Exodus 16:10
And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֗י
H1961
וַיְהִ֗י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כְּדַבֵּ֤ר
spake
H1696
כְּדַבֵּ֤ר
spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
2 of 16
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֲדַ֣ת
unto the whole congregation
H5712
עֲדַ֣ת
unto the whole congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
6 of 16
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
7 of 16
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
8 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַיִּפְנ֖וּ
that they looked
H6437
וַיִּפְנ֖וּ
that they looked
Strong's:
H6437
Word #:
9 of 16
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
הַמִּדְבָּ֑ר
toward the wilderness
H4057
הַמִּדְבָּ֑ר
toward the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
11 of 16
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
כְּב֣וֹד
and behold the glory
H3519
כְּב֣וֹד
and behold the glory
Strong's:
H3519
Word #:
13 of 16
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
14 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Exodus 16:7And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD: and what are we, that ye murmur against us?Numbers 16:19And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation.Numbers 16:42And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.Leviticus 9:6And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commanded that ye should do: and the glory of the LORD shall appear unto you.
Historical Context
This visible manifestation of God's glory in the cloud reassured Israel of divine presence despite the barren wilderness. The glory validated Moses and Aaron's leadership.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God reveal His glory before providing bread, rather than after?
- How does looking 'toward the wilderness' in faith differ from looking back to Egypt in unbelief?
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Analysis & Commentary
As Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud—The glory (כָּבוֹד, kavod) appearing in the cloud manifests God's presence in response to Israel's unbelief. Looking 'toward the wilderness' (מִדְבָּר, midbar) rather than toward Egypt signifies the proper orientation: forward in faith, not backward in unbelief. The cloud, which had guided them, now becomes the vehicle for glory's manifestation. This theophany precedes provision, showing God's character before His gifts. Paul sees this cloud-covered glory as baptism (1 Cor 10:2), prefiguring union with Christ.