Exodus 16:24
And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּנִּ֤יחוּ
And they laid it up
H3240
וַיַּנִּ֤יחוּ
And they laid it up
Strong's:
H3240
Word #:
1 of 13
to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay
אֹתוֹ֙
H853
אֹתוֹ֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
3 of 13
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַבֹּ֔קֶר
till the morning
H1242
הַבֹּ֔קֶר
till the morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
4 of 13
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הִבְאִ֔ישׁ
and it did not stink
H887
הִבְאִ֔ישׁ
and it did not stink
Strong's:
H887
Word #:
9 of 13
to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally
וְרִמָּ֖ה
neither was there any worm
H7415
וְרִמָּ֖ה
neither was there any worm
Strong's:
H7415
Word #:
10 of 13
a maggot (as rapidly bred), literally or figuratively
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Historical Context
This weekly miracle for 40 years reinforced Sabbath's sanctity. What rotted on other days remained fresh when kept for God's ordained rest.
Questions for Reflection
- How does manna's preservation on Sabbath teach that obedience to God's rhythms protects rather than restricts?
- What does God sanctifying Sabbath manna reveal about His power to preserve what He commands to be kept?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein—The sixth-day manna's preservation demonstrates God's validation of Sabbath rest. The Hebrew בָּאַשׁ (ba'ash, 'stink') and רִמָּה (rimmah, 'worm')—present in verse 20's disobedient hoarding—are notably absent when Israel obeys Sabbath command. The same substance that rotted under disobedience remains fresh under obedience, proving that preservation depends on God's word, not the substance's nature. This miracle teaches that God sanctifies what He commands to be kept. Christ's resurrection body similarly defied corruption (Acts 2:31), and believers preserved 'in Christ' will not see decay.