Exodus 16:25 (KJV)

What does Exodus 16:25 mean?

Exodus 16:25 records Moses telling the Israelites to eat the food they had gathered the previous day because that day was a Sabbath dedicated to the LORD, and no manna would be found in the fields. The verse highlights the special nature of the Sabbath as a day of rest, when gathering food was not allowed.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites in the wilderness after God provided manna for them to eat. The instruction comes after God told them to gather twice as much manna on the sixth day, so they would have enough for the Sabbath. This verse emphasizes that the Sabbath is set apart for rest and worship, and God’s provision was meant to support that rhythm.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 16:25

• "Sabbath" — שַׁבָּת (shabbat): This word means a day of rest or cessation. In this verse, it marks the seventh day as a time when ordinary work, like gathering food, was to stop.
• "LORD" — יְהוָה (YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, showing that the Sabbath is not just a day off, but a day dedicated to God.
• "Find" — מָצָא (matsa): This word means to discover or come across. Moses is making it clear that searching for manna on the Sabbath would be pointless, as none would be provided by God on that day.

Why Exodus 16:25 matters

• Exodus 16:25 clarifies that the Sabbath was not just a human tradition, but a command directly connected to God’s provision and instructions.
• The verse helps explain why the Israelites were told to gather extra manna before the Sabbath, showing God’s care for their needs while also teaching them to trust and rest.
• This verse connects the idea of Sabbath rest to God’s identity and authority, highlighting that the rhythm of work and rest is rooted in God’s own pattern and command.