Exodus 16 29

Exodus 16:29 kjv

See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.

Exodus 16:29 nkjv

See! For the LORD has given you the Sabbath; therefore He gives you on the sixth day bread for two days. Let every man remain in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day."

Exodus 16:29 niv

Bear in mind that the LORD has given you the Sabbath; that is why on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Everyone is to stay where they are on the seventh day; no one is to go out."

Exodus 16:29 esv

See! The LORD has given you the Sabbath; therefore on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Remain each of you in his place; let no one go out of his place on the seventh day."

Exodus 16:29 nlt

They must realize that the Sabbath is the LORD's gift to you. That is why he gives you a two-day supply on the sixth day, so there will be enough for two days. On the Sabbath day you must each stay in your place. Do not go out to pick up food on the seventh day."

Exodus 16 verses

Exodus 16 29 Meaning

Exodus 16:29 is a divine instruction to the Israelites, reaffirming the Sabbath principle established at creation and given concrete application in the wilderness through the manna provision. It emphasizes that the Lord, by supplying a double portion of manna on the sixth day, has made it possible for them to truly rest on the seventh. The verse commands complete cessation from work or movement outside their dwelling places on the Sabbath, underscoring it as a sacred day of rest and reliance on God's faithful provision. It reinforces obedience to God's unique economic and spiritual design for their weekly rhythm.

Exodus 16 29 Context

Exodus chapter 16 describes the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their deliverance from Egypt. Upon reaching the Wilderness of Sin, they began to grumble against Moses and Aaron, complaining about hunger and wishing they had died in Egypt, where they at least had food. In response to their murmuring, God promised to send them bread from heaven—manna—and quail. He established specific instructions for gathering the manna: gather an omer per person daily, but on the sixth day, gather a double portion because the seventh day, the Sabbath, would be a day of no gathering or work. The verse Ex 16:29 reiterates these instructions with a strong emphasis on the reason: the Lord Himself has given the Sabbath, thus guaranteeing provision on the sixth day to allow for sacred rest on the seventh. This was both a test of their obedience and an initial instruction on the Sabbath before the Decalogue. The command to stay "in his place" came after some people disregarded the instructions and went out to collect manna on the seventh day, finding none.

