Exodus 16:22
And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֣י׀
H1961
וַיְהִ֣י׀
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בַּיּ֣וֹם
day
H3117
בַּיּ֣וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 15
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַשִּׁשִּׁ֗י
And it came to pass that on the sixth
H8345
הַשִּׁשִּׁ֗י
And it came to pass that on the sixth
Strong's:
H8345
Word #:
3 of 15
sixth, ordinal or (feminine) fractional
לָֽקְט֥וּ
they gathered
H3950
לָֽקְט֥וּ
they gathered
Strong's:
H3950
Word #:
4 of 15
properly, to pick up, i.e., (generally) to gather; specifically, to glean
לֶ֙חֶם֙
as much bread
H3899
לֶ֙חֶם֙
as much bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
5 of 15
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
מִשְׁנֶ֔ה
twice
H4932
מִשְׁנֶ֔ה
twice
Strong's:
H4932
Word #:
6 of 15
properly, a repetition, i.e., a duplicate (copy of a document), or a double (in amount); by implication, a second (in order, rank, age, quality or loc
הָעֹ֖מֶר
omers
H6016
הָעֹ֖מֶר
omers
Strong's:
H6016
Word #:
8 of 15
properly, a heap, i.e., a sheaf; also an omer, as a dry measure
לָֽאֶחָ֑ד
for one
H259
לָֽאֶחָ֑ד
for one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
9 of 15
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נְשִׂיאֵ֣י
man and all the rulers
H5387
נְשִׂיאֵ֣י
man and all the rulers
Strong's:
H5387
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
הָֽעֵדָ֔ה
of the congregation
H5712
הָֽעֵדָ֔ה
of the congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
13 of 15
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
Historical Context
This marks the first appearance of Sabbath observance in narrative, predating the formal commandment at Sinai. The double portion established weekly rhythm of work and rest.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the sixth-day double portion picture trusting Christ's finished work for your eternal rest?
- What does receiving rather than striving for the double portion teach about Sabbath's nature?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man—The double portion (לֶחֶם מִשְׁנֶה, lechem mishneh) miraculously appears on the sixth day without command to gather more—God provides the doubled amount. This introduces Sabbath rest before the formal giving of the law at Sinai. The 'rulers of the congregation' reporting to Moses shows emerging leadership structure. The twice-as-much provision tests whether Israel trusts God's arithmetic: that His provision for one day suffices for two. This prefigures Christ's finished work—believers rest on the seventh day because redemption is complete, secured by Christ's sixth-day cross accomplishment.