Exodus 16:3

And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, [and] when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

And the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} said {H559} unto them, Would to God {H4310}{H5414} we had died {H4191} by the hand {H3027} of the LORD {H3068} in the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, when we sat {H3427} by the flesh {H1320} pots {H5518}, and when we did eat {H398} bread {H3899} to the full {H7648}; for ye have brought us forth {H3318} into this wilderness {H4057}, to kill {H4191} this whole assembly {H6951} with hunger {H7458}.

The people of Isra'el said to them, "We wish ADONAI had used his own hand to kill us off in Egypt! There we used to sit around the pots with the meat boiling, and we had as much food as we wanted. But you have taken us out into this desert to let this whole assembly starve to death!"

“If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt!” they said. “There we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread, but you have brought us into this desert to starve this whole assembly to death!”

and the children of Israel said unto them, Would that we had died by the hand of Jehovah in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh-pots, when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

Commentary

In Exodus 16:3, the newly liberated Israelites express profound regret and despair to Moses and Aaron. Having just been miraculously delivered from Egyptian bondage and led through the Red Sea, they now face the harsh realities of the wilderness, particularly hunger. Their words reveal a deep lack of faith and a nostalgic longing for the perceived comforts of their former captivity, even preferring death over their current predicament.

Context

This verse captures a critical moment about six weeks after the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. They are encamped in the Wilderness of Sin, between Elim and Mount Sinai (Exodus 16:1). Their provisions brought from Egypt are running low, and the stark desert environment offers little sustenance. This is not their first complaint; they had previously grumbled about bitter water at Marah (Exodus 15:24). Here, their discontent escalates, highlighting the immense challenge of leading such a vast, dependent population through an uninhabitable region.

Key Themes

  • Discontent and Grumbling: The primary theme is the Israelites' immediate and intense dissatisfaction. Despite witnessing God's powerful acts of deliverance, they quickly forget His past provisions and instead focus on their present discomfort. This cycle of grumbling becomes a recurring motif throughout their wilderness journey, as seen later in Numbers 11:4-6.
  • Selective Memory and Nostalgia for Slavery: The phrase "when we sat by the flesh pots, [and] when we did eat bread to the full" is striking. They idealize their time in Egypt, remembering only the food and perceived security, while conveniently forgetting the brutal slavery, oppression, and cries under the lash (Exodus 2:23-24). This demonstrates a human tendency to romanticize the past, even a painful one, when facing present difficulties.
  • Lack of Trust in God's Provision: Their complaint is directed at Moses and Aaron, but it ultimately reflects a profound lack of faith in God's ability or willingness to sustain them. They accuse their leaders of bringing them into the wilderness "to kill this whole assembly with hunger," implying that God's plan is malevolent rather than redemptive. This deep distrust sets the stage for God's miraculous provision of manna and quail, which begins in the very next verses (Exodus 16:4-5).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase "flesh pots" (סִיר הַבָּשָׂר, sir habbasar) literally means "pots of meat." This imagery evokes a sense of abundance and regular provision of hearty food, contrasting sharply with the barrenness of the desert. Similarly, "eat bread to the full" (לֶחֶם לָשֹׂבַע, lehem lasova) emphasizes a state of complete satisfaction, a stark contrast to their current hunger. These vivid recollections underscore the depth of their physical craving and their perceived deprivation.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder about the dangers of discontentment and the human tendency to forget past blessings when faced with new challenges. It challenges believers to:

  • Remember God's Faithfulness: Just as Israel forgot God's mighty hand in their deliverance, we too can quickly lose sight of His past provisions when trials arise. Cultivating a grateful heart helps combat this.
  • Trust in God's Provision: Even in seemingly impossible situations, God has a plan to sustain His people. Instead of grumbling, we are called to bring our needs to Him with faith, knowing He is able to provide (Philippians 4:19).
  • Beware of Selective Memory: It's easy to romanticize past "comforts" or "security," even if they came with spiritual or emotional bondage. True freedom in Christ may involve periods of testing, but it always leads to greater dependence on God and ultimate blessing.
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Cross-References

  • Numbers 11:4

    ¶ And the mixt multitude that [was] among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?

  • Numbers 11:5

    We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:

  • Numbers 20:3

    And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!

  • Numbers 20:5

    And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it [is] no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither [is] there any water to drink.

  • Exodus 17:3

    And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore [is] this [that] thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?

  • Deuteronomy 28:67

    In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.

  • Lamentations 4:9

    [They that be] slain with the sword are better than [they that be] slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for [want of] the fruits of the field.