Exodus 16:22

KJV

¶ And it came to pass, [that] on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one [man]: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, that on the sixth {H8345} day {H3117} they gathered {H3950} twice {H4932} as much bread {H3899}, two {H8147} omers {H6016} for one {H259} man: and all the rulers {H5387} of the congregation {H5712} came {H935} and told {H5046} Moses {H4872}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two 'omers per person; and all the community leaders came and reported to Moshe.

Berean Standard Bible

On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much food—two omers per person—and all the leaders of the congregation came and reported this to Moses.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 16:22 meticulously records the Israelites' faithful obedience to God's unique instruction for the sixth day of the week, where they gathered a double portion of manna—specifically, two omers per person—in anticipation of the Sabbath. This precise act of compliance, observed and subsequently reported by the congregation's leaders to Moses, served as a crucial demonstration of God's meticulous provision and the people's growing trust in His word, thereby laying foundational principles for the Sabbath rest and divine order within their wilderness journey.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 16:22 is strategically placed within the narrative of God's miraculous provision of manna and quail for the Israelites in the wilderness. This divine intervention follows the people's murmuring and complaints against Moses and Aaron due to hunger, shortly after their [departure from Egypt](/exodus/12-31 "Exodus 12:31 - The Israelites Depart Egypt"). God had promised to "rain bread from heaven" ([Exodus 16:4](/exodus/16-4 "Exodus 16:4 - God Promises Manna")) and provided specific daily instructions: gather only an omer per person, with any excess spoiling if kept overnight ([Exodus 16:16-20](/exodus/16-16 "Exodus 16:16-20 - Instructions for Gathering Manna")). However, a pivotal exception was made for the sixth day, where a double portion was commanded to be gathered to provide for the Sabbath, the seventh day, on which no manna would fall ([Exodus 16:5](/exodus/16-5 "Exodus 16:5 - God's Instruction for the Sixth Day")). Verse 22 describes the successful fulfillment of this specific instruction, showcasing the people's obedience and the leaders' observation, which then prompts Moses' further explanation of the Sabbath's profound significance in [Exodus 16:23-26](/exodus/16-23 "Exodus 16:23-26 - Moses Explains the Sabbath Provision").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The wilderness journey presented unprecedented challenges for the newly liberated Israelites, who were transitioning from generations of slavery in Egypt to a life of dependence on God. Their former sustenance was tied to the fertile agricultural lands of Egypt, and now they faced the barren, inhospitable desert. The daily provision of manna was a profound miracle, designed not only to sustain them physically but also to teach them radical reliance on God's word and to test their obedience and faith ([Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Does Not Live by Bread Alone")). The concept of a weekly day of rest, the Sabbath, while not yet formally codified in the Ten Commandments ([Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8 "Exodus 20:8-11 - The Fourth Commandment")), was being introduced and established through this tangible, practical experience with the manna. This pre-Sinaitic observance underscores the Sabbath's foundational importance as a divine institution, predating the Mosaic Law and rooted in creation itself ([Genesis 2:2-3](/genesis/2-2 "Genesis 2:2-3 - God Rests on the Seventh Day")). The "rulers of the congregation" mentioned in the verse were likely the heads of families or tribes, functioning as intermediaries between the people and Moses, ensuring order, monitoring compliance, and reporting significant events or issues to the central leadership.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 16:22 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Provision and Sustenance**, showcasing God's meticulous care and faithfulness in meeting the daily needs of His people in the most challenging circumstances. Secondly, it highlights **Obedience and Trust**, as the Israelites' act of gathering a double portion, contrary to their established daily routine, demonstrated their growing faith in God's unconventional commands and His word. This act of obedience was a crucial test of their reliance on God, rather than their own efforts. Thirdly, the passage is foundational for the theme of **The Sabbath Principle**, introducing the concept of a divinely ordained day of rest through practical experience even before its formal commandment at Sinai. This pre-Sinaitic observance underscores the Sabbath's importance as a gift for humanity's well-being and a sign of God's covenant with His people. Finally, the interaction between the people, the rulers, and Moses illuminates the theme of **Divine Order and Leadership** within the nascent nation of Israel, demonstrating the structured governance and accountability necessary for a community under God's rule.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gathered (Hebrew, _lâqaṭ'_):** This primitive root means "to pick up" or "to gather," specifically "to glean." In this context, it describes the Israelites' active participation in collecting the manna. The verb highlights their physical labor in obedience to God's command, contrasting with the passive reception of the miraculous provision. Their diligent gathering of the double portion on the sixth day underscores their compliance with the specific, unique instruction for that day.
* **Omers (Hebrew, _ʻômer'_):** This term denotes a specific dry measure, equivalent to approximately 2.2 liters or about two quarts. Its precise use here emphasizes the meticulous nature of God's instructions and provision, ensuring that each person received an exact, adequate, and measured amount—neither too much nor too little. The instruction for "two omers for one man" on the sixth day was a clear, quantifiable deviation from the daily norm, specifically designed by God to accommodate the upcoming Sabbath rest.
* **Rulers (Hebrew, _nâsîyʼ'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be exalted," this term refers to an exalted one, a king, chief, or prince, indicating those in positions of authority within the tribal structure of Israel. Their action of coming to Moses signifies their crucial role in observing the people's adherence to divine instructions and reporting significant findings or questions to the central leadership. This highlights the structured governance, accountability, and communication within the Israelite community, essential for maintaining order and fidelity to God's commands.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread":** This opening clause signals the direct fulfillment of God's specific command given in [Exodus 16:5](/exodus/16-5 "Exodus 16:5 - God's Command for the Sixth Day") regarding the double portion. It immediately highlights the Israelites' obedience, as they departed from their established daily gathering pattern to collect an extraordinary amount. This act of faith demonstrated their trust in God's word, even when it might have seemed counter-intuitive to gather more than necessary for one day, especially given the previous instruction that excess would spoil.
* **"two omers for one man":** This precise measurement clarifies and confirms the "twice as much" quantity. It underscores the meticulous nature of God's provision and the detailed instructions given to His people. Each individual received a specific, ample amount to cover both the sixth day and the upcoming Sabbath, effectively removing any need for labor or anxiety about sustenance on the designated day of rest. This detail emphasizes God's foresight and His desire to provide completely for His people's needs, including their need for rest.
* **"and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses":** This action by the leaders signifies the importance and perhaps the unusual nature of the event. Their report could stem from surprise at the successful collection of a double portion without spoilage, a desire for confirmation regarding this unique provision, or simply a formal reporting of the people's compliance. It underscores the hierarchical structure of Israelite society and the vital role of leadership in observing and confirming divine instructions and their outcomes among the people, ensuring proper communication and understanding of God's will.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several effective literary devices to convey its profound message. **Narrative progression** is evident as the story unfolds logically from God's command to the people's obedient action and the leaders' subsequent report, building anticipation for Moses' detailed explanation of the Sabbath. The **repetition** of "sixth day" and the explicit quantification "twice as much bread, two omers for one man" serves to emphasize the distinct and exceptional nature of this day's gathering, reinforcing the divine instruction and its precise fulfillment. **Symbolism** is profoundly present in the manna itself, which serves as a tangible representation of God's daily, miraculous sustenance and His intimate, personal care for His people in the wilderness. The act of gathering a double portion on the sixth day, and then refraining from gathering on the seventh, functions as a **type** or foreshadowing of the formal establishment of the Sabbath, demonstrating its practical application and the divine pattern for rest even before the giving of the Mosaic Law. Furthermore, the interaction between the rulers and Moses illustrates the **leadership dynamics** and structured communication within the nascent nation of Israel, highlighting the importance of accountability and reporting in God's community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 16:22 stands as a profound testament to God's comprehensive and faithful provision, demonstrating His foresight and meticulous care for His people. It reveals a God who not only meets immediate physical needs but also anticipates future requirements, such as the crucial need for rest and spiritual renewal on the Sabbath. This passage establishes the practical foundation for the Sabbath principle, predating the formal giving of the Ten Commandments and highlighting its divine origin as a gift for humanity's well-being and a sign of covenant relationship. The Israelites' obedience in gathering the double portion, contrary to their daily habit and previous experience of spoilage, underscores the vital theme of trust in God's unconventional methods and His infallible word, even when it defies human logic or immediate experience. It portrays a God who is both sovereign in His provision and precise in His commands, inviting His people into a rhythm of dependence and rest.

* [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Does Not Live by Bread Alone")
* [Nehemiah 9:15](/nehemiah/9-15 "Nehemiah 9:15 - God's Provision in the Wilderness")
* [Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 16:22 offers timeless and profound lessons for believers today, primarily centered on cultivating a deep trust in God's provision and wholeheartedly embracing His divine design for rest. In a world that relentlessly pressures us to strive, hustle, and accumulate, this passage serves as a powerful reminder that God is our ultimate, faithful provider, capable of meeting our needs in ways we cannot possibly anticipate or orchestrate ourselves. The miraculous provision of the double portion for the Sabbath encourages us to cultivate a counter-cultural rhythm of work and rest, recognizing that true productivity, spiritual vitality, and holistic well-being are found not in ceaseless toil but in honoring God's command to cease from labor and dedicate sacred time to Him. It challenges us to obey God's instructions, even when they seem unconventional, illogical, or require us to step out in radical faith, knowing with certainty that His plans are always for our ultimate good and His timing is perfect. This narrative invites us to lay down our anxieties about tomorrow, trusting that the God who provided manna in the wilderness will surely provide for us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the story of the manna challenge your anxieties about daily provision and future needs in your own life?**
* **In what practical and intentional ways can you embrace God's design for rest and Sabbath in your contemporary life, resisting the societal pressure to constantly produce?**
* **Where might God be calling you to obey an instruction that seems unconventional or requires a significant step of faith, trusting in His provision rather than your own efforts?**
* **How does this passage deepen your understanding of God's meticulous care, foresight, and sovereign planning for every detail of your life?**
* **What does the Israelites' obedience in this passage teach you about the importance of trusting God's timing and unique methods of provision?**

