Exodus 16:3
And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.
Original Language Analysis
בְּנֵ֣י
And the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
And the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 30
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 30
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מִֽי
unto them Would to God
H4310
מִֽי
unto them Would to God
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
5 of 30
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יִתֵּ֨ן
H5414
יִתֵּ֨ן
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
6 of 30
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לְהָמִ֛ית
to kill
H4191
לְהָמִ֛ית
to kill
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
7 of 30
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
בְיַד
by the hand
H3027
בְיַד
by the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
8 of 30
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 30
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּשִׁבְתֵּ֙נוּ֙
when we sat
H3427
בְּשִׁבְתֵּ֙נוּ֙
when we sat
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
12 of 30
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 30
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
סִ֣יר
pots
H5518
סִ֣יר
pots
Strong's:
H5518
Word #:
14 of 30
a thorn (as springing up rapidly); by implication, a hook
הַבָּשָׂ֔ר
by the flesh
H1320
הַבָּשָׂ֔ר
by the flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
15 of 30
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
בְּאָכְלֵ֥נוּ
and when we did eat
H398
בְּאָכְלֵ֥נוּ
and when we did eat
Strong's:
H398
Word #:
16 of 30
to eat (literally or figuratively)
לֶ֖חֶם
bread
H3899
לֶ֖חֶם
bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
17 of 30
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
19 of 30
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הוֹצֵאתֶ֤ם
for ye have brought us forth
H3318
הוֹצֵאתֶ֤ם
for ye have brought us forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
20 of 30
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אֹתָ֙נוּ֙
H853
אֹתָ֙נוּ֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַמִּדְבָּ֣ר
into this wilderness
H4057
הַמִּדְבָּ֣ר
into this wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
23 of 30
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
הַזֶּ֔ה
H2088
לְהָמִ֛ית
to kill
H4191
לְהָמִ֛ית
to kill
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
25 of 30
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
26 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
27 of 30
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַזֶּ֖ה
H2088
Cross References
Exodus 17:3And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?Deuteronomy 28:67In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.Lamentations 4:9They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.Numbers 14:2And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!1 Corinthians 4:8Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.Joshua 7:7And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan!
Historical Context
Egypt's agricultural abundance from the Nile provided reliable food for slaves. The wilderness had no such infrastructure, requiring complete dependence on supernatural provision.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'flesh pots' from your past does Satan use to tempt you during present difficulties?
- How does selective memory of sin's 'pleasures' distort spiritual perspective?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in Egypt—This stunning statement reveals the depth of unbelief: preferring death under judgment to life under testing. The 'flesh pots' (סִיר הַבָּשָׂר, sir habasar) represent security in bondage versus freedom with uncertainty. Israel's selective memory erased 400 years of suffering, remembering only meals while forgetting the whips. This same spirit appears when believers long for former enslavement to sin rather than endure sanctification's difficulties. Their accusation that Moses brought them out 'to kill this whole assembly with hunger' inverts reality—God delivered them to give life.