Then Moses said to themMoses, as the leader and prophet of Israel, often communicated God's instructions to the people. His role as a mediator between God and the Israelites is central throughout the Exodus narrative. This phrase highlights Moses' authority and responsibility to convey divine commands. In the broader biblical context, Moses is a type of Christ, who also serves as a mediator between God and humanity (
Hebrews 3:1-6).
“No one may keep any of it
The instruction not to keep the manna until morning underscores the need for daily dependence on God. This command teaches the Israelites to trust in God's provision each day, reflecting the principle found in the Lord's Prayer, "Give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11). It also foreshadows the teaching of Jesus inJohn 6:31-35, where He identifies Himself as the true bread from heaven, emphasizing reliance on Him for spiritual sustenance.
until morning.”
The prohibition against keeping manna overnight serves as a test of obedience and faith. It also prevents hoarding and ensures equality among the community, as each person gathers only what they need for the day. This daily provision mirrors the concept of God's mercies being new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). The spoilage of manna when kept overnight (Exodus 16:20) symbolizes the futility of relying on human efforts rather than divine provision.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. In this context, Moses is conveying God's instructions regarding the manna.
2.
The IsraelitesThe people of God who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and are now in the wilderness, learning to trust in God's provision.
3.
MannaThe miraculous bread from heaven provided by God to sustain the Israelites in the wilderness. It symbolizes God's daily provision and care.
4.
The WildernessThe setting where the Israelites are journeying towards the Promised Land. It is a place of testing and reliance on God.
5.
God's CommandThe directive given through Moses that the Israelites should not keep manna until the next day, teaching them to trust in God's daily provision.
Teaching Points
Daily Dependence on GodThe command not to keep manna overnight teaches us to rely on God daily. Just as the Israelites had to trust God for their daily sustenance, we are called to trust Him for our needs each day.
Obedience to God's InstructionsThe Israelites were instructed to follow God's command precisely. This teaches us the importance of obedience and the consequences of disregarding God's instructions.
Trust in God's ProvisionThe lesson of manna is a reminder that God provides for His people. We are encouraged to trust in His provision, even when circumstances seem uncertain.
Avoiding Hoarding and GreedThe prohibition against keeping manna overnight warns against hoarding and greed. It encourages contentment and faith in God's ongoing provision.
Spiritual NourishmentJust as the Israelites needed physical sustenance, we need spiritual nourishment. Engaging with God's Word daily is essential for our spiritual health.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Exodus 16:19?
2.Why did Moses instruct, "No one may keep any of it until morning"?
3.How does Exodus 16:19 illustrate trust in God's daily provision?
4.What lessons on obedience can we learn from Exodus 16:19?
5.How does this verse connect to Jesus' teaching on daily bread in Matthew 6:11?
6.How can we apply the principle of daily reliance on God in our lives?
7.Why did Moses instruct not to leave any manna until morning in Exodus 16:19?
8.What does Exodus 16:19 teach about obedience and trust in God's provision?
9.How does Exodus 16:19 reflect the Israelites' faith journey in the wilderness?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 16?
11.Why is there no clear archaeological or historical evidence that manna was a real, sustained food source for such a large group (Exodus 16)?
12.What is Mount Sinai's significance in the Bible?
13.How does the detailed description of manna’s properties (Exodus 16:14–21) align or conflict with accounts of other supernatural provisions in the Bible?
14.Deuteronomy 8:3 – How can the miraculous feeding of manna be reconciled with scientific explanations of food sources in a desert?What Does Exodus 16:19 Mean
Then Moses said– God chose Moses as the mouthpiece for His will (Exodus 4:12;Hebrews 3:5).
– InExodus 16:12-15 the Lord spoke first; now Moses relays that word without alteration, underscoring the chain of authority.
– Like1 Corinthians 10:4 reminds, the same spiritual Rock that led Israel still speaks through His appointed servants today.
to them– “Them” is the whole congregation of Israel (Exodus 16:1-3), not a select few.
– The command is corporate: everyone stands under the same rule, just as the whole nation earlier obeyed the Passover instructions (Exodus 12:28).
–Acts 7:38 calls Israel “the congregation in the wilderness,” showing this people as an early picture of the church gathered around God’s word.
No one may keep– The prohibition is universal; personal exceptions are not allowed (John 14:15).
– It presses the lesson of trust: hoarding exposes unbelief (Luke 12:15;James 4:13-16).
– Jesus echoes the heart of this command in the model prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11).
any of it– “It” is the manna, God-given bread from heaven (Exodus 16:4;Deuteronomy 8:3).
– Holding back even a small portion would deny the sufficiency of God’s gift.
– Christ later identifies Himself as the true manna: “I am the bread of life” (John 6:31-35). Clinging to leftovers instead of the Living Bread distorts the picture God is painting.
until morning– Morning brings fresh mercy (Lamentations 3:22-23;Psalm 30:5).
– The daily rhythm teaches dependence; tomorrow’s provision will arrive tomorrow (Matthew 6:34).
– Any manna saved past dawn would breed worms and stink (Exodus 16:20), dramatizing the futility of self-reliance.
summaryExodus 16:19 commands Israel to leave no manna for the next day. The directive, spoken through Moses to the whole camp, confronts every heart with the call to trust the Lord’s daily faithfulness. God’s people are not to stockpile grace but to gather it fresh, confident that the same God who met today’s need will meet tomorrow’s as well.
(19)
Let no man leave of it.--Moses must have been divinely instructed to issue this command. It was doubtless given in order that the Israelites might realise their absolute dependence upon God for food from day to day, and might so be habituated to complete trust and confidence in Him.
Verse 19. -
Let no man leave of it till the morning. Moses, divinely instructed, warned the people that they were not to lay up in store any of their manna to be eaten the next day. God would have them trust their future wants to him, and "take no thought for the morrow." Some of them, however, were disobedient, with the result stated in the next verse.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Then Mosesמֹשֶׁ֖ה(mō·šeh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872:Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiversaidוַיֹּ֥אמֶר(way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, sayto them,אֲלֵהֶ֑ם(’ă·lê·hem)Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, to“Noאַל־(’al-)Adverb
Strong's 408:Notoneאִ֕ישׁ(’îš)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376:A man as an individual, a male personmay keepיוֹתֵ֥ר(yō·w·ṯêr)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3498:To jut over, exceed, to excel, to remain, be left, to leave, cause to abound, preserveany of itמִמֶּ֖נּוּ(mim·men·nū)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4480:A part of, from, out ofuntilעַד־(‘aḏ-)Preposition
Strong's 5704:As far as, even to, up to, until, whilemorning.”בֹּֽקֶר׃(bō·qer)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1242:Dawn, morning
Links
Exodus 16:19 NIVExodus 16:19 NLTExodus 16:19 ESVExodus 16:19 NASBExodus 16:19 KJV
Exodus 16:19 BibleApps.comExodus 16:19 Biblia ParalelaExodus 16:19 Chinese BibleExodus 16:19 French BibleExodus 16:19 Catholic Bible
OT Law: Exodus 16:19 Moses said to them Let no one (Exo. Ex)