Exodus 16 7

Exodus 16:7 kjv

And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD: and what are we, that ye murmur against us?

Exodus 16:7 nkjv

And in the morning you shall see the glory of the LORD; for He hears your complaints against the LORD. But what are we, that you complain against us?"

Exodus 16:7 niv

and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?"

Exodus 16:7 esv

and in the morning you shall see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your grumbling against the LORD. For what are we, that you grumble against us?"

Exodus 16:7 nlt

In the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your complaints, which are against him, not against us. What have we done that you should complain about us?"

Exodus 16 verses

Exodus 16 7 Meaning

Exodus 16:7 signifies that on the morning after the Israelites' persistent grumbling for food, they would witness the manifested glory of the Lord through His divine provision. This vision of glory served as a direct response to their complaints, emphasizing that their grievances were not merely against Moses and Aaron, but ultimately against the Lord Himself. It underscores God's awareness of their hearts and His compassionate yet sovereign response, even to their faithlessness.

Exodus 16 7 Context

Exodus 16 unfolds approximately a month after the Israelites' departure from Egypt. Having crossed the Red Sea and experienced initial divine provision at Marah and Elim, they arrive in the wilderness of Sin, located between Elim and Sinai. Despite witnessing God's powerful acts of deliverance and receiving early sustenance, the entire congregation begins to grumble against Moses and Aaron, complaining about the lack of food and wishing they had died in Egypt, where they at least "sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full." This profound dissatisfaction and lack of faith immediately prompts God's compassionate and miraculous intervention, promising both meat in the evening (quails) and bread in the morning (manna), signifying His unwavering commitment to His covenant people. Exodus 16:7 is a pivotal declaration preceding the physical manifestation of God's glory and His provision, setting the stage for their direct experience of His sovereignty.

Exodus 16 7 Word analysis

• And in the morning: Hebrew: וּבַבֹּקֶר (ūvabōqēr). The timing is significant. God, knowing their distress overnight, promises relief with the first light of day, signaling hope and faithful timing. It's a contrast to their impatient, immediate demands.
• you shall see: Hebrew: וּרְאִיתֶם (u-rə’īṯem) from the root רָאָה (ra’ah), "to see, perceive, behold." This is not necessarily a direct, unveiled vision of God's person, but rather an experience of His manifested power and presence through His action – in this case, the miraculous provision of food. It implies a visible, undeniable display that demands recognition.
• the glory: Hebrew: כְּבוֹד (kəḇōḏ) from the root כָּבֵד (kāvēr), which implies "weight, heaviness," thus "honor, splendor, dignity, reputation." In theological contexts, it denotes the visible manifestation of God's presence, majesty, power, and perfection. Here, God's glory is directly tied to His saving act of provision, proving His ability to sustain His people even in the wilderness. It counters their belief that they would perish.
• of the Lord: Hebrew: יְהוָה (YHWH), the sacred covenant name of God, revealing Him as the self-existent, faithful, and active God who intervenes on behalf of His people. The "Lord" (YHWH) is the source and subject of this visible glory, not any other god or human leader.
• for that: Hebrew: כִּי (kī), "because, for, surely." It introduces the reason for God's manifestation of glory, linking it directly to their grumbling. It establishes a cause-and-effect relationship, highlighting God's attentiveness.
• He hears: Hebrew: שָׁמַע (šāmá‘), "to hear, listen, obey." This signifies not just acoustic perception but active, attentive hearing that leads to a response. God is not oblivious; He fully perceives their innermost thoughts and complaints, even those muttered covertly.
• your grumbling: Hebrew: תְּלוּנֹתֵיכֶם (təlunōṯeiḵem) from the root לוּן (lun), "to murmur, grumble, complain." This refers to their deep-seated discontent and questioning of God's leadership and provision, characterized by low muttering. It reveals a spirit of rebellion and distrust rather than patient reliance.
• against the Lord: Hebrew: אֶל־יְהוָה (ʾel-YHWH), emphasizing that their complaints, though ostensibly directed at Moses and Aaron, were truly offenses against the ultimate authority and provider, Yahweh Himself. This underscores the theological seriousness of their actions.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "And in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord": This phrase establishes God's promise of a tangible, visible demonstration of His divine character and presence through His miraculous provision. It links the time of a new day with new revelation. The seeing of glory is not for condemnation but for revelation of God's compassionate care.
• "for that He hears your grumbling against the Lord": This segment reveals the direct causal link between their discontent and God's response. It exposes the true nature of their rebellion—it's ultimately against God's sovereign authority and care, not merely human leaders. God's hearing is active and judgmental, yet here, combined with the promise of glory, it shows His enduring patience and commitment.
• "and what are we that you grumble against us?": This rhetorical question posed by Moses (and Aaron) serves to highlight their own secondary role. They are mere conduits for God's will. By asking this, Moses shifts the focus back to God as the true object of the Israelites' disgruntlement, reinforcing the earlier statement that their grumbling is "against the Lord." It also indicates the humble and burdened leadership of Moses.

Exodus 16 7 Bonus section

• Polemics Against Contemporary Beliefs: This passage indirectly confronts common pagan beliefs of the time where local deities were thought to be limited to specific lands or powers. By providing food in the wilderness, God (YHWH) demonstrates His omnipotence and universal dominion, proving He is not constrained by geography or resources. He is the ultimate sustainer, unlike any human-made god or the limited gods of Egypt, thus exposing their futility.
• The Nature of "Glory" in Exodus: In Exodus, "glory" (כְּבוֹד, kavod) is often associated with a tangible manifestation of God's presence, like a cloud, fire, or bright light. Here, it is intrinsically linked to His action of provision, highlighting that His character and power are revealed through what He does for His people. It’s less about an ethereal vision and more about perceiving His active involvement.
• Divine Pedagogy: God's response to Israel's grumbling here is part of His continuous pedagogical process. He allows them to experience lack to test their faith and teach them absolute reliance on Him. Their grumbling, though displeasing, became an occasion for God to display His glory and reinforce His covenant promises.
• The Role of the Leaders: Moses and Aaron, though feeling the brunt of the people's complaints, clarify their instrumental role. This helps the Israelites understand that their faith issue is not with mere humans, but with the divine orchestrator, YHWH. This protects the authority of God's chosen leaders while redirecting worship and trust to God alone.

Exodus 16 7 Commentary

Exodus 16:7 presents a crucial divine response to human complaint, demonstrating God's majesty and providential care. Despite Israel's sinful grumbling, driven by fear and lack of faith, God chose to reveal His glory not in judgment, but in gracious provision. The act of "seeing the glory of the Lord" would not be a terrifying display, but a manifestation of His faithfulness and power in meeting their dire need for sustenance. This verse establishes that complaints against God's appointed leaders are implicitly, and fundamentally, complaints against God Himself, underscoring His ultimate sovereignty and Moses' and Aaron's role as His true representatives. It is a powerful lesson in trusting God's timing and character, even when circumstances seem bleak, and in understanding the seriousness of unbelief masked by complaining. This miraculous intervention also served as an ongoing testimony, for generations to come, of God's miraculous care and patience towards His chosen people.