Exodus 16 18

Exodus 16:18 kjv

And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating.

Exodus 16:18 nkjv

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.

Exodus 16:18 niv

And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little. Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed.

Exodus 16:18 esv

But when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. Each of them gathered as much as he could eat.

Exodus 16:18 nlt

But when they measured it out, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed.

Exodus 16 verses

Exodus 16 18 Meaning

Exodus 16:18 reveals the miraculous nature of God's provision of manna, demonstrating divine justice and perfect supply. Regardless of how much manna an individual gathered—whether an abundance or a minimal amount—when it was measured with an omer (the designated portion), each person found they had exactly what was needed for their sustenance. Those who gathered excessively had no surplus, and those who gathered sparingly had no deficit. This highlights God's sovereign control, equitable distribution, and faithful fulfillment of every individual's immediate need.

Exodus 16 18 Context

Exodus 16 is a pivotal chapter marking Israel's initial trials in the wilderness following their deliverance from Egypt. After traveling through the wilderness of Sin, the entire congregation of Israel began to murmur against Moses and Aaron, complaining that they wished they had died in Egypt, where they at least had food to eat. They expressed deep distrust in God's ability or willingness to provide for them in the desolate wilderness. In response to their murmuring, the Lord promised to "rain bread from heaven" for them and provide meat in the evening. This verse specifically addresses the miraculous nature of the manna's distribution in the morning. The instruction was given to gather only one omer per person for daily consumption, except on the sixth day when they were to gather a double portion to last through the Sabbath. Exodus 16:18 recounts the supernatural result of their gathering: a divine calibration ensuring each person received precisely their need, reinforcing the lesson of daily reliance and communal equity. This divine provision served as a direct counter-narrative to their grumbling and demonstrated God's benevolent oversight over even their most basic physical needs.

Exodus 16 18 Word analysis

• And when they did mete it: Hebrew: וַיָּמֹ֣דּוּ ('vayyamoddu') - literally, "and they measured." The verb 'madad' (מָדַד) means to measure, stretch, or proportion. This indicates an active process of measurement taking place after the gathering, which supernaturally resulted in the specific amount needed. It was not merely that they gathered just enough, but that upon measurement, the quantity adjusted.
• with an omer: Hebrew: בָעֹ֕מֶר (ba'omer) - "with the omer." The 'omer' (עֹ֫מֶר) was a specific unit of dry measure, stipulated in Ex 16:16 as the precise amount to be gathered per person. It was roughly 2.2 litres or one-tenth of an ephah. The use of this standard unit highlights the precise and universal application of the divine distribution principle. It serves as a benchmark for what constitutes "enough" for one person.
• he that gathered much: This refers to individuals who, perhaps out of anxiety, greed, or misunderstanding, collected more manna than the prescribed omer. It speaks to a human tendency to hoard or to distrust God's consistent provision.
• had nothing over: Hebrew: לֹא הֶעְדִּ֥יף (lo he'ediyf) - "not had overabundance/excess." This is a supernatural aspect. The surplus collected by those who gathered much simply vanished or was found not to be there upon measurement. It's a divine safeguard against accumulation and a lesson against covetousness and lack of faith.
• and he that gathered little: This refers to individuals who, perhaps out of humility, less capacity, or quick obedience to the instruction, collected less manna than might seem sufficient.
• had no lack: Hebrew: לֹא הֶחְסִֽיר (lo hechsiyr) - "not had shortage." This is equally miraculous. The insufficient quantity collected by those who gathered little supernaturally became just enough upon measurement. It demonstrates God's perfect sufficiency and care for all, especially those who might otherwise be disadvantaged.
• they gathered every man according to his eating: Hebrew: אִישׁ֙ לְפִ֣י אָכְלֹ֔ו ('ish lᵉphî 'okhlow) - "a man according to his eating/consumption." This phrase encapsulates the principle of perfect, individualized provision based on need. It means each person had exactly enough for their sustenance for that day, regardless of their initial gathering effort. It underscores the purpose of the manna as daily bread for sustenance, not for personal wealth or future security. This concept rejects hoarding and promotes daily reliance on God.

Words-group Analysis

• "he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack": This parallel structure perfectly illustrates the divine redistribution mechanism. It defies natural economic laws, emphasizing that human effort or capacity in gathering was overridden by divine providence to ensure equity. It directly challenges the impulse towards accumulation for security, instead cultivating dependence on God's immediate and perfect provision for each individual and fostering communal equality.
• "they gathered every man according to his eating": This phrase highlights the purpose of God's provision. It was for sustained life, not for storage or trade. It sets a principle for true sufficiency, focusing on what one truly needs rather than what one desires to accumulate. This principle applies both to individuals and to the community, preventing both greed and scarcity within the group.

Exodus 16 18 Bonus section

The miracle described in Exodus 16:18 is foundational to understanding God's divine economy, later elaborated by the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 8:15. There, this specific verse is directly quoted to advocate for generosity and equality among believers, so that "your abundance may supply their lack" and vice versa. This shows that the principle demonstrated with the manna's distribution transcends literal bread, applying to spiritual and material resources within the body of Christ. Manna itself also serves as a type of Christ, the true "bread of life" (Jn 6:31-35), emphasizing that spiritual nourishment is likewise distributed by God to perfectly meet our needs without us being able to hoard or fall short when relying on Him. The meticulous regulation of the manna underscored a radical teaching against economic stratification and reinforced community solidarity built on God's reliable, daily grace rather than human striving or fear.

Exodus 16 18 Commentary

Exodus 16:18 stands as a profound testament to God's character as provider, ensuring equitable sustenance for His people. It reveals a divinely ordered economy that directly counters human tendencies toward greed and anxiety. Regardless of individual gathering effort, God intervened to calibrate the supply, teaching daily dependence and eliminating both surplus and deficit among the community. This wasn't merely a passive observation; it was a miraculous enforcement of perfect justice and provision. The lesson for Israel, and for believers today, is one of complete reliance on God's immediate care, trust in His fairness, and the rejection of hoarding or undue worry for the morrow. It illustrates that true security lies not in what one can accumulate, but in God's faithful supply according to actual need, fostering communal sharing and reminding them that true provision comes from above.