Exodus 16 22

Exodus 16:22 kjv

And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses.

Exodus 16:22 nkjv

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.

Exodus 16:22 niv

On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much?two omers for each person?and the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses.

Exodus 16:22 esv

On the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers each. And when all the leaders of the congregation came and told Moses,

Exodus 16:22 nlt

On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much as usual ? four quarts for each person instead of two. Then all the leaders of the community came and asked Moses for an explanation.

Exodus 16 verses

Exodus 16 22 Meaning

Exodus 16:22 describes a significant observation made by the Israelites on the sixth day after the manna began to fall. They found that the amount of manna gathered was double the usual daily portion—two omers per person instead of one. This unusual abundance was divinely orchestrated as preparation for the upcoming Sabbath, during which no manna would be provided, highlighting God's provident care and His intention to establish the Sabbath rest.

Exodus 16 22 Context

Exodus chapter 16 unfolds during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness of Sin, shortly after their miraculous deliverance from Egypt and crossing the Red Sea. They had murmured against Moses and Aaron due to lack of food, expressing a desire to return to Egyptian bondage. In response to their complaint, but primarily as a demonstration of His faithfulness and a means of teaching them obedience, the Lord promised to provide "bread from heaven" (manna) and meat (quails). The giving of manna came with specific instructions: gather only what was needed for the day, and do not leave any overnight, lest it spoil. This verse, Exodus 16:22, marks a pivotal moment where the Israelites encountered an anomaly to the daily gathering rule: on the sixth day, the gathered amount was inexplicably double. This observation prompted their leaders to seek clarification from Moses, setting the stage for the direct divine revelation regarding the weekly Sabbath rest, linking God's miraculous provision directly to the establishment of the Sabbath commandment, thereby testing Israel's obedience to His commands.

Exodus 16 22 Word analysis

• It came to pass (וַיְהִי - vayehi): A very common biblical narrative transition phrase. It introduces a new event or a development in the story. Here, it signals the specific occurrence on the sixth day.
• on the sixth day (בַּיּוֹם הַשִּׁשִּׁי - bayyom haššišši): This precise temporal detail is crucial. It connects directly to the pattern of creation in Gen 1, where God created for six days and rested on the seventh. This highlights divine intentionality in setting the Sabbath pattern. The timing underscores God's meticulous planning for their needs and His law.
• they gathered (לָקְטוּ - laqṭû): This verb emphasizes the people's active role in collecting the manna. They had to exert effort. It's not simply appearing, but gathered from the ground, tying their sustenance directly to their daily obedience.
• twice as much bread (לֶחֶם מִשְׁנֶה - leḥem mišneh):
  • לחם (leḥem): Meaning "bread" or "food" in general. It refers to the manna, the primary staple provided by God.
  • משׁנה (mišneh): Meaning "second," "double," or "duplicate." It signifies the increased quantity. This wasn't accidental; it was a deliberate and specific increase commanded by God's providence. It signals the abundance provided.
• two omers for one (שְׁנֵי הָעֹמֶר לָאֶחָד - šenê haʿōmer lāʾeḥāḏ): This provides a precise quantitative measure of "twice as much."
  • עֹמֶר (ʿōmer): An ancient Hebrew dry measure, equivalent to about 2.2 litres or approximately 10 cups. It was explicitly stated in Exo 16:16 to be the daily portion for each person. The direct contrast here (two for one) clearly defines the extraordinary provision.
  • This specific detail confirms the deliberate superabundance, preventing any doubt or misinterpretation.
• and all the rulers (וְכֹל נְשִׂיאֵי - vĕkol nĕśîʾê):
  • נשׂיא (naśîʾ): Meaning "prince," "leader," or "chief." These were recognized authorities or heads of families/tribes among the Israelites. Their collective action underscores the significance of the event and the fact that it was observed widely across the community, not just by an isolated few.
• of the congregation (הָעֵדָה - hāʿēdâ): Refers to the whole community of Israel, a highly organized group even in the wilderness. This emphasizes the communal nature of the divine instruction and the orderly recognition of the phenomenon.
• came and told Moses (וַיָּבֹאוּ וַיַּגִּידוּ לְמֹשֶׁה - vayyāḇōʾû vayyaggîḏû lĕMōšeh): The leaders, upon observing the anomaly, approached Moses for clarification. This highlights Moses' role as the intermediary between God and Israel, and the people's reliance on him for divine instruction. Their action demonstrates initial compliance with the chain of command and their concern over what appeared to be a violation of the earlier manna-gathering instructions. It prepares for the explicit Sabbath revelation that follows.

Words-group analysis:

• "It came to pass on the sixth day, that they gathered twice as much bread,": This opening sets the stage for God's clear revelation of the Sabbath principle through miraculous provision. It shifts from a routine daily gathering to a unique event, signaling divine intervention.
• "two omers for one,": This precise measurement leaves no ambiguity about the double portion. It contrasts with the previously established daily gathering amount, prompting the subsequent inquiry.
• "and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses.": This collective action of the leaders indicates that the double gathering was not an isolated incident but a widespread observation throughout the camp. Their decision to consult Moses highlights the importance of discerning God's will and confirms Moses' divine appointment as the primary interpreter of God's commands for the entire nation. It also shows a moment of genuine inquiry before any disobedience occurred.

Exodus 16 22 Bonus section

The event of the double portion on the sixth day followed by the Sabbath cessation of manna stands as an early object lesson in divine order and providence, predating the formal giving of the Ten Commandments at Sinai. It teaches Israel dependence on God's word and timing, not on their own efforts alone. This practical demonstration prepared their hearts and minds for the more explicit Sabbath commandment in Exodus 20, making the abstract command tangible. Furthermore, it underscored God's commitment to nourish His people, not just physically but spiritually, by drawing them into a rhythm that centered on Him. The spoiled manna left overnight (except for the Sabbath portion) was a direct consequence of disobedience (Exo 16:20), whereas the miraculously preserved double portion on the sixth day for the Sabbath was a sign of divine blessing for obedience to His timing, highlighting the stark contrast between God's will and human impulse.

Exodus 16 22 Commentary

Exodus 16:22 is a foundational verse for understanding both God's providential care and the practical establishment of the Sabbath. Prior to this, God's instructions about manna had emphasized daily gathering and strict adherence to quantity. The observation of a double portion on the sixth day thus created a dilemma for the Israelites, causing their leaders to seek clarification from Moses. This moment was not arbitrary but orchestrated by God as a test and an instruction. It demonstrated His foresight, providing for His people's needs even before they articulated them, and it served as a tangible object lesson in trust and obedience. God designed the manna to cease on the seventh day, not as a deprivation, but to underscore the sanctity of the Sabbath rest, establishing a divinely commanded pattern for work and rest. The "twice as much" signified God's abundant grace, covering their needs for two days in one gathering, allowing them to truly rest without fear of want, solidifying the importance of faith in His provision even when physical work was suspended. This pre-Sinaitic implementation of the Sabbath commandment through miraculous provision foreshadowed the giving of the Law and emphasized that resting was not idleness but an act of obedience and faith in God's sustained sustenance.