King James Version

What Does Exodus 16:1 Mean?

Exodus 16:1 in the King James Version says “And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Si... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt.

Exodus 16:1 · KJV


Context

1

And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt.

2

And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:

3

And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they took their journey from Elim—Israel's wilderness journey from Elim to Sin represents the transition from initial refreshment to testing of faith. The Hebrew דְּבַר־סִין (midbar-Sin) means 'Wilderness of Sin,' possibly related to thorny bushes. This second month after exodus marks a critical period where Israel must learn dependence on God's provision rather than Egyptian security. The congregation's unity in journeying ('all the congregation') sets the stage for their collective murmuring, revealing how corporate faith can quickly become corporate unbelief.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This occurred approximately 45 days after leaving Egypt, in the second month (Iyar). The route from the Red Sea through Elim led into the barren Sinai peninsula where food supplies from Egypt would be exhausted.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do seasons of abundance (Elim) prepare us for seasons of testing (wilderness of Sin)?
  2. What does this journey teach about corporate faith versus individual faith?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיִּסְעוּ֙1 of 23

And they took their journey

H5265

properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey

אֵילִ֖ם2 of 23

from Elim

H362

elim, a place in the desert

וַיָּבֹ֜אוּ3 of 23

came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

כָּל4 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֲדַ֤ת5 of 23

and all the congregation

H5712

a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)

בְּנֵֽי6 of 23

of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙7 of 23

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֶל8 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מִדְבַּר9 of 23

unto the wilderness

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

סִ֔ין10 of 23

of Sin

H5512

sin the name of an egyptian town and (probably) desert adjoining

אֲשֶׁ֥ר11 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בֵּין12 of 23
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

אֵילִ֖ם13 of 23

from Elim

H362

elim, a place in the desert

וּבֵ֣ין14 of 23
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

סִינָ֑י15 of 23

and Sinai

H5514

sinai, mountain of arabia

בַּֽחֲמִשָּׁ֨ה16 of 23

on the fifteenth

H2568

five

עָשָׂ֥ר17 of 23
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

יוֹם֙18 of 23

day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ19 of 23

month

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הַשֵּׁנִ֔י20 of 23

of the second

H8145

properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again

לְצֵאתָ֖ם21 of 23

after their departing out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מֵאֶ֥רֶץ22 of 23

of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָֽיִם׃23 of 23

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 16:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 16:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study