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"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!"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/16-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/02_Exo_16_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 16:3 - Manna and Quail from Heaven" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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!" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/exodus/16-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/exodus/16-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/exodus/">Exodus</a> > <a href="/exodus/16.htm">Chapter 16</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.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/16-2.htm" title="Exodus 16:2">◄</a> Exodus 16:3 <a href="/exodus/16-4.htm" title="Exodus 16:4">►</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">Verse<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"><a href="/niv/exodus/16.htm">New International Version</a> The Israelites said to them, &#8220If only we had died by the LORD&#8217s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/exodus/16.htm">New Living Translation</a> “If only the LORD had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death.” <a href="/esv/exodus/16.htm">English Standard Version</a> and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” <a href="/bsb/exodus/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “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!” <a href="/kjv/exodus/16.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/exodus/16.htm">New King James Version</a> And the children of Israel said to them, “Oh, that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” <a href="/nasb_/exodus/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> The sons of Israel said to them, “If only we had died by the LORD’S hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread until we were full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this entire assembly with hunger!” <a href="/nasb/exodus/16.htm">NASB 1995</a> The sons of Israel said to them, &#8220Would that we had died by the LORD&#8217S hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/exodus/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And the sons of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the LORD’S hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” <a href="/lsb/exodus/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And the sons of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of Yahweh in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to put this whole assembly to death with hunger.” <a href="/amp/exodus/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a> and the Israelites said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and ate bread until we were full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this entire assembly with hunger.” <a href="/csb/exodus/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by pots of meat and ate all the bread we wanted. Instead, you brought us into this wilderness to make this whole assembly die of hunger! ” <a href="/hcsb/exodus/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> The Israelites said to them, &#8220If only we had died by the LORD&#8217s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by pots of meat and ate all the bread we wanted. Instead, you brought us into this wilderness to make this whole assembly die of hunger!&#8221 <a href="/asv/exodus/16.htm">American Standard Version</a> and the children of Israel said unto them, Would that we had died by the hand of Jehovah in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh-pots, when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger. <a href="/cev/exodus/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> "We wish the LORD had killed us in Egypt. When we lived there, we could at least sit down and eat all the bread and meat we wanted. But you have brought us out here into this desert, where we are going to starve." <a href="/erv/exodus/16.htm">English Revised Version</a> and the children of Israel said unto them, Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger. <a href="/gwt/exodus/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The Israelites said to them, "If only the LORD had let us die in Egypt! There we sat by our pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted! You brought us out into this desert to let us all starve to death!" <a href="/gnt/exodus/16.htm">Good News Translation</a> and said to them, "We wish that the LORD had killed us in Egypt. There we could at least sit down and eat meat and as much other food as we wanted. But you have brought us out into this desert to starve us all to death." <a href="/isv/exodus/16.htm">International Standard Version</a> The Israelis told them, "If only we had died by the LORD's hand in the land of Egypt when we sat by the cooking pots, when we ate bread until we were filled—because you brought us to this desert to kill this entire congregation with hunger." <a href="/msb/exodus/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?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!? <a href="/net/exodus/16.htm">NET Bible</a> The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this desert to kill this whole assembly with hunger!" <a href="/nheb/exodus/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> and the children of Israel said to them, "We wish that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots, when we ate our fill of bread, for you have brought us out into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger." <a href="/wbt/exodus/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And the children of Israel said to them, O that 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. <a href="/web/exodus/16.htm">World English Bible</a> and the children of Israel said to them, “We wish that we had died by Yahweh’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots, when we ate our fill of