Exodus 16 4

Exodus 16:4 kjv

Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

Exodus 16:4 nkjv

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not.

Exodus 16:4 niv

Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.

Exodus 16:4 esv

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.

Exodus 16:4 nlt

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Look, I'm going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions.

Exodus 16 verses

Exodus 16 4 Meaning

Exodus 16:4 establishes God's miraculous provision of "bread from heaven" for the Israelites in the wilderness. This daily supply, known as manna, was not just sustenance but also served as a means by which the Lord would test their obedience to His daily commands regarding its collection, fostering a profound dependence on His continuous care rather than self-reliance or anxiety about the future.

Exodus 16 4 Context

Exodus chapter 16 unfolds after Israel's miraculous escape from Egypt and their crossing of the Red Sea. Despite witnessing God's powerful interventions, they began to grumble against Moses and Aaron, complaining about hunger in the Wilderness of Sin, midway between Elim and Sinai. This verse is God's direct response to their complaints, preceding the miraculous appearance of manna and quail. Historically, the journey through the wilderness was a formative period where God sought to teach Israel complete reliance upon Him, separating them from the idolatry and ways of Egypt. The provision of manna served as a practical daily lesson in trust and obedience.

Exodus 16 4 Word analysis

• Then the Lord said to Moses,

  • The Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH): Emphasizes God's personal covenant name, indicating a direct, sovereign decree from the very God who brought them out of Egypt. It highlights His continued commitment to His people, not an impersonal force.
  • Said (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyomer): A common Hebrew verb introducing divine speech, underscoring the authority and directness of God's command and promise. Moses is again confirmed as the divinely appointed mediator.

• “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you,

  • Behold (הִנְנִי - hinnénî): An interjection used to draw immediate attention to what follows; often signifies the speaker's readiness or profound declaration. Here, it heralds a surprising, miraculous act.
  • I will rain (מַמְטִיר - mamṭîr): The verb specifically means "to cause to rain," emphasizing divine control over nature and a miraculous, not natural, event. Unlike normal rain for crops, this is the 'bread' itself raining down. This directly opposes common ancient Near Eastern beliefs in fertility gods or reliance on earthly harvests; Yahweh alone is the source of life's sustenance, directly from His realm ("heaven").
  • Bread (לֶחֶם - leḥem): The most basic, essential food. God promises fundamental sustenance, addressing their core need, showing His concern for their physical well-being.
  • From heaven (מִן־הַשָּׁמַיִם - min-haššāmáyim): Denotes its supernatural origin. It is not grown, harvested, or purchased but descends miraculously, pointing to God's transcendence and His power beyond earthly means. This establishes a precedent for understanding future divine provision as a 'heavenly' gift, notably pointing towards Christ.
  • For you: Explicitly states the provision is for Israel's direct benefit, demonstrating God's particular care for His chosen people.

• and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day,

  • And the people shall go out (וְיָצְאוּ הָעָם - wəyāṣə'û hā'ām): Implies active participation; they must exert effort to collect it. God provides, but Israel must respond by gathering, instilling discipline and a sense of shared responsibility.
  • And gather (וְלָקְטוּ - wəlāqəṭû): To pick up or glean. This is not passive receiving but an act requiring diligence.
  • A certain rate (דְּבַר־יֽוֹם בְּיוֹמוֹ - dəḇar-yōm bəyōmō): Literally, "the matter of a day in its day" or "its daily matter." This precise phrasing conveys the strict daily quota and emphasis on fresh, new provision each day. It explicitly prohibits hoarding or relying on past abundance, mandating present trust in God's continuous supply. This daily instruction taught a profound lesson in daily reliance, curbing human tendency towards self-sufficiency or anxious stockpiling.
  • Every day (יֽוֹם בְּיֽוֹמוֹ - yôm bəyōmō): Reinforces the "certain rate," cementing the principle of daily provision and immediate obedience. It counteracts long-term anxiety and fosters moment-by-moment trust.

• that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law.”

  • That I may test them (לְמַעַן אֲנַסֶּנּוּ - ləma‘an 'ă·nas'sénû): Clearly stated divine purpose. The word nasah means to try, prove, or test. This testing is not for God to discover something He doesn't know, but to reveal to Israel (and later generations) their own hearts, strengthen their faith, refine their character, and establish their obedience. It’s a pedagogical test.
  • Whether they will walk (הֲיֵלֵךְ - hayyêlēḵ): Implies a continuous, lifestyle of adherence. "To walk" is a common biblical metaphor for living and conducting oneself in accordance with certain principles or a path.
  • In My law (בְּתֽוֹרָתִי - bəṯōrātî): God's torah or instruction. This refers to the specific commands given concerning the manna (e.g., how much to gather, no collecting on the Sabbath, special Sabbath provision) but also implicitly to their overall obedience to God's word. The provision itself becomes a tangible arena for obedience to divine instruction.

Exodus 16 4 Bonus section

The concept of "bread from heaven" carries profound theological weight, foreshadowing the person of Jesus Christ. Just as the manna sustained physical life for a finite time and from above, Christ is presented in John 6 as the "true bread from heaven," offering eternal life to all who partake of Him. The Manna, therefore, functions as a powerful type, where God provided exactly what was needed, daily, supernaturally, and through a specified means, setting a pattern for how He sustains His people—both physically and spiritually. The command to gather "every day" emphasizes that relationship with God requires ongoing, consistent engagement and dependence, rather than relying on a single past experience or stored blessing.

Exodus 16 4 Commentary

Exodus 16:4 reveals the intricate purpose behind God's provision of manna: it was a physical necessity intertwined with a spiritual test. God sovereignly supplied "bread from heaven," an unprecedented and direct miracle, showcasing His complete control and love. This daily, regulated provision (a "certain rate every day") actively challenged Israel's tendency to worry and hoard, compelling them to live in moment-by-moment dependence on Him. The stated intent, "that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law," clarifies that the wilderness journey and the manna were not merely about survival but about shaping their character and refining their faith. It was to reveal their hearts—their readiness to trust and obey even when long-term security wasn't tangible. This principle resonates deeply; just as Israel learned daily reliance on God for physical sustenance, believers today are called to trust God for daily spiritual nourishment and guidance, exemplified in praying for "daily bread" and obeying His commands, knowing His tests lead to growth and demonstrate faith.