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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 16:2 And there in the desert they all grumbled against Moses and Aaron.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/16-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/02_Exo_16_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 16:2 - Manna and Quail from Heaven" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And there in the desert they all grumbled against Moses and Aaron." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/16-1.htm" title="Exodus 16:1">◄</a> Exodus 16:2 <a href="/exodus/16-3.htm" title="Exodus 16:3">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/exodus/16.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/16.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/16.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />There, too, the whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/16.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And there in the desert the whole congregation of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/16.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/16.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/16.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The whole congregation of the Israelites [grew discontented and] murmured <i>and</i> rebelled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The entire Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The entire Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/16.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron in the wilderness:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />There in the desert they started complaining to Moses and Aaron, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/16.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron in the wilderness:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />In the desert the whole community complained about Moses and Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/16.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />There in the desert they all complained to Moses and Aaron <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/16.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The whole congregation of the Israelis complained against Moses and Aaron in the desert. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And there in the desert the whole congregation of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/16.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The entire company of Israelites murmured against Moses and Aaron in the desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron in the wilderness;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/16.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron in the wilderness; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And all the congregation of the sons of Israel murmur against Moses and against Aaron in the wilderness;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And all the company of the sons of Israel murmur against Moses and against Aaron in the wilderness;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And all the assembly of the sons of Israel will murmur against Moses and against Aaron in the desert.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the entire congregation of the sons of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/16.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Here in the wilderness the whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/16.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And all of the assembly of the children of Israel complained against Moshe and against Ahron in the wilderness:<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/16.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron in the wilderness;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/16.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/16-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=3972" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/16.htm">Manna and Quail from Heaven</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>On the fifteenth day of the second month after they had left the land of Egypt, the whole congregation of Israel set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai. <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4057.htm" title="4057: bam·miḏ·bār (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- A pasture, a desert, speech. From dabar in the sense of driving; a pasture; by implication, a desert; also speech.">And there in the desert</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">they all</a> <a href="/hebrew/5712.htm" title="5712: ‘ă·ḏaṯ (N-fsc) -- Congregation. Feminine of ed in the original sense of fixture; a stated assemblage."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.)."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3885.htm" title="3885: way·yil·lī·nū (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- Or liyn; a primitive root; to stop; by implication, to stay permanently; hence to be obstinate.">grumbled</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">against</a> <a href="/hebrew/4872.htm" title="4872: mō·šeh (N-proper-ms) -- A great Isr. leader, prophet and lawgiver. From mashah; drawing out, i.e. Rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver.">Moses</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: wə·‘al- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/175.htm" title="175: ’a·hă·rōn (N-proper-ms) -- An elder brother of Moses. Of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses.">and Aaron.</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>“If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt!” they said. “There we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread, but you have brought us into this desert to starve this whole assembly to death!”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/14-2.htm">Numbers 14:2</a></span><br />All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/11-4.htm">Numbers 11:4-6</a></span><br />Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, “Who will feed us meat? / We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. / But now our appetite is gone; there is nothing to see but this manna!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/20-2.htm">Numbers 20:2-5</a></span><br />Now there was no water for the congregation, so they gathered against Moses and Aaron. / The people quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had perished with our brothers before the LORD! / Why have you brought the LORD’s assembly into this wilderness for us and our livestock to die here? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-18.htm">Psalm 78:18-20</a></span><br />They willfully tested God by demanding the food they craved. / They spoke against God, saying, “Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness? / When He struck the rock, water gushed out and torrents raged. But can He also give bread or supply His people with meat?