bread, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/exodus/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and the sons of Israel say to them, “Oh that we had died by the hand of YHWH in the land of Egypt, in our sitting by the flesh-pot, in our eating bread to satiety—for you have brought us out to this wilderness to put all this assembly to death with hunger.” <a href="/ylt/exodus/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and the sons of Israel say unto them, 'Oh that we had died by the hand of Jehovah in the land of Egypt, in our sitting by the flesh-pot, in our eating bread to satiety -- for ye have brought us out unto this wilderness to put all this assembly to death with hunger.' <a href="/slt/exodus/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the sons of Israel will say to them, Who will give to die by the hand of Jehovah in the land of Egypt in our sitting by the pot of flesh, in our eating bread to satiety? for ye brought us forth to this desert to kill all this convocation with hunger.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/exodus/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And the children of Israel said to them: Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat over the flesh pots, and ate bread to the full. Why have you brought us into this desert, that you might destroy all the multitude with famine? <a href="/cpdv/exodus/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And the sons of Israel said to them: “If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat around bowls of meat and ate bread until filled. Why have you led us away, into this desert, so that you might kill the entire multitude with famine?” <a href="/nabre/exodus/16.htm">New American Bible</a> The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died at the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt, as we sat by our kettles of meat and ate our fill of bread! But you have led us into this wilderness to make this whole assembly die of famine!” <a href="/nrsvce/exodus/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/exodus/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And the children of Israel said to them, Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, and when we did eat bread to the full; for you have brought us forth into this wilderness to destroy the whole assembly of Israel with hunger. <a href="/hpbt/exodus/16.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And the children of Israel said to them: “We were wishing that we had died by the hand of LORD JEHOVAH in the land of Egypt when we were sitting by the pots of flesh and we were eating bread and were full, for you brought us to this wilderness to destroy the whole assembly of the children of Israel with hunger.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/exodus/16.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> and the children of Israel said unto them: 'Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh-pots, when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.' <a href="/sep/exodus/16.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And the children of Israel said to them, Would we had died smitten by the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh-pots, and ate bread to satiety! for ye have brought us out into this wilderness, to slay all this congregation with hunger. <a href="/parallel/exodus/16-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=3976" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/exodus/16.htm">Manna and Quail from Heaven</a> …2And there in the desert they all grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3<a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî- (Interjection) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">“If only</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: yit·tên (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: mū·ṯê·nū (V-Qal-Inf:: 1cp) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">we had died</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">by the LORD’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: ḇə·yaḏ- (Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">hand</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: bə·’e·reṣ (Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">in the land</a> <a href="/hebrew/4714.htm" title="4714: miṣ·ra·yim (N-proper-fs) -- A son of Ham, also his desc. and their country in N.W. Africa. Dual of matsowr; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt.">of Egypt!”</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.).">they said.</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/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: bə·šiḇ·tê·nū (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf:: 1cp) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">“There we sat</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.">by</a> <a href="/hebrew/5518.htm" title="5518: sîr (N-csc) -- Or ciyrah; or cirah; from a primitive root meaning to boil up; a pot; also a thorn; by implication, a hook.">pots</a> <a href="/hebrew/1320.htm" title="1320: hab·bā·śār (Art:: N-ms) -- Flesh. From basar; flesh; by extension, body, person; also The pudenda of a man.">of meat</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: bə·’ā·ḵə·lê·nū (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf:: 1cp) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">and ate</a> <a href="/hebrew/7648.htm" title="7648: lā·śō·ḇa‘ (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Satiety, abundance. From saba'; satisfaction (figuratively) joy).">our fill</a> <a href="/hebrew/3899.htm" title="3899: le·ḥem (N-ms) -- Bread, food. From lacham; food, especially bread, or grain.">of bread,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">but</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: hō·w·ṣê·ṯem (V-Hifil-Perf-2mp) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">you have brought</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯā·nū (DirObjM:: 1cp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">us</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">into</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">this</a> <a href="/hebrew/4057.htm" title="4057: ham·miḏ·bār (Art:: N-ms) -- A pasture, a desert, speech. From dabar in the sense of driving; a pasture; by implication, a desert; also speech.">desert</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7458.htm" title="7458: bā·rā·‘āḇ (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Famine, hunger. From ra'eb; hunger.">to starve</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">this</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.">whole</a> <a href="/hebrew/6951.htm" title="6951: haq·qā·hāl (Art:: N-ms) -- Assembly, convocation, congregation. From qahal; assemblage.">assembly</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: lə·hā·mîṯ (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">to death!”