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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Exodus 16:13–21. His four-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Now they begin to be provided for by the immediate hand of God.
I.He makes them a feast, at night, of delicate fowl, feathered fowl (Psa 78:27), therefore not locusts, as some think; quails, or pheasants, or some wild fowl, came up, and covered the camp, so tame that they might take up as many of them as they pleased. Note, God gives us of the good things of this life, not only for necessity, but for delight, that we may not only serve him, but serve him cheerfully.
II.Next morning he rained manna upon them, which was to be continued to them for their daily bread.
1.That which was provided for them was manna, which descended from the clouds, so that, in some sense, they might be said to live upon the air. It came down in dew that melted, and yet was itself of such a consistency as to serve for nourishing strengthening food, without any thing else. They called it manna, manhu, "What is this?" Either, "What a poor thing this is!" despising it: or, "What a strange thing this is!" admiring it: or, "It is a portion, no matter what it is; it is that which our God has allotted us, and we will take it and be thankful," Exo 16:14, Exo 16:15. It was pleasant food; the Jews say that it was palatable to all, however varied their tastes. It was wholesome food, light of digestion, and very necessary (Dr. Grew says) to cleanse them from disorders with which he thinks it probable that they were, in the time of their bondage, more or less infected, which disorders a luxurious diet would have made contagious. By this spare and plain diet we are all taught a lesson of temperance, and forbidden to desire dainties and varieties.
2.They were to gather it every morning (Exo 16:21), the portion of a day in his day, Exo 16:4. Thus they must live upon daily providence, as the fowls of the air, of which it is said, That which thou givest them they gather (Psa 104:28); not today for tomorrow: let the morrow take thought for the things of itself. To this daily raining and gathering of manna our Saviour seems to allude when he teaches us to pray, Give us this day our daily bread. We are hereby taught,
(1.)Prudence and diligence in providing food convenient for ourselves and our household. What God graciously gives we must industriously gather; with quietness working, and eating our own bread, not the bread either of idleness or deceit. God's bounty leaves room for man's duty; it did so even when manna was rained: they must not eat till they have gathered.
(2.)Contentment and satisfaction with a sufficiency. They must gather, every man according to his eating; enough is as good as a feast, and more than enough is as bad as a surfeit. Those that have most have, for themselves, but food, and raiment, and mirth; and those that have least generally have these: so that he who gathers much has nothing over, and he who gathers little has no lack. There is not so great a disproportion between one and another in the comforts and enjoyments of the things of this life as there is in the property and possession of the things themselves.
(3.)Dependence upon Providence: Let no man leave till morning (Exo 16:19), but let them learn to go to bed and sleep quietly, though they have not a bit of bread in their tent, nor in all their camp, trusting that God, with the following day, will bring them their daily bread." It was surer and safer in God's store-house than in their own, and would thence come to them sweeter and fresher. Read with this, Mat 6:25, Take no thought for your life, etc. See here the folly of hoarding. The manna that was laid up by some (who thought themselves wiser and better managers than their neighbours, and who would provide in case it should fail next day), putrefied, and bred worms, and became good for nothing. Note, That proves to be most wasted which is covetously and distrustfully spared. Those riches are corrupted, Jam 5:2, Jam 5:3. Let us set ourselves to think,
[1.]Of that great power of God which fed Israel in the wilderness, and made miracles their daily bread. What cannot this God do, who prepared a table in the wilderness, and furnished it richly even for those who questioned whether he could or no? Psa 78:19, Psa 78:20. Never was there such a market of provisions as this, where so many hundred thousand men were daily furnished, without money and without price. Never was there such an open house kept as God kept in the wilderness for forty years together, nor such free and plentiful entertainment given. The feast which Ahasuerus made, to show the riches of his kingdom, and the honour of his majesty, was nothing to this, Est 1:4. It is said (Exo 16:21), When the sun waxed hot, it melted; as if what was left were drawn up by the heat of the sun into the air to be the seed of the next day's harvest, and so from day to day.
[2.]Of that constant providence of God which gives food to all flesh, for his mercy endures for ever, Psa 136:25. He is a great house-keeper that provides for all the creatures. The same wisdom, power, and goodness that now brought food daily out of the clouds, are employed in the constant course of nature, bringing food yearly out of the earth, and giving us all things richly to enjoy.
