Exodus 16:21

KJV

And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they gathered {H3950} it every morning {H1242}, every man {H376} according {H6310} to his eating {H400}: and when the sun {H8121} waxed hot {H2552}, it melted {H4549}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So they gathered it morning after morning, each person according to his appetite; but as the sun grew hot, it melted.

Berean Standard Bible

Every morning each one gathered as much as was needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away.

American Standard Version

And they gathered it morning by morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 16:21 continues the narrative of God's miraculous provision of manna, detailing the daily routine of the Israelites gathering this divine sustenance. It highlights the precise nature of God's care, where each person collected exactly what was needed for the day, and underscores the perishable quality of the manna, which melted under the sun's heat. This verse profoundly emphasizes the Israelites' complete and constant dependence on God for their daily survival in the wilderness, fostering a profound lesson in trust and obedience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader account of God's provision for Israel in the wilderness, following their miraculous [deliverance from slavery in Egypt](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover and Exodus"). Having journeyed into the [Wilderness of Sin](/exodus/16-1 "Exodus 16:1 - The Wilderness of Sin"), the Israelites began to grumble against Moses and Aaron, lamenting their lack of food and longing for the perceived abundance of Egypt, as recorded in [Exodus 16:2-3](/exodus/16-2 "Exodus 16:2-3 - Israel Grumbles for Food"). In response to their complaints, God promised to "rain bread from heaven" for them, a divine pledge found in [Exodus 16:4](/exodus/16-4 "Exodus 16:4 - God Promises Manna"). Prior to the appearance of the manna, God provided quail in the evening, as detailed in [Exodus 16:13](/exodus/16-13 "Exodus 16:13 - Quail Provided"). The manna itself is first described as a "small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground" in [Exodus 16:14](/exodus/16-14 "Exodus 16:14 - Description of Manna"). Specific instructions were given for its gathering: an [omer per person](/exodus/16-16 "Exodus 16:16 - The Omer Measure for Manna"), no hoarding overnight (which resulted in worms and stench, as seen in [Exodus 16:20](/exodus/16-20 "Exodus 16:20 - Manna Spoils if Hoarded")), and a double portion on the sixth day for the Sabbath, explained in [Exodus 16:22-26](/exodus/16-22 "Exodus 16:22-26 - Manna on the Sabbath"). Exodus 16:21 reinforces the daily routine and the perishable nature of the manna, which was essential for enforcing God's instructions and teaching daily dependence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites, a vast multitude of perhaps two million people, had just been freed from centuries of brutal slavery in Egypt. Their entire lives had been dictated by their oppressors, and their sustenance was likely provided by their masters or through their own forced labor. Suddenly, they found themselves in a desolate, arid wilderness, a stark contrast to the fertile Nile Delta. This environment offered no natural means of sustaining such a large population, making their survival entirely dependent on divine intervention. The manna was not merely food; it was a profound pedagogical tool. In a culture where people typically stored provisions or relied on seasonal harvests, the daily, perishable nature of the manna was revolutionary. It prevented the Israelites from relying on their own foresight or accumulation, forcing them into a daily, tangible exercise of faith. This constant, immediate reliance on God for their most basic need — food — was designed to cultivate a deep and abiding trust in His faithfulness, preparing them for a life of covenant obedience in the promised land, as later reflected in [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Lives by Every Word of God").
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Provision and Faithfulness**, demonstrating God's consistent commitment to sustaining His covenant people even in impossible circumstances. The daily appearance of manna underscores His **Sovereignty and Control** over all creation, including the elements and the very means of human sustenance. The melting of the manna under the sun’s heat highlights the theme of **Human Dependence and Obedience**, teaching the Israelites that their well-being was directly tied to their daily trust in God's instructions and not their own efforts to hoard or control. This daily discipline was a foundational lesson in **Trust and Contentment**, preparing them for a life of walking by faith rather than by sight, a principle articulated in [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Lives by Every Word of God") where Moses reminds them that "man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord." The manna also serves as a precursor to the theme of **God's Presence and Sustenance** in the wilderness journey, a motif that continues through the Tabernacle's construction and the giving of the Law in [Exodus 25](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle") through [Exodus 40](/exodus/40 "Exodus 40 - The Tabernacle Erected").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gathered (Hebrew, _lâqaṭ_):** From H3950, this primitive root means "to pick up, i.e. (generally) to gather; specifically, to glean." It implies an active, intentional effort on the part of the Israelites. They were not merely passive recipients of God's bounty but had to exert themselves daily to collect it. This highlights the principle that divine provision often requires human participation and diligent stewardship.
