Exodus 16:33
And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations.
Original Language Analysis
וְתֶן
and put
H5414
וְתֶן
and put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
8 of 18
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
שָׁ֥מָּה
H8033
שָׁ֥מָּה
Strong's:
H8033
Word #:
9 of 18
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
הָעֹ֖מֶר
an omer
H6016
הָעֹ֖מֶר
an omer
Strong's:
H6016
Word #:
11 of 18
properly, a heap, i.e., a sheaf; also an omer, as a dry measure
מָ֑ן
of manna
H4478
מָ֑ן
of manna
Strong's:
H4478
Word #:
12 of 18
literally a whatness (so to speak), i.e., manna (so called from the question about it)
וְהַנַּ֤ח
therein and lay it up
H3240
וְהַנַּ֤ח
therein and lay it up
Strong's:
H3240
Word #:
13 of 18
to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay
אֹתוֹ֙
H853
אֹתוֹ֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
15 of 18
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
16 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Historical Context
This command would be fulfilled after the Tabernacle's construction. The golden pot with manna was placed in the Ark (Heb 9:4), though later accounts suggest only the tablets remained (1 Kings 8:9).
Questions for Reflection
- What does placing daily bread 'before the LORD' in the holiest place teach about God's valuing of physical provision?
- How does manna's preserved form versus its daily form picture Christ's resurrection body versus His earthly ministry?
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Analysis & Commentary
And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations—Moses instructs Aaron to place manna 'before the LORD' (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה, lifnei YHWH), indicating sacred storage in the Holy of Holies. The 'pot' (צִנְצֶנֶת, tzintzenet) becomes holy vessel, preserving common bread as perpetual testimony. This manna 'before the LORD' teaches that God's provision deserves permanent memorial—Israel must never forget how God fed them in the wilderness. Aaron's priestly role in preserving the manna prefigures Christ's heavenly priesthood, where He eternally represents the bread His body became. The preserved manna's non-corruption foreshadows Christ's resurrection body that saw no decay.