Exodus 16:36

KJV

Now an omer [is] the tenth [part] of an ephah.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now an omer {H6016} is the tenth {H6224} part of an ephah {H374}.

Complete Jewish Bible

(An 'omer is one-tenth of an eifah [which is a bushel dry-measure].)

Berean Standard Bible

(Now an omer is a tenth of an ephah.)

American Standard Version

Now an omer is the tenth part of an ephah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 16:36 serves as a concise, parenthetical explanation within the unfolding narrative of God's miraculous provision of manna to the Israelites in the wilderness. This crucial verse precisely defines the relationship between two ancient Hebrew dry measures, the omer and the ephah, ensuring that future generations and readers fully grasp the exact quantities involved in the daily gathering of manna and, by extension, the meticulous, abundant, and faithful nature of God's provision for His beloved people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed at the culmination of the detailed instructions and narrative concerning the manna. The preceding verses in [Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - The Provision of Manna and Quail") meticulously describe the Israelites' murmuring for food after their [deliverance from Egyptian bondage](/exodus/12-31 "Exodus 12:31 - The Exodus from Egypt"), God's gracious and immediate response by promising "bread from heaven" ([Exodus 16:4](/exodus/16-4 "Exodus 16:4 - God Promises Manna")), and the specific instructions for its daily collection—"an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons" ([Exodus 16:16](/exodus/16-16 "Exodus 16:16 - Gather an Omer Per Person")). The narrative also includes the critical Sabbath observance, where no manna fell, and the command to preserve an omer of manna as a perpetual memorial ([Exodus 16:33](/exodus/16-33 "Exodus 16:33 - The Preserved Omer of Manna")). Exodus 16:36, therefore, functions as a vital clarification, ensuring the reader understands the precise scale of the daily miracle and the enduring significance of the preserved memorial. It provides a technical detail essential for comprehending the practicalities and immense scope of God's miraculous and sustained provision.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites, a vast multitude estimated to be in the millions, had recently been freed from centuries of slavery and were traversing a barren, inhospitable wilderness, utterly dependent on God for their very sustenance. In ancient Near Eastern societies, units of measure were absolutely crucial for trade, agriculture, and the orderly conduct of daily life, though their exact values could sometimes vary regionally. The inclusion of this precise definition of the omer in relation to the more common ephah highlights the meticulousness of the biblical record and its profound concern for historical accuracy and clarity. It bridges a potential knowledge gap for later generations, who might not have been familiar with the omer as a specific unit of measure, especially since it was primarily associated with the unique event of the manna. This exacting detail underscores the tangible reality of God's daily, consistent provision for a massive population over forty years, emphasizing that His divine care was not vague or arbitrary but exact, sufficient, and perfectly tailored for their every need.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 16:36, though seemingly a mere technical note, powerfully reinforces several overarching themes found throughout the book of Exodus and the Pentateuch. Primarily, it underscores the theme of **Divine Precision and Order**. God's provision is not haphazard but meticulously measured and delivered, reflecting His orderly character. This precision also speaks to God's **Faithfulness and Sufficiency**, demonstrating that He provides exactly what is needed—no more, no less—for His people's daily sustenance, fostering a profound sense of **Dependence on God**. The manna, measured by the omer, was a daily lesson in trusting God for "daily bread," preventing hoarding and cultivating reliance. Furthermore, the verse contributes to the theme of **God's Covenantal Care**, showing His intimate involvement in the practical details of His people's lives as He leads them through the wilderness toward the promised land, fulfilling His promises with exactitude and unwavering commitment. This meticulous detail also serves to establish the **Veracity and Reliability of the Divine Word**, assuring readers that the biblical account is grounded in tangible, measurable realities.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Omer (Hebrew, _ʻômer'_):** From the root meaning "to heap," this noun properly refers to a heap or sheaf, but in this context, it denotes a specific dry measure. As defined here, it represents the precise daily allowance of manna per person, highlighting God's exact and sufficient provision for each individual. While its precise modern equivalent is debated, it is generally understood to be approximately 2.3 liters or about 2.5 quarts, a small, individual portion. Its significance here is its designation as the precise daily allowance of manna per person, highlighting God's exact and sufficient provision for each individual.
* **Ephah (Hebrew, _ʼêyphâh'_):** Of Egyptian derivation, this term refers to a standard unit of dry measure in ancient Israel, primarily used for grains and other commodities. It was a larger measure, roughly equivalent to 23 liters or 25 quarts. By defining the omer as a tenth of an ephah, the text grounds the specific manna measure within a more widely understood system of weights and measures, making its quantity comprehensible to a broader audience and underscoring the practicality of the divine instructions.
* **Tenth (Hebrew, _ʻăsîyrîy'_):** Derived from the word for "ten," this ordinal number explicitly states the precise mathematical relationship between the omer and the ephah. The exact ratio underscores the divine precision in the instructions for gathering manna, reinforcing the theme of God's orderliness, the careful fulfillment of His word, and the exactitude of His provision. It leaves no ambiguity regarding the scale of the daily miracle.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now an omer [is]":** This introductory phrase functions as a parenthetical clarification, signaling to the reader that the following information is a technical detail designed to aid understanding. It directly identifies the unit of measure that was central to the daily manna collection, drawing attention to its specific quantity.
* **"the tenth [part]":** This clause specifies the exact proportion of the omer in relation to a larger, more common unit. The use of a precise fraction, "the tenth part," emphasizes the meticulous nature of the divine instruction and provision, leaving no ambiguity about the quantity and reinforcing the theme of God's exactness.
* **"of an ephah.":** This concluding phrase completes the definition by identifying the larger standard unit of measure to which the omer is being compared. By relating the omer to the ephah, the text provides essential context and scale, allowing readers to conceptualize the volume of manna involved in God's daily miracle and appreciate the sheer magnitude of His sustained provision.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 16:36 primarily employs **Parenthetical Explanation**. This device is used to insert supplementary information that clarifies a point or provides crucial detail without interrupting the main flow of the narrative. In this case, the verse provides a technical definition essential for the reader's full comprehension of the manna account, particularly the precise quantities involved in the daily gathering and the preserved memorial. It functions as a **Didactic Aside**, educating the reader about ancient Hebrew measurements, thereby enhancing the historical and practical understanding of the text. The inclusion of such a precise detail also contributes significantly to the overall sense of **Verisimilitude**, lending credibility and authenticity to the biblical narrative by demonstrating a concern for factual accuracy and practical details, reinforcing the historical reality of the events described.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly technical verse, by defining the precise relationship between the omer and the ephah, subtly yet profoundly reinforces several key theological truths. It speaks to the meticulous nature of God, who is not only powerful enough to rain bread from heaven but also cares deeply about the exact quantity needed for each individual. This divine precision underscores God's inherent orderliness, His unwavering faithfulness in providing exactly what is required, and the absolute reliability of His instructions. It teaches a profound dependence on God for "daily bread," not in excess, but in perfect sufficiency, fostering trust and discouraging hoarding. The very act of defining the measure ensures clarity and underscores that God's provisions and commands are not arbitrary but are given with intentionality, exactness, and divine wisdom for the well-being of His people.

