Exodus 16:26
New International Version
Six days you are to gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will not be any.”

New Living Translation
You may gather the food for six days, but the seventh day is the Sabbath. There will be no food on the ground that day.”

English Standard Version
Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, which is a Sabbath, there will be none.”

Berean Standard Bible
For six days you may gather, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, it will not be there.”

King James Bible
Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none.

New King James Version
Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none.”

New American Standard Bible
Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none.”

NASB 1995
“Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, the sabbath, there will be none.”

NASB 1977
“Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, the sabbath, there will be none.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, the sabbath, there will be none.”

Amplified Bible
Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none [in the field].”

Christian Standard Bible
For six days you will gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For six days you may gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none.”

American Standard Version
Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day is the sabbath, in it there shall be none.

Contemporary English Version
You will find it there for the first six days of the week, but not on the Sabbath."

English Revised Version
Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day is the sabbath, in it there shall be none.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You can gather food on six days, but on the seventh day, the day of worship, you won't find any."

Good News Translation
You must gather food for six days, but on the seventh day, the day of rest, there will be none."

International Standard Version
For six days you are to gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there won't be any."

NET Bible
Six days you will gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will not be any."

New Heart English Bible
Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day is the Sabbath. In it there shall be none."

Webster's Bible Translation
Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there will be none.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
For six days you may gather, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, it will not be there.”

World English Bible
Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day is the Sabbath. In it there shall be none.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
six days you gather it, and in the seventh day—the Sabbath—there is none in it.”

Young's Literal Translation
six days ye do gather it, and in the seventh day -- the sabbath -- in it there is none.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Six days ye shall gather, and in the seventh day, the Sabbath, it shall not be in it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Gather it six days: but on the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord, therefore it shall not be found.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Gather for six days. But on the seventh day, it is the Sabbath of the Lord, for which reason it will not be found.”

New American Bible
Six days you will gather it, but on the seventh day, the sabbath, it will not be there.”

New Revised Standard Version
Six days you shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is a sabbath, there will be none.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Six days you shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Six days you will be gathering it and the seventh day is the Sabbath; there is none in it.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day is the sabbath, in it there shall be none.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Six days ye shall gather it, and on the seventh day is a sabbath, for there shall be none on that day.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Sabbath Observed
25“Eat it today,” Moses said, “because today is a Sabbath to the LORD. Today you will not find anything in the field. 26For six days you may gather, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, it will not be there.” 27Yet on the seventh day some of the people went out to gather, but they did not find anything.…

Cross References
Genesis 2:2-3
And by the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on that day He rested from all His work. / Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished.

Deuteronomy 5:12-14
Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. / Six days you shall labor and do all your work, / but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox or donkey or any of your livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest as you do.

Leviticus 23:3
For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a day of sacred assembly. You must not do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD.

Nehemiah 9:14
You revealed to them Your holy Sabbath and gave them commandments and statutes and laws through Your servant Moses.

Isaiah 58:13-14
If you turn your foot from breaking the Sabbath, from doing as you please on My holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight, and the LORD’s holy day honorable, if you honor it by not going your own way or seeking your own pleasure or speaking idle words, / then you will delight yourself in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the land and feed you with the heritage of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Ezekiel 20:12
I also gave them My Sabbaths as a sign between us, so that they would know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them.

Ezekiel 20:20
Keep My Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us, so that you may know that I am the LORD your God.’

Matthew 12:8
For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Mark 2:27-28
Then Jesus declared, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. / Therefore, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

Luke 6:5
Then Jesus declared, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Hebrews 4:4
For somewhere He has spoken about the seventh day in this manner: “And on the seventh day God rested from all His works.”

Hebrews 4:9-10
There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God. / For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.

Exodus 20:8-11
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. / Six days you shall labor and do all your work, / but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant or livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates. ...

Numbers 15:32-36
While the Israelites were in the wilderness, a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day. / Those who found the man gathering wood brought him to Moses, Aaron, and the whole congregation, / and because it had not been declared what should be done to him, they placed him in custody. ...

Jeremiah 17:21-22
This is what the LORD says: Take heed for yourselves; do not carry a load or bring it through the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. / You must not carry a load out of your houses or do any work on the Sabbath day, but you must keep the Sabbath day holy, just as I commanded your forefathers.


Treasury of Scripture

Six days you shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none.

Exodus 20:9-11
Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: …

Deuteronomy 5:13
Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work:

Ezekiel 46:1
Thus saith the Lord GOD; The gate of the inner court that looketh toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the sabbath it shall be opened, and in the day of the new moon it shall be opened.

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Gather Sabbath Seventh Six
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Gather Sabbath Seventh Six
Exodus 16
1. The Israelites come to Sin, and murmur for want of bread
4. God promises them bread and meat from heaven, and they are rebuked
13. Quail and manna are sent
16. The ordering of manna
25. It was not to be found on the Sabbath
32. An omer of it is preserved














For six days you may gather
This phrase refers to the instructions given to the Israelites regarding the collection of manna, the miraculous bread from heaven. The six-day workweek is rooted in the creation narrative (Genesis 1), where God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. This pattern establishes a rhythm of work and rest that is foundational to the Israelite community. The gathering of manna for six days symbolizes human responsibility and the provision of God, emphasizing the need for diligence and reliance on divine sustenance.

but on the seventh day, the Sabbath
The Sabbath is a day of rest instituted by God, first mentioned in Genesis 2:2-3, where God rested on the seventh day after creation. It is a sign of the covenant between God and Israel (Exodus 31:16-17) and serves as a reminder of God's rest and the liberation from Egyptian slavery (Deuteronomy 5:15). The Sabbath is a day set apart for rest and worship, highlighting the importance of spiritual renewal and trust in God's provision. It foreshadows the ultimate rest found in Christ (Hebrews 4:9-10), who offers spiritual rest to believers.

it will not be there.
This phrase underscores the miraculous nature of the manna and the importance of obedience to God's commands. The absence of manna on the Sabbath reinforces the need for preparation and trust in God's provision. It serves as a test of faith for the Israelites, teaching them to rely on God's instructions and to honor the sanctity of the Sabbath. This principle of divine provision and rest is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus, the Bread of Life (John 6:35), fulfills the spiritual needs of humanity, offering eternal sustenance and rest.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who conveyed God's instructions regarding the gathering of manna.