</a> 4Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test whether or not they will follow My instructions.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/numbers/11-4.htm">Numbers 11:4-6</a> 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!” <a href="/numbers/14-2.htm">Numbers 14:2-4</a> 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! / Why is the LORD bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” / So they said to one another, “Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt.” <a href="/psalms/78-18.htm">Psalm 78:18-20</a> 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?” <a href="/psalms/106-13.htm">Psalm 106:13-15</a> 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. <a href="/john/6-31.htm">John 6:31-35</a> Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” / Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. / For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” ... <a href="/1_corinthians/10-6.htm">1 Corinthians 10:6-10</a> These things took place as examples to keep us from craving evil things as they did. / Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” / We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. ... <a href="/numbers/21-5.htm">Numbers 21:5</a> 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!” <a href="/deuteronomy/8-3.htm">Deuteronomy 8:3</a> He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. <a href="/matthew/4-4.htm">Matthew 4:4</a> But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” <a href="/nehemiah/9-15.htm">Nehemiah 9:15-20</a> In their hunger You gave them bread from heaven; in their thirst You brought them water from the rock. You told them to go in and possess the land that You had sworn to give them. / But they and our fathers became arrogant and stiff-necked and did not obey Your commandments. / They refused to listen and failed to remember the wonders You performed among them. They stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to their bondage in Egypt. But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in loving devotion, and You did not forsake them. ... <a href="/john/6-49.htm">John 6:49-51</a> Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. / This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that anyone may eat of it and not die. / I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And this bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh.” <a href="/philippians/2-14.htm">Philippians 2:14</a> Do everything without complaining or arguing, <a href="/numbers/20-3.htm">Numbers 20:3-5</a> 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? / Why have you led us up out of Egypt to bring us to this wretched place? It is not a place of grain, figs, vines, or pomegranates—and there is no water to drink!” <a href="/psalms/78-25.htm">Psalm 78:25</a> Man ate the bread of angels; He sent them food in abundance. <a href="/hebrews/3-7.htm">Hebrews 3:7-11</a> Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice, / 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. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And the children of Israel said to 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 you have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.would<a href="/numbers/20-3.htm">Numbers 20:3-6</a> And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD! … <a href="/deuteronomy/28-67.htm">Deuteronomy 28:67</a> In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.<a href="/joshua/7-7.htm">Joshua 7:7</a> And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan!we had<a href="/numbers/11-15.htm">Numbers 11:15</a> And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.<a href="/numbers/14-2.htm">Numbers 14:2</a> And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!<a href="/job/3-1.htm">Job 3:1,10,20</a> After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day… flesh<a href="/exodus/2-23.htm">Exodus 2:23</a> And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.<a href="/numbers/11-4.htm">Numbers 11:4,5</a> And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? … to kill<a href="/exodus/5-21.htm">Exodus 5:21</a> And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.<a href="/exodus/17-3.htm">Exodus 17:3</a> And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?<a href="/numbers/16-13.htm">Numbers 16:13,41</a> Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us? … hunger<a href="/deuteronomy/8-3.htm">Deuteronomy 8:3</a> And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.<a href="/jeremiah/2-6.htm">Jeremiah 2:6</a> Neither said they, Where is the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?<a href="/lamentations/4-9.htm">Lamentations 4:9</a> They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/16-2.htm">Assembly</a> <a href="/exodus/10-15.htm">Ate</a> <a href="/exodus/13-7.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/exodus/16-2.htm">Children</a> <a href="/exodus/9-7.htm">Died</a> <a href="/exodus/13-7.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/exodus/16-1.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/exodus/15-9.htm">Fill</a> <a href="/exodus/12-46.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/exodus/15-13.