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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 16:17

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 16:19

And Moses said unto them ,.... At the same time he gave the direction to them about gathering it, and measuring out to every man an omer: let no man leave of it until the morning ; not that every man was bound to eat up the quantity distributed to him; he might give what he could not eat to those that could eat more, if there were any such; or he might give it to his cattle, or cast it away, but he was not to reserve it until the next day for his use; which was to teach him that God... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 16:20

Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses ,.... That is, not all of them, some of them did, and perhaps the far greater part of them: but some of them left it until the morning ; out of distrust, for fear they should have none the next day; being men of little faith, that could not trust God for a supply for the morrow; the Targum of Jonathan says, these were Dathan and Abiram; and so Jarchi: and it bred worms, and stank ; or by an "hysteron proteron", and transposition of the... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 16:19

Let no man leave of it till the morning - For God would have them to take no thought for the morrow, and constantly to depend on him for their dally bread. And is not that petition in our Lord's prayer founded on this very circumstance, Give us day by day our daily bread? read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 16:20

It bred worms - Their sinful curiosity and covetousness led them to make the trial; and they had a mass of the most loathsome putrefaction for their pains. How gracious is God! He is continually rendering disobedience and sin irksome to the transgressor; that finding his evil ways to be unprofitable, he may return to his Maker, and trust in God alone. 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

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