2. The Israelites
The people of God who were wandering in the wilderness and were provided with manna from heaven.

3. The Wilderness of Sin
The location where the Israelites were camped and where God provided manna.

4. Sabbath
The seventh day, a day of rest commanded by God, during which no manna would be provided.

5. Manna
The miraculous food provided by God to the Israelites in the wilderness.
Teaching Points
The Principle of Rest
God designed the Sabbath as a day of rest, reflecting His own rest after creation. This principle is vital for physical, mental, and spiritual renewal.

Obedience to God's Commands
The Israelites were instructed to gather manna for six days and rest on the seventh. This teaches the importance of obedience to God's commands, even when it requires trust and faith.

Provision and Dependence
God's provision of manna teaches us to rely on Him for our daily needs. The absence of manna on the Sabbath underscores the need to trust in God's provision and timing.

Sabbath as a Gift
The Sabbath is a gift from God, intended for our benefit. It is a time to cease from labor and focus on worship, family, and spiritual growth.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Exodus 16:26?

2. How does Exodus 16:26 emphasize the importance of observing the Sabbath rest today?

3. What does "six days you may gather" teach about God's provision and timing?

4. How does Exodus 16:26 connect to the Fourth Commandment in Exodus 20:8-11?

5. How can we apply the principle of Sabbath rest in our modern lives?

6. What lessons about obedience can we learn from Exodus 16:26 for daily living?

7. Why did God command rest on the seventh day in Exodus 16:26?

8. How does Exodus 16:26 relate to the concept of the Sabbath?

9. What historical evidence supports the events described in Exodus 16?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 16?

11. (Exodus 35) Why do these Sabbath regulations here seem stricter than in some other parts of the Torah, creating possible inconsistencies in biblical commands?

12. How can the miraculous appearance of manna every day (Exodus 16:4–5) be reconciled with natural laws or scientific explanations?

13. Leviticus 15:13 – If repeated washing was hygienic, why add a waiting period and a sacrifice with no clear scientific basis?

14. How does the detailed description of manna's properties (Exodus 16:14-21) align or conflict with accounts of other supernatural provisions in the Bible?
What Does Exodus 16:26 Mean
For six days you may gather

God set a clear rhythm for Israel’s life in the wilderness: six consecutive days of labor and collection.

• This mirrors the pattern established at creation (Genesis 1:31 – 2:3) and reinforced later in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:9).

• The daily gathering required consistent effort, reminding the people that God provides, yet calls them to work (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

• Limiting collection to one day’s supply (Exodus 16:19) trained them to trust Him anew each morning, echoing Jesus’ teaching to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11).


but on the seventh day

A deliberate interruption in routine follows: the seventh day is different.

• The sequencing underscores that rest is as divinely ordained as work (Leviticus 23:3).

• By planning ahead—gathering double on the sixth day (Exodus 16:22-24)—Israel learned stewardship and obedience together.

• This break also pointed forward to Christ, who invites believers into His rest (Hebrews 4:9-10).


the Sabbath

The term identifies the day as holy, set apart for the Lord.

• First introduced in Genesis 2:2-3, the Sabbath becomes a covenant sign between God and Israel (Exodus 31:16-17).

• Resting signified recognition that God—not human toil—secures life and blessing (Deuteronomy 8:3).

• The weekly pause cultivated worship, reflection, and refreshment (Isaiah 58:13-14).


it will not be there

Manna’s absence on day seven proved God’s word true.

• Disobedience brought empty results; those who went out to gather “found nothing” (Exodus 16:27).

• The point was not scarcity but dependence: when God says rest, rest; when He says gather, gather (Proverbs 3:5-6).

• This teaches believers today to heed God’s commands even when circumstances suggest otherwise (James 1:22-25).


summary

Exodus 16:26 reveals a God-given cycle of work and rest: six days of diligent gathering followed by a Sabbath set apart for worshipful trust. By withholding manna on the seventh day, the Lord demonstrated His sovereignty, taught His people to plan within His boundaries, and invited them into a rhythm that honors Him. The verse calls every generation to value both faithful labor and faith-filled rest, confident that God’s provision never fails when His word is obeyed.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For six
שֵׁ֥שֶׁת (šê·šeṯ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8337: Six (a cardinal number)

days
יָמִ֖ים (yā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

you may gather,
תִּלְקְטֻ֑הוּ (til·qə·ṭu·hū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3950: To pick up, to gather, to glean

but on the seventh
הַשְּׁבִיעִ֛י (haš·šə·ḇî·‘î)
Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 7637: Seventh (an ordinal number)

day,
וּבַיּ֧וֹם (ū·ḇay·yō·wm)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

the Sabbath,
שַׁבָּ֖ת (šab·bāṯ)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 7676: Intermission, the Sabbath

it will not be [there].”
יִֽהְיֶה־ (yih·yeh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be


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OT Law: Exodus 16:26 Six days you shall gather it (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 16:25
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