Exodus 16:20

Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them.

Notwithstanding they hearkened {H8085} not unto Moses {H4872}; but some {H582} of them left {H3498} of it until the morning {H1242}, and it bred {H7311} worms {H8438}, and stank {H887}: and Moses {H4872} was wroth {H7107} with them.

But they didn't pay attention to Moshe, and some kept the leftovers until morning. It bred worms and rotted, which made Moshe angry at them.

But they did not listen to Moses; some people left part of it until morning, and it became infested with maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them.

Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and became foul: and Moses was wroth with them.

Commentary

Exodus 16:20 KJV Commentary: Disobedience and its Immediate Consequences

Context

Exodus 16:20 is set during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their miraculous escape from Egypt. God, in His faithfulness, had promised to provide them with bread from heaven, which came to be known as manna. Moses, acting on divine instruction, had given very specific commands regarding the gathering of this miraculous provision:

  • Each person was to gather only what they needed for that day (an omer per person).
  • They were expressly forbidden from leaving any of it until the morning, except for the Sabbath day's portion gathered on the sixth day.

This verse highlights the immediate aftermath of some Israelites disregarding these clear instructions given by Moses, as seen in Exodus 16:19.

Key Themes

  • Disobedience and Immediate Consequences: The verse powerfully illustrates that ignoring God's commands, even seemingly minor ones, can have immediate and unpleasant repercussions. The manna, meant to be a fresh, daily blessing, became putrid and infested when hoarded.
  • Lack of Trust in God's Daily Provision: By attempting to store the manna, some Israelites demonstrated a lack of faith in God's promise to provide for them day by day. They did not fully trust that He would supply their needs the next morning, despite His miraculous deliverance and ongoing sustenance. This echoes the concept of praying for daily bread.
  • The Importance of Divine Instruction: Moses' anger reflects not just his personal frustration, but God's displeasure with their failure to "hearken" (listen and obey) to His word. Obedience to God's specific instructions is crucial for experiencing His blessings and avoiding negative outcomes.

Linguistic Insights

The word "hearkened" in KJV (from the Hebrew שָׁמַג - shama) implies more than just hearing; it signifies listening with attention, understanding, and most importantly, obeying. The Israelites "hearkened not" means they actively disregarded or refused to obey Moses' clear directive, which was God's directive.

Practical Application

Exodus 16:20 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Trust in God's Daily Provision: We are called to live by faith, trusting God to meet our needs day by day, rather than hoarding or worrying excessively about the future. This principle encourages contentment and reliance on Him.
  • Obedience to God's Word: The verse underscores the importance of obeying God's commands, even when they seem inconvenient or when we question their necessity. Disobedience can lead to undesirable "rotten" outcomes, both spiritually and practically.
  • Avoid Presumption: It's a reminder not to presume upon God's grace or take His provisions for granted. When we treat His blessings carelessly or disregard His instructions, we invite negative consequences, much like the curses for disobedience outlined in Deuteronomy.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 12:15

    And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

  • Matthew 6:19

    ΒΆ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

  • James 5:2

    Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.

  • James 5:3

    Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

  • Numbers 16:15

    And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.

  • Mark 3:5

    And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched [it] out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

  • Ephesians 4:26

    Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
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