* [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Does Not Live by Bread Alone")
* [Matthew 6:11](/matthew/6-11 "Matthew 6:11 - Give Us Our Daily Bread")
* [Leviticus 19:35-36](/leviticus/19-35-36 "Leviticus 19:35-36 - Just Weights and Measures")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 16:36, though a technical detail, offers profound and enduring insights for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful reminder that our God is a God of order, precision, and perfect sufficiency. He is intimately concerned with the minute details of our lives, providing exactly what we need, precisely when we need it, often in ways that teach us daily dependence rather than fostering self-sufficiency or promoting excess. This verse challenges us to cultivate a deep trust in God's meticulous care, even when His provision seems modest or just enough, and to recognize that His "daily bread" is precisely measured for our spiritual growth and our increasing reliance on Him. It also implicitly encourages us, as stewards of God's creation and resources, to be precise, clear, and just in our own dealings, reflecting the divine character of order, integrity, and careful stewardship in all aspects of our lives and communication.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's attention to detail, even in seemingly mundane matters like measurements, deepen your trust in His precise and sufficient provision for your own life?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be overlooking or underappreciating God's daily and exact provision, perhaps seeking more than what is truly sufficient for your needs?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the importance of clarity, order, and integrity in our own communication and stewardship, reflecting God's character in our daily walk?**

### FAQ
**Why is this verse included in the Bible, given its technical nature?**

Answer: This verse is included primarily as a parenthetical explanation to ensure the reader's full comprehension of the manna narrative. The omer was a specific unit of measure for the manna, and its exact quantity might not have been clear to later generations or those unfamiliar with ancient Hebrew measures. By defining it as "the tenth part of an ephah," the text provides a precise scale for understanding the daily provision for millions of Israelites. It underscores the historical accuracy and practical detail of the biblical account, reinforcing the miraculous nature of God's provision for His people in the wilderness, as described in [Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - The Provision of Manna"). This detail lends credibility to the narrative by demonstrating the author's concern for factual precision.

**What is the practical significance of knowing the exact measurements of the omer and ephah?**

Answer: Knowing the precise relationship between the omer and the ephah allows readers to grasp the immense scale and meticulousness of God's daily miracle. An omer was approximately 2.3 liters, meaning each person received about 2.3 liters of manna daily. For a population of potentially two million people, this translates to an astonishing amount of food—millions of liters every single day for forty years. This detail emphasizes the incredible, sustained faithfulness of God's provision, demonstrating that He supplied not just vaguely, but with exactness and abundance for every individual, as highlighted in [Exodus 16:16](/exodus/16-16 "Exodus 16:16 - Gather an Omer Per Person"). It showcases God's perfect planning and unfailing care for His people's most basic needs.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Exodus 16:36 is a technical detail, its context within the manna narrative points powerfully and prophetically to Christ. The manna itself was a miraculous, daily provision from heaven, sustaining Israel physically in the barren wilderness and serving as a type or shadow of a greater spiritual reality. Jesus, in His profound teaching, explicitly identifies Himself as the "true bread from heaven" ([John 6:32](/john/6-32 "John 6:32 - The True Bread from Heaven")), superior to the manna that sustained only physical life and ultimately led to death. He declares, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). Just as the omer was the precise, sufficient daily measure for each Israelite, Christ is the perfectly sufficient and complete provision for our spiritual hunger, given by God's meticulous grace and divine plan. He is the fulfillment of the Old Testament shadows, the ultimate and enduring sustenance for our spiritual journey, teaching us that "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" ([Matthew 4:4](/matthew/4-4 "Matthew 4:4 - Man Shall Not Live by Bread Alone")). The preserved omer of manna in the ark ([Hebrews 9:4](/hebrews/9-4 "Hebrews 9:4 - The Golden Pot of Manna")) served as a perpetual reminder of God's faithful provision, just as the Person of Christ is the enduring reality of God's perfect, precisely planned salvation, available to all who believe.

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 16:16

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 16:32

¶ And Moses said, This [is] the thing which the LORD commandeth, Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations; that they may see the bread wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt.

Exodus 16:33

And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations.