Exodus 16:8
And Moses said, This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
בְּתֵ֣ת
shall give
H5414
בְּתֵ֣ת
shall give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
3 of 27
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יְהוָֽה׃
This shall be when the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
This shall be when the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בָּשָׂ֣ר
flesh
H1320
בָּשָׂ֣ר
flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
7 of 27
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
וְלֶ֤חֶם
bread
H3899
וְלֶ֤חֶם
bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
9 of 27
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
בַּבֹּ֙קֶר֙
and in the morning
H1242
בַּבֹּ֙קֶר֙
and in the morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
10 of 27
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
לִשְׂבֹּ֔עַ
to the full
H7646
לִשְׂבֹּ֔עַ
to the full
Strong's:
H7646
Word #:
11 of 27
to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)
בִּשְׁמֹ֤עַ
heareth
H8085
בִּשְׁמֹ֤עַ
heareth
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
12 of 27
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
יְהוָֽה׃
This shall be when the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
This shall be when the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָלָ֑יו
H5921
עָלָ֑יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
19 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מָ֔ה
H4100
מָ֔ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
21 of 27
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
22 of 27
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עָלֵ֥ינוּ
H5921
עָלֵ֥ינוּ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
23 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
25 of 27
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Romans 13:2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.1 Samuel 8:7And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.1 Thessalonians 4:8He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.Luke 10:16He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.Numbers 14:27How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.Numbers 21:7Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
Historical Context
Moses and Aaron served as mediators between God and Israel, prefiguring Christ's mediatorial role. Complaints against mediators are complaints against the One who appointed them.
Questions for Reflection
- How does distinguishing between God's servants and God Himself help navigate church conflict?
- What does God's provision during our murmuring reveal about His covenant faithfulness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we?—Moses' rhetorical question establishes that all rebellion against appointed leadership ultimately targets God's authority. The repetition of 'murmurings' (four times in vv.7-8) emphasizes the seriousness of complaining against God's providence. The evening flesh and morning bread demonstrate God's sovereignty over both evening (darkness, difficulty) and morning (light, provision). This pattern foreshadows Christ's passion (evening betrayal) and resurrection (morning victory). God providing even during their rebellion shows grace that doesn't wait for repentance to act.