* **Man (Hebrew, _ʼîysh_):** From H376, this term refers to "a man as an individual or a male person." Its use here emphasizes the personal nature of God's provision. Each individual was responsible for gathering their own portion, and God's provision was tailored to meet the specific needs of "every man," underscoring the precise and equitable nature of His care.
* **Eating (Hebrew, _ʼôkel_):** From H400, this noun means "food" or "eating." It emphasizes the individual portion and sufficiency. Each person was to gather according to their personal need for consumption, not according to their greed or desire to hoard. This underscores God's precise and equitable provision, ensuring that everyone had enough without excess or lack, a principle explicitly stated in [Exodus 16:18](/exodus/16-18 "Exodus 16:18 - No Lack, No Excess").
* **Waxed hot (Hebrew, _châmam_):** From H2552, this primitive root means "to be hot (literally or figuratively); enflame self, get (have) heat, be (wax) hot, (be, wax) warm (self, at)." Used here, it describes the natural process of the sun's heat affecting the manna. While a natural phenomenon, its effect on the manna was divinely ordained to serve a specific purpose: to prevent the people from storing it beyond the day (except for the Sabbath), thereby enforcing daily dependence and trust in God's ongoing provision.
* **Melted (Hebrew, _mâçaç_):** From H4549, this primitive root means "to liquefy; figuratively, to waste (with disease), to faint (with fatigue, fear or grief)." In this context, it literally describes the manna dissolving under the sun's heat. This rapid disintegration was a crucial aspect of the manna's miraculous properties, serving to enforce God's command against hoarding and to reinforce the lesson of daily reliance on His fresh provision.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they gathered it every morning":** This phrase establishes the consistent, daily routine mandated by God. The manna appeared fresh each dawn, requiring the Israelites to rise early and collect it. This daily ritual instilled discipline and fostered a continuous, moment-by-moment reliance on God's fresh provision, preventing them from living off past blessings or hoarding for future uncertainties. It highlights the active participation required of the people in receiving God's grace.
* **"every man according to his eating":** This clause emphasizes the principle of equitable and sufficient provision. God's design ensured that each individual, regardless of their family size or perceived need, received precisely what was necessary for their sustenance for that day. This prevented both scarcity and wasteful excess, promoting a sense of communal equity and contentment with God's perfect provision, demonstrating His meticulous care for each person.
* **"and when the sun waxed hot, it melted":** This crucial detail reveals the perishable nature of the manna. The rapid disintegration of the manna under the sun's heat served a practical and theological purpose. Practically, it enforced the daily gathering and prevented any attempts at long-term storage, which would have circumvented God's lesson in daily trust. Theologically, it served as a tangible, daily reminder of God's immediate, ongoing care and the futility of human self-sufficiency apart from His constant grace, reinforcing the need for continuous reliance.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary techniques to convey its profound message. **Repetition** is implied through the phrase "every morning," highlighting the consistent, rhythmic nature of God's provision and the Israelites' daily act of dependence. The manna itself functions as powerful **Symbolism**, representing God's sustaining grace and His faithfulness to His covenant people. Its perishable nature, melting under the sun, symbolizes the transient quality of earthly provisions and the imperative for constant spiritual renewal and reliance on the enduring Provider. There is also a subtle **Contrast** between the miraculous, daily appearance of the manna and its rapid disappearance, which underscores God's absolute control over their sustenance and the Israelites' complete vulnerability and dependence on Him. This dynamic interplay between divine generosity and human limitation reinforces the theological lessons of trust and obedience, preparing the people for a life lived by faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 16:21 profoundly illustrates God's character as a faithful, precise, and sovereign provider. The daily appearance and perishable nature of the manna were not arbitrary; they were divinely orchestrated to cultivate a deep and abiding trust in the Israelites. This continuous, immediate dependence taught them that true life and sustenance come not from accumulated wealth or human foresight, but from God's daily grace. It was a tangible lesson in living "by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord," rather than by bread alone. This theme resonates throughout Scripture, emphasizing God's desire for His people to rely on Him for both physical and spiritual sustenance, fostering contentment and discouraging hoarding or anxiety, thereby cultivating a posture of humble dependence.

* [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Lives by Every Word of God")
* [Matthew 6:11](/matthew/6-11 "Matthew 6:11 - Give Us Our Daily Bread")
* [John 6:31](/john/6-31 "John 6:31 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 16:21 offers timeless lessons for believers today, mirroring the Israelites' journey of dependence. Just as they were called to gather manna "every morning," we are invited to approach each new day with a fresh reliance on God's grace and provision, rather than resting solely on past blessings or succumbing to future anxieties. This verse challenges our innate tendency to hoard, control, or rely on our own resources. The melting of the manna reminds us that many earthly provisions are temporary and fleeting, directing our focus towards the ultimate, enduring Provider. It encourages us to cultivate contentment with what God provides for the present, trusting that He knows our needs and will faithfully meet them. Spiritually, it calls us to seek daily nourishment from God's Word and His presence, understanding that true life and spiritual vitality come from continually drawing near to Him, our ultimate source of sustenance, much like the Israelites had to daily go out and gather their physical food.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to hoard or rely on your own resources instead of trusting God for daily provision?**
* **How does the perishable nature of the manna challenge your perspective on earthly possessions and long-term security?**
* **What does "gathering your daily bread" spiritually look like in your life today, and how can you be more intentional about it?**

### FAQ
**Why did the manna melt when the sun waxed hot?**

Answer: The melting of the manna was a divinely ordained characteristic designed to enforce several crucial lessons for the Israelites. Firstly, it prevented them from hoarding or storing the manna beyond a single day (except for the Sabbath, when a double portion was provided and miraculously did not melt, as detailed in [Exodus 16:22-26](/exodus/16-22 "Exodus 16:22-26 - Manna on the Sabbath")). This enforced daily dependence on God, teaching them to trust Him for fresh provision each morning. Secondly, it instilled discipline and obedience, as they had to rise early to gather it before the sun became too intense. Finally, it served as a tangible, daily reminder of God's immediate and ongoing care, preventing them from becoming self-sufficient or forgetting their reliance on Him in the barren wilderness.

**Was the manna a natural phenomenon or a miracle?**

Answer: While some have attempted to explain manna as a natural secretion from certain desert plants, the biblical account overwhelmingly presents it as a profound miracle. Its consistent, daily appearance for forty years, as noted in [Exodus 16:35](/exodus/16-35 "Exodus 16:35 - Forty Years of Manna"), in sufficient quantities to feed millions, its unique properties (like not spoiling on the Sabbath but melting on other days), and its cessation precisely when the Israelites entered Canaan, as recorded in [Joshua 5:12](/joshua/5-12 "Joshua 5:12 - Manna Ceases"), all point to its supernatural origin and divine control. It was a direct, miraculous intervention by God to sustain His people, demonstrating His power and faithfulness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The manna, though a miraculous provision, was ultimately a temporary, physical sustenance that nourished the body but could not grant eternal life. It served as a powerful type, or foreshadowing, of Jesus Christ, the true "Bread of Life." Jesus Himself drew this profound connection, declaring, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst" in [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"). Unlike the manna that "melted" and eventually ceased, Jesus offers spiritual sustenance that does not perish but leads to everlasting life. While the Israelites ate manna and still died, as Jesus pointed out in [John 6:49](/john/6-49 "John 6:49 - Your Fathers Ate Manna and Died"), those who partake of Christ, the living bread who came down from heaven, will live forever, as promised in [John 6:51](/john/6-51 "John 6:51 - Jesus, the Living Bread"). His body, broken for us on the cross, is the ultimate "daily bread" for our souls, providing eternal nourishment and satisfying our deepest spiritual hunger. Through faith in Him, we receive not just temporary sustenance, but the very life of God, a provision that will never melt away or cease, securing our eternal future.

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

Proverbs 6:6

¶ Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

Proverbs 6:11

So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

2 Corinthians 6:2

(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now [is] the accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation.)

Ecclesiastes 12:1

¶ Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

Ecclesiastes 9:10

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for [there is] no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

John 12:35

Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

Matthew 6:33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.