Exodus 16:34
As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept.
Original Language Analysis
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
1 of 10
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֖ה
As the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
As the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 10
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיַּנִּיחֵ֧הוּ
laid it up
H3240
וַיַּנִּיחֵ֧הוּ
laid it up
Strong's:
H3240
Word #:
6 of 10
to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay
Cross References
Exodus 27:21In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.Exodus 25:21And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.Exodus 25:16And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.Exodus 40:20And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:Numbers 17:10And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not.Exodus 30:36And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.Exodus 31:18And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.Exodus 30:6And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.
Historical Context
This storage occurred after Tabernacle construction, though mentioned here prolepticially. The Ark containing manna, Aaron's rod, and law tablets became Israel's holiest object.
Questions for Reflection
- What does manna placed beside the law tablets teach about grace accompanying precept?
- How does preserved manna 'testify' against unbelief in future generations?
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Analysis & Commentary
As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept—The phrase 'before the Testimony' (לִפְנֵי הָעֵדֻת, lifnei ha'edut) refers to the tablets of law that will be placed in the Ark. Manna joins the law as 'testimony' to God's character—law reveals His holiness, manna reveals His provision. Aaron's obedience ('as the LORD commanded') contrasts with earlier disobedience (golden calf). The manna's placement with the law tablets shows provision and precept together: God commands obedience but also supplies sustenance. This pairing prefigures grace and truth coming through Christ (John 1:17). The memorial manna testifies against future generations who doubt God's faithfulness.