Exodus 16:17
And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ
did
H6213
וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ
did
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
1 of 7
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כֵ֖ן
H3651
כֵ֖ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
2 of 7
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
בְּנֵ֣י
And the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
And the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 7
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 7
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַֽיִּלְקְט֔וּ
so and gathered
H3950
וַֽיִּלְקְט֔וּ
so and gathered
Strong's:
H3950
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, to pick up, i.e., (generally) to gather; specifically, to glean
Historical Context
Families with many children needed more; elderly or infirm might gather less. God's miraculous equalization ensured no one went hungry regardless of gathering capacity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does miraculous equalization in manna gathering picture grace's distribution in the church?
- What does this economy teach about human effort's place in receiving divine provision?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less—The variation in gathering ('some more, some less') tests whether God's economy of grace works. Strong gatherers collect more, weak gatherers (elderly, children) collect less, yet verse 18 reveals miraculous equalization: 'he that gathered much had nothing over; and he that gathered little had no lack.' This supernatural distribution pictures the body of Christ where different capacities exist but need is universally met through divine provision (1 Cor 12:12-27). The manna doesn't reward industriousness or punish weakness—it teaches that God's provision transcends human merit.