Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. New Living Translation Then the LORD said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions. English Standard Version Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. Berean Standard Bible Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test whether or not they will follow My instructions. King James Bible Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. New King James Version Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not. New American Standard Bible Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, so that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction. NASB 1995 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction. NASB 1977 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction. Legacy Standard Bible Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My law. Amplified Bible Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will cause bread to rain from heaven for you; the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, so that I may test them [to determine] whether or not they will walk [obediently] in My instruction (law). Christian Standard Bible Then the LORD said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. This way I will test them to see whether or not they will follow my instructions. Holman Christian Standard Bible Then the LORD said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. This way I will test them to see whether or not they will follow My instructions. American Standard Version Then said Jehovah unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or not. Contemporary English Version The LORD said to Moses, "I will send bread down from heaven like rain. Tell the people to go out each day and gather only enough for that day. That's how I will see if they obey me. English Revised Version Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. GOD'S WORD® Translation The LORD said to Moses, "I'm going to send you food from heaven like rain. Each day the people should go out and gather only what they need for that day. In this way I will test them to see whether or not they will follow my instructions. Good News Translation The LORD said to Moses, "Now I am going to cause food to rain down from the sky for all of you. The people must go out every day and gather enough for that day. In this way I can test them to find out if they will follow my instructions. International Standard Version The LORD told Moses, "Listen very carefully! I'll cause food to rain down for you from heaven, and the people are to go out and gather each day's portion on that day. In this way I'll test them to demonstrate whether or not they'll live according to my instructions. Majority Standard Bible Then the LORD said to Moses, ?Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test whether or not they will follow My instructions. NET Bible Then the LORD said to Moses, "I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people will go out and gather the amount for each day, so that I may test them. Will they will walk in my law or not? New Heart English Bible Then said the LORD to Moses, "Look, I will rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law, or not. Webster's Bible Translation Then said the LORD to Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or not. World English Bible Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from the sky for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd YHWH says to Moses, “Behold, I am raining bread from the heavens for you—and the people have gone out and gathered the matter of a day in its day—so that I try them whether they walk in My law or not; Young's Literal Translation And Jehovah saith unto Moses, 'Lo, I am raining to you bread from the heavens -- and the people have gone out and gathered the matter of a day in its day -- so that I try them whether they walk in My law, or not; Smith's Literal Translation And Jehovah will say to Moses, Behold me raining for you bread from the heavens; and the people shall go forth and shall gather the word of a day in its day, so that I shall try them, whether they will go in my law or not. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the Lord said to Moses: Behold I will rain bread from heaven for you: let the people go forth, and gather what is sufficient for every day: that I may prove them whether they will walk in my law, or not. Catholic Public Domain Version Then the Lord said to Moses: “Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Let the people go out and collect what is sufficient for each day, so that I may test them, as to whether or not they will walk in my law. New American Bible Then the LORD said to Moses: I am going to rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily portion; thus will I test them, to see whether they follow my instructions or not. New Revised Standard Version Then the LORD said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen the LORD said to Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather sufficient food, day by day, for I will prove them, whether they will keep my laws or not. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And LORD JEHOVAH said to Moshe, “Behold, I rain for you bread from Heaven, and the people shall come out and they will gather food of the day in the daytime, because I shall test them if they are walking in my laws or not. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Then said the LORD unto Moses: 'Behold, I will cause to rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in My law, or not. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the Lord said to Moses, Behold, I will rain bread upon you out of heaven: and the people shall go forth, and they shall gather their daily portion for the day, that I may try them whether they will walk in my law or not. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Manna and Quail from Heaven…3“If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt!” they said. “There we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread, but you have brought us into this desert to starve this whole assembly to death!” 4Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test whether or not they will follow My instructions. 5Then on the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”… Cross References John 6:31-35 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” / Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. / For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” ... Deuteronomy 8:3 He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Matthew 4:4 But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Nehemiah 9:20 You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold Your manna from their mouths, and You gave them water for their thirst. Psalm 78:23-25 Yet He commanded the clouds above and opened the doors of the heavens. / He rained down manna for them to eat; He gave them grain from heaven. / Man ate the bread of angels; He sent them food in abundance. John 6:49-51 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. / This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that anyone may eat of it and not die. / I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And this bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh.” Numbers 11:7-9 Now the manna resembled coriander seed, and its appearance was like that of gum resin. / The people walked around and gathered it, ground it on a handmill or crushed it in a mortar, then boiled it in a cooking pot or shaped it into cakes. It tasted like pastry baked with fine oil. / When the dew fell on the camp at night, the manna would fall with it. Psalm 105:40 They asked, and He brought quail and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. 1 Corinthians 10:3 They all ate the same spiritual food John 6:58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your fathers, who ate the manna and died, the one who eats this bread will live forever.” Deuteronomy 8:16 He fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers had not known, in order to humble you and test you, so that in the end He might cause you to prosper. John 6:32 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. Nehemiah 9:15 In their hunger You gave them bread from heaven; in their thirst You brought them water from the rock. You told them to go in and possess the land that You had sworn to give them. Revelation 2:17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will give the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone inscribed with a new name, known only to the one who receives it. Psalm 78:24 He rained down manna for them to eat; He gave them grain from heaven. Treasury of Scripture Then said the LORD to Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. I will rain Psalm 78:24,25 And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven… Psalm 105:40 The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. John 6:31,32 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat… a certain rate every day. Nehemiah 11:23 For it was the king's commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day. Proverbs 30:8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Matthew 6:11,32,33 Give us this day our daily bread… prove them Exodus 15:25 And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, Deuteronomy 8:2,16 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no… Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Jump to Previous Bread Cause Day's Enough Follow Gather Heaven Instruction Instructions Law Moses Needs Portion Prove Rain Rate Sky Test Walk Way WhetherJump to Next Bread Cause Day's Enough Follow Gather Heaven Instruction Instructions Law Moses Needs Portion Prove Rain Rate Sky Test Walk Way WhetherExodus 16 1. The Israelites come to Sin, and murmur for want of bread4. 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 Then the LORD said to Moses This phrase indicates direct communication from God to Moses, highlighting Moses' role as a mediator between God and the Israelites. It underscores the personal relationship and direct guidance God provided to Moses, a theme consistent throughout the Pentateuch. This divine communication is foundational for the leadership and prophetic role Moses plays in the narrative of the Exodus. Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day In this way I will test whether or not they will follow My instructions Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who provides for His people and tests their obedience. 2. Moses The leader of the Israelites, through whom God communicates His instructions. 3. The Israelites The people of God, recently delivered from Egypt, who are learning to trust and obey God in the wilderness. 4. The Wilderness of Sin The location where the Israelites are journeying and where God provides manna. 5. Manna The miraculous bread from heaven that God provides to sustain the Israelites. Teaching Points God's ProvisionGod is faithful to provide for our needs, often in unexpected ways. Just as He provided manna for the Israelites, He provides for us today. Daily Dependence The instruction to gather manna daily teaches us to rely on God each day, trusting Him for our daily needs rather than hoarding resources. Obedience and Testing God's provision often comes with instructions that test our obedience. Our willingness to follow His commands reveals our trust in Him. Spiritual Nourishment Beyond physical sustenance, God desires to nourish us spiritually. We are called to seek His Word and presence daily. Faith in God's Timing The Israelites had to trust God's timing and provision, learning patience and faith as they awaited His daily supply.