King James Version

What Does Exodus 16:3 Mean?

Exodus 16:3 in the King James Version says “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 w... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Exodus 16:3 · 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.

4

Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day , that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. a certain: Heb. the portion of a day in his day

5

And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily .


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in Egypt—This stunning statement reveals the depth of unbelief: preferring death under judgment to life under testing. The 'flesh pots' (סִיר הַבָּשָׂר, sir habasar) represent security in bondage versus freedom with uncertainty. Israel's selective memory erased 400 years of suffering, remembering only meals while forgetting the whips. This same spirit appears when believers long for former enslavement to sin rather than endure sanctification's difficulties. Their accusation that Moses brought them out 'to kill this whole assembly with hunger' inverts reality—God delivered them to give life.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Egypt's agricultural abundance from the Nile provided reliable food for slaves. The wilderness had no such infrastructure, requiring complete dependence on supernatural provision.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'flesh pots' from your past does Satan use to tempt you during present difficulties?
  2. How does selective memory of sin's 'pleasures' distort spiritual perspective?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
וַיֹּֽאמְר֨וּ1 of 30

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵהֶ֜ם2 of 30
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּנֵ֣י3 of 30

And 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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל4 of 30

of Israel

H3478

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

מִֽי5 of 30

unto them Would to God

H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

יִתֵּ֨ן6 of 30
H5414

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

לְהָמִ֛ית7 of 30

to kill

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

בְיַד8 of 30

by the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

יְהוָה֙9 of 30

of the LORD

H3068

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

בְּאֶ֣רֶץ10 of 30

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַ֔יִם11 of 30

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

בְּשִׁבְתֵּ֙נוּ֙12 of 30

when we sat

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

עַל13 of 30
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

סִ֣יר14 of 30

pots

H5518

a thorn (as springing up rapidly); by implication, a hook

הַבָּשָׂ֔ר15 of 30

by the flesh

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

בְּאָכְלֵ֥נוּ16 of 30

and when we did eat

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

לֶ֖חֶם17 of 30

bread

H3899

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

לָשֹׂ֑בַע18 of 30

to the full

H7648

satisfaction (of food or [figuratively] joy)

כִּֽי19 of 30
H3588

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

הוֹצֵאתֶ֤ם20 of 30

for ye have brought us forth

H3318

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

אֹתָ֙נוּ֙21 of 30
H853

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

אֶל22 of 30
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמִּדְבָּ֣ר23 of 30

into this wilderness

H4057

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

הַזֶּ֔ה24 of 30
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

לְהָמִ֛ית25 of 30

to kill

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

אֶת26 of 30
H853

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

כָּל27 of 30
H3605

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

הַקָּהָ֥ל28 of 30

this whole assembly

H6951

assemblage (usually concretely)

הַזֶּ֖ה29 of 30
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

בָּֽרָעָֽב׃30 of 30

with hunger

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)


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 16:3 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 16:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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