Exodus 16:13

KJV

¶ And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, that at even {H6153} the quails {H7958} came up {H5927}, and covered {H3680} the camp {H4264}: and in the morning {H1242} the dew {H2919} lay {H7902} round about {H5439} the host {H4264}.

Complete Jewish Bible

That evening, quails came up and covered the camp; while in the morning there was a layer of dew all around the camp.

Berean Standard Bible

That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass at even, that the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the camp.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 16:13 vividly records the miraculous provision of quails in the evening, which covered the Israelite camp, followed by the appearance of dew in the morning. This divine intervention occurred in the Wilderness of Sin, directly fulfilling God's promise to supply both meat and bread to the grumbling Israelites, thereby demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness, sovereign care, and pedagogical intent for His people despite their complaints and lack of trust during their arduous journey from Egyptian bondage to the Promised Land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 16:13 is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Israel's wilderness wanderings, immediately following the people's intense complaining about lack of food in the Wilderness of Sin, roughly one month after their departure from Egypt. Having exhausted their provisions, they longed for the "pots of meat" and "bread to the full" they remembered from Egypt, even preferring slavery to starvation, as detailed in [Exodus 16:2-3](/exodus/16-2 "Exodus 16:2-3 - Israel's Complaints"). In response to their lament, and despite their ungratefulness, the Lord spoke to Moses, promising to "rain bread from heaven" in the morning and provide meat in the evening, a divine pledge recorded in [Exodus 16:4-12](/exodus/16-4 "Exodus 16:4-12 - God's Promise of Provision"). Verse 13 describes the immediate, supernatural fulfillment of the promise for meat, setting the stage for the equally miraculous appearance of manna, the "bread from heaven," which is introduced in the very next verse, [Exodus 16:14-15](/exodus/16-14 "Exodus 16:14-15 - The Appearance of Manna"). This verse, therefore, serves as the first tangible evidence of God's direct, daily provision for His people in the wilderness, establishing a pattern that would continue for forty years.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites, a vast multitude numbering perhaps two million, had recently been delivered from over 400 years of slavery in Egypt through a series of unprecedented miracles, culminating in the parting of the Red Sea described in [Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Parting of the Red Sea"). Their journey through the arid Sinai Peninsula was fraught with challenges, primarily the scarcity of water and food. The Wilderness of Sin, situated between Elim and Sinai, was a desolate and barren region incapable of naturally sustaining such a large population. Culturally, the Israelites were a newly formed nation, still learning to trust Yahweh as their sole provider and deliverer, having been accustomed to the structured, if oppressive, provision of Egyptian society. Their complaints, while seemingly understandable from a human perspective, revealed a deeper lack of faith and a tendency to forget God's recent, powerful acts of salvation. The miraculous provision of quails and manna was not merely about sustenance; it was a profound lesson in divine dependence, designed to teach them that "man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord," as later articulated in [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Does Not Live on Bread Alone"). This event established a pattern of divine care that would define their wilderness experience for forty years.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 16:13, as part of the broader narrative of wilderness provision, powerfully illustrates several core theological and narrative themes. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Providence and Faithfulness**, showcasing God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, even in their grumbling. Despite Israel's profound **Lack of Faith and Persistent Grumbling** in the face of recent miracles, God responds with compassionate provision rather than immediate judgment, highlighting His **Grace and Patience**. This episode also serves as a crucial lesson in **Absolute Dependence** on God, teaching Israel that their sustenance comes not from their own efforts or the perceived security of Egypt, but from God's daily, miraculous hand. The provision of both meat and bread underscores God's **Comprehensive Care** for every aspect of His people's needs, both physical and spiritual, establishing a pattern of daily reliance that would characterize their forty-year journey in the wilderness, as articulated in [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Does Not Live on Bread Alone").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **quails (Hebrew, _sᵉlâv'_):** This word (H7958) refers to the common quail (Coturnix coturnix), a migratory bird known to travel in immense flocks, particularly during spring and autumn migrations across the Sinai Peninsula. While quail migration is a natural phenomenon, the biblical account emphasizes the supernatural timing, the overwhelming quantity ("covered the camp"), and the precise location of their arrival, directly in response to God's promise and Israel's immediate need. This was not a mere coincidence but a divinely orchestrated miracle, demonstrating God's sovereign control over creation to provide for His people in an extraordinary manner.
