Exodus 16:24 (KJV)

What does Exodus 16:24 mean?

Exodus 16:24 describes how the Israelites followed Moses’ instructions to keep some of the manna overnight, and unlike before, it did not spoil or become infested with worms. This was a special event showing that, when obeying Moses’ command, the manna stayed fresh until morning.

In this part of Exodus, Moses is leading the Israelites through the wilderness after their escape from Egypt. God provides manna, a bread-like food, for them to eat. Normally, manna would rot and become wormy if kept overnight, but on this occasion—because Moses told them to save it for the Sabbath—it remained good, highlighting God’s provision and the importance of following instructions.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 16:24

• "up" (וַיַּנִּיחוּ, vayyaniḥu): This word means "they laid it up" or "they set it aside." It shows the Israelites intentionally kept the manna for the next day, following Moses’ directions.
• "stink" (הִבְאִישׁ, hiv’ish): This word means "to become foul or stink." Earlier in the chapter, manna kept overnight would normally rot and smell bad, but here, it did not, emphasizing the miracle.
• "worm" (רִמָּה, rimmah): This word refers to a maggot or worm. The verse notes that, unlike before, no worms appeared in the manna, underscoring the unusual nature of this event.

Why Exodus 16:24 matters

• Exodus 16:24 clears up the misunderstanding that manna would always spoil overnight; it shows that God made an exception when the people obeyed Moses’ specific instructions for the Sabbath.
• The verse highlights the connection between obedience and God’s provision, as the manna’s preservation depended on following Moses’ command.
• This detail ties into the larger theme of Exodus 16, where God is teaching the Israelites to trust Him daily and to honor the Sabbath by resting from gathering food.