See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.

EXODUS 16:29KJV
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Exodus 16:29 (KJV)

What does Exodus 16:29 mean?

Exodus 16:29 explains that God gave the Israelites the Sabbath as a gift, so He provided them with enough bread on the sixth day to last through the seventh, instructing everyone to stay where they were and not go out on the Sabbath. This verse emphasizes both God’s provision and the command to rest by remaining in place on the Sabbath day.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites in the wilderness after God provided manna for them to eat. The people had been gathering food daily, but on the sixth day, they were told to gather twice as much because the seventh day, the Sabbath, was set apart for rest. This instruction is part of teaching the Israelites to trust God’s care and to honor the Sabbath by ceasing from their usual activities.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 16:29

  • "Sabbath" (שַּׁבָּת, shabbat): This word means “rest” or “ceasing.” Here, it highlights that the day is meant for stopping regular work, not just a day off.
  • "Abide" (יָשַׁב, yashav): This word means “to sit” or “to dwell.” The instruction is not just to avoid work, but to remain settled, emphasizing stillness and staying put.
  • "Place" (מָקוֹם, maqom): This word means “location” or “spot.” The command is specific: each person should stay in their own area, not travel or seek food elsewhere on the Sabbath.

Why Exodus 16:29 matters

  • Exodus 16:29 clarifies that the Sabbath is a gift from God, not just a rule to follow, and that God provides what is needed to observe it.
  • This verse shows that Sabbath rest involves both trusting God’s provision and physically staying put, not just refraining from work.
  • The instruction connects to the broader story of manna, teaching the Israelites to rely on God’s daily care and to honor rhythms of rest built into their lives.

Where else these words appear

“sixth” Hebrew H8345 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
  • Joshua 19:32 The sixth lot came out to the children of Naphtali, even for the children of Naphtali according to their families.
  • 1 Chronicles 26:5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth: for God blessed him.

“sabbath” Hebrew H7676 · used in 89 verses

  • Exodus 16:23 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.
  • Leviticus 26:43 The land also shall be left of them, and shall enjoy her sabbaths, while she lieth desolate without them: and they shall accept of the punishment of their iniquity: because, even because they despised my judgments, and because their soul abhorred my statutes.
  • Nehemiah 13:22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.

“seventh” Hebrew H7637 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
  • Leviticus 23:24 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.
  • 1 Kings 18:44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.