Exodus 16:14

KJV

And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness [there lay] a small round thing, [as] small as the hoar frost on the ground.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when the dew {H2919} that lay {H7902} was gone up {H5927}, behold, upon the face {H6440} of the wilderness {H4057} there lay a small {H1851} round thing {H2636}, as small {H1851} as the hoar frost {H3713} on the ground {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When the dew had evaporated, there on the surface of the desert was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground.

Berean Standard Bible

When the layer of dew had evaporated, there were thin flakes on the desert floor, as fine as frost on the ground.

American Standard Version

And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness a small round thing, small as the hoar-frost on the ground.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 16:14 provides the initial, vivid description of manna, God's miraculous provision for the Israelites in the desolate Wilderness of Sin. This verse details the physical characteristics of the divine sustenance, presenting it as a delicate, finely textured substance, akin to hoarfrost, that covered the ground after the morning dew had evaporated. It marks a pivotal moment of divine intervention, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness and power to sustain His people in seemingly impossible circumstances, laying the groundwork for forty years of daily dependence on His supernatural care.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 16:14 is strategically placed within the narrative of the Israelites' wilderness journey, specifically following their initial complaints about lack of food after their miraculous deliverance from Egypt. The preceding verses (Exodus 16:1-3) establish the critical setting in the "Wilderness of Sin" and chronicle the people's intense grumbling against Moses and Aaron, expressing a nostalgic, albeit misguided, longing for the perceived abundance of Egypt, even if it meant slavery. In response to their desperate cries, God promises to "rain bread from heaven" (Exodus 16:4), establishing conditions for its collection and use, including a double portion on the sixth day and none on the Sabbath. Verses 6-13 describe the appearance of quail in the evening, followed by the dew in the morning, meticulously setting the stage for the revelation of manna. Thus, verse 14 serves as the climactic fulfillment of God's promise, immediately preceding the Israelites' bewildered question, "What is it?" (Exodus 16:15), which gives the substance its enduring name, "manna." This precise timing underscores God's immediate and direct response to their need.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites, a vast multitude estimated to be in the millions, had recently been delivered from centuries of slavery in Egypt through a series of unprecedented miracles, including the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14). Their subsequent journey into the vast, arid wilderness presented an immediate and existential challenge: how to feed such a large population in a barren land incapable of sustaining them naturally. This dire situation fostered a deep sense of vulnerability and, regrettably, a tendency towards murmuring and distrust, despite God's recent demonstrations of power. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a king's ability to provide for his people was a hallmark of his reign; God, as the divine King, demonstrates His unparalleled sovereignty and care by providing sustenance in a manner entirely outside human capability or expectation. The daily provision of manna, appearing with the dew, was a unique phenomenon, distinct from any known natural food source, emphasizing its supernatural origin and teaching the Israelites a profound lesson in daily dependence on their covenant God, rather than on their own efforts or the agricultural cycles they knew from Egypt. This miraculous provision underscored God's commitment to His covenant people, even when they displayed a lack of faith, setting a precedent for His continued faithfulness throughout their wilderness wanderings, as later reflected in passages like [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Does Not Live by Bread Alone").
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 16:14 contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is **Divine Provision and Faithfulness**, showcasing God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, even in their grumbling. The appearance of manna demonstrates His ability to sustain life in barren places, proving His sufficiency. Another crucial theme is **Daily Dependence and Trust**, as the Israelites were compelled to rely on God for their sustenance day by day, fostering a posture of continuous reliance rather than self-sufficiency or hoarding. This daily rhythm was designed to cultivate a deep trust in God's immediate and consistent care. Furthermore, the manna serves as a powerful illustration of **God's Sovereignty over Nature**, as He provides food in a way that defies natural explanation, highlighting His absolute control over creation. It also subtly introduces the theme of **Obedience and Discipline**, as specific instructions were given for gathering and not hoarding the manna, setting the stage for the detailed laws and commandments that would follow at [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - Arrival at Mount Sinai"). The narrative of the manna, beginning here, lays foundational theological groundwork for understanding God's character as a caring, providing, and sovereign Lord, a theme that reverberates throughout Israel's history and finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, the true bread from heaven, as discussed in [John 6](/john/6 "John 6 - Jesus, the Bread of Life").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Small (Hebrew, _daq_ H1851):** The Hebrew word דַּק (_daq_), derived from a root meaning "crushed," signifies something "small" or "thin." In this context, it emphasizes the delicate, finely textured, and unassuming nature of the manna. Unlike a grand, overwhelming display, God's provision was subtle, requiring careful observation and collection. This "smallness" highlights the miraculous quality, as such a fine substance could not naturally sustain millions, underscoring its divine origin and the immense quantity in which it appeared across the vast wilderness.
