Exodus 16:21
And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּלְקְט֤וּ
And they gathered
H3950
וַיִּלְקְט֤וּ
And they gathered
Strong's:
H3950
Word #:
1 of 10
properly, to pick up, i.e., (generally) to gather; specifically, to glean
אֹתוֹ֙
H853
אֹתוֹ֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 10
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בַּבֹּ֔קֶר
it every morning
H1242
בַּבֹּ֔קֶר
it every morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
3 of 10
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
בַּבֹּ֔קֶר
it every morning
H1242
בַּבֹּ֔קֶר
it every morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
4 of 10
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
אִ֖ישׁ
every man
H376
אִ֖ישׁ
every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
5 of 10
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
כְּפִ֣י
according
H6310
כְּפִ֣י
according
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
6 of 10
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
Historical Context
In desert conditions, morning gathering was practical, but the supernatural melting enforced God's commanded rhythm and prevented hoarding attempts after the morning distribution.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your morning spiritual gathering set the trajectory for your entire day?
- What spiritual opportunities 'melt' when you delay seeking God until life's heat consumes the day?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted—The morning gathering establishes spiritual discipline: seeking God early before the day's heat. The Hebrew שָׁחַר (shachar, 'dawn, early morning') connects to Psalm 63:1—'early will I seek thee.' Manna melting when sun waxes hot (חָמַם הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ, chamam hashemesh) teaches that spiritual provision has its season—delay means loss. Christ drives this principle home: 'I must work...while it is day: the night cometh' (John 9:4). The melting prevents afternoon hoarding and enforces morning dependence. Spiritually, this pictures the need to seek Christ early and daily, before life's 'heat' consumes the day and opportunity melts away.