And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

EXODUS 16:3KJV
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Exodus 16:3 (KJV)

What does Exodus 16:3 mean?

Exodus 16:3 shows the Israelites complaining to Moses and Aaron, wishing they had died in Egypt instead of being brought into the wilderness to starve. The verse highlights their longing for the food they had in Egypt and their fear that they will die of hunger in the desert.

The people speaking are the Israelites, addressing Moses and Aaron after leaving Egypt. They remember sitting by "flesh pots" (pots of meat) and eating bread until they were full, contrasting it with their current hunger in the wilderness. This moment comes soon after their escape from slavery, revealing how quickly fear and discomfort can make people look back longingly on even difficult past situations.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 16:3

  • "Flesh" (בָּשָׂר, basar) and "pots" (סִיר, sir): These words together paint a vivid picture of the Israelites' memory of abundant meat in Egypt, emphasizing their physical cravings and sense of loss.
  • "Bread" (לֶחֶם, lechem) and "full" (שָׂבַע, sava): The phrase for eating bread "to the full" underscores not just survival, but a sense of satisfaction and security they now feel is missing.
  • "Assembly" (קָהָל, qahal): This word refers to the whole gathered community, showing that the complaint is not just from a few individuals but represents the collective anxiety of the people.

Why Exodus 16:3 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the Israelites' complaints were rooted in fear and discomfort, not just rebellion, helping readers understand their mindset in the wilderness.
  • The longing for Egypt, despite its hardships, highlights how uncertainty can make people idealize the past, even when it was a time of suffering.
  • Exodus 16:3 sets up the context for God's provision of manna, showing the depth of the people's need and the challenge Moses and Aaron faced in leading them.

Where else these words appear

“full” Hebrew H7648 · used in 8 verses

  • Leviticus 25:19 And the land shall yield her fruit, and ye shall eat your fill, and dwell therein in safety.
  • Deuteronomy 23:24 When thou comest into thy neighbour's vineyard, then thou mayest eat grapes thy fill at thine own pleasure; but thou shalt not put any in thy vessel.
  • Psalms 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

“God” Hebrew H4310 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 3:11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
  • Genesis 24:65 For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.
  • Judges 20:18 And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first.

“pots” Hebrew H5518 · used in 32 verses

  • Exodus 27:3 And thou shalt make his pans to receive his ashes, and his shovels, and his basons, and his fleshhooks, and his firepans: all the vessels thereof thou shalt make of brass.
  • 2 Chronicles 35:13 And they roasted the passover with fire according to the ordinance: but the other holy offerings sod they in pots, and in caldrons, and in pans, and divided them speedily among all the people.
  • Ezekiel 11:3 Which say, It is not near; let us build houses: this city is the caldron, and we be the flesh.

“hunger” Hebrew H7458 · used in 88 verses

  • Genesis 12:10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
  • 1 Chronicles 21:12 Either three years' famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the LORD, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.
  • Jeremiah 32:24 Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest it.