* **Round thing (Hebrew, _chaçpaç_ H2636):** The Hebrew word חַסְפַּס (_chaçpaç_), reduplicated from a root apparently meaning "to peel," refers to a "shred" or "scale," and by implication, a "round thing." This term describes the manna's physical form, suggesting it was distinct and discernible on the ground, yet not large or imposing. While the KJV adds "round," the underlying Hebrew implies a flake-like or scale-like quality, consistent with something delicate and easily gathered, further emphasizing its unique, non-natural origin.
* **Hoar frost (Hebrew, _kᵉphôwr_ H3713):** The Hebrew word כְּפֹור (_kᵉphôwr_), meaning "a cover" or "white frost," is used here as a simile to describe the manna's appearance. This comparison suggests it was crystalline, delicate, and spread widely across the ground, mimicking the way frost covers a landscape. The resemblance to hoarfrost implies both its fragility and its pervasive presence, indicating that God's provision was abundant yet required careful gathering before it melted with the sun's heat (Exodus 16:21), thus teaching daily dependence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when the dew that lay was gone up":** This clause precisely sets the temporal context for the manna's appearance. It indicates that the manna was revealed after the morning dew, which had settled during the night (Hebrew _shᵉkâbâh_ H7902, "a lying down" of dew), had evaporated or "gone up" (Hebrew _ʻâlâh_ H5927, "to ascend") with the rising sun. This detail is crucial, as it suggests the manna was either deposited with the dew and became visible only once the dew had dissipated, or it appeared immediately after the dew, preventing it from being confused with a natural phenomenon and highlighting its unique, supernatural formation.
* **"behold, upon the face of the wilderness [there lay] a small round thing":** The interjection "behold" (וְהִנֵּה, _v'hinneh_) draws immediate attention to the miraculous discovery, signaling something extraordinary. "Upon the face" (Hebrew _pânîym_ H6440, "face" or "surface") "of the wilderness" (Hebrew _midbâr_ H4057, "desert") emphasizes the barren, inhospitable environment where this provision appeared, underscoring the impossibility of its natural occurrence. The description "a small round thing" (Hebrew _daq chaçpaç_, "fine scale" or "thin shred") points to the physical form of the manna, indicating it was distinct and discernible on the ground, yet not large or imposing, requiring the Israelites to bend down and gather it.
* **"[as] small as the hoar frost on the ground.":** This simile provides a vivid image of the manna's texture and distribution. Comparing it to "hoar frost" (Hebrew _kᵉphôwr_ H3713) conveys its delicate, granular, or crystalline nature, and its widespread presence across the wilderness floor (Hebrew _ʼerets_ H776, "ground" or "land"). This description reinforces the idea of a pervasive, yet unassuming, divine gift, available to all and covering the barren landscape, emphasizing both its abundance and its miraculous character.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 16:14 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message and evoke a sense of wonder. The most prominent is **Simile**, evident in the phrase "[as] small as the hoar frost on the ground." This comparison vividly describes the manna's delicate texture, fine appearance, and widespread distribution, making an abstract supernatural phenomenon relatable by likening it to a common, observable natural occurrence. The use of "behold" (Hebrew: _hinneh_) functions as an **Exclamatory Particle**, drawing the reader's immediate attention and emphasizing the sudden, miraculous nature of the discovery, thereby creating a sense of awe and highlighting the divine intervention. Furthermore, the entire event is an act of **Divine Intervention**, showcasing God's active presence and direct involvement in the lives of His people, providing for their needs in a way that defies natural explanation. The manna itself serves as **Symbolism**, representing not only God's physical provision but also His constant faithfulness, His ability to sustain life in barren places, and later, as a powerful type pointing to Christ as the true spiritual sustenance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 16:14 profoundly illustrates God's unwavering faithfulness and His sovereign power to provide for His people, even in the most desolate and seemingly impossible circumstances. The sudden appearance of manna, described in such delicate terms, underscores that God's provision is not limited by human resources or natural conditions. It teaches a foundational lesson in daily dependence, where the Israelites had to trust God for their sustenance day by day, fostering a posture of reliance rather than self-sufficiency. This miraculous food was a tangible sign of God's covenant loyalty, demonstrating that He hears the cries of His people and responds with grace, even in the face of their grumbling. The manna's unassuming appearance also highlights that God's greatest blessings often come in humble forms, requiring faith to recognize and receive.

