Exodus 16 32

Exodus 16:32 kjv

And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commandeth, Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations; that they may see the bread wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt.

Exodus 16:32 nkjv

Then Moses said, "This is the thing which the LORD has commanded: 'Fill an omer with it, to be kept for your generations, that they may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.' "

Exodus 16:32 niv

Moses said, "This is what the LORD has commanded: 'Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the wilderness when I brought you out of Egypt.'?"

Exodus 16:32 esv

Moses said, "This is what the LORD has commanded: 'Let an omer of it be kept throughout your generations, so that they may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.'"

Exodus 16:32 nlt

Then Moses said, "This is what the LORD has commanded: Fill a two-quart container with manna to preserve it for your descendants. Then later generations will be able to see the food I gave you in the wilderness when I set you free from Egypt."

Exodus 16 verses

Exodus 16 32 Meaning

Exodus 16:32 records a divine command for Israel to perpetually preserve a portion of the manna, the miraculous bread provided by God in the wilderness. Its purpose is to serve as a tangible and lasting memorial for future generations, enabling them to witness God's faithful provision during the forty years of wandering after the Exodus from Egypt. It emphasizes God as the ultimate Sustainer who intimately cares for His people, demonstrating His power and reliability in a barren land.

Exodus 16 32 Context

Exodus chapter 16 depicts the Israelite's journey through the Wilderness of Sin after their miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage. Facing starvation, they grumbled against Moses and Aaron, longing for the "fleshpots of Egypt." In response to their complaints, yet out of His divine mercy, the Lord promises to "rain bread from heaven" (manna) and provide quail. He sets forth precise instructions for its daily collection and warns against hoarding. Within this context of God's miraculous daily provision, the command in verse 32 serves to institute a permanent reminder of this specific miracle, directly following the specific instruction for gathering it. It transitions the manna from a mere provision to a memorial, anchoring the present act of divine sustenance within the broader narrative of God's salvific acts for future generations.

Exodus 16 32 Word analysis

• This (זֶה, zeh): Points directly to the manna, emphasizing that the command refers specifically to the bread God provided.
• Lord (יְהוָה, YHWH): The covenant name of God, indicating His personal, faithful, and active involvement as the initiator of this command and the provider of the manna.
• commanded (צִוָּה, tzivah): Denotes a divinely issued directive, an authoritative instruction that must be obeyed without question. It underscores the importance and binding nature of the instruction.
• omer (עֹמֶר, omer): A specific, ancient dry measure, approximately 2.2 liters or quarts. Specifying this quantity ensures consistency and indicates a precise, tangible artifact, not just a vague idea.
• kept (יֻשָּׁמֵר, yushamer): A passive verb meaning "to be preserved," "to be guarded," or "to be kept." It implies careful and deliberate preservation of the manna over time, indicating its preciousness and importance as a relic.
• throughout your generations (לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶם, l'dorotaychem): Highlights the enduring nature of the memorial. Its purpose extends indefinitely into the future, ensuring the lesson of God's provision transcends contemporary experience to impact all future descendants.
• see (יִרְאוּ, yir'u): While literal sight is implied, this term in Hebrew often encompasses understanding, perceiving, and comprehending the deeper meaning or truth. It is about future generations visually encountering and spiritually apprehending God's work.
• bread (הַלֶּחֶם, hallechem): Refers to the specific manna, the fundamental sustenance given in the desert, marking it as distinct from ordinary bread. It highlights God's role as the sole source of life in desperate circumstances.
• I fed you (אֲשֶׁר הֶאֱכַלְתִּי אֶתְכֶם, asher he'ekhalti etkhem): Emphasizes God's personal and active role as the provider. The first-person singular "I" underscores His direct involvement and covenantal care.
• wilderness (בַּמִּדְבָּר, bamidbar): A desolate and inhospitable environment, symbolizing a place of utter dependency on God. It emphasizes the extraordinary nature of the provision against all odds.
• brought you out of the land of Egypt (בְּהוֹצִיאִי אֶתְכֶם מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם, b'hotzi'i etkhem me'eretz Mitzrayim): Directly links the manna provision to the foundational event of the Exodus. It ties God's power in deliverance to His faithfulness in daily sustenance.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "This is what the Lord has commanded:" Establishes the divine origin and binding authority of the instruction. It is not a human suggestion but a decree from YHWH Himself, making its fulfillment an act of obedience.
• "Let an omer of it be kept throughout your generations," This phrase specifies the precise object (an omer of manna), its intended action (to be preserved), and its duration (perpetually). It underlines the concrete and enduring nature of the memorial for all time.
• "so that they may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt." This section articulates the comprehensive purpose of the memorial. It explains that future generations are to physically observe the manna, but more importantly, to understand and remember God's miraculous sustenance provided in a desperate situation immediately following His powerful act of liberating them from slavery. It links His deliverance from bondage to His faithful provision in freedom, creating a complete narrative of redemption and care.

Exodus 16 32 Bonus section

• The enduring nature of the preserved manna, miraculously not spoiling unlike the manna kept overnight for normal consumption (Ex 16:20), further attested to its special status as a holy memorial rather than mere food. This emphasizes God's unique power over natural decay when it came to His designated sacred objects.
• The instruction for the manna to be preserved "before the Lord" (Ex 16:33-34) and later its placement in the Ark of the Covenant alongside Aaron's rod and the tablets of the law (Heb 9:4), underscores its foundational importance in God's covenant with Israel. It signifies its role as a permanent witness to God's sustained faithfulness and a central component of Israel's national memory and spiritual identity.
• The New Testament often draws parallels to the manna, notably with Jesus identifying Himself as the "true bread from heaven" and the "bread of life" in John 6. This elevates the symbolism of manna from physical sustenance to spiritual life found in Christ, indicating that the old testament memorial found its ultimate fulfillment and spiritual meaning in Him, the ultimate provider.
• The idea of remembering past acts of God's faithfulness, epitomized by this command, is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament (e.g., Deuteronomy). It emphasizes that understanding and teaching historical divine intervention is crucial for future generations' faith and obedience.

Exodus 16 32 Commentary

Exodus 16:32 encapsulates the divine intent behind God's miraculous provision of manna. It transcends a mere food source, transforming the manna into a sacred and permanent testament. The command to preserve an omer, initially to be placed "before the Lord" and later within the Ark of the Covenant, elevated its status from a daily provision to a holy relic of covenantal memory. Its purpose was clear: to ensure that all future generations of Israelites would have a tangible, visual reminder of God's steadfast, supernatural care during their wilderness journey. This act served as an enduring lesson in dependence upon YHWH for sustenance, highlighting His power to provide beyond natural means. It contrasted starkly with the fertile reliance on the Nile in Egypt, demonstrating Israel's unique relationship with a God who is sovereign over all circumstances. Ultimately, this memorial underscored God's faithfulness to His covenant people, assuring them of His continuing provision and care as their wilderness God and delivering Father.