As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept.

EXODUS 16:34KJV
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Exodus 16:34 (KJV)

What does Exodus 16:34 mean?

Exodus 16:34 says that Aaron placed something before the Testimony, just as the LORD told Moses, so that it would be kept. This verse shows Aaron carefully following God’s instructions given through Moses, making sure to preserve what God wanted saved.

In the story, God had provided manna for the Israelites in the wilderness. God told Moses to have Aaron keep a portion of this manna as a reminder for future generations. The “Testimony” refers to the tablets of the covenant, which would later be placed in the Ark. This act was about remembering God’s provision and faithfulness.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 16:34

  • “Testimony” (עֵדוּת, ʿedut): This word means “witness” or “testimony” and here refers to the tablets of the covenant, which symbolized God’s agreement with Israel. Placing the manna before the Testimony connected God’s daily provision with His covenant promises.
  • “Kept” (מִשְׁמֶרֶת, mishmeret): This word carries the sense of something being guarded or preserved carefully. The manna was not just stored, but watched over as something precious and significant.

Why Exodus 16:34 matters

  • Exodus 16:34 clarifies that the manna was not just a temporary food but was meant to be a lasting reminder of God’s care, preserved for future generations to see.
  • The verse highlights the importance of obedience to God’s specific instructions, showing Aaron and Moses acting exactly as commanded.
  • By linking the manna to the “Testimony,” Exodus 16:34 ties God’s physical provision (food) to His spiritual covenant, showing that both were central to Israel’s identity.

Where else these words appear

“Testimony” Hebrew H5715 · used in 57 verses

  • Exodus 25:16 And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.
  • Exodus 40:21 And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.
  • 1 Chronicles 29:19 And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision.

“kept” Hebrew H4931 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
  • Numbers 9:19 And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not.
  • 1 Chronicles 26:12 Among these were the divisions of the porters, even among the chief men, having wards one against another, to minister in the house of the LORD.

“up” Hebrew H3240 · used in 73 verses

  • Genesis 2:15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
  • Judges 6:18 Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and set it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou come again.
  • Ecclesiastes 2:18 Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.