Exodus 16:27
And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none.
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיְהִי֙
H1961
וַֽיְהִי֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 9
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 9
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
יָֽצְא֥וּ
And it came to pass that there went out
H3318
יָֽצְא֥וּ
And it came to pass that there went out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
4 of 9
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
5 of 9
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הָעָ֖ם
some of the people
H5971
הָעָ֖ם
some of the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
6 of 9
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
לִלְקֹ֑ט
for to gather
H3950
לִלְקֹ֑ט
for to gather
Strong's:
H3950
Word #:
7 of 9
properly, to pick up, i.e., (generally) to gather; specifically, to glean
Historical Context
This occurred on the first Sabbath after receiving manna instructions, showing how quickly human nature rebels against rest. Their disobedience brought divine rebuke in verse 28.
Questions for Reflection
- What drives the compulsion to 'gather' on Sabbath despite God's promise of sufficiency?
- How does refusing rest in Christ's finished work manifest in ongoing attempts to earn righteousness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none—Despite clear instruction, 'some of the people' (הָעָם, ha'am) disobey, revealing that flesh resists rest. Their futile search proves God's word: 'there shall be none.' This unnecessary labor on Sabbath pictures religious flesh that cannot cease working for acceptance, unable to rest in completed redemption. The verb 'found none' (לֹא מָצָאוּ, lo matz'u) echoes Jesus' statement about those who seek salvation through works: 'many will seek to enter in, and shall not be able' (Luke 13:24). Sabbath-breaking exposes hearts that refuse grace, insisting on self-provision even when God declares the work complete.