And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.
EXODUS 16:15KJVWhat does Exodus 16:15 mean?
Exodus 16:15 describes how the Israelites reacted with confusion when they first saw the mysterious food God provided in the wilderness, calling it "manna" because they did not know what it was. Moses explained to them that this was the bread that the LORD had given them to eat.
In this verse, the children of Israel are in the desert after leaving Egypt and are hungry. When they see something unfamiliar on the ground, they ask each other about it, using the word "manna," which comes from their question, "What is it?" Moses tells them that this strange food is actually a gift from God, meant to feed them during their journey.
The Hebrew behind Exodus 16:15
- מָן (man, "manna"): This word sounds like the Hebrew for "What is it?" and highlights the Israelites' confusion and wonder at the unfamiliar food. The name "manna" itself comes from their question.
- לֶחֶם (lechem, "bread"): The word used for "bread" here refers broadly to food that sustains life, not just baked bread. Moses is telling the people that this is their daily provision from God, even if it looks different from what they expect.
- יְהוָה (YHWH, "the LORD"): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing that the food comes directly from God, not from any natural source.
Why Exodus 16:15 matters
- This verse clears up the common misunderstanding that "manna" was a familiar food; in fact, the Israelites had never seen it before and did not recognize it at all.
- The verse emphasizes that God's provision can come in unexpected forms, challenging the people's expectations and teaching them to trust.
- It connects to the wider story of Exodus by showing God's ongoing care for the Israelites after their escape from Egypt, providing for their needs in a miraculous way.