Exodus 16:12
I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God.
Original Language Analysis
שָׁמַ֗עְתִּי
I have heard
H8085
שָׁמַ֗עְתִּי
I have heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 20
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֵ֣י
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵל֒
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֒
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
דַּבֵּ֨ר
speak
H1696
דַּבֵּ֨ר
speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
6 of 20
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
בֵּ֤ין
At even
H996
בֵּ֤ין
At even
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
9 of 20
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
בָשָׂ֔ר
flesh
H1320
בָשָׂ֔ר
flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
12 of 20
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
וּבַבֹּ֖קֶר
and in the morning
H1242
וּבַבֹּ֖קֶר
and in the morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
13 of 20
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
תִּשְׂבְּעוּ
ye shall be filled
H7646
תִּשְׂבְּעוּ
ye shall be filled
Strong's:
H7646
Word #:
14 of 20
to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)
לָ֑חֶם
with bread
H3899
לָ֑חֶם
with bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
15 of 20
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
וִֽידַעְתֶּ֕ם
and ye shall know
H3045
וִֽידַעְתֶּ֕ם
and ye shall know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
16 of 20
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּ֛י
H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
17 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Joel 3:17So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.Exodus 6:7And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.Ezekiel 39:22So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward.
Historical Context
Quail migrations still occur across the Sinai peninsula. God's supernatural providence used natural phenomena (quail) combined with supernatural timing and abundance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the temporary satisfaction of quail versus the sustaining bread of manna picture earthly versus heavenly provision?
- What does 'knowing the LORD' through daily bread teach about sustaining versus temporary blessings?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread—The specific timing reveals divine order: evening (beginning of Jewish day) brings flesh (quail), morning brings bread (manna). The flesh is temporary satisfaction ('ye shall eat'), but the bread brings fullness ('be filled'). This distinction foreshadows that meat represents earthly provision while manna typifies heavenly bread—Christ who truly satisfies (John 6:35). The phrase 'ye shall know that I am the LORD your God' makes provision revelatory: God's gifts teach His identity. Daily bread becomes theological education, training Israel to depend on invisible YHWH rather than visible Egypt.