Exodus 16:4
Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לֶ֖חֶם
bread
H3899
לֶ֖חֶם
bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
8 of 22
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
9 of 22
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם
from heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם
from heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
10 of 22
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וְיָצָ֨א
shall go out
H3318
וְיָצָ֨א
shall go out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
11 of 22
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
הָעָ֤ם
for you and the people
H5971
הָעָ֤ם
for you and the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
12 of 22
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְלָֽקְטוּ֙
and gather
H3950
וְלָֽקְטוּ֙
and gather
Strong's:
H3950
Word #:
13 of 22
properly, to pick up, i.e., (generally) to gather; specifically, to glean
דְּבַר
a certain rate
H1697
דְּבַר
a certain rate
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
14 of 22
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
בְּיוֹמ֔וֹ
every day
H3117
בְּיוֹמ֔וֹ
every day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
15 of 22
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
בְּיוֹמ֔וֹ
every day
H3117
בְּיוֹמ֔וֹ
every day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
16 of 22
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
לְמַ֧עַן
H4616
לְמַ֧עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
17 of 22
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
הֲיֵלֵ֥ךְ
H1980
הֲיֵלֵ֥ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
19 of 22
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
בְּתֽוֹרָתִ֖י
in my law
H8451
בְּתֽוֹרָתִ֖י
in my law
Strong's:
H8451
Word #:
20 of 22
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
Cross References
1 Corinthians 10:3And did all eat the same spiritual meat;Psalms 105:40The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.Exodus 15:25And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,Deuteronomy 8:2And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
Historical Context
This divine promise introduced a 40-year miracle unparalleled in history—daily bread for approximately 2 million people. Moses later explained this tested whether Israel would keep God's commandments (Deut 8:2-3).
Questions for Reflection
- How does daily dependence on God's provision combat anxiety about tomorrow?
- In what ways does Christ as 'bread from heaven' surpass physical manna?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you—God's response to murmuring is not judgment but grace. The verb מָטַר (matar, 'to rain') indicates abundance and divine initiative—bread descending as rain, not earned by labor. This anticipates Christ as the true 'bread from heaven' (John 6:32-33). The daily gathering ('a certain rate every day') institutes dependence, preventing hoarding and teaching that 'man shall not live by bread alone' (Deut 8:3). The test isn't just obedience regarding Sabbath but whether Israel will trust God's daily provision rather than anxiously securing tomorrow's needs.