(4) I will rain bread from heaven for you.--This first announcement at once suggests that the supply is to be supernatural. "Bread from heaven" was not simply "food out of the air" (Rosenmller), but a celestial, that is, a Divine supply of their daily needs. A certain rate every day.--Heb., a day's meal each day--sufficient, that is, for the wants of himself and family for a day. That I may prove them.--Human life is a probation. God proves and tries those most whom He takes to Himself for His "peculiar people," and the trial is often by means of positive precepts, which are especially Calculated to test the presence or absence of a spirit of humble and unquestioning obedience. Our first parents were tested by a positive precept in Paradise; the family of Abraham were tested by a positive precept--circumcision on the eighth day; the Israelites were tested, both in the wilderness and afterwards throughout their career as a nation, by a number of positive precepts, whereof this concerning the manna was one. Christians are tested by positive precepts with respect to common worship, prayer, and sacraments--the object being in all cases to see whether men "will walk in God's law or no." Men are very apt to prefer their own inventions to the simple rule of following at once the letter and the spirit of God's commandments. Verses 4-8. - THE PROMISE OF BREAD FROM HEAVEN. When men who are in real distress make complaint, even though the tone of their complaint be not such as it ought to be, God in his mercy is wont to have compassion upon them, to "hear their mummurings," etc., and grant them some relief. But the relief is seldom of the kind which they expect, or pray for. The Israelites wished for actual bread, made of wheaten or barley flour. God gave them, not such bread, but a substitute for it. And first, before giving it, be promised that it should be given. Thus expectation was aroused; faith was exercised; the supernatural character of the relief was indicated; the power and the goodness of God, were, both of them, shown forth. And with the promise was given a law. They were on each occasion to gather no more than would suffice for the day. Thus they would continually "live by faith," taking no thought for the morrow, but trusting all to God. Verse 4. - Bread from heaven. Compare Psalm 78:24; Nehemiah 9:15; John 6:31-51. The expression is of course not to be trader-stood literally. The substance was not actual bread, neither was it locally transferred from the distant region called "heaven" to the soil of the Sinaitic peninsula. But it was called "bread," because it was intended to serve instead of bread, as the main support of life during the sojourn of Israel in the wilderness; and it was said to be "from heaven," first, as descending on 'the ground out of the circumambient air; and secondly, as miraculously sent by him, whose seat is in heaven. The people shall gather a certain rate every day. Rather "a day's supply every day," such a quantity as shall seem to each man reasonably sufficient for himself and his family. That I may prove them. As in Paradise God coupled with his free gift of "every tree of the garden" the positive precept, "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat," - that he might prove our first parents, whether they would obey him or not - so now he "proved" the obedience of the Israelites by a definite, positive command - they were not to gather on ordinary days more than was sufficient for the day. All life is intended as a probation.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then the LORDיְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel said וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Moses, מֹשֶׁ֔ה (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver “Behold, הִנְנִ֨י (hin·nî) Interjection | first person common singular Strong's 2005: Lo! behold! I will rain down מַמְטִ֥יר (mam·ṭîr) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 4305: To rain bread לֶ֖חֶם (le·ḥem) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain from מִן־ (min-) Preposition Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of heaven הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם (haš·šā·mā·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky for you. לָכֶ֛ם (lā·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural Strong's Hebrew Each day י֣וֹם (yō·wm) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3117: A day the people הָעָ֤ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock are to go out וְיָצָ֨א (wə·yā·ṣā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim and gather וְלָֽקְטוּ֙ (wə·lā·qə·ṭū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 3950: To pick up, to gather, to glean enough for that day. דְּבַר־ (də·ḇar-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause In this way לְמַ֧עַן (lə·ma·‘an) Conjunction Strong's 4616: Purpose -- intent I will test אֲנַסֶּ֛נּוּ (’ă·nas·sen·nū) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 5254: To test, to attempt whether אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not or not לֹֽא׃ (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no they will follow הֲיֵלֵ֥ךְ (hă·yê·lêḵ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk My instructions. בְּתוֹרָתִ֖י (bə·ṯō·w·rā·ṯî) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 8451: Direction, instruction, law Links Exodus 16:4 NIVExodus 16:4 NLT Exodus 16:4 ESV Exodus 16:4 NASB Exodus 16:4 KJV Exodus 16:4 BibleApps.com Exodus 16:4 Biblia Paralela Exodus 16:4 Chinese Bible Exodus 16:4 French Bible Exodus 16:4 Catholic Bible OT Law: Exodus 16:4 Then said Yahweh to Moses Behold (Exo. 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