* [Numbers 11:7-8](/numbers/11-7-8 "Further Description and Complaint Regarding Manna")
* [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Man Does Not Live by Bread Alone")
* [Nehemiah 9:15](/nehemiah/9-15 "God's Provision of Bread from Heaven")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 16:14 serves as a timeless testament to God's character as our faithful Provider. In our own "wilderness" moments—whether they be periods of financial hardship, emotional barrenness, spiritual dryness, or physical illness—this verse reminds us that God is actively at work, ready to supply our needs. Just as the Israelites learned daily dependence, we are called to cultivate a similar posture of trust, looking to God for our sustenance not just for the big crises, but for the daily provisions of grace, wisdom, and strength. This passage challenges us to recognize God's hand even in the "small" or "unassuming" ways He provides, fostering a spirit of gratitude and attentiveness to His consistent care. It encourages us to release our anxieties about tomorrow, trusting that the God who rained bread from heaven will meet us in our present need, inviting us into a deeper, moment-by-moment reliance on His unfailing love and boundless resources.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what "wilderness" areas of your life are you currently experiencing a sense of lack or desperation?**
* **How does the description of manna as "small as the hoar frost" challenge your expectations of how God might provide for you?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a greater sense of daily dependence on God for your needs, rather than relying solely on your own efforts?**
* **How can remembering God's provision of manna strengthen your faith in His ability to meet your needs today?**

### FAQ

**What exactly was the "small round thing" described in Exodus 16:14?**

Answer: The "small round thing" is the miraculous substance later identified as "manna." While the KJV adds "round," the Hebrew describes it as "fine" or "thin" (דַּק, _daq_) and compares it to "hoar frost" (כְּפֹור, _kᵉphôwr_). It was a unique, edible substance provided by God, appearing each morning after the dew had evaporated, specifically designed to sustain the Israelites in the wilderness. It was unlike any natural food source, emphasizing its supernatural origin. Later verses, such as [Numbers 11:7-8](/numbers/11-7-8 "Description of Manna and Its Taste"), describe its appearance further as being like coriander seed, white, and tasting like wafers made with honey.

**Why did God provide manna in this specific way, appearing with the dew and needing to be gathered daily?**

Answer: God provided manna daily to teach the Israelites profound lessons in faith, obedience, and dependence. The daily appearance ensured they would rely on Him day by day, rather than hoarding or trusting in their own provisions. The command to gather only what was needed for the day (with a double portion on the sixth day for the Sabbath) taught them discipline and trust in God's consistent faithfulness. This method prevented them from accumulating wealth from the manna and fostered a continuous, active relationship of reliance on their divine Provider, fulfilling the principle that "man does not live by bread alone" but by every word that comes from God (as later quoted in [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Man Does Not Live by Bread Alone")).

**How long did the manna provision last for the Israelites?**

Answer: The manna provision lasted for the entire duration of the Israelites' forty-year wilderness journey. It ceased only when they had entered the Promised Land and eaten of its produce. [Joshua 5:12](/joshua/5-12 "Manna Ceases Upon Entering Canaan") explicitly states, "And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land that year." This marked the end of an era of supernatural provision and the beginning of their life in the land flowing with milk and honey.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The appearance of manna in Exodus 16:14 is a profound Old Testament type, powerfully foreshadowing Jesus Christ, the ultimate "Bread of Life." Just as the manna descended from heaven to sustain a physically starving people in a barren wilderness, Jesus, the eternal Son of God, "came down from heaven" (as He declares in [John 6:38](/john/6-38 "Jesus Came Down from Heaven")) to provide spiritual sustenance for a spiritually starving humanity lost in the wilderness of sin. The manna was a daily provision, teaching dependence; similarly, Jesus offers Himself as the continuous, indispensable source of life for those who believe, inviting us to "eat His flesh and drink His blood" (a metaphor for receiving Him by faith, as explained in [John 6:53-58](/john/6-53-58 "Eating the Flesh and Drinking the Blood of Jesus")). While the manna sustained physical life for a time, those who ate it eventually died ([John 6:49](/john/6-49 "Those Who Ate Manna Died")). In contrast, Jesus promises that whoever eats of the bread He gives "will live forever" ([John 6:51](/john/6-51 "The Bread of Life Gives Eternal Life")). Thus, the delicate, unassuming "small round thing" of Exodus 16:14 ultimately points to the humble yet infinitely powerful incarnation of God in Christ, who provides eternal life and satisfies the deepest hunger of the human soul, being the true and living bread that gives life to the world.

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 11:7

And the manna [was] as coriander seed, and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium.

Numbers 11:9

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

Deuteronomy 8:3

And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every [word] that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

Psalms 78:24

And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.

Psalms 105:40

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

Nehemiah 9:15

And gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promisedst them that they should go in to possess the land which thou hadst sworn to give them.

Psalms 147:16

He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.