Exodus 16 8

Exodus 16 8 Cross References

(h2) Cross References

(h2) ContextExodus 16 is set shortly after the Israelites' miraculous deliverance from Egypt and crossing of the Red Sea, as they journey from Elim to the Wilderness of Sin (located between Elim and Sinai). Having experienced God's power and provision thus far, they encounter a new challenge: a lack of food. This immediately provokes widespread grumbling and longing for the perceived abundance of their lives in Egyptian bondage, demonstrating their profound spiritual immaturity and lack of faith. This complaint precedes any actual starvation, highlighting their deep-seated distrust. Moses and Aaron are caught between the people's unreasonable demands and God's sovereign plan. The chapter serves as a pivotal narrative, establishing a pattern of divine testing, human failure (grumbling), and God's faithful provision, particularly through the miraculous manna and quail. This verse, Exodus 16:8, explicitly states God's awareness of their true spiritual state and clarifies the object of their complaint, setting the stage for the coming daily sustenance.

(h2) Word analysis

• And Moses said: (wāyyōʼmer Mōšeh, וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה) – A standard narrative introduction indicating Moses speaking as a prophet and representative of God to the people, relaying divine communication.
• "This shall happen when": (zeh biyhôa‘ YHWH, זֶה בְּתִתּ֩ יְהוָ֨ה) – A prophetic declaration, foretelling the certain event of God's provision. It establishes the sequence: their complaint precedes His responsive act of giving.
• the LORD: (YHWH, יְהוָה) – The personal, covenant name of God revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Ex 3:14). Emphasizes God's sovereign power and faithfulness to His covenant promises, distinguishing Him from any false gods.
• gives you: (bətittām) – Highlights God as the sole Giver. Provision is not by chance or human effort but a direct divine act.
• meat: (bāśār, בָּשָׂר – flesh, meat) – Refers to the quail, which would miraculously appear. Represents provision beyond mere subsistence, meeting their stated craving.
• to eat: (lĕʼĕkōl, לֶאֱכֹ֥ל) – Simple, direct purpose. God's provision meets fundamental human needs.
• in the evening: (bā‘ereḇ, בָעֶ֛רֶב) – Specific timing for the quail. Shows God's ordered and precise nature in provision.
• and bread: (wāleḥem, וָלֶ֤חֶם – bread) – Refers to the manna, the daily staple food. Represents sustained, consistent, life-sustaining provision.
• in the morning: (bābbōqer, בַּבֹּ֑קֶר) – Specific timing for the manna. Emphasizes God's daily grace and new mercies.
• for the LORD hears: (kî šāma‘ YHWH, כִּי־שָׁמַ֣ע יְהוָ֗ה – for He hears) – God's omniscience. Not just perceiving sound, but fully aware, understanding, and responsive to the heart and nature of their words. Implies divine judgment and response.
• your grumbling: (tĕlunnōṯêḵem, תְּלֻנֹּתֵיכֶם֙ – your murmuring, complaints) – From the root "lūn" (לון), meaning to grumble, complain, murmur. Used frequently in Exodus and Numbers to describe Israel's negative reaction to circumstances and God's leadership. It signifies a lack of trust and faith.
• which you grumble against Him: (bĕhoṣṣim ʻālāw, עָלָ֛יו) – Clarifies the target of the grumbling. "Him" is the LORD (YHWH). This phrase unmasks the true nature of their rebellion.

(h2) CommentaryExodus 16:8 stands as a profound revelation of divine authority and the true nature of human complaint. Moses explicitly attributes the impending miraculous provision, not to his or Aaron's magnanimity, but to God's awareness and will. God hears not just the audible grumbling but discerns its underlying root—a lack of trust and faith directed against His sovereignty and providential care.

The dual provision of meat in the evening and bread in the morning (quail and manna) signifies God's complete and timely satisfaction of their physical needs. This was not a punitive action, but a gracious response demonstrating God's steadfast commitment to His people, even when they were unfaithful.

The rhetorical question, "And what are we?", humbles Moses and Aaron, clarifying their role as mere instruments of God. This deflects attention from human leadership and firmly establishes God as the sole object of their complaints, as well as their ultimate hope. Complaining against God's appointed leaders, therefore, is a direct affront to God Himself. This principle holds throughout Scripture, highlighting the seriousness of resisting divine authority exercised through chosen human channels.

(h2) Bonus section

• The timing of the quail (evening) and manna (morning) in the verse perfectly aligns with their actual appearance, reinforcing the precise nature of God's promise and provision.
• The wilderness served as a proving ground for Israel's faith (Deut 8:2-3). The constant need for manna and quail ensured daily reliance on God, a lesson Israel struggled to learn.
• This instance of grumbling contrasts with prayer, where one brings needs before God with humility and trust, as opposed to complaining with an ungrateful and demanding spirit.