Exodus 16:5
And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָה֙
H1961
וְהָיָה֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
יֽוֹם׃
daily
H3117
יֽוֹם׃
daily
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 14
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
הַשִּׁשִּׁ֔י
And it shall come to pass that on the sixth
H8345
הַשִּׁשִּׁ֔י
And it shall come to pass that on the sixth
Strong's:
H8345
Word #:
3 of 14
sixth, ordinal or (feminine) fractional
וְהֵכִ֖ינוּ
they shall prepare
H3559
וְהֵכִ֖ינוּ
they shall prepare
Strong's:
H3559
Word #:
4 of 14
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
אֵ֣ת
H853
אֵ֣ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶֽׁר
that which
H834
אֲשֶֽׁר
that which
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יָבִ֑יאוּ
they bring in
H935
יָבִ֑יאוּ
they bring in
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
7 of 14
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וְהָיָ֣ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
8 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מִשְׁנֶ֔ה
and it shall be twice
H4932
מִשְׁנֶ֔ה
and it shall be twice
Strong's:
H4932
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, a repetition, i.e., a duplicate (copy of a document), or a double (in amount); by implication, a second (in order, rank, age, quality or loc
עַ֥ל
H5921
עַ֥ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֲשֶֽׁר
that which
H834
אֲשֶֽׁר
that which
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִלְקְט֖וּ
as much as they gather
H3950
יִלְקְט֖וּ
as much as they gather
Strong's:
H3950
Word #:
12 of 14
properly, to pick up, i.e., (generally) to gather; specifically, to glean
Historical Context
This is the first mention of Sabbath principle in narrative form, predating the formal commandment at Sinai. The sixth day gathering established a weekly rhythm of provision and rest.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the double portion on day six picture God's abundance through Christ's finished work?
- What areas of life require you to trust God's provision without your anxious labor?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much—The double portion on the sixth day introduces Sabbath rest before the formal giving of the law at Sinai. The Hebrew כָּפַל (kaphal, 'double') requires faith that God's provision on one day suffices for two. This tests whether Israel believes God can provide without their labor. The sixth day preparation points forward to Christ's completed work—believers enter Sabbath rest because redemption is finished (Heb 4:9-10). Gathering manna becomes a daily enacted parable of grace: seeking early, receiving freely, trusting sufficiency.