King James Version

What Does Exodus 16:32 Mean?

Exodus 16:32 in the King James Version says “And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commandeth, Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations; that th... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commandeth, Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations; that they may see the bread wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt.

Exodus 16:32 · KJV


Context

30

So the people rested on the seventh day.

31

And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.

32

And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commandeth, Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations; that they may see the bread wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt.

33

And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations.

34

As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This is the thing which the LORD commandeth, Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations—God commands preservation of manna as memorial (זִכָּרוֹן, zikaron) for future generations. The 'omer' (עֹמֶר, approximately 2 quarts) represents one person's daily portion—the amount God deems sufficient. This preserved manna will be placed in the Ark of the Covenant (Heb 9:4), making daily bread an object of holiest worship. The command 'to be kept for your generations' ensures Israel never forgets wilderness dependence. This memorial manna, unlike daily manna, doesn't rot—God preserves what He commands. Christ's body, broken and preserved in Eucharistic memorial, fulfills this typology: believers remember the Bread from heaven until He comes.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This preserved omer of manna would be placed in the Tabernacle's Holy of Holies alongside Aaron's rod and the law tablets, making common bread sacred memorial.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does God command memorializing daily bread as one of the three holiest objects?
  2. How does the Lord's Supper ('do this in remembrance of me') parallel the preserved omer of manna?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 24

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מֹשֶׁ֗ה2 of 24

And Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

זֶ֤ה3 of 24
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

הַדָּבָר֙4 of 24

This is the thing

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֲשֶׁ֣ר5 of 24
H834

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

צִוָּ֣ה6 of 24

commandeth

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוָ֔ה7 of 24

which the LORD

H3068

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

מְלֹ֤א8 of 24

Fill

H4393

fulness (literally or figuratively)

הָעֹ֙מֶר֙9 of 24

an omer

H6016

properly, a heap, i.e., a sheaf; also an omer, as a dry measure

מִמֶּ֔נּוּ10 of 24
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

לְמִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת11 of 24

of it 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., (

לְדֹרֹֽתֵיכֶ֑ם12 of 24

for your generations

H1755

properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling

לְמַ֣עַן׀13 of 24
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

יִרְא֣וּ14 of 24

that they may see

H7200

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

אֶת15 of 24
H853

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

הַלֶּ֗חֶם16 of 24

the bread

H3899

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

אֲשֶׁ֨ר17 of 24
H834

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

הֶֽאֱכַ֤לְתִּי18 of 24

wherewith I have fed

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אֶתְכֶם֙19 of 24
H853

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

בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר20 of 24

you in the wilderness

H4057

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

בְּהֽוֹצִיאִ֥י21 of 24

when I brought you forth

H3318

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

אֶתְכֶ֖ם22 of 24
H853

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

מֵאֶ֥רֶץ23 of 24

from the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָֽיִם׃24 of 24

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 16:32 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 16:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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