Exodus 16:13
And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֣י
H1961
וַיְהִ֣י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וַתַּ֣עַל
came up
H5927
וַתַּ֣עַל
came up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
3 of 13
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
הַשְּׂלָ֔ו
the quails
H7958
הַשְּׂלָ֔ו
the quails
Strong's:
H7958
Word #:
4 of 13
the quail collectively (as slow in flight from its weight)
וַתְּכַ֖ס
and covered
H3680
וַתְּכַ֖ס
and covered
Strong's:
H3680
Word #:
5 of 13
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃
the camp
H4264
לַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃
the camp
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
7 of 13
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
וּבַבֹּ֗קֶר
and in the morning
H1242
וּבַבֹּ֗קֶר
and in the morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
הָֽיְתָה֙
H1961
הָֽיְתָה֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
9 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Historical Context
Quail migrate across the Sinai in spring and fall, flying low when exhausted. God timed their arrival supernaturally, providing meat as promised while teaching dependence on manna as primary provision.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God sometimes grant our foolish desires to teach us their insufficiency?
- What does the temporary nature of quail versus the daily manna teach about earthly versus heavenly priorities?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp—The quails (שְׂלָו, s'lav) arrive precisely at evening as promised, demonstrating God's sovereign control over nature. The verb 'covered' (כָּסָה, kasah) indicates overwhelming abundance—not scattered birds but a blanket of provision. Yet this abundance comes with judgment later (Num 11:33-34), showing that God may give what we wrongly desire to teach us the poverty of our desires. The evening timing (beginning of the day in Jewish reckoning) shows God addressing their complaint immediately, while the morning manna establishes the permanent provision. Physical meat satisfies temporarily; spiritual bread sustains eternally.