Exodus 16 29 Word analysis

• See! (רְאוּ - re'u): This is a plural imperative, serving as an emphatic call to attention. It demands observation and understanding, indicating that what follows is important and demonstrably true. It’s an invitation to perceive not just intellectually, but experientially, God’s work.
• For the Lord (כִּי־יְהוָה - ki-YHWH): Ki (for/because) introduces the reason. YHWH (the Lord) is God’s covenant name, signifying His unchanging, relational, and self-existent nature. This emphasizes that the Sabbath is not a human custom but a divine institution from the sovereign God.
• has given you (נָתַן לָכֶם - natan lakhem): Natan means "to give, grant, place, set." It highlights the Sabbath as a divine gift or gracious provision, rather than a burdensome obligation. God "gives" the Sabbath as part of His covenant relationship and blessing to His people.
• the Sabbath (אֶת־הַשַּׁבָּת - et-haShabbat): Shabbat derives from a root meaning "to cease, to rest." It refers to a day of complete cessation from labor. This is its formal introduction as a holy institution for Israel. Its existence is anchored in God's rest after creation.
• therefore (עַל־כֵּן - al-ken): "Because of this" or "on account of this." This causal connector logically links God giving the Sabbath with the subsequent provision.
• He gives you bread (הוּא נֹתֵן לָכֶם לֶחֶם - hu noten lakhem lechem): God Himself (hu) is actively and continuously providing. Lechem (bread) here specifically refers to the manna, emphasizing that His divine provision directly facilitates Sabbath observance.
• for two days (יוֹמַיִם - yomayim): Literally "two days." This is the concrete evidence of God's provision for the Sabbath rest, enabling the Israelites to cease gathering.
• on the sixth day (בַּיּוֹם הַשִּׁשִּׁי - bayom ha’shishi): The precise day of the week, indicating an organized, rhythmic pattern to their daily life tied directly to the weekly cycle and the Sabbath.
• Remain (שְׁבוּ - shevu): Plural imperative, "sit," "dwell," or "stay put." This is a command for immobility and settled rest, physically restricting outward movement for labor.
• everyone in his place (אִישׁ תַּחְתָּיו - ish tahtav): "A man under himself," or "each in his own place." This specifies the individual responsibility to remain in their dwelling or encampment. It refers to a physical boundary for activity, distinct from daily labor.
• let no one go out (אַל־יֵצֵא אִישׁ - al-yetse ish): Al is a negative imperative, yetse means "to go out, come forth." This reinforces the prohibition on leaving their defined space, especially for the purpose of work or gathering. It emphasizes that this rest is not just ceasing labor, but staying within defined boundaries of quiet repose.
• from his place (מִמְּקֹמוֹ - mimqomo): Similar to tahtav, it stresses a fixed location. This highlights that the Sabbath involves a total cessation of productive outdoor activity.
• on the seventh day (בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי - bayom ha’shevi'i): The designated holy day of rest, confirming its unique status.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "See! For the Lord has given you the Sabbath;": This phrase establishes the divine origin and gracious nature of the Sabbath. It is not merely a legal imposition but a gift from the covenant-keeping God. The imperative "See!" draws attention to God's demonstration of this truth through His manna provision. It asserts God's ultimate authority over time and human activity.
• "therefore He gives you bread for two days on the sixth day.": This clause reveals God's meticulous provision enabling the Sabbath. His provision is directly linked to His command, showing His faithfulness to sustain them even during their commanded rest. It’s a practical, tangible demonstration of divine care and trust-building. This economic model removes any excuse for working on the seventh day.
• "Remain, everyone in his place; let no one go out from his place on the seventh day.": This twin command underscores the strictness and comprehensive nature of the Sabbath rest. "In his place" signifies not engaging in daily work, which typically involved leaving their tents. It implies a settled, peaceful dwelling. It sets clear boundaries for Sabbath activity, intended to facilitate full rest and focus on God rather than mundane concerns. This direct command addresses the previous instance of disobedience (Ex 16:27-28).

Exodus 16 29 Bonus section

The "testing" of Israel's obedience, mentioned in Ex 16:4 ("that I may test whether they will walk in My law or not"), finds a clear practical application in Ex 16:29 and the surrounding events. The failure of some Israelites to heed the initial instruction regarding Sabbath manna collection directly precedes this explicit, reiterated command in verse 29, highlighting God's persistence in teaching them dependence and obedience. This episode is crucial because it introduced the concept of the Sabbath to the collective consciousness of Israel before its formal inscription in the Decalogue (Ex 20). The concept of maqom ("place") for Sabbath rest has been interpreted in various ways throughout Jewish tradition, sometimes leading to intricate rabbinic discussions on how far one could legitimately walk (a "Sabbath day's journey"). However, in its original context, "his place" simply denotes not leaving the immediate encampment for the purpose of work or gathering, establishing a foundational boundary for Sabbath holiness distinct from Gentile practices focused solely on economic output. This divine regulation of time, ensuring regular rest, was counter-cultural, challenging the slave-driving practices of Egypt and other ancient near-eastern societies where work was incessant.

Exodus 16 29 Commentary

Exodus 16:29 is a pivotal verse in the early establishment of Israel's covenant life, blending practical instruction with theological profoundness. It explicitly declares the divine origin of the Sabbath, presenting it as a gift from YHWH, rather than a burden. God's act of providing a double portion of manna on the sixth day served as concrete proof of His intention and ability to sustain His people even through their commanded rest. This practical demonstration countered any fear that ceasing labor would lead to lack. The dual commands to "remain in his place" and "let no one go out" reinforced the absolute nature of Sabbath cessation, discouraging even the inclination to seek sustenance outside God's prescribed means. It was a test of trust, teaching dependence on God's provision rather than human effort. The Sabbath, as seen here, is therefore not merely a day off, but a structured rhythm for Israel to acknowledge God as the ultimate provider and Sustainer, finding rest in Him. It's a foreshadowing of finding true rest in God's gracious provision, pointing ultimately to Christ as our rest and the bread of life.