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/106-13.htm">Psalm 106:13-15</a></span><br />Yet they soon forgot His works and failed to wait for His counsel. / They craved intensely in the wilderness and tested God in the desert. / So He granted their request, but sent a wasting disease upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/21-5.htm">Numbers 21:5</a></span><br />and spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you led us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/1-27.htm">Deuteronomy 1:27</a></span><br />You grumbled in your tents and said, “Because the LORD hates us, He has brought us out of the land of Egypt to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to be annihilated.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-40.htm">Psalm 78:40</a></span><br />How often they disobeyed Him in the wilderness and grieved Him in the desert!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/95-8.htm">Psalm 95:8-9</a></span><br />do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, in the day at Massah in the wilderness, / where your fathers tested and tried Me, though they had seen My work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-10.htm">1 Corinthians 10:10</a></span><br />And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/6-41.htm">John 6:41-43</a></span><br />At this, the Jews began to grumble about Jesus because He had said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” / They were asking, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How then can He say, ‘I have come down from heaven?’” / “Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/6-49.htm">John 6:49</a></span><br />Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/3-8.htm">Hebrews 3:8-9</a></span><br />do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness, / where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/3-16.htm">Hebrews 3:16-17</a></span><br />For who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? / And with whom was God angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/2-14.htm">Philippians 2:14</a></span><br />Do everything without complaining or arguing,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/15-24.htm">Exodus 15:24</a></b></br> And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/19-4.htm">Genesis 19:4</a></b></br> But before they lay down, the men of the city, <i>even</i> the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/106-7.htm">Psalm 106:7,13,25</a></b></br> Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked <i>him</i> at the sea, <i>even</i> at the Red sea… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/15-20.htm">Aaron</a> <a href="/exodus/12-47.htm">Assembly</a> <a href="/exodus/16-1.htm">Children</a> <a href="/exodus/12-47.htm">Community</a> <a href="/exodus/12-47.htm">Company</a> <a href="/exodus/16-1.htm">Congregation</a> <a href="/exodus/15-24.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/exodus/15-22.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/exodus/15-24.htm">Grumbled</a> <a href="/exodus/16-1.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/exodus/15-25.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/15-24.htm">Murmur</a> <a href="/exodus/15-24.htm">Murmured</a> <a href="/exodus/15-22.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/exodus/12-47.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/exodus/16-1.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/16-6.htm">Aaron</a> <a href="/exodus/16-3.htm">Assembly</a> <a href="/exodus/16-3.htm">Children</a> <a href="/exodus/16-9.htm">Community</a> <a href="/exodus/16-9.htm">Company</a> <a href="/exodus/16-9.htm">Congregation</a> <a href="/exodus/16-7.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/exodus/16-10.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/exodus/17-3.htm">Grumbled</a> <a href="/exodus/16-3.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/exodus/16-4.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/16-7.htm">Murmur</a> <a href="/exodus/17-3.htm">Murmured</a> <a href="/exodus/16-10.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/exodus/16-3.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/exodus/16-3.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 16</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/16-1.htm">The Israelites come to Sin, and murmur for want of bread</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/16-4.htm">God promises them bread and meat from heaven, and they are rebuked</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/16-13.htm">Quail and manna are sent</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/16-16.htm">The ordering of manna</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/16-25.htm">It was not to be found on the Sabbath</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/16-32.htm">An omer of it is preserved</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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This setting is significant as it represents a place of testing and reliance on God. The Israelites' journey through the desert is a period of transformation from slavery in Egypt to becoming a covenant people. The desert is often symbolic of spiritual trials and purification, as seen in other biblical narratives such as Jesus' temptation in the wilderness (<a href="/matthew/4.htm">Matthew 4:1-11</a>).<p><b>the whole congregation of Israel</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the unity and collective experience of the Israelites. The term "congregation" indicates the assembly of God's chosen people, highlighting their identity as a community bound by the covenant with Yahweh. This collective identity is crucial throughout the Pentateuch, as it underscores the communal nature of their relationship with God and their shared destiny. The unity of the congregation is also a precursor to the New Testament concept of the Church as the body of Christ (<a href="/1_corinthians/12-12.htm">1 Corinthians 12:12-27</a>).<p><b>grumbled against Moses and Aaron</b><br>Grumbling or murmuring is a recurring theme in the Exodus narrative, reflecting the Israelites' lack of faith and trust in God's provision. Moses and Aaron, as leaders appointed by God, often bear the brunt of the people's complaints. This grumbling is not merely dissatisfaction but a challenge to God's authority and plan. It foreshadows the Israelites' continued struggles with obedience and faithfulness, which are addressed throughout the Old Testament. The grumbling also serves as a warning to believers about the dangers of ingratitude and unbelief (<a href="/hebrews/3-7.htm">Hebrews 3:7-19</a>).<p><b>Moses and Aaron</b><br>Moses and Aaron are central figures in the Exodus story, representing God's chosen leaders for the deliverance and guidance of Israel. Moses, as the prophet and lawgiver, and Aaron, as the high priest, prefigure the roles of Christ as both the ultimate prophet and high priest (<a href="/hebrews/3.htm">Hebrews 3:1-6, 4</a>:14-16). Their leadership is divinely ordained, and their experiences highlight the challenges and responsibilities of spiritual leadership. Moses' intercession for the people and Aaron's role in the priesthood point to the mediatory work of Christ on behalf of humanity.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and are now journeying through the desert.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_desert_of_sin.htm">The Desert of Sin</a></b><br>A geographical location between Elim and Sinai where the Israelites camped and experienced hunger.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from Egypt and guide them through the wilderness.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/a/aaron.htm">Aaron</a></b><br>Moses' brother and spokesperson, who assisted in leading the Israelites.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/grumbling.htm">Grumbling</a></b><br>The act of complaining or expressing dissatisfaction, which the Israelites directed towards Moses and Aaron.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_provision.htm">Trust in God's Provision</a></b><br>The Israelites' grumbling reflects a lack of trust in God's ability to provide. Believers today are called to trust in God's provision, even in difficult circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_complaining.htm">The Danger of Complaining</a></b><br>Grumbling can lead to a hardened heart and a lack of gratitude. Christians are encouraged to cultivate a spirit of thankfulness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_challenges.htm">Leadership Challenges</a></b><br>Moses and Aaron faced criticism despite their obedience to God. Leaders today can learn to remain steadfast in their calling, even when facing opposition.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_the_wilderness.htm">Faith in the Wilderness</a></b><br>The desert represents times of testing and growth. Believers can view their own "desert" experiences as opportunities to deepen their faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_influence.htm">Community Influence</a></b><br>The collective grumbling of the Israelites shows how negativity can spread. Christians are encouraged to be positive influences within their communities.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_16.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 16</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_complaining.htm">What are the Bible's teachings on complaining?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_bible's_wilderness_of_sin.htm">What is the Wilderness of Sin in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_avoid_eating_livestock_in_wilderness.htm">Why didn't Israelites eat their livestock in the wilderness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_grumble_when_gratitude_brings_joy.htm">Why grumble when gratitude brings peace and joy?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/16.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">The whole congregration . . . murmured.</span>--This is the third "murmuring." The first was at Pi-hahiroth, on the appearance of the host of Pharaoh (<a href="/context/exodus/14-11.htm" title="And they said to Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? why have you dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?">Exodus 14:11-12</a>); the second was at Marah, when the water proved undrinkable (<a href="/exodus/15-24.htm" title="And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?">Exodus 15:24</a>); the third, in the wilderness of Sin, was brought about by no special occurrence--unless it were the exhaustion of the supplies of grain which had been brought out of Egypt--but seems to have resulted from a general dissatisfaction with the conditions of life in the wilderness, and with the prospects which lay before them.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The whole congregation... murmured,</span> It has been observed above, that only the poorer sort could have been as yet in any peril of actual starvation; but it may well have been that the rest, once launched into the wilderness, and becoming practically acquainted with its unproductiveness, foresaw that ultimately starvation must come upon them too, when all the cattle were eaten up, or had died through insufficient nourishment Nothing is more clear than that, without the miracle of the manna, it would have been impossible for a population of two millions to have supported themselves for forty years, or even for two years, in such a region as the Sinaitic peninsula, even though it had been in ancient times three or four times as productive as at present. The cattle brought out of Egypt must have rapidly diminished (<a href="/exodus/17-3.htm">Exodus 17:3</a>); and though the Israelites had brought with them also great wealth in the precious metals, yet it must have been some time before they could establish commercial relations with the neighbouring nations so as to obtain such supplies as they needed. Thus we can well understand that at the expiration of a month the people generally should have recognized that their situation was one of great danger, and should have vented their discontent upon their leaders. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/16-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">And</span><br /><span class="heb">0</span> <span class="translit">(0)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">[there] in the desert</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃</span> <span class="translit">(bam·miḏ·bār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4057.htm">Strong's 4057: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pasture, a desert, speech</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[they all]</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">grumbled</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּלּ֜וֹנוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yil·lō·w·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3885.htm">Strong's 3885: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stop, to stay permanently, to be obstinate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Moses</span><br /><span class="heb">מֹשֶׁ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(mō·šeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4872.htm">Strong's 4872: </a> </span><span class="str2">Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and Aaron.</span><br /><span class="heb">אַהֲרֹ֖ן</span> <span class="translit">(’a·hă·rōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_175.htm">Strong's 175: </a> </span><span class="str2">Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/16-2.htm">Exodus 16:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/16-2.htm">Exodus 16:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/16-2.htm">Exodus 16:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/16-2.htm">Exodus 16:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/16-2.htm">Exodus 16:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/16-2.htm">Exodus 16:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/16-2.htm">Exodus 16:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/16-2.htm">Exodus 16:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/16-2.htm">Exodus 16:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/16-2.htm">Exodus 16:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/16-2.htm">OT Law: Exodus 16:2 The whole congregation of the children (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/16-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 16:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 16:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/16-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 16:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 16:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>