Exodus 16:5

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth {H8345} day {H3117} they shall prepare {H3559} that which {H834} they bring in {H935}; and it shall be twice {H4932} as much as they gather {H3950} daily {H3117}{H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On the sixth day, when they prepare what they have brought in, it will turn out to be twice as much as they gather on the other days."

Berean Standard Bible

Then on the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 16:5 details a crucial divine instruction to the Israelites concerning the gathering of manna in the wilderness: on the sixth day, they were to collect double the usual daily amount and prepare it, anticipating that no manna would appear on the seventh day. This command, given amidst their initial grumbling for food after the exodus, served not only as a testament to God's meticulous provision and foresight but also as the practical introduction to the principle of the Sabbath rest, a foundational element of their covenant relationship with Yahweh, demanding both obedience and trust.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 16:5 is situated within the broader narrative of God's miraculous provision for the Israelites in the wilderness, specifically following their complaints about hunger after the [crossing of the Red Sea](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21 - Red Sea Crossing"). The preceding verses, particularly [Exodus 16:1-4](/exodus/16-1 "Exodus 16:1-4 - Israelites' grumbling and God's promise of manna"), establish the context of the Israelites' grumbling against Moses and Aaron, leading to God's promise to "rain bread from heaven" for them. This verse, therefore, is not merely an isolated instruction but an integral part of God's initial, detailed plan for sustaining His people, setting the stage for the daily routine of manna gathering and, crucially, introducing the rhythm of the Sabbath before its formal codification in the Ten Commandments. It highlights God's systematic approach to provision and His intention to instill spiritual disciplines.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites, having recently [escaped generations of slavery in Egypt](/exodus/12-31 "Exodus 12:31 - Israelites depart Egypt"), were unaccustomed to self-sufficiency in a desolate wilderness environment. Their immediate concerns revolved around basic survival—food and water—leading to repeated murmuring against God and Moses. In this context, God's provision of manna was a direct response to their physical need and a profound demonstration of His covenant faithfulness. The instruction in Exodus 16:5 to gather double on the sixth day was revolutionary, introducing a concept of regulated work and rest that stood in stark contrast to the relentless labor they endured in Egypt. This pre-Sinaitic command laid the groundwork for the Sabbath, a unique institution in the ancient Near East that emphasized rest, worship, and trust in divine provision, distinguishing Israel from surrounding cultures that often viewed work as continuous. It was a practical lesson in faith, teaching them to rely on God's word rather than their own anxieties about scarcity, as seen in [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man does not live by bread alone").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Prepare (Hebrew, _kûn'_):** The Hebrew verb כּוּן (_kun_) means "to establish, to make ready, to prepare, to set up, to make firm." In this context, it implies more than simply collecting the manna. It suggests a deliberate action of processing, sorting, and making the gathered manna suitable for consumption and storage for the following day. This preparation would have involved tasks like grinding, baking, or boiling, as later described in [Numbers 11:8](/numbers/11-8 "Numbers 11:8 - Preparation of Manna"). The use of _kun_ here emphasizes the Israelites' active role in stewardship of God's provision, rather than passive reception.
* **Sixth Day (Hebrew, _yôm ha-shishshî'_):** The explicit mention of the "sixth day" is pivotal. It directly anticipates and establishes the pattern for the seventh day as a day of rest, the Sabbath. This specific timing highlights God's meticulous planning and His intention to institute a divinely ordained rhythm of work and rest. It is the first practical application of the Sabbath principle in the wilderness narrative, preceding the formal commandment given at Sinai in [Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8 "Exodus 20:8-11 - The Fourth Commandment").
* **Twice as much (Hebrew, _mishneh_):** The Hebrew word מִשְׁנֶה (_mishneh_) literally means "double" or "second quantity." This instruction underscores the miraculous nature of the provision, as God would supply an extraordinary amount on the sixth day. It also serves as a direct test of the Israelites' obedience and trust. They were commanded to gather double, trusting that God would not provide on the seventh day, and that the double portion would not spoil, unlike the daily manna that would rot if kept overnight (cf. [Exodus 16:20](/exodus/16-20 "Exodus 16:20 - Manna spoils if kept overnight")).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day":** This introductory phrase sets the specific temporal condition for the unique instruction that follows. It signals a deviation from the daily routine established in the preceding verses, drawing attention to a special divine directive for a particular day of the week, thereby laying the groundwork for the Sabbath.
* **"they shall prepare [that] which they bring in":** This clause details the required action of the Israelites. The verb "prepare" (כּוּן, _kun_) indicates an active, deliberate process of handling the gathered manna, implying that it was not merely to be collected but also processed and made ready for consumption and storage for the Sabbath. This highlights the concept of responsible stewardship of God's provision.
* **"and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily":** This final clause specifies the quantity of manna to be gathered on the sixth day. The instruction for a "double portion" is a clear divine command that tests the Israelites' faith and obedience. It assures them of God's abundant provision while simultaneously enforcing the principle of resting on the seventh day, as no manna would be available then.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 16:5 employs several significant literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as this verse subtly introduces and establishes the practical rhythm of the Sabbath before its formal enshrinement as a commandment in the Decalogue. The instruction to gather a double portion on the sixth day directly anticipates the rest on the seventh, thereby preparing the people for a foundational aspect of their covenant relationship with God. The verse also functions as a **Divine Command**, expressed through direct instruction from God to Moses for the people, emphasizing God's authority and His meticulous involvement in the daily lives of His people. Implicit within this command is a **Test of Obedience** and trust; the Israelites were required to follow an instruction that defied their immediate experience (daily provision) and their natural inclination (to gather every day), thereby demonstrating their reliance on God's word. Finally, the phrase "twice as much" serves as an **Emphasis** of the extraordinary nature of God's provision and His precise planning, ensuring that the people would have ample sustenance even during their day of rest.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 16:5 is rich with theological significance, primarily underscoring God's meticulous and sovereign provision for His people. It reveals a God who not only meets immediate physical needs but also anticipates future requirements, demonstrating His foresight and faithfulness. This divine care is intertwined with the introduction of the Sabbath principle, teaching Israel the importance of rest, trust, and sanctification of time. The command to gather double on the sixth day and then rest on the seventh was a profound lesson in obedience, challenging the Israelites to rely on God's word rather than their own anxieties or perceived scarcity. It established a rhythm of work and worship, demonstrating that true security comes from divine blessing, not human toil alone. This passage thus serves as a foundational text for understanding God's character as provider, His design for human flourishing through rest, and the necessity of obedient faith.

