Exodus 16:23

And he said unto them, This [is that] which the LORD hath said, To morrow [is] the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake [that] which ye will bake [to day], and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.

And he said {H559} unto them, This is that which the LORD {H3068} hath said {H1696}, To morrow {H4279} is the rest {H7677} of the holy {H6944} sabbath {H7676} unto the LORD {H3068}: bake {H644} that which ye will bake {H644} to day, and seethe {H1310} that ye will seethe {H1310}; and that which {H3605} remaineth over {H5736} lay up {H3240} for you to be kept {H4931} until the morning {H1242}.

He told them, "This is what ADONAI has said: 'Tomorrow is a holy Shabbat for ADONAI. Bake what you want to bake; boil what you want to boil; and whatever is left over, set aside and keep for the morning.'"

He told them, “This is what the LORD has said: ‘Tomorrow is to be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake, and boil what you want to boil. Then set aside whatever remains and keep it until morning.’”

And he said unto them, This is that which Jehovah hath spoken, To-morrow is a solemn rest, a holy sabbath unto Jehovah: bake that which ye will bake, and boil that which ye will boil; and all that remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.

Commentary

Exodus 16:23 is a foundational verse that introduces the concept of the Sabbath rest to the Israelites, specifically in the context of God's miraculous provision of manna in the wilderness. It serves as a divine command for preparing food for the upcoming holy day.

Context

After their liberation from Egypt, the Israelites found themselves in the wilderness of Sin, complaining about hunger. In response, the LORD promised to rain bread from heaven (Exodus 16:4) and provide meat. The daily gathering of manna was accompanied by specific instructions: gather only what was needed for the day, as any excess would spoil. However, on the sixth day, they were commanded to gather a double portion because the seventh day would be a holy Sabbath, a day of rest, during which no manna would appear. This verse, spoken by Moses, reiterates and clarifies these instructions for the sixth day, ensuring the people understood how to observe the upcoming Sabbath in relation to their food preparation.

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision and Foresight: The LORD not only provides for His people's immediate needs but also anticipates their future needs, instructing them how to prepare for the Sabbath. This demonstrates God's meticulous care and planning for the Israelites' wilderness journey.
  • Introduction of the Sabbath Principle: While the formal commandment for the Sabbath comes later at Mount Sinai (Exodus 20:8), this passage marks its practical introduction. It establishes a rhythm of work and rest, emphasizing a day set apart for the LORD.
  • Obedience and Trust: The Israelites were called to obey these specific instructions—gathering a double portion on the sixth day and trusting that it would not spoil, unlike other days. This was a test of their faith and obedience to God's unique commands for their daily sustenance and rest.

Linguistic Insights

The key term here is "sabbath" (Hebrew: Shabbat), which literally means "cessation" or "rest." It signifies a complete stopping from labor. The phrase "holy sabbath unto the LORD" underscores that this rest was not merely for human convenience but was dedicated and set apart (Hebrew: kodesh) for God's honor and purposes, signifying its sacred nature.

Practical Application

Exodus 16:23 offers timeless lessons for believers today regarding God's provision and the importance of rest:

  • Embrace Rest: Just as God ordained a day of rest for ancient Israel, the principle of rest remains vital. It's a reminder to pause from our labors, refresh our bodies and minds, and refocus on spiritual matters. This concept of rest is echoed in the New Testament, pointing to a spiritual rest found in Christ (Hebrews 4:9).
  • Trust God's Provision: The story of the manna teaches us to trust God for our daily needs. He knows what we need before we ask and provides in ways that may challenge our conventional thinking, reminding us to rely on Him rather than solely on our own efforts.
  • Live in Obedience: God's instructions, even seemingly small ones like preparing food for the Sabbath, are significant. Our obedience demonstrates our love and reverence for Him and aligns us with His divine plan for our lives.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 23:3

    Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day [is] the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work [therein]: it [is] the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.

  • Exodus 20:8

    Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

  • Exodus 20:11

    For [in] six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them [is], and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

  • Exodus 31:15

    Six days may work be done; but in the seventh [is] the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth [any] work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

  • Exodus 35:2

    Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.

  • Exodus 35:3

    Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day.

  • Exodus 23:12

    Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.
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