Exodus 16:20 (KJV)

What does Exodus 16:20 mean?

Exodus 16:20 says that some of the Israelites did not listen to Moses’ instructions about gathering manna, and when they kept some of it until the next morning, it became full of worms and smelled bad. Moses was angry with them for not obeying what he had told them.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness after leaving Egypt. God had provided manna as food, with specific instructions to gather only enough for each day. Some people ignored this and tried to save extra, but it spoiled overnight. The verse highlights both the Israelites’ lack of trust and Moses’ frustration with their disobedience.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 16:20

• "hearkened" (שָׁמַע, shamaʿ): This word means to listen or obey. In this context, it emphasizes that the people did not just fail to hear Moses, but actively chose not to follow his instructions.
• "left" (יָתַר, yatar): This word means to leave behind or spare. The verse uses it to show that some people deliberately kept manna overnight, going against the clear command.
• "bred" (רוּם, rum): Here, this word is used for the manna producing or bringing forth worms. It gives the sense that the manna was changed or raised up with worms as a result of being kept.
• "worms" (תּוֹלֵעָה, toleʿah): This word refers to maggots or worms, making the result of disobedience very concrete and unpleasant.
• "stank" (בָּאַשׁ, baʾash): This word means to become foul or emit a bad odor, underlining how undesirable the spoiled manna became.
• "wroth" (קָצַף, qatsaf): This word means to be angry or enraged. It shows Moses’ strong emotional response to the people’s refusal to follow instructions.

Why Exodus 16:20 matters

• Exodus 16:20 clears up that the manna was not meant to be stored for later, except when God specifically allowed it, showing that God wanted the people to trust Him daily.
• The verse highlights the Israelites’ struggle to trust and obey, even after seeing God’s provision, which is a recurring theme in their journey.
• This verse connects to the larger story by showing the consequences of not following God’s instructions, setting up later lessons about obedience and dependence on God.