Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them.

EXODUS 16:20KJV
Know the Bible

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.

Where else these words appear

“stank” Hebrew H887 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 34:30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
  • Exodus 16:24 And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein.
  • 1 Chronicles 19:6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Syriamaachah, and out of Zobah.

“wroth” Hebrew H7107 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 40:2 And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers.
  • Deuteronomy 9:22 And at Taberah, and at Massah, and at Kibrothhattaavah, ye provoked the LORD to wrath.
  • Isaiah 47:6 I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke.

“worms” Hebrew H8438 · used in 43 verses

  • Exodus 25:4 And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair,
  • Exodus 36:8 And every wise hearted man among them that wrought the work of the tabernacle made ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work made he them.
  • Leviticus 14:49 And he shall take to cleanse the house two birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:

“left” Hebrew H3498 · used in 101 verses

  • Genesis 30:36 And he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.
  • Joshua 21:5 And the rest of the children of Kohath had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, and out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh, ten cities.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:77 Unto the rest of the children of Merari were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs: