Exodus 16:2-3 ASV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 16:1-12

The host of Israel, it seems, took along with them out of Egypt, when they came thence on the fifteenth day of the first month, a month's provisions, which, by the fifteenth day of the second month, was all spent; and here we have, I. Their discontent and murmuring upon that occasion, Exod. 16:2, 3. The whole congregation, the greatest part of them, joined in this mutiny; it was not immediately against God that they murmured, but (which was equivalent) against Moses and Aaron, God's... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 16:2

And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured ,.... For want of bread; for the Targum of Jonathan says, that day the dough ceased they brought of Egypt, on which, and the unleavened cakes they had lived thirty days; and for a longer space of time it was not sufficient, as Josephus F7 Antiqu. l. 2. c. 15. sect. 1. and other Jewish writers F8 Seder Olam Rabba, c. 5. p. 17. observe; and now it was all spent, and they were in the utmost distress for bread, and fall a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 16:3

And the children of Israel said unto them ,.... They not only inwardly murmured, and privately complained among themselves, but they spoke out their complaints, and that in a very extravagant manner: would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt ; by one of the plagues, or some such like plague as were inflicted on the Egyptians, which killed many of them, and particularly the hailstorm and plague on the firstborn; suggesting that death, even by the hand of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 16:2

The whole congregation - murmured - This is an additional proof of the degraded state of the minds of this people; See Clarke's note on Exodus 13:17 . And this very circumstance affords a convincing argument that a people so stupidly carnal could not have been induced to leave Egypt had they not been persuaded so to do by the most evident and striking miracles. Human nature can never be reduced to a more abject state in this world than that in which the body is enthralled by political... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 16:3

The flesh pots - As the Hebrews were in a state of slavery in Egypt, they were doubtless fed in various companies by their task masters in particular places, where large pots or boilers were fixed for the purpose of cooking their victuals. To these there may be a reference in this place, and the whole speech only goes to prove that they preferred their bondage in Egypt to their present state in the wilderness; for they could not have been in a state of absolute want, as they had brought an... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 16:2

Verse 2 2.And the whole congregation. Moses says not that some of the people only murmured, but that they were all gathered into mobs as in a conspiracy, or, at any rate, as they were arranged by hundreds and thousands, that they murmured with one consent. Yet the universal term admits of exception; nor need we suppose that all to a man were comprehended in this impious rebellion. The best remedy for their hunger would have been to pray to God, whom they had found to be in all respects a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 16:1-3

1 . The fact that the Egyptian settlements in the Sinaitic peninsula would thus be avoided, as they seem to have been, since no contest with Egyptians is recorded; 2 . The descent of the quails, who, wearied with a long flight over the Red Sea, would naturally settle as soon as they reached the shore; 3 . The greater openness and facility of the El Markha and Wady Feiran route, which is admitted by all; and 4 . The suitability of the latter to the particulars of the narrative... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 16:1-3

The unreasonableness of discontent. The people of Israel experience now the second trial that has come upon them since the passage of the Red Sea. First, they had nothing which they could drink ( Exodus 15:24 ); now they are afraid that they will soon have nothing to eat. They have consumed their dough ( Exodus 12:39 ), their grain, their flour; many of them have consumed, or lost, their beasts. The land around them produces little or nothing that is edible; no settled inhabitants show... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 16:1-4

Murmurings. In the "Wilderness of Sin," between Elim and Sinai, on the 15th day of the second month after the departing of Israel out of Egypt ( Exodus 16:1 ). One short month, but how much can be forgotten even in so brief a space of time! (cf. Exodus 32:1 ). Egypt now lay at a little distance. The supplies of the Israelites were failing them. God lets the barrel of meal and the cruse of oil run out ( 1 Kings 17:12 ), before interposing with his help. Thus he tries what manner of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 16:1-15

The provision of the manna. This chapter contains an account of the first provision of miraculous bread for Israel in the wilderness. We are told very fully the circumstances in which it was given and the regulations for obtaining and using it. This provision of bread comes very appropriately after the visits to Marah and Elim. The waters had been made sure, and were soon to be made sure again ( Exodus 17:1-16 .); and now the bread is given ( Isaiah 33:16 ). Before God takes the people... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 16:1-12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 16:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 16:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 16:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 16:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 16:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 16:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 16:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 16:1-4

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 16:1-15

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