Exodus 16:3 - and the children of Israel said to them, “We wish that we had died by Yahweh’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots, when we ate our fill of bread, for you have brought us out into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Exodus 16:3" mean?
This verse from Exodus 16:3 expresses the Israelites' frustration and complaint towards Moses and Aaron shortly after their exodus from Egypt. Let's break down the meaning:
"and the children of Israel said to them": This establishes who is speaking – the Israelites, the people who were recently freed from slavery.
"“We wish that we had died by Yahweh’s hand in the land of Egypt": This is the core of their complaint. They are saying they would have preferred death in Egypt, even death caused by God (Yahweh), over their current situation. This highlights their desperation and perceived lack of hope. They are idealizing the past, likely exaggerating the good aspects and minimizing the suffering they endured as slaves.
"when we sat by the meat pots, when we ate our fill of bread": This is the reason why they preferred death in Egypt. They remember (or believe they remember) a time of relative comfort and abundance, where they had enough food. The "meat pots" and "fill of bread" are symbols of that perceived security and satisfaction. This is a common human tendency – to romanticize the past, especially when facing hardship. They are conveniently forgetting the brutal oppression and forced labor they endured.
"for you have brought us out into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.": This is their accusation against Moses and Aaron. They believe that Moses and Aaron, by leading them out of Egypt, have condemned them to starvation in the wilderness. They see no alternative and believe their fate is sealed. This reveals a lack of trust in Moses and Aaron's leadership, as well as a lack of faith in God's ability to provide for them.
In summary, the verse means:
The Israelites are bitterly complaining to Moses and Aaron. They are expressing extreme dissatisfaction with their current circumstances in the wilderness. They are claiming that life in Egypt, even with its slavery, was preferable because they were at least fed. They accuse Moses and Aaron of leading them into the wilderness only to die of starvation, showing a profound lack of faith and a desire to return to the perceived comfort of their former captivity.
Key Takeaways:
Discontent and Lack of Faith: This verse demonstrates the Israelites' initial struggle with freedom. They haven't yet developed the trust in God and in Moses necessary to endure the hardships of the journey to the Promised Land.
Idealization of the Past: It illustrates the human tendency to remember the past with rose-tinted glasses, especially when faced with a challenging present.
Accusation and Blame: They are quick to blame their leaders instead of focusing on potential solutions or placing their faith in God's provision.
This passage is important because it sets the stage for God's subsequent provision of manna and quail, demonstrating His faithfulness despite the Israelites' complaints and lack of faith. It also highlights the Israelites' journey of learning to trust in God's provision and leadership.
Exodus 16:3 - and the children of Israel said to them, “We wish that we had died by Yahweh’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots, when we ate our fill of bread, for you have brought us out into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”
What does "Exodus 16:3" mean?
This verse from Exodus 16:3 expresses the Israelites' frustration and complaint towards Moses and Aaron shortly after their exodus from Egypt. Let's break down the meaning:
"and the children of Israel said to them": This establishes who is speaking – the Israelites, the people who were recently freed from slavery.
"“We wish that we had died by Yahweh’s hand in the land of Egypt": This is the core of their complaint. They are saying they would have preferred death in Egypt, even death caused by God (Yahweh), over their current situation. This highlights their desperation and perceived lack of hope. They are idealizing the past, likely exaggerating the good aspects and minimizing the suffering they endured as slaves.
"when we sat by the meat pots, when we ate our fill of bread": This is the reason why they preferred death in Egypt. They remember (or believe they remember) a time of relative comfort and abundance, where they had enough food. The "meat pots" and "fill of bread" are symbols of that perceived security and satisfaction. This is a common human tendency – to romanticize the past, especially when facing hardship. They are conveniently forgetting the brutal oppression and forced labor they endured.
"for you have brought us out into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.": This is their accusation against Moses and Aaron. They believe that Moses and Aaron, by leading them out of Egypt, have condemned them to starvation in the wilderness. They see no alternative and believe their fate is sealed. This reveals a lack of trust in Moses and Aaron's leadership, as well as a lack of faith in God's ability to provide for them.
In summary, the verse means:
The Israelites are bitterly complaining to Moses and Aaron. They are expressing extreme dissatisfaction with their current circumstances in the wilderness. They are claiming that life in Egypt, even with its slavery, was preferable because they were at least fed. They accuse Moses and Aaron of leading them into the wilderness only to die of starvation, showing a profound lack of faith and a desire to return to the perceived comfort of their former captivity.
Key Takeaways:
Discontent and Lack of Faith: This verse demonstrates the Israelites' initial struggle with freedom. They haven't yet developed the trust in God and in Moses necessary to endure the hardships of the journey to the Promised Land.
Idealization of the Past: It illustrates the human tendency to remember the past with rose-tinted glasses, especially when faced with a challenging present.
Accusation and Blame: They are quick to blame their leaders instead of focusing on potential solutions or placing their faith in God's provision.
This passage is important because it sets the stage for God's subsequent provision of manna and quail, demonstrating His faithfulness despite the Israelites' complaints and lack of faith. It also highlights the Israelites' journey of learning to trust in God's provision and leadership.