And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.
EXODUS 16:23KJVWhat does Exodus 16:23 mean?
Exodus 16:23 explains that Moses told the Israelites to prepare their food ahead of time because the next day would be a special day of rest, the holy Sabbath dedicated to the LORD. They were to bake and boil what they needed that day, and save the rest to eat the next morning, since no work was to be done on the Sabbath.
Moses is speaking to the Israelites after God provided manna in the wilderness. The people are being instructed on how to handle the manna before the Sabbath, which was a new concept for them. This verse introduces the Sabbath as a day set apart for rest and devotion to God, and it shows the practical steps the Israelites needed to take to honor that day.
The Hebrew behind Exodus 16:23
- "Rest" — שַׁבָּתוֹן (shabbaton): This word means a special rest or a Sabbath observance, emphasizing that the day is not just for physical rest but is set apart in a unique way.
- "Holy" — קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh): This word means something set apart or sacred. Here, it highlights that the Sabbath is not just a day off, but a day dedicated to the LORD.
- "Bake" — אָפָה (aphah) and "seethe" — בָּשַׁל (bashal): These words refer to cooking methods—baking and boiling. The instruction is practical, telling the people to do all their cooking before the Sabbath begins.
- "Kept" — מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mishmeret): This word often means something kept or guarded. Here, it stresses that the leftover food should be set aside carefully to last until the next day, which was unusual since manna normally spoiled overnight.
Why Exodus 16:23 matters
- Exodus 16:23 clarifies that the Sabbath was meant to be different from other days, both in rest and in how daily needs like food were handled.
- The verse shows that God provided for the people's needs in a way that supported their obedience—manna would last through the Sabbath if prepared as instructed, unlike on other days.
- This instruction sets the stage for the Sabbath as a recurring, meaningful practice in Israel’s life, linking daily routines with spiritual obedience and trust in God’s provision.