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/exodus/15-6.htm">Full</a> <a href="/exodus/15-20.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/genesis/42-19.htm">Hunger</a> <a href="/exodus/16-2.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/exodus/12-21.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/exodus/12-46.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/revelation/2-27.htm">Pots</a> <a href="/exodus/12-29.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/exodus/16-2.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/exodus/16-2.htm">Wilderness</a> <a href="/exodus/5-5.htm">Wish</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/16-9.htm">Assembly</a> <a href="/exodus/16-35.htm">Ate</a> <a href="/exodus/16-4.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/exodus/16-6.htm">Children</a> <a href="/exodus/21-12.htm">Died</a> <a href="/exodus/16-8.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/exodus/16-6.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/exodus/16-32.htm">Fill</a> <a href="/exodus/16-8.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/exodus/16-32.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/exodus/16-8.htm">Full</a> <a href="/exodus/17-5.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/8-3.htm">Hunger</a> <a href="/exodus/16-6.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/exodus/17-3.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/exodus/16-8.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/exodus/27-3.htm">Pots</a> <a href="/exodus/17-12.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/exodus/16-9.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/exodus/16-10.htm">Wilderness</a> <a href="/leviticus/27-13.htm">Wish</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 16</div>1. <a href="/exodus/16-1.htm">The Israelites come to Sin, and murmur for want of bread</a> 4. <a href="/exodus/16-4.htm">God promises them bread and meat from heaven, and they are rebuked</a> 13. <a href="/exodus/16-13.htm">Quail and manna are sent</a> 16. <a href="/exodus/16-16.htm">The ordering of manna</a> 25. <a href="/exodus/16-25.htm">It was not to be found on the Sabbath</a> 32. <a href="/exodus/16-32.htm">An omer of it is preserved</a> </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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/16.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/16.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>“If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt!” This phrase reflects the Israelites' longing for the past, even though it was a time of bondage. It highlights their lack of faith and trust in God's deliverance. The "LORD's hand" signifies divine intervention, which they had witnessed through the plagues and the parting of the Red Sea. Their desire to have died in Egypt rather than face uncertainty in the wilderness shows a failure to recognize God's ongoing provision and plan. This sentiment is echoed in <a href="/numbers/11-5.htm">Numbers 11:5-6</a>, where the Israelites reminisce about the food in Egypt, revealing a recurring pattern of ingratitude and forgetfulness.“There we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread,” This statement is an idealized memory of their time in Egypt, where they were slaves. The "pots of meat" and "fill of bread" symbolize a sense of security and abundance, albeit in a context of oppression. Historically, Egypt was known for its agricultural wealth, which might have contributed to this perception. However, this memory is selective, ignoring the harsh realities of slavery. This longing for Egypt contrasts with the freedom God was leading them into, illustrating the human tendency to prefer familiar suffering over uncertain freedom.“but you have brought us into this desert” The "desert" or wilderness represents a place of testing and dependence on God. Geographically, the Sinai Peninsula is a harsh environment, emphasizing the Israelites' vulnerability and need for divine provision. This journey through the desert is a significant part of their transformation from a group of slaves to a nation under God's covenant. The desert experience is a recurring biblical theme, seen in the temptations of Jesus (<a href="/matthew/4.htm">Matthew 4:1-11</a>), where the wilderness serves as a place of preparation and reliance on God.“to starve this whole assembly to death!” This accusation against Moses and Aaron reveals the Israelites' fear and lack of faith. The term "assembly" refers to the entire community of Israel, highlighting the collective nature of their complaint. Their fear of starvation contradicts God's promise to provide for them, as seen later in the provision of manna (<a href="/exodus/16-4.htm">Exodus 16:4-5</a>). This moment foreshadows the testing of faith that believers face, where trust in God's provision is essential. It also points to Jesus as the Bread of Life (<a href="/john/6-35.htm">John 6:35</a>), who provides spiritual sustenance and fulfillment beyond physical needs.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a> The chosen people of God, who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and are now journeying through the wilderness. 2. <a href="/topical/m/moses_and_aaron.htm">Moses and Aaron</a> Leaders appointed by God to guide the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness_of_sin.htm">The Wilderness of Sin</a> A geographical location between Elim and Sinai where the Israelites camped and expressed their complaints. 4. <a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a> The land where the Israelites were enslaved, yet they nostalgically remember it as a place of abundance. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The covenant God of Israel, who delivered them from Egypt and is guiding them to the Promised Land.