Exodus 16 9

Exodus 16:9 kjv

And Moses spake unto Aaron, Say unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, Come near before the LORD: for he hath heard your murmurings.

Exodus 16:9 nkjv

Then Moses spoke to Aaron, "Say to all the congregation of the children of Israel, 'Come near before the LORD, for He has heard your complaints.' "

Exodus 16:9 niv

Then Moses told Aaron, "Say to the entire Israelite community, 'Come before the LORD, for he has heard your grumbling.'?"

Exodus 16:9 esv

Then Moses said to Aaron, "Say to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, 'Come near before the LORD, for he has heard your grumbling.'"

Exodus 16:9 nlt

Then Moses said to Aaron, "Announce this to the entire community of Israel: 'Present yourselves before the LORD, for he has heard your complaining.'"

Exodus 16 verses

Exodus 16 9 Meaning

Exodus 16:9 conveys Moses' command to Aaron to gather the Israelites before the Lord. The core reason for this assembly is God's direct awareness of their grumbling against Him concerning their sustenance in the wilderness. It is an invitation to confront God's presence and acknowledge His hearing of their rebellious murmuring, preceding His forthcoming provision.

Exodus 16 9 Context

Exodus 16 describes the third leg of Israel's journey after crossing the Red Sea and receiving bitter water made sweet at Marah. They have entered the Wilderness of Sin (midway between Elim and Sinai) approximately a month after leaving Egypt. Having exhausted their food supplies brought from Egypt, the vast congregation, now numbering over a million people, began to grumble against Moses and Aaron, attributing their impending starvation to the leadership and even accusing them of bringing them to the desert to die. This event immediately precedes the miraculous provision of manna and quail. This verse, therefore, represents God's direct acknowledgement of their complaint and His initial call to them before He manifests His glory and provides for their needs. It highlights God's sovereignty over the situation and His direct engagement with His complaining people.

Exodus 16 9 Word analysis

• Then Moses said: Emphasizes divine instruction passed through God's chosen leader. Moses functions as God's prophet and mediator to Aaron.
• to Aaron: Indicates a chain of command; Aaron, as the High Priest's brother, holds a significant role in leadership and in relaying instructions to the congregation, particularly on matters pertaining to God's presence and worship.
• 'Say to all the congregation: Highlights the collective nature of the divine address. The "congregation" (עֵדָה - `edah) refers to the assembled community, the covenant people, and emphasizes their corporate responsibility. It suggests a solemn and public declaration.
• of the sons of Israel': Specifies the identity of the audience, distinguishing them as God's chosen people, the inheritors of the covenant promises.
• "Come near (קִרְבוּ - kirvu): A command, a powerful imperative verb in Hebrew. It denotes approaching, drawing close, or presenting oneself. Often used in cultic contexts (Lev 9:5) for presenting sacrifices or appearing before the Lord in a reverent manner. Here, it implies an act of reverence and readiness for a divine encounter, potentially an admonition.
• before the Lord: Refers to drawing into the manifest presence of Yahweh (יְהוָה - YHWH). It suggests standing in His sight, acknowledging His authority and sovereignty. This isn't merely spatial proximity but spiritual presence.
• for He has heard: The conjunction "for" (כּי - ki) introduces the reason. "He has heard" signifies God's direct, active, and immediate awareness. It confirms God's omniscience and attentiveness to His people, even to their rebellious words. It is not an unconcerned deity.
• your grumblings (תּלוּנֹּת - telunnot): This noun (plural form) derives from the verb לון (lun), meaning to complain, murmur, or lodge an objection, often with a sense of lingering and discontent. It reflects a deep dissatisfaction, frequently against God and His representatives. This grumbling indicates a lack of faith and trust in God's providence and care, a failure to remember His past redemptive acts.

Exodus 16 9 Bonus section

The Hebrew word for "grumbling," telunnot, carries a stronger connotation than mere complaint; it suggests a deep-seated, persistent murmuring or even an underlying act of rebellion. This particular event sets a precedent for how God responds to His people's rebellion throughout the wilderness journey, often pairing divine judgment with continued provision or an opportunity for repentance. The instruction for Israel to "come near" can be seen as an act of pre-judgment divine mercy. God calls them to draw near not to immediately condemn but to prepare them to witness His glory and receive His provision. It teaches Israel and future generations that God is a God who hears, and His hearing implies accountability and future response, whether of grace or judgment. This verse foreshadows later interactions where God directly addresses their faithlessness (e.g., Num 14) and acts to fulfill His covenant promises regardless of their unworthiness.

Exodus 16 9 Commentary

Exodus 16:9 unveils a pivotal moment of divine interaction amidst human rebellion. Israel's grumbling, rooted in a fundamental lack of faith despite witnessing profound miracles, directly provokes God's attention. The instruction for Moses to tell Aaron to gather the "congregation" signifies that this is a collective issue, a corporate failure requiring a corporate response. The command "Come near before the Lord" is not an invitation for cozy fellowship but a solemn summons to a people who have accused their Deliverer. It is a moment for them to stand in the awe-inspiring, possibly terrifying, presence of the God they have maligned. God’s declaration "He has heard your grumblings" highlights His perfect awareness and sovereignty. This is a moment of both conviction and grace. God could justly unleash His wrath, but instead, He prepares to reveal His glory and provide for their needs. This act sets the stage for God to display His faithfulness even in the face of His people's faithlessness, demonstrating His enduring commitment to His covenant. The divine response to their grumbling is not simply punitive, but an opportunity for God to demonstrate His omnipotence and faithfulness as He provides for His murmuring people, albeit with a reminder of their disobedience.