* [Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8 "Exodus 20:8-11: The Fourth Commandment on the Sabbath")
* [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 in the Lord's Prayer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 16:5 offers timeless wisdom for contemporary believers, inviting us to cultivate a deeper trust in God's provision and to embrace His divine rhythms for our lives. In a world that often glorifies incessant activity and self-reliance, this verse reminds us that true security and flourishing come from acknowledging God as our ultimate provider and obeying His commands, even when they seem counter-intuitive. Just as the Israelites learned to trust that God would provide abundantly for their rest, we are called to release our anxieties about scarcity and to embrace periods of intentional rest and spiritual renewal, confident that God will sustain us. This principle extends beyond physical food to all areas of life, encouraging us to prepare diligently for our responsibilities while also setting aside time for worship, reflection, and rejuvenation, honoring God's design for our well-being. Our obedience to God's instructions, even those that challenge our conventional wisdom, is a powerful act of faith that unlocks His blessings and demonstrates our reliance on His perfect plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the command to gather double on the sixth day challenge our modern anxieties about scarcity and constant productivity?**
* **In what ways can we practically apply the principle of preparing for rest, as seen in this verse, to our own lives and schedules?**
* **What specific areas of your life require a deeper trust in God's provision, rather than relying solely on your own efforts?**
* **How does the Sabbath principle, introduced here, inform your understanding of work, rest, and worship today?**

### FAQ
**Why did God give this specific instruction for the sixth day?**

Answer: God gave this specific instruction for the sixth day to introduce and establish the principle of the Sabbath, a day of rest and sanctification, before its formal codification in the Ten Commandments. By commanding the Israelites to gather a double portion on the sixth day, He was teaching them to trust in His miraculous provision and to honor the seventh day as a day free from labor. This was a practical lesson in obedience and faith, demonstrating that He would provide sufficiently for their needs, even without daily gathering on the Sabbath, as detailed in [Exodus 16:23-26](/exodus/16-23 "Exodus 16:23-26 - Manna for the Sabbath"). It distinguished Israel from other nations and underscored God's desire for His people to experience physical and spiritual rest.

**Was this a test of the Israelites' faith?**

Answer: Absolutely. The instruction to gather twice as much on the sixth day, with the understanding that no manna would appear on the seventh, was a direct test of the Israelites' faith and obedience. They had to trust that God's word was true—that the double portion would not spoil overnight (unlike the daily manna which would rot if kept, as seen in [Exodus 16:20](/exodus/16-20 "Exodus 16:20 - Manna spoiling")), and that God would indeed provide nothing on the Sabbath. This command required them to set aside their natural inclination to gather daily and instead rely completely on God's foresight and faithfulness, demonstrating their willingness to live by [every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man lives by every word of God").

**How does this relate to the Fourth Commandment?**

Answer: Exodus 16:5 is a foundational precursor to the Fourth Commandment, which formally instructs Israel to [remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy](/exodus/20-8 "Exodus 20:8 - The Fourth Commandment"). While the formal commandment is given later at Mount Sinai, the practical application of the Sabbath principle begins here with the manna provision. God uses the daily miracle of the manna to teach His people the rhythm of work and rest, demonstrating the necessity and blessing of setting aside one day for Him. This early instruction prepared their hearts and minds for the deeper theological significance of the Sabbath as a sign of the covenant between God and Israel, as mentioned in [Exodus 31:13](/exodus/31-13 "Exodus 31:13 - Sabbath as a sign").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 16:5, with its detailed instruction for the manna, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate provision of God in Jesus Christ. Just as God provided physical bread from heaven to sustain Israel in the wilderness, so too did He provide the true "bread of life" in His Son, Jesus, who declared, "[I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")". The manna was a temporary, perishable provision, but Christ offers eternal sustenance for the soul, a spiritual nourishment that never runs out. Furthermore, the Sabbath principle introduced in this verse finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. While the Old Testament Sabbath pointed to a physical day of rest, Jesus, as "[Lord even of the Sabbath](/mark/2-27 "Mark 2:27 - Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath")", offers a deeper, spiritual rest from the burden of sin and the striving of legalism. He invites all who are weary and heavy-laden to "[come to me, and I will give you rest](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Jesus offers rest")". The double portion on the sixth day, ensuring rest on the seventh, symbolizes God's abundant grace in Christ, providing not just enough, but overflowing grace for all our needs, ensuring our eternal rest in Him. Through Christ, we find not only daily provision but also the ultimate Sabbath rest for our souls, a rest that transcends a single day and encompasses an eternal relationship with God.

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.