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 16:23KJV
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Exodus 16:23 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“over” Hebrew H5736 · used in 8 verses

  • Exodus 16:18 And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating.
  • Exodus 26:13 And a cubit on the one side, and a cubit on the other side of that which remaineth in the length of the curtains of the tent, it shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and on that side, to cover it.
  • Numbers 3:46 And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the firstborn of the children of Israel, which are more than the Levites;

“rest” Hebrew H7677 · used in 10 verses

  • Exodus 31:15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
  • Leviticus 23:3 Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.
  • Leviticus 23:39 Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath.

“bake” Hebrew H644 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 19:3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
  • Genesis 40:22 But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.
  • 1 Samuel 8:13 And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.

“seethe” Hebrew H1310 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 40:10 And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:
  • Numbers 11:8 And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil.
  • 2 Kings 6:29 So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.