King James Version

What Does Exodus 16:15 Mean?

Exodus 16:15 in the King James Version says “And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses ... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat. It is: or, What is this? or, It is a portion

Exodus 16:15 · KJV


Context

13

And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host.

14

And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground.

15

And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat. It is: or, What is this? or, It is a portion

16

This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents. for every: Heb. by the poll, or, head persons: Heb. souls

17

And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was—The name 'manna' derives from the Hebrew מָן (man), meaning 'What is it?'—Israel's bewildered question becomes the substance's permanent name. This ignorance is pedagogically purposeful: they must learn to receive what they don't understand, depending on God's word about it rather than their own knowledge. The phrase 'they wist not' (לֹא־יָדְעוּ, lo yad'u) emphasizes their complete ignorance, making them like children who must simply trust. Moses' explanation 'This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat' establishes it as divine gift, not natural phenomenon. Christ uses identical logic: 'This is my body...given for you' (Luke 22:19).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The permanent naming based on initial confusion emphasizes that God's ways transcend human understanding. Israel spent 40 years eating 'What is it?'—a daily reminder of mystery and dependence.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does not understanding God's provision test whether we trust His word over our comprehension?
  2. What does naming the substance 'What is it?' teach about accepting mystery in spiritual life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וַיִּרְא֣וּ1 of 24

saw

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

בְנֵֽי2 of 24

And when 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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל3 of 24

of Israel

H3478

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

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר4 of 24

it they said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אִ֤ישׁ5 of 24

one

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶל6 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אָחִיו֙7 of 24

to another

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

מָ֣ן8 of 24

It is manna

H4478

literally a whatness (so to speak), i.e., manna (so called from the question about it)

ה֔וּא9 of 24
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

כִּ֛י10 of 24
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לֹ֥א11 of 24
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָֽדְע֖וּ12 of 24

for they wist

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

מַה13 of 24
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

ה֑וּא14 of 24
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר15 of 24

it they said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מֹשֶׁה֙16 of 24

not what it was And Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֲלֵהֶ֔ם17 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

ה֣וּא18 of 24
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

הַלֶּ֔חֶם19 of 24

unto them This is the bread

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר20 of 24
H834

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

נָתַ֧ן21 of 24

hath given

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

יְהוָ֛ה22 of 24

which the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לָכֶ֖ם23 of 24
H0
לְאָכְלָֽה׃24 of 24

you to eat

H402

food


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 16:15 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 16:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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