* **covered (Hebrew, _kâçâh'_):** The verb "covered" (H3680) implies an overwhelming, almost suffocating, abundance. It suggests that the quails were not merely present but arrived in such prodigious numbers that they literally blanketed the ground of the camp, making them easily accessible for gathering. This detail underscores the magnitude and lavishness of God's provision, exceeding the Israelites' expectations and ensuring that there was more than enough meat for everyone, thereby silencing their complaints about starvation and highlighting the generosity of divine grace.
* **dew (Hebrew, _ṭal'_):** In the arid climate of the wilderness, dew (H2919) was a common occurrence, providing essential moisture. However, in this specific context, the "dew" is explicitly mentioned as the medium or precursor for the miraculous manna that would appear each morning. As described in the subsequent verses ([Exodus 16:14-15](/exodus/16-14 "Exodus 16:14-15 - The Appearance of Manna")), the manna was found "on the surface of the wilderness, like fine flakes of frost on the ground," suggesting it appeared with or under the dew. The dew, therefore, serves as a natural element used in a supernatural way, preparing the ground for the "bread from heaven" and further emphasizing the miraculous and consistent nature of God's daily provision.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp":** This clause describes the immediate and dramatic fulfillment of God's promise to provide meat. "At even" (or "in the evening") specifies the precise time of the quails' arrival, aligning perfectly with the people's desire for a hearty meal after a day of travel and complaint. The phrase "came up" suggests a rising or ascending, perhaps referring to the birds flying in from the sea or low-lying areas, or simply their appearance in great numbers. The crucial detail "covered the camp" emphasizes the sheer, overwhelming quantity of the quails, indicating a miraculous, superabundant provision that blanketed the entire Israelite encampment, making them easily accessible for gathering. This was not a meager offering but a lavish supply, demonstrating God's generosity and His immediate response to their need.
* **"and in the morning the dew lay round about the host."**: This second clause shifts to the morning, setting the stage for the next miraculous provision. The "dew" is presented as a natural phenomenon, but its mention here is highly significant because, as the following verses reveal, the manna, the "bread from heaven," would appear *with* or *under* this dew. The phrase "lay round about the host" indicates that the dew, and by extension the manna, was widespread and accessible throughout the entire camp, ensuring that every Israelite could gather their daily portion. This detail highlights the consistent, pervasive, and accessible nature of God's daily sustenance, emphasizing His commitment to sustaining His people day by day, preparing them for the daily miracle of manna.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 16:13 employs several potent literary devices to underscore the divine nature of the events and the character of God. The most prominent is **Miracle/Divine Intervention**, as the arrival of quails in such immense numbers, at the precise time of need, and in direct fulfillment of a divine promise, transcends natural explanation. It is a clear and undeniable demonstration of God's direct hand in the affairs of His people. **Hyperbole** is also evident in the phrase "covered the camp," which vividly portrays the overwhelming abundance of the quails, emphasizing the lavishness of God's provision beyond mere sufficiency. This exaggeration serves to highlight the extraordinary nature of the miracle and God's boundless generosity. Furthermore, the mention of "the dew" in the morning functions as **Foreshadowing**, subtly preparing the reader for the appearance of the manna in the subsequent verses. The dew, a natural element, becomes a signpost for the supernatural bread, linking the two provisions as part of God's comprehensive care. Finally, the entire narrative of the quails and manna serves as **Symbolism** for God's faithful and daily provision, both physical and spiritual, for His people in their journey through the wilderness of life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 16:13 is a profound testament to God's character as a faithful and compassionate provider. Despite the Israelites' repeated grumbling and lack of faith, God responds not with judgment, but with abundant provision, demonstrating His covenantal commitment to sustain His people. This act underscores the theme of divine grace, where God's goodness is extended even when undeserved. It teaches a vital lesson in dependence: Israel was to learn to rely solely on God for their daily sustenance, rather than on their own resources or the perceived security of Egypt. This event also highlights God's power over creation, orchestrating natural phenomena (quail migration, dew) to serve His supernatural purposes, proving His sovereignty over all circumstances and His intimate involvement in the lives of His chosen people.

