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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 16:13-21

Now they begin to be provided for by the immediate hand of God. I. He makes them a feast, at night, of delicate fowl, feathered fowl (Ps. 78:27), therefore not locusts, as some think; quails, or pheasants, or some wild fowl, came up, and covered the camp, so tame that they might take up as many of them as they pleased. Note, God gives us of the good things of this life, not only for necessity, but for delight, that we may not only serve him, but serve him cheerfully. II. Next morning he rained... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 16:16

This is the thing which the Lord hath commanded ,.... Respecting the gathering of it, the rule or rules he would have observed concerning that, as follows: gather of it every man according to his eating ; according to his appetite, and according to the appetites of those that were in his family, as much as they can all eat; and that they may have enough, the particular quantity is fixed for each of them. This act of gathering, in the mystical sense, may respect the exercise of faith on... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 16:17

And the children of Israel did so ,.... They went out of the camp in the morning when it was fallen, and gathered it; which is expressive of believers going out of the camp, leaving the world, and all behind them for Christ; and of their going out of themselves to him, and of their going in and out, and finding pasture and food for their souls in him to live upon: and gathered some more, some less; some that were more robust and strong, that were more active and diligent, gathered in more... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 16:18

And when they did mete it with an omer ,.... What was gathered in; and everyone had his measure, his omer dealt out to him by those that meted or measured it: he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack ; when their gatherings were put together in one heap, and each had his omer measured out to him; he that had gathered more than an omer had no more allotted to him, and he that gathered not so much as an omer, yet had a full one measured out to him: or... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 16:16

An omer for every man - I shall here once for all give a short account of the measures of capacity among the Hebrews. Omer, עמר from the root amar , to press, squeeze, collect, and bind together; hence a sheaf of corn - a multitude of stalks pressed together. It is supposed that the omer, which contained about three quarts English, had its name from this circumstance; that it was the most contracted or the smallest measure of things dry known to the ancient Hebrews; for the קב kab ,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 16:17

Some more, some less - According to their respective families, an omer for a man; and according to the number of infirm persons whose wants they undertook to supply. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 16:18

He that gathered much had nothing over - Because his gathering was in proportion to the number of persons for whom he had to provide. And some having fewer, others more in family, and the gathering being in proportion to the persons who were to eat of it, therefore he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack. Probably every man gathered as much as he could; and then when brought home and measured by an omer, if he had a surplus, it went to supply the wants... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 16:16

Verse 16 16.This is the thing. The exception (180) follows, that in gathering the food, they should take account of the Sabbath. A certain daily measure is prescribed; but they are commanded on the day before the Sabbath to lay up twice as much, that they may observe its rest. But, unquestionably, God so far extended His liberality as abundantly to satisfy them. It is well known that an omer is the tenth part of an ephah; (181) and perhaps we might discover its proportion to the measures which... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 16:17

Verse 17 17.And the children of Israel did so. I do not think that the obedience of the people is here greatly praised; since soon afterwards Moses adds that some, not contented with their due allowance, collected more than was permitted them, and that others also transgressed what was enjoined them as to the Sabbath day. But I thus paraphrase the passage, that, when they had applied themselves to the gathering of it, the whole amount was found sufficient to fill an omer for every individual.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 16:1-36

The manna of the body-A homily on providence. "They said one to another, what is this? (marg.) for they wist not what it was" ( Exodus 16:15 ). Introduction:—Trace the journey from Elim to the sea ( Numbers 33:10 ); and thence to the wilderness of Sin; and give a thoroughly good exegetical exposition of the facts of the manna story. It would be well also to show the supernatural character of the manna; and, at the same time, that the manna supernatural was not unlike (and yet unlike... read more

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