King James Version

What Does Exodus 16:35 Mean?

Exodus 16:35 in the King James Version says “And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until the... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan.

Exodus 16:35 · KJV


Context

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.

35

And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan.

36

Now an omer is the tenth part of an ephah.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited—The 40 years (corresponding to 40 years' wilderness wandering for unbelief) demonstrates both judgment and mercy: they're delayed but fed. The phrase 'until they came to a land inhabited' (עַד־בֹּאָם אֶל־אֶרֶץ נוֹשָׁבֶת, ad-bo'am el-eretz noshevet) marks manna's cessation upon entering Canaan (Josh 5:12). This 40-year miracle—approximately 14,600 days of provision for 2+ million people—remains unparalleled in history. The daily dependence trained an entire generation in faith. Spiritually, believers feed on Christ throughout earthly pilgrimage 'until' we reach the promised land of glory, when faith becomes sight and manna becomes wedding feast.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Forty years equals an entire generation. Those who refused to enter Canaan at Kadesh-barnea died in the wilderness, but God faithfully fed even the rebellious generation until their children inherited the promise.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does 40 years of daily manna demonstrate both God's judgment (delay) and mercy (provision)?
  2. What does manna ceasing at Canaan teach about earthly provisions' relationship to promised rest?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וּבְנֵ֣י1 of 21

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל2 of 21

of Israel

H3478

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

אָֽכְל֔וּ3 of 21

did eat

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אֶת4 of 21
H853

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

הַמָּן֙5 of 21

manna

H4478

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

אַרְבָּעִ֣ים6 of 21

forty

H705

forty

שָׁנָ֔ה7 of 21

years

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

עַד8 of 21
H5704

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

בֹּאָ֕ם9 of 21

until they came

H935

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

אֶל10 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶ֥רֶץ11 of 21

of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

נוֹשָׁ֑בֶת12 of 21

inhabited

H3427

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

אֶת13 of 21
H853

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

הַמָּן֙14 of 21

manna

H4478

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

אָֽכְל֔וּ15 of 21

did eat

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

עַד16 of 21
H5704

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

בֹּאָ֕ם17 of 21

until they came

H935

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

אֶל18 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

קְצֵ֖ה19 of 21

unto the borders

H7097

an extremity

אֶ֥רֶץ20 of 21

of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כְּנָֽעַן׃21 of 21

of Canaan

H3667

kenaan, a son a ham; also the country inhabited by him


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 16:35 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 16:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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