* [Numbers 11:31-32](/numbers/11-31 "Numbers 11:31-32 - Quails and Plague at Kibroth Hattaavah")
* [Psalm 78:26-29](/psalm/78-26 "Psalm 78:26-29 - God's Provision of Quails and Manna")
* [Nehemiah 9:15](/nehemiah/9-15 "Nehemiah 9:15 - God's Provision in the Wilderness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 16:13 offers a timeless message of comfort and challenge for believers today. It reminds us that our God is an active, present, and unfailingly faithful provider who sees our needs, hears our cries (even our complaints), and is committed to sustaining us. Just as He provided for Israel in the barren wilderness, He promises to meet our "daily bread" needs, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. This verse calls us to cultivate a posture of trust and dependence, letting go of anxious striving and instead looking to God as our ultimate source. It encourages us to remember His past faithfulness when present circumstances seem overwhelming, fostering gratitude rather than grumbling. It also prompts us to consider how God might be providing for us in unexpected ways, even through seemingly natural means that are divinely orchestrated. Ultimately, it invites us into a deeper relationship of reliance on the One who "covers" our needs with His abundant grace, teaching us that true security is found not in our own efforts or possessions, but in His unfailing love and provision.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently struggling to trust God for provision, and how might this passage encourage you?**
* **How does remembering God's miraculous provision for Israel in the wilderness encourage your faith when facing seemingly impossible circumstances today?**
* **What might it look like to depend more fully on God for your "daily bread" (physical, emotional, spiritual) rather than on your own efforts or anxieties?**
* **How can you cultivate a spirit of gratitude for God's provision, even when it doesn't appear in the way you expect or desire?**

### FAQ

**Was the arrival of the quails a purely natural event, or was it miraculous?**

Answer: While quails are migratory birds that do cross the Sinai Peninsula, the biblical account presents their arrival in Exodus 16:13 as unequivocally miraculous. The key indicators of its supernatural nature are the precise timing ("at even," exactly when meat was promised), the immense quantity ("covered the camp," far beyond typical migratory patterns to meet the needs of millions), and the direct correlation to God's spoken promise through Moses, as recorded in [Exodus 16:12](/exodus/16-12 "Exodus 16:12 - God Promises Provision"). It was a natural phenomenon divinely orchestrated and amplified to demonstrate God's power and faithfulness to His covenant people, making it a true miracle.

**How does the provision of quails relate to the manna mentioned later?**

Answer: The provision of quails in the evening and manna in the morning, as detailed in [Exodus 16:14-15](/exodus/16-14 "Exodus 16:14-15 - The Appearance of Manna"), were two distinct but complementary aspects of God's daily provision for Israel in the wilderness. The quails provided meat, satisfying their craving for a more substantial food source, while the manna served as their daily bread, a staple for forty years. Both were miraculous, demonstrating God's comprehensive care for their physical needs. Exodus 16:13 explicitly mentions the quails at evening and the dew in the morning, with the dew serving as the precursor to the manna, linking the two provisions together as part of God's consistent daily sustenance and illustrating His multifaceted provision.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The physical provision of quails and manna in the wilderness, as described in Exodus 16:13, serves as a powerful **type** or foreshadowing of Christ, the ultimate divine provision. Just as God provided physical sustenance to Israel in their desolate wanderings, Jesus Christ is revealed as the true spiritual sustenance for humanity lost in the wilderness of sin. The quails satisfied a temporary physical hunger for meat, but Jesus declared Himself the "Bread of Life," stating in [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life") that whoever comes to Him will never hunger. He contrasts the perishable manna, which their ancestors ate and still died, with Himself, the living bread from heaven, promising that whoever eats of Him will live forever, as proclaimed in [John 6:48-51](/john/6-48 "John 6:48-51 - Jesus is the Living Bread"). Furthermore, the daily, abundant, and accessible nature of the quails and manna points to Christ's sufficient grace, available anew each day for those who trust in Him. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, as testified in [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), providing the ultimate sacrifice and spiritual "meat" for our souls, ensuring that we never hunger or thirst again for true righteousness and life, fulfilling the promise of [Matthew 5:6](/matthew/5-6 "Matthew 5:6 - Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 11:9

And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.

Psalms 105:40

[The people] asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.

Psalms 78:27

He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea:

Psalms 78:28

And he let [it] fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations.

Numbers 11:31

¶ And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let [them] fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits [high] upon the face of the earth.

Numbers 11:33

And while the flesh [was] yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague.