And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:

EXODUS 16:2KJV
Know the Bible

Exodus 16:2 (KJV)

What does Exodus 16:2 mean?

Exodus 16:2 describes how the entire group of Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron while they were in the wilderness. The verse highlights a moment when the people, facing hardship, voiced their dissatisfaction with their leaders.

At this point in the story, the Israelites had recently left Egypt and were traveling through a barren desert. Moses and Aaron were leading them, but the people were struggling with hunger and uncertainty. Their complaints set the stage for what follows: God’s response to their needs and the giving of manna.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 16:2

  • "Congregation" (עֵדָה, edah): This word refers to the whole assembly or community of Israelites, emphasizing that the complaint was widespread and not just from a few individuals.
  • "Murmured" (לוּן, lun): This verb means to complain or grumble, often with a sense of ongoing dissatisfaction. It suggests more than a passing complaint—it was a repeated or persistent attitude.
  • "Wilderness" (מִדְבָּר, midbar): This term points to a desolate, uninhabited area, highlighting the harsh conditions the Israelites faced and why their anxiety was so intense.

Why Exodus 16:2 matters

  • This verse shows that the Israelites’ struggle was not just physical but also emotional and communal, as the entire group turned against their leaders.
  • The mention of Moses and Aaron as the targets of complaint underlines the burden and challenge of leadership in difficult times.
  • Exodus 16:2 sets up the context for the miracle of manna, showing the depth of the people’s need and God’s response to their situation.

Where else these words appear

“murmured” Hebrew H3885 · used in 79 verses

  • Genesis 19:2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
  • Joshua 4:3 And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.
  • Job 17:2 Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?

“congregation” Hebrew H5712 · used in 140 verses

  • Exodus 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
  • Numbers 15:25 And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven them; for it is ignorance: and they shall bring their offering, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD, and their sin offering before the LORD, for their ignorance:
  • Numbers 31:16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.