about hunger and promises miraculous provision of both meat in the evening and abundant bread every morning. The purpose of this supernatural sustenance is not merely to alleviate their immediate physical need but profoundly to reveal His divine identity and covenant faithfulness, causing them to recognize Him as "the Lord your God."

Exodus 16 12 Context

Exodus chapter 16 finds the Israelites roughly a month after their miraculous escape from Egypt and the crossing of the Red Sea, now journeying in the Wilderness of Sin. Their provisions brought from Egypt have run out, leading to widespread discontent and open "grumbling" against Moses and Aaron, though implicitly directed at God Himself (Exod 16:7-8). This episode marks a critical point where their trust in God is tested and demonstrated lacking. Despite their rebellious complaining, God graciously intervenes, promising to rain down bread from heaven (manna) and send quail for meat, demonstrating His constant care and desire to sustain His covenant people even when they show little faith. This context highlights God's sovereignty, patience, and commitment to His promises amidst human weakness.

Exodus 16 12 Word analysis

• I have heard: Hebrew: שָׁמַעְתִּי (shamati). This signifies God's complete awareness and direct knowledge of their grievances. It's not a mere physical hearing, but an understanding of their deep-seated discontent and murmuring hearts. It demonstrates His omniscience and active involvement in His people's affairs, whether good or bad.
• the grumbling: Hebrew: תְּלוּנֹּת (t'lunnot), derived from לוּן (lun), "to murmur" or "complain." This term recurs throughout the wilderness narrative and signifies a lack of trust and rebellion against divine leadership and provision. It reveals a forgetfulness of God's past deliverances and His covenant fidelity. The root implies lodging/spending the night, metaphorically suggesting that discontent has taken up residence in their hearts.
• of the Israelites: Hebrew: בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (b'nei Yisra'el). This emphasizes that it is God's own chosen, covenant people who are complaining, highlighting the seriousness of their unfaithfulness despite being subjects of His recent miraculous redemption.
• Tell them: Hebrew: דַּבֵּר אֲלֵהֶם (dabber alehem). An imperative command from God to Moses, instructing direct communication of His word. Moses serves as the mediator, conveying God's specific promise.
• At twilight: Hebrew: בֵּין הָעַרְבַּיִם (bein ha'arbáyim), literally "between the two evenings." This phrase typically refers to the period between the late afternoon and the true onset of night, usually specified for a specific period like the slaying of the Passover lamb (Exod 12:6). It denotes a precise, divinely appointed timing for the promised provision.
• you will eat meat: Hebrew: תֹּאכְלוּ בָשָׂר (tokh'lu basar). A direct promise of satisfaction for their immediate physical cravings. The meat here would come in the form of quail, later detailed in the chapter, demonstrating God's capacity to provide beyond mere sustenance to fulfill desires.
• and in the morning: Hebrew: וּבַבֹּקֶר (uvaboker). Distinct timing, setting up a daily rhythm of divine provision, implying a recurring, consistent grace.
• you will be filled with bread: Hebrew: תִּשְׂבְּעוּ לֶחֶם (tisb'u lechem). The verb שׂבע (saba) means "to be satisfied" or "satiated," indicating not just consumption, but abundant provision that fully meets their need and leaves them wanting no more. This would be the manna, described as bread from heaven.
• Then you will know: Hebrew: וִידַעְתֶּם (vidatem). This is a crucial theological statement. "Know" (ידע, yada') here means more than intellectual assent; it implies experiential recognition and deep understanding, resulting in a changed relationship with God. Their understanding of God will be transformed through this tangible demonstration of His power and love.
• that I am the Lord your God: Hebrew: כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם (ki ani YHWH Eloheykhem). This is a profound divine self-revelation, a hallmark of the Exodus narrative.
  • YHWH (The Lord): The sacred, personal, covenant name of God (Tetragrammaton). It denotes His eternal, self-existent, faithful nature. He is the God who keeps His promises and actively intervenes in history for His people.
  • your God: Hebrew: אֱלֹהֵיכֶם (Eloheykhem). Emphasizes the covenant relationship and exclusive devotion owed to Him. He is not just a god, but their God, committed to them, distinct from any idols of Egypt. The provision validates His claim as their deliverer and sustainer.
• "I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, 'At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.'": This entire declaration demonstrates God's immediate response to human frailty and sin. Despite the severity of their complaints (murmuring against Him), God chooses grace and instruction over immediate judgment. His powerful declaration establishes His authority and capacity to provide even in impossible situations, linking physical provision directly to spiritual revelation. The sequence of events (hearing, commanding, specific provision, and resultant knowledge) outlines a pattern of divine interaction aimed at strengthening faith and solidifying His unique relationship with His people.

Exodus 16 12 Bonus section

The episode of manna and quail in Exodus 16 sets a significant precedent for understanding divine providence and covenant faithfulness throughout biblical history. It foreshadows not only literal physical provision but also spiritual nourishment. The daily, regular nature of the manna provision taught dependence on God's fresh grace each day, challenging stockpiling and fostering trust, mirroring later spiritual lessons about seeking God's provision daily (e.g., Matt 6:11, "give us today our daily bread"). Furthermore, the grumbling of Israel serves as a stark warning to future generations against complaining and testing God's patience, which is extensively referenced in the New Testament (1 Cor 10; Heb 3). The consistent refrain "then you will know that I am the Lord your God" underscores a core theological theme of the entire Pentateuch: God's actions in history are always ultimately geared towards revealing His character and securing the exclusive worship and obedience of His people.

Exodus 16 12 Commentary

Exodus 16:12 reveals God's sovereign, compassionate, and redemptive response to the faithlessness of the Israelites. Despite their murmuring—a clear manifestation of distrust and a forgetfulness of His mighty works—God, hearing their complaint, promises tangible, immediate relief. This provision of meat (quail) and bread (manna) is not just a pragmatic solution to hunger, but a deliberate, miraculous act intended to solidify their understanding of His identity. The phrase "Then you will know that I am the Lord your God" is pivotal. It transforms the act of provision from a mere handout into a profound lesson in theology. Through His faithful supply, God compels His people to experientially recognize His divine nature (YHWH) and His unique, exclusive covenant relationship with them (your God). This verse exemplifies God's patience, His desire for His people to know Him authentically, and His unwavering commitment to His promises, even when faced with their spiritual immaturity. It highlights that divine blessings often come with the greater purpose of deeper relational knowledge of the Giver.