Exodus 16:32 - Moses said, “This is the thing which Yahweh has commanded, ‘Let an omer-full of it be kept throughout your generations, that they may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.’”

Generated Verse: Exodus 16:32

What does "Exodus 16:32" mean?


This verse, Exodus 16:32, is a key moment in the story of the manna, the miraculous food that sustained the Israelites during their 40-year journey through the wilderness after leaving Egypt. Let's break down its meaning:

"Moses said, “This is the thing which Yahweh has commanded..." This establishes the authority: Moses is acting as God's messenger, delivering a direct command from Yahweh (God's personal name). This emphasizes the importance and weight of the instructions to follow.

"...‘Let an omer-full of it be kept throughout your generations..." An "omer" was a unit of dry measure, about 2 quarts. The command is to preserve a portion of the manna. This is not just for that day or week but for all future generations of Israelites.

"...that they may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness..." The primary purpose of preserving the manna is as a tangible reminder of God's provision and miraculous care for the Israelites during their hardship. It's a visual aid for future generations to understand and appreciate God's faithfulness.

"...when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.’” This connects the manna directly to the Exodus, the defining event of Israelite history. The manna is a symbol of God's deliverance and a testament to His power to save them from slavery.

In summary, the verse conveys the following key ideas:

God's Provision: The manna was a miraculous gift from God, a direct demonstration of His power to provide for His people even in the most barren and challenging circumstances.
Remembrance and Testimony: The preserved manna was intended as a lasting symbol of God's faithfulness, a concrete object to remind future generations of the Exodus and God's care for their ancestors. It served as a physical "lesson" about God's power and love.
Generational Significance: The command to preserve the manna "throughout your generations" highlights the importance of passing down the stories of God's faithfulness from one generation to the next, ensuring that future Israelites would remember and appreciate their heritage.
Faith and Trust: The manna was a daily test of faith. The people had to trust that God would provide each day, and they were not allowed to hoard it (except for the Sabbath). Keeping a small portion was a reminder of that daily dependence and reliance on God's goodness.

Essentially, this verse establishes a tangible object lesson to teach future generations about God's miraculous provision and faithfulness during the Exodus. It's a call to remember and appreciate God's role in their history and to trust in His continued provision.