### FAQ

**Why was the gathering of a double portion on the sixth day so significant?**

Answer: The gathering of a double portion on the sixth day was profoundly significant for several reasons. First, it served as a direct test of the Israelites' obedience and trust in God's word, as it directly contradicted the daily instruction to gather only enough for one day, with any excess spoiling if left over ([Exodus 16:19](/exodus/16-19 "Exodus 16:19 - Manna Spoils if Left Over")). Second, and most importantly, it served as a practical demonstration and pre-Sinaitic establishment of the Sabbath principle, providing for a day of rest when no manna would fall ([Exodus 16:23-26](/exodus/16-23 "Exodus 16:23-26 - Moses Explains the Sabbath")). This tangible experience highlighted the Sabbath's divine origin and importance even before the formal giving of the Ten Commandments, teaching the people a rhythm of work and rest dependent on God's provision.

**What does the reporting by the "rulers of the congregation" signify?**

Answer: The rulers' report to Moses signifies the structured leadership, accountability, and communicative hierarchy within the nascent Israelite community. Their action suggests their role in actively observing the people's adherence to God's instructions and confirming the miraculous nature of the double portion not spoiling, which would have been an extraordinary event. Their report likely stemmed from a desire for clarification regarding this unique provision or to formally acknowledge the people's obedience and God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promise regarding the Sabbath provision. It underscores the vital importance of leadership in validating, communicating, and ensuring the proper understanding and implementation of divine acts and instructions among God's people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 16:22, with its profound account of God's miraculous provision of manna and the practical establishment of the Sabbath principle, finds its ultimate and most glorious Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. Jesus himself is presented as the true and ultimate "bread from heaven" ([John 6:32-35](/john/6-32 "John 6:32-35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), far superior to the temporary manna that merely sustained the Israelites physically but could not impart eternal life. Just as the manna was a daily provision for physical sustenance in the wilderness, Jesus offers Himself as the spiritual sustenance for eternal life, inviting all who hunger to "come to me and never be hungry" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus Satisfies Spiritual Hunger")). Furthermore, the Sabbath principle, so beautifully foreshadowed by the double portion for rest in Exodus 16:22, points directly to Christ as our ultimate and eternal rest. He declares, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Jesus Offers Rest")). In Christ, believers find not just a day of physical rest, but profound spiritual rest from the ceaseless striving of works, the heavy burden of sin, and the relentless demands of the Law. We enter into God's finished work through His perfect sacrifice on the cross, finding true peace and cessation from our own efforts to earn salvation ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - The Sabbath Rest for the People of God")). Thus, the obedience and miraculous provision in Exodus 16:22 beautifully anticipate the greater spiritual realities and the complete fulfillment found in Jesus, our living bread and our eternal Sabbath rest.

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

Exodus 16:5

And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare [that] which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.

Exodus 16:16

This [is] the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, [according to] the number of your persons; take ye every man for [them] which [are] in his tents.

Exodus 34:31

And Moses called unto them; and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him: and Moses talked with them.

Leviticus 25:22

And ye shall sow the eighth year, and eat [yet] of old fruit until the ninth year; until her fruits come in ye shall eat [of] the old [store].

Leviticus 25:12

For it [is] the jubile; it shall be holy unto you: ye shall eat the increase thereof out of the field.