Exodus 16:32
And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commandeth, Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations; that they may see the bread wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt.
Original Language Analysis
הַדָּבָר֙
This is the thing
H1697
הַדָּבָר֙
This is the thing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
4 of 24
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֔ה
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הָעֹ֙מֶר֙
an omer
H6016
הָעֹ֙מֶר֙
an omer
Strong's:
H6016
Word #:
9 of 24
properly, a heap, i.e., a sheaf; also an omer, as a dry measure
מִמֶּ֔נּוּ
H4480
מִמֶּ֔נּוּ
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
10 of 24
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
לְמִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת
of it to be kept
H4931
לְמִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת
of it to be kept
Strong's:
H4931
Word #:
11 of 24
watch, i.e., the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively preservation, or (concretely) safe; figuratively observance, i.e., (
לְדֹרֹֽתֵיכֶ֑ם
for your generations
H1755
לְדֹרֹֽתֵיכֶ֑ם
for your generations
Strong's:
H1755
Word #:
12 of 24
properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling
לְמַ֣עַן׀
H4616
לְמַ֣עַן׀
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
13 of 24
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
יִרְא֣וּ
that they may see
H7200
יִרְא֣וּ
that they may see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
14 of 24
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַלֶּ֗חֶם
the bread
H3899
הַלֶּ֗חֶם
the bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
16 of 24
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֶֽאֱכַ֤לְתִּי
wherewith I have fed
H398
הֶֽאֱכַ֤לְתִּי
wherewith I have fed
Strong's:
H398
Word #:
18 of 24
to eat (literally or figuratively)
אֶתְכֶם֙
H853
אֶתְכֶם֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר
you in the wilderness
H4057
בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר
you in the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
20 of 24
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
בְּהֽוֹצִיאִ֥י
when I brought you forth
H3318
בְּהֽוֹצִיאִ֥י
when I brought you forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
21 of 24
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
22 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
This preserved omer of manna would be placed in the Tabernacle's Holy of Holies alongside Aaron's rod and the law tablets, making common bread sacred memorial.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God command memorializing daily bread as one of the three holiest objects?
- How does the Lord's Supper ('do this in remembrance of me') parallel the preserved omer of manna?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This is the thing which the LORD commandeth, Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations—God commands preservation of manna as memorial (זִכָּרוֹן, zikaron) for future generations. The 'omer' (עֹמֶר, approximately 2 quarts) represents one person's daily portion—the amount God deems sufficient. This preserved manna will be placed in the Ark of the Covenant (Heb 9:4), making daily bread an object of holiest worship. The command 'to be kept for your generations' ensures Israel never forgets wilderness dependence. This memorial manna, unlike daily manna, doesn't rot—God preserves what He commands. Christ's body, broken and preserved in Eucharistic memorial, fulfills this typology: believers remember the Bread from heaven until He comes.