Exodus 16 13

Exodus 16:13 kjv

And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host.

Exodus 16:13 nkjv

So it was that quails came up at evening and covered the camp, and in the morning the dew lay all around the camp.

Exodus 16:13 niv

That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.

Exodus 16:13 esv

In the evening quail came up and covered the camp, and in the morning dew lay around the camp.

Exodus 16:13 nlt

That evening vast numbers of quail flew in and covered the camp. And the next morning the area around the camp was wet with dew.

Exodus 16 verses

Exodus 16 13 Meaning

Exodus 16:13 describes the initial part of God's miraculous provision for the Israelites in the wilderness. In the evening, an immense flock of quails appeared, covering the entire camp, providing the people with meat to eat. The verse then states that in the morning, after the quails, a layer of dew settled on the ground around the camp, which later unveiled the manna. This two-part provision addressed their immediate need for food following their complaints, demonstrating God's consistent care.

Exodus 16 13 Context

Exodus chapter 16 takes place in the Wilderness of Sin, between Elim and Sinai, approximately one month after the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. Despite witnessing numerous miracles, including the parting of the Red Sea, the people quickly resorted to grumbling against Moses and Aaron due to lack of food. Their complaints stemmed from a fear of starvation, even idealizing their former bondage in Egypt. This specific verse (16:13) immediately follows God's declaration that He has heard their complaints and will provide meat in the evening and bread in the morning. Thus, the provision of quails and the subsequent dew (leading to manna) serves as a direct, timely, and dramatic fulfillment of God's promise, aiming to teach Israel His faithfulness and that He is the LORD, their provider.

Exodus 16 13 Word analysis

• And it came to pass (וַיְהִי / vayehi): A common Hebrew literary device indicating the start of an event, often translated as "Now it happened that" or "And it was." It draws attention to the unfolding of events, signaling an important occurrence.
• at evening (בָעֶרֶב / baʿerev): Refers to the period from sunset to nightfall. The precise timing indicates God's exact fulfillment of His promise made in Exod 16:8. In the wilderness climate, evening also provides cooler conditions, relevant for migrating birds.
• the quails (הַשְׂלָו / hash-selav): From the Hebrew שְׂלָו (selav). This refers to the Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix), a migratory bird common in the Sinai region. These birds migrate in vast numbers across the Sinai peninsula, flying low, especially when tired, often stopping for rest in specific locations before continuing. Their abundance here, precisely at the right time and location, signifies divine orchestration rather than mere natural occurrence. While some ancient cultures (like Egyptians) revered certain birds, this event unequivocally shows YHWH's absolute control over nature, asserting His unique power to command creation for His people's needs.
• came up (וַתַּעַל / vattaʿal): Literally "went up" or "ascended." In this context, it describes the movement of the quails as they appeared and ascended from a lower area or the horizon, filling the air. It implies a vast, rising cloud of birds.
• and covered (וַתְּכַס / vattəkhass): From the root כָּסָה (kasah), meaning "to cover" or "to conceal." This verb emphasizes the sheer number of quails, so many that they "covered" the camp or the ground around it. It suggests an almost impenetrable blanket of birds, providing abundant meat.
• the camp (אֶת־הַמַּחֲנֶה / ’et-hammaḥăneh): Refers to the sprawling encampment of the Israelite multitude. The quails landed within reach of everyone, signifying complete and accessible provision.
• and in the morning (וּבַבֹּקֶר / u-vabbaqer): Refers to the period from dawn until noon. Again, precise timing fulfilling God's promise.
• the dew (שִׁכְבַת הַטַּל / shikhvat haṭ-ṭal): Literally "a layer of dew" or "a covering of dew." Dew (from טַל - ṭal) is common in desert environments and is significant because the manna appeared with the dew, and became visible after the dew evaporated (Exod 16:14). This natural phenomenon was supernaturally connected to the appearance of the manna, linking God's everyday creation to His miraculous provision.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And it came to pass at evening, that the quails came up": Highlights the divinely orchestrated arrival of the quails precisely at the promised time, satisfying the demand for meat. This contrasts the people's lack of faith with God's steadfast adherence to His word.
• "and covered the camp": Emphasizes the overwhelming abundance of the quails. It wasn't just a few birds; there were enough to literally "cover" the camp, ensuring ample provision for the vast population, even exceeding their expectations. This visual of covering illustrates God's extravagant supply.
• "and in the morning the dew lay around the camp": Establishes the morning timeframe and the precursor to the manna. The presence of the dew emphasizes that the manna was not something that simply "fell" directly but appeared in connection with a natural process, albeit a supernatural substance. This detail enhances the miraculous nature of the manna's daily appearance.

Exodus 16 13 Bonus section

The Hebrew word for quail, שְׂלָו (selav), relates to "fatness" or "plumpness," underscoring the richness and desirability of this provision. While the Bible does not explicitly mention any polemic in Exod 16:13, the repeated divine provision for the Israelites directly contrasts with their Egyptian past, where pharaoh was seen as the provider. Now, YHWH unequivocally demonstrates His unique and exclusive power over sustenance. The dual timing—quails in the evening, manna appearing with the dew in the morning—not only perfectly fulfills the divine promise but also likely prevented overindulgence of either. The Israelites collected manna daily, save for the Sabbath, promoting trust and preventing hoarding. The sheer volume of quails, described as "covering" the camp, highlights the overwhelming generosity of God, far beyond minimal subsistence, aiming to teach them that He is "Yahweh their Provider" (Yahweh-Jireh in principle). This miraculous sustenance established a pattern of divine care that lasted for forty years, demonstrating God's consistent presence and provision for His covenant people.

Exodus 16 13 Commentary

Exodus 16:13 encapsulates God's faithfulness in providing for His grumbling people, serving as a pivotal moment in the wilderness narrative. It vividly portrays divine condescension: God does not scold their complaints of hunger but swiftly acts to meet their basic needs. The quails represent an immediate, tangible response to their craving for meat, delivered supernaturally, despite being a naturally occurring phenomenon in the Sinai. This illustrates God's sovereignty over creation, bending natural patterns to fulfill His specific promises. The evening quails satisfied the urgent hunger for meat. The subsequent layer of dew in the morning points to a different, daily sustenance, the manna, emphasizing God's sustained provision and setting the stage for lessons on dependence. This twin provision of evening and morning shows God’s comprehensive care, addressing both immediate gratification (quails) and ongoing, systematic sustenance (manna), while also teaching the Israelites to await God's provision and depend on His daily grace.