Exodus 16:15

Manna and Quail from Heaven · Exodus 16:1–21
Read Exodus 16

Translations

Modern
When the Israelites saw it, they asked one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. So Moses told them, “It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat.
Traditional
And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat.
Literal
And the sons of Israel saw it, and they said, each man to his brother, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread that YHWH has given to you for food.
Latin
Quod cum vidissent filii Israël, dixerunt ad invicem: Manhu? quod significat: Quid est hoc? ignorabant enim quid esset. Quibus ait Moyses: Iste est panis quem Dominus dedit vobis ad vescendum.

Original

Hebrew
English
When the Israelites saw it, they asked one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. So Moses told them, “It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat.

Notes

The Hebrew term man hu (meaning "What is it?") became the name for the miraculous food called manna (see 16:31). For 40 years, the people ate what is it? Jesus referred to himself as the fulfillment of the meaning of this miracle. He is the "true bread from heaven" that gives life (John 6:32–35, 48, 51, 63).

God demonstrated care for his people by providing manna and quail as food for them.

On the journey from the sea to Mount Sinai, God continued to care for the people's needs. During the events where he rescued them, he showed his power. Here, he showed that he cares about their basic needs.

Theme notes and profiles

Moses Bread from Heaven Complaints

Events

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Glossary

Book of Exodus Bread Deuteronomy, Book of Dew Manna Moses Mount, Mountain Tamarisk

Topics

God: Preserver God: Supplying Manna and Quail Israel: Provided with Manna and Quail Manna: General Scriptures Concerning Manna: Miraculously Given to Israel for Food in the Wilderness Miracles: Catalogue of Manna Sin: Desert of, a Wilderness Between Elim and Sinai: Manna and Quail Given In Types of Christ: Man