Exodus 16:6

KJV

And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel, At even, then ye shall know that the LORD hath brought you out from the land of Egypt:

KJV (with Strong's)

And Moses {H4872} and Aaron {H175} said {H559} unto all the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, At even {H6153}, then ye shall know {H3045} that the LORD {H3068} hath brought you out {H3318} from the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Moshe and Aharon said to all the people of Isra'el, "This evening, you will realize that it has been ADONAI who brought you out of Egypt;

Berean Standard Bible

So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “This evening you will know that it was the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt,

American Standard Version

And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel, At even, then ye shall know that Jehovah hath brought you out from the land of Egypt;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 16:6 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's wilderness journey, where Moses and Aaron declare God's imminent self-revelation through miraculous provision. In response to the Israelites' grumbling for food, this verse sets the stage for the coming of manna and quail, serving as a divine demonstration designed to confirm to the murmuring nation that it was indeed the LORD who had powerfully delivered them from Egyptian bondage and would continue to sustain them.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated early in Israel's post-Exodus journey, following their dramatic [deliverance through the Red Sea](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Crossing of the Red Sea") and the subsequent [Song of Moses and Miriam](/exodus/15-1 "Exodus 15:1 - The Song of Moses and Miriam"). While the initial joy was profound, the harsh realities of the wilderness quickly set in. The Israelites had already experienced the bitterness of Marah and God's provision of sweet water ([Exodus 15:22-26](/exodus/15-22 "Exodus 15:22 - The Waters of Marah")), yet their faith faltered when faced with a lack of food in the [Wilderness of Sin](/exodus/16-1 "Exodus 16:1 - Israel Enters the Wilderness of Sin"). Their complaints, recorded in [Exodus 16:2-3](/exodus/16-2 "Exodus 16:2 - Israel's Grumbling for Food"), reveal a longing for the "fleshpots" of Egypt, even preferring slavery to starvation. Moses and Aaron's declaration in verse 6 serves as God's direct response to their grumbling, promising a tangible sign of His presence and power, thereby setting the stage for the daily provision of manna and quail detailed in the subsequent verses of [Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - God Provides Manna and Quail").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The journey from Egypt was not merely a geographical relocation but a spiritual transformation for a people long enslaved. The Israelites, having lived under the oppressive thumb of Pharaoh, possessed a "slave mentality" characterized by a lack of self-reliance, a tendency to complain, and a struggle to trust in an unseen God, despite His miraculous interventions. Their longing for Egyptian food, even if it meant returning to bondage ([Exodus 16:3](/exodus/16-3 "Exodus 16:3 - Israel's Complaint for Food")), highlights their spiritual immaturity and the deep-seated fear that still gripped them. God's intention in the wilderness was not just to lead them to the Promised Land, but to forge them into a nation wholly dependent on Him. The provision of food "at even" (referring to the quail) and "in the morning" (referring to the manna) established a daily rhythm of dependence, teaching them that their sustenance came directly from the LORD, not from human effort or the fertile lands of Egypt. This daily, miraculous provision was a direct counter-narrative to the pagan gods of Egypt, demonstrating the unique power and faithfulness of the God of Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _YHWH_):** The capitalized "LORD" in the KJV translates the Hebrew Tetragrammaton, YHWH (יהוה), God's personal covenant name. This name signifies God's self-existence ("I AM WHO I AM" in [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - I AM WHO I AM")) and His active, relational presence in the lives of His people. When Moses and Aaron declare that "the LORD" has brought them out of Egypt, they are not referring to a generic deity, but to the specific, powerful God who made a covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and who is now demonstrating His faithfulness to His promises through mighty acts of salvation and provision.
* **Know (Hebrew, _yada'_):** The verb _yada'_ (יָדַע) implies a deep, experiential, and intimate knowledge, far beyond mere intellectual understanding or factual recognition. It suggests a personal encounter and a transformative realization. The Israelites were not simply to be informed that God had delivered them; they were to *experience* His ongoing power and provision in such a way that it would fundamentally reshape their understanding of who He is and their relationship with Him. This knowledge would be forged in the crucible of their daily dependence.
* **Brought you out (Hebrew, _yatsa'_):** The Hebrew verb _yatsa'_ (יָצָא) means "to go out," "to come forth," or "to bring out." In this context, it emphasizes the divine initiative and the powerful, decisive act of liberation. It was not a casual departure or a human escape; it was God Himself who, with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, "brought them out" from the land of Egypt. This phrase serves as a constant reminder of their foundational redemption and God's ongoing commitment to His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel,"**: This opening clause establishes the authoritative source of the message. Moses and Aaron are God's appointed mediators, conveying His word directly to the grumbling community. This highlights the divine origin of the coming provision and the revelation that accompanies it, rather than it being a spontaneous human solution.
* **"At even, then ye shall know"**: This specifies the timing and the nature of the impending revelation. "At even" points to the arrival of the quail, a tangible and immediate answer to their complaint about meat. The phrase "then ye shall know" underscores that the purpose of this miraculous event is not merely physical sustenance, but a profound, experiential learning about God's character and power. The provision serves as a pedagogical tool.
* **"that the LORD hath brought you out from the land of Egypt:"**: This is the core truth God intends to impress upon their hearts. The miraculous provision of food will serve as irrefutable evidence that their exodus was not a random event or a human feat, but a divine act orchestrated by YHWH. It is a re-authentication of His identity as their deliverer and sustainer, designed to combat their amnesia and doubt in the wilderness.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 16:6 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Divine Speech/Prophetic Declaration**, where Moses and Aaron act as conduits for God's direct message, emphasizing the divine origin and authority of the promise. The phrase "then ye shall know" functions as a form of **Epistemological Revelation**, indicating that the impending miracle is designed to impart a deep, experiential knowledge of God's identity and power. There is also an element of **Dramatic Irony** at play; the Israelites complain, longing for the "fleshpots" of Egypt, yet God's response is not judgment but gracious provision, turning their faithlessness into an opportunity for Him to display His faithfulness. This also sets up a **Test** for Israel, as their obedience in gathering the manna (or lack thereof) will further reveal their hearts. Finally, the recurring motif of "brought you out from the land of Egypt" serves as a **Leitmotif** or **Thematic Repetition**, constantly reminding both the characters and the reader of the foundational act of redemption upon which all subsequent divine interaction is based.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 16:6 is a profound statement about God's sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people, even in the face of their profound unfaithfulness. It reveals a God who is not only powerful enough to deliver but also compassionate enough to sustain, transforming moments of human complaint into opportunities for divine self-revelation. The verse underscores the theological truth that God's acts of provision are always tied to His identity and His redemptive purposes; He feeds them not just to satisfy hunger, but to deepen their experiential knowledge of Him as the LORD, their deliverer. The wilderness, therefore, becomes a classroom where God teaches His people dependence, trust, and the true meaning of their liberation.

* [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Does Not Live by Bread Alone")
* [Psalm 78:19-25](/psalm/78-19 "Psalm 78:19 - Israel's Grumbling and God's Provision")
* [Nehemiah 9:15](/nehemiah/9-15 "Nehemiah 9:15 - God's Provision in the Wilderness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 16:6 offers a timeless mirror for our own spiritual journeys. Like the Israelites, we often find ourselves in "wilderness" seasons, where past deliverances fade from memory and present needs loom large, leading us to grumble, doubt, and even long for the "comforts" of our former bondage. This verse powerfully reminds us that God's response to our complaints is often not immediate judgment, but an invitation to deeper trust and a fresh revelation of His character. It challenges us to look beyond our immediate circumstances and recognize God's hand at work, proving His faithfulness. Just as He provided for Israel, He continues to provide for us, not just physically, but spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. Our task is to cultivate an "experiential knowledge" of Him, remembering His past faithfulness to fuel our present trust, and allowing His daily provision to deepen our understanding of His identity as our ever-present, all-sufficient LORD.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I currently grumbling, rather than trusting God's provision?**
* **How has God "brought me out" of difficult situations in the past, and how can I remember those acts of deliverance to strengthen my faith today?**
* **What does it mean for me to "know" God experientially, and how can I deepen that knowledge in my daily walk?**

### FAQ
**Why did God provide food only after they complained?**

Answer: God's timing often allows human need and desperation to become evident, not because He is unaware, but to highlight His grace and power more profoundly. It wasn't *because* they complained that He provided, but *despite* their complaints, demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises and His desire to reveal Himself as the one who delivers and sustains. Their grumbling provided the context for a dramatic display of divine provision, serving as both a test of their faith and a profound lesson in dependence. This pattern is seen elsewhere, such as with the bitter waters of Marah in [Exodus 15:22-26](/exodus/15-22 "Exodus 15:22 - The Waters of Marah"), where God provided after their complaint.

**What is the significance of "at even"?**

Answer: The phrase "at even" (or "in the evening") is significant because it specifies the precise timing of God's initial provision of meat, referring to the arrival of the quails, as detailed in [Exodus 16:13](/exodus/16-13 "Exodus 16:13 - Quail in the Evening"). This was followed by the manna appearing "in the morning" ([Exodus 16:13-14](/exodus/16-13 "Exodus 16:13 - Quail and Manna Provided")). This established a clear, daily rhythm of divine provision, setting a tangible expectation for the Israelites. It also demonstrated God's immediate and tangible response to their specific need for both bread and meat, leaving no doubt about the source of their sustenance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 16:6, with its emphasis on God's self-revelation through miraculous provision in the wilderness, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus. The manna, provided "at even" and "in the morning" to sustain physical life, serves as a powerful foreshadowing of Christ as the "true bread from heaven" ([John 6:32](/john/6-32 "John 6:32 - Jesus, the True Bread from Heaven")). While the Israelites "knew" God experientially through the daily sustenance of manna, Jesus 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")). The ultimate demonstration that "the LORD hath brought you out from the land of Egypt" is echoed in Christ's own "coming out of Egypt" as an infant ([Matthew 2:15](/matthew/2-15 "Matthew 2:15 - The Flight to Egypt")) and, more profoundly, in His ultimate act of bringing humanity out of the bondage of sin and death through His sacrifice on the cross. He is the ultimate "Lamb of God" who delivers His people ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), providing not just temporary physical nourishment but eternal spiritual life. The grumbling of Israel in the wilderness, rooted in their lack of faith, finds its ultimate answer in the perfect obedience and all-sufficient provision of Christ, who satisfies the deepest hunger of the human soul and brings His people into true freedom and rest ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")).

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.