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Summary
Exodus 16:17 records the immediate and varied response of the Israelites to God's instructions for gathering manna in the wilderness. It succinctly states that they obeyed the command to collect the miraculous bread, yet individual efforts resulted in some gathering more and others less, setting the stage for the divine equalization of provision detailed in the subsequent verse. This brief observation highlights both human diligence and the preparatory nature of their actions for God's further demonstration of faithfulness.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is a direct follow-up to God's specific instructions regarding the daily gathering of manna, given through Moses in Exodus 16:4-5 and Exodus 16:16. The preceding verses establish the problem (Israel's hunger and complaints) and God's miraculous solution (bread from heaven). Exodus 16:17 serves as a transitional statement, confirming the people's initial compliance with the command. It immediately precedes Exodus 16:18, which reveals the astonishing outcome of their varied gathering: despite collecting different amounts, everyone ended up with exactly an omer, demonstrating God's sovereign provision and equality. The verse, therefore, functions as a crucial setup for the divine miracle that follows, emphasizing the human side of the equation before God's intervention.
Historical & Cultural Context
The Israelites had recently been delivered from slavery in Egypt through a series of powerful plagues and the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, as recounted in Exodus 12 and Exodus 14. They were now journeying through the wilderness of Sin, a desolate and barren region, approximately a month after leaving Egypt (Exodus 16:1). Their initial euphoria had given way to grumbling and fear, as they faced the harsh realities of desert life, particularly the lack of food (Exodus 16:2-3). In response to their complaints, God promised to provide "bread from heaven" and "meat in the evening" (Exodus 16:4). The instructions for gathering manna were precise: an omer per person, daily, with a double portion on the sixth day for the Sabbath (Exodus 16:16). This daily provision was designed not only to sustain them physically but also to teach them dependence on God and obedience to His commands, testing their faith in a tangible way. The varying amounts gathered, "some more, some less," reflect the natural human differences in diligence, strength, or family size, which God would then miraculously equalize.
Key Themes
Exodus 16:17 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Primarily, it underscores the theme of Divine Provision, showcasing God's faithfulness to sustain His people even in the most desolate circumstances, a theme central to the entire wilderness narrative. It also highlights Human Obedience and Responsibility, as the Israelites were required to actively participate in gathering the manna, demonstrating that divine grace often works in conjunction with human effort. Furthermore, the verse sets the stage for the theme of God's Equity and Sufficiency, which is fully revealed in Exodus 16:18, where God ensures that all receive exactly what they need, regardless of their individual gathering capacity. This points to God's desire for communal well-being and dependence on Him rather than on personal accumulation. The narrative also serves as a Test of Faith, as God uses the daily provision to teach Israel trust and adherence to His commands, a recurring motif throughout their wilderness journey (Deuteronomy 8:2-3).
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This primitive root signifies "to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application." In Exodus 16:17, it denotes the Israelites' active compliance and execution of God's command to gather the manna. This simple verb underscores their immediate and collective obedience, a crucial act that precedes God's further miraculous demonstration of provision. It highlights that while God provides, human action and obedience are a necessary part of the divine plan.
This primitive root means "to increase (in whatever respect)." Here, it refers to those who gathered a larger quantity of manna. This detail acknowledges the natural human variation in effort, capacity, or even family size. It sets up the contrast with those who gathered "less," emphasizing the initial disparity in human collection that God would subsequently equalize, demonstrating His sovereign control over provision.
This primitive root means "to pare off, i.e. lessen; intransitively, to be (or causatively, to make) small or few." In this context, it describes those who gathered a smaller amount of manna. Alongside "more," this word highlights the inherent human differences in the physical act of gathering. This variation is key to the narrative, as it provides the backdrop against which God's miraculous equalization in the following verse becomes even more striking, proving that His provision is not dependent on human ability but on His divine will.
Verse Breakdown
"And the children of Israel did so"
This opening clause emphasizes the immediate and collective obedience of the people to God's command regarding the manna. It signifies their compliance with the instruction to go out and gather the bread from heaven. This act of obedience is foundational to the subsequent divine action, demonstrating their willingness to participate in God's provision plan.
"and gathered"
This phrase confirms the physical act of collection. The people engaged in the task as instructed, going out into the wilderness to pick up the manna that had fallen. It underscores their active participation and diligence in following God's specific directives for their daily sustenance.
"some more, some less"
This final clause describes the natural outcome of their individual efforts. It acknowledges the variability in how much each person or family managed to collect, whether due to differing levels of diligence, physical ability, or perhaps the size of their household. This detail is vital as it sets up the miraculous equalization that God performs in the following verse, where despite these differences, everyone ends up with exactly what they need, highlighting God's equitable provision.
Literary Devices
Exodus 16:17 employs Antithesis by presenting the contrasting outcomes of "some more, some less" in the gathering process. This opposition highlights the natural human variation in effort and capacity, creating a tension that is immediately resolved by God's miraculous intervention in Exodus 16:18, where it is revealed that "he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack." This juxtaposition powerfully underscores the divine principle of equitable provision. The verse also functions as Foreshadowing, subtly hinting at the supernatural nature of the manna provision. The seemingly mundane detail of varied collection prepares the reader for the extraordinary revelation that God's supply is not dependent on human effort alone but is sovereignly distributed to meet every need perfectly. This sets the stage for a deeper understanding of God's character as a faithful and equitable provider.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Exodus 16:17, though brief, is profoundly theological. It highlights the principle of human responsibility in conjunction with divine sovereignty. The Israelites' act of gathering, "some more, some less," demonstrates their necessary participation in God's provision, yet the outcome, revealed in the next verse, transcends their individual efforts. This teaches that while God calls for our obedience and diligence, His ultimate supply is not limited by our capacity but is perfectly calibrated by His wisdom and grace to meet every need. It underscores God's commitment to equity within His community, ensuring that none have too much to hoard and none have too little to lack, fostering dependence on Him rather than on accumulated resources.
Reflection and Application
Exodus 16:17 invites us to consider our own efforts and expectations in life and faith. We often strive, gather, and work, and naturally, our outputs vary—some days we accomplish "more," other days "less." This verse reminds us that while our diligence is important and commanded, God's provision is ultimately sovereign and designed to meet our true needs, often in ways that transcend our human calculations. It encourages us to trust in God's economy, which operates on principles of sufficiency and equity, rather than scarcity or competitive accumulation. In our service to God and others, whether we feel we are contributing a great deal or only a little, the focus should remain on faithful obedience, knowing that God will use our efforts and supply what is truly needed for His purposes and the well-being of His people. This perspective frees us from anxiety about perceived lack and from pride in perceived abundance, fostering a humble dependence on the Giver of all good things.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did God allow some to gather more and some less if He intended to equalize it anyway?
God allowed this natural variation in gathering ("some more, some less") to highlight two crucial points. First, it demonstrated the necessity of human obedience and effort; the manna didn't simply appear in their tents, they had to go out and gather it. Second, and more importantly, it served as a powerful setup for the miracle in Exodus 16:18. By allowing initial disparity, God could then supernaturally equalize the amounts, showing that His provision transcends human effort and ensures perfect sufficiency and equity for all. It taught them to depend on His divine calibration rather than their own capacity or perceived lack/abundance.
Does this verse imply that God expects us to work for our provision, even when He provides miraculously?
Yes, absolutely. While God provided the manna miraculously, He commanded the Israelites to actively go out and gather it daily (Exodus 16:4 and Exodus 16:16). This teaches a vital principle: divine provision often works in conjunction with human diligence and obedience. God provides the means, but we are called to participate in the process. It's not passive reception but active engagement with His grace. This pattern is seen throughout Scripture, where God's blessings are often poured out in response to our faithful efforts, whether in work, service, or seeking Him (Proverbs 14:23).
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Exodus 16:17, with its depiction of the Israelites gathering manna, foreshadows the ultimate provision of God in Jesus Christ. Just as the Israelites were commanded to gather the physical bread from heaven, so humanity is called to receive the spiritual bread of life. Jesus Himself declared, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst" (John 6:35). The "some more, some less" in the gathering of manna finds its spiritual parallel in how individuals respond to Christ. While some eagerly embrace Him with great zeal, and others may come with less initial understanding or faith, the profound truth is that in Christ, all who truly receive Him find complete sufficiency. There is no "too much" or "too little" of Christ's saving grace; His atonement on the cross (Romans 5:8) is perfectly sufficient for all who believe, ensuring that "everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name" (Acts 10:43). He is the true manna, the life-sustaining provision from heaven, given not for a temporary journey through a wilderness, but for eternal life in the presence of God (John 6:58).