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Exodus 16:16

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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.

This is the thing {H1697} which {H834} the LORD {H3068} hath commanded {H6680}, Gather {H3950} of it every man {H376} according {H6310} to his eating {H400}, an omer {H6016} for every man {H1538}, according to the number {H4557} of your persons {H5315}; take {H3947} ye every man {H376} for them which are in his tents {H168}.

Here is what ADONAI has ordered: each man is to gather according to his appetite - each is to take an 'omer [two quarts] per person for everyone in his tent."

This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Each one is to gather as much as he needs. You may take an omer for each person in your tent.’”

This is the thing which Jehovah hath commanded, Gather ye of it every man according to his eating; an omer a head, according to the number of your persons, shall ye take it, every man for them that are in his tent.

Commentary

Exodus 16:16 provides specific instructions for the Israelites on how to gather the miraculous manna, God's provision for them in the wilderness.

Context

Following their miraculous deliverance from Egypt, the Israelites found themselves in the vast and barren wilderness of Sin. Faced with hunger, they began to complain bitterly against Moses and Aaron, longing for the food they had in Egypt. In response, the LORD promised to "rain bread from heaven" for them. This verse details the precise divine command for its collection, emphasizing a disciplined and equitable approach to receiving God's daily sustenance.

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision: The verse underscores God's faithfulness and ability to provide for His people's most basic needs, even in the most desolate circumstances. The manna was a tangible sign of His constant care.
  • Obedience and Order: God's instructions were clear and precise: "Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man." This commanded a disciplined approach, preventing both hoarding and scarcity.
  • Sufficiency, Not Excess: The command to gather "an omer for every man" taught the Israelites to trust God for their daily bread and not to accumulate more than they needed for one day (with the exception of the sixth day for the Sabbath, as noted in Exodus 16:23). This fostered dependence on God rather than self-reliance.
  • Equality and Community: The instruction to gather "according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents" ensured that every individual and every household received an equitable share, promoting communal responsibility and preventing anyone from going without.

Linguistic Insights

The term "omer" (Hebrew: עֹמֶר, `omer`) refers to a specific dry measure, approximately 2.2 liters or about 2 quarts. This precise measurement highlights the exactness of God's provision and the specific nature of His commands. It wasn't an arbitrary amount but a sufficient daily portion for an individual.

Practical Application

Exodus 16:16 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Trust in Daily Provision: Just as God provided manna daily, we are encouraged to trust Him for our ongoing needs. This resonates with the New Testament prayer for "daily bread", reminding us to rely on His provision one day at a time.
  • Contentment and Stewardship: The command against hoarding teaches us to be content with what God provides and to use resources responsibly, avoiding greed or excessive accumulation.
  • Community Responsibility: The instruction to gather for those in one's tent emphasizes caring for family and community members, ensuring that all have their needs met.
  • Obedience to God's Word: The Israelites' wilderness experience continually highlighted the importance of obedience to God's specific commands as a pathway to blessing and sustenance.
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Cross-References

  • Exodus 16:36 (5 votes)

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

  • Exodus 16:18 (3 votes)

    And when they did mete [it] with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating.

  • Exodus 16:32 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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 (2 votes)

    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.