King James Version

What Does Exodus 16:23 Mean?

Exodus 16:23 in the King James Version says “And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: b... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.

Exodus 16:23 · KJV


Context

21

And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted.

22

And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses.

23

And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.

24

And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein.

25

And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the LORD: to day ye shall not find it in the field.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD—Moses explains the double portion by introducing Sabbath (שַׁבָּת, shabbat, 'rest, cessation'). The definite article 'the rest' indicates a specific, known concept even before Sinai's formal commandment, linking to creation's seventh day (Gen 2:2-3). The Sabbath is 'holy' (קֹדֶשׁ, qodesh) and 'unto the LORD,' emphasizing its sacred character and divine ownership. The command to 'bake' and 'seethe' (boil) today for tomorrow's eating requires Sabbath preparation, teaching that rest requires forethought. This prefigures believers who rest in Christ's completed work, having prepared through faith.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This introduces Sabbath observance before the formal giving of the Ten Commandments at Sinai, showing rest as gift before law, grace before demand.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Sabbath as 'rest unto the LORD' differ from merely taking a day off?
  2. What preparation does spiritual rest require, and how does Christ's work provide it?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 27

And he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵהֶ֗ם2 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

ה֚וּא3 of 27
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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר4 of 27
H834

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

דִּבֶּ֣ר5 of 27

hath said

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

לַֽיהוָ֖ה6 of 27

unto the LORD

H3068

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

שַׁבָּת֧וֹן7 of 27

is the rest

H7677

a sabbatism or special holiday

שַׁבַּת8 of 27

sabbath

H7676

intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath

קֹ֛דֶשׁ9 of 27

of the holy

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

לַֽיהוָ֖ה10 of 27

unto the LORD

H3068

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

מָחָ֑ר11 of 27

To morrow

H4279

properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter

אֵ֣ת12 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲשֶׁר13 of 27
H834

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

אֵפ֗וּ14 of 27

bake

H644

to cook, especially to bake

אֵפ֗וּ15 of 27

bake

H644

to cook, especially to bake

וְאֵ֤ת16 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲשֶֽׁר17 of 27
H834

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

בַּשֵּׁ֔לוּ18 of 27

that ye will seethe

H1310

properly, to boil up; hence, to be done in cooking; figuratively to ripen

בַּשֵּׁ֔לוּ19 of 27

that ye will seethe

H1310

properly, to boil up; hence, to be done in cooking; figuratively to ripen

וְאֵת֙20 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל21 of 27

and that which

H3605

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

הָ֣עֹדֵ֔ף22 of 27

remaineth over

H5736

to be (causatively have) redundant

הַנִּ֧יחוּ23 of 27

lay up

H3240

to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay

לָכֶ֛ם24 of 27
H0
לְמִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת25 of 27

for you to be kept

H4931

watch, i.e., the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively preservation, or (concretely) safe; figuratively observance, i.e., (

עַד26 of 27
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַבֹּֽקֶר׃27 of 27

until the morning

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning


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 16:23 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 16:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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