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_provision.htm">Trust in God's Provision</a> The Israelites' complaint reveals a lack of trust in God's ability to provide. Believers today are called to trust in God's provision, even in difficult circumstances. <a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_nostalgia.htm">The Danger of Nostalgia</a> Longing for the past can blind us to God's current work and future promises. We must focus on where God is leading us rather than where we have been. <a href="/topical/c/contentment_in_all_circumstances.htm">Contentment in All Circumstances</a> Like the Israelites, we may face times of scarcity or discomfort. Learning contentment, as Paul teaches, is crucial for spiritual growth. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_gratitude.htm">The Importance of Gratitude</a> Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have been given. Practicing gratitude can transform our perspective and strengthen our faith. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership.htm">The Role of Leadership</a> Moses and Aaron faced the challenge of leading a complaining people. This highlights the importance of godly leadership and the need for leaders to rely on God's guidance.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_16.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 16</a> <a href="/q/evidence_of_exodus_35_project_in_sinai.htm">(Exodus 35) Is there any concrete historical or archeological evidence to verify that such a grand construction project occurred in the Sinai wilderness?</a> <a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_passover_sacrifice_sites.htm">Deuteronomy 16:5-7: How do we reconcile sacrificing the Passover 'in the place the Lord chooses' with Exodus 12's instruction to kill the lamb at home?</a> <a href="/q/why_redeem_273_extra_firstborns.htm">Numbers 3:43 - Why is there a mismatch requiring the redemption of 273 surplus firstborn, suggesting an uneven count?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_joshua_16_10_and_1_kings_9_15-16_differ.htm">Why does Joshua 16:10 say the Canaanites in Gezer became forced labor, yet 1 Kings 9:15-16 seems to contradict who controlled Gezer's fate?</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>(3) Would to God we had died.--Heb., Would that we had died. There is no mention of "God."By the hand of the Lord.--There is, perhaps, an allusion to the last of the plagues, "Would that we had not been spared, but had been smitten, as the Egyptians were! A sudden death would have been far better than a long and lingering one." (Comp, <a href="/lamentations/4-9.htm" title="They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.">Lamentations 4:9</a>.)When we did eat bread to the full.--The Israelites had been well fed in Egypt. They had been nourished upon flesh, fish, bread, and abundant vegetables, especially cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlick (<a href="/numbers/11-5.htm" title="We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic:">Numbers 11:5</a>). It was the habit of the Egyptians to feed well those whom they employed in forced labours (Herod. ii. 125), just as slave-owners commonly do their slaves. The remembrance of the past abundance intensified the pain felt at the present want.To kill this whole assembly with hunger.--It is difficult to imagine that there could have been as yet any real danger of starvation. The cattle may have suffered considerably in the passage through the wilderness of Shur, but the bulk of it survived (<a href="/exodus/17-3.htm" title="And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Why is this that you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?">Exodus 17:3</a>), and there were lambs enough for the whole nation to observe a Passover a few months later at Sinai (<a href="/context/numbers/9-1.htm" title="And the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,">Numbers 9:1-5</a>). But it may well be that a considerable number of the Israelites had had no cattle; others may have lost what they had, or have consumed them. Want may have stared some in the face, and the nation generally may have come to see that the prospect before them was a dismal one. Even supposing that the desert was anciently four or five times as productive as it is now, it could not possibly have afforded sufficient pasturage to maintain such flocks and herds as would have been requisite to support on their milk and flesh a population of two millions. It may have been brought home to the people that their flocks and herds were rapidly diminishing, and they may have realised the danger that impended of ultimate starvation after the cattle was all gone. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt - i.e., "Would that God had smitten us with a painless death, as he did the first-born of the Egyptians! Then we should have avoided the painful and lingering death from starvation which we now see before us." The cry puts on the garb of piety, and names the name of Jehovah, but indicates a want of faith in him, his power, and his promises (<a href="/exodus/4-8.htm">Exodus 4:8, 17</a>; <a href="/exodus/6-8.htm">Exodus 6:8</a>; <a href="/exodus/12-25.htm">Exodus 12:25</a>; <a href="/exodus/13-5.htm">Exodus 13:5, 11</a>), which was sinful, and, after the miracles that they had seen, barely excusable. When we sat by the flesh-pots of Egypt. Compare <a href="/numbers/11-5.htm">Numbers 11:5</a>. Both passages make it clear that, whatever the sufferings of the Israelites in Egypt from the cruelty of the taskmasters and the hard tasks set them, at any rate their sustenance was well cared for - they had abundance of agreeable food. Did eat bread. It has been said that "bread" here means "food in general" (Kalisch); and no doubt the word has sometimes that sense. But it was probably actual bread, rather than anything else, for which the Israelites were longing. See the Introduction to the chapter. CHAPTER 16:4-8 <a href="/commentaries/exodus/16-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>“If only מִֽי־ (mî-) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix we had died מוּתֵ֤נוּ (mū·ṯê·nū) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> To die, to kill by the LORD’s יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel hand בְיַד־ (ḇə·yaḏ-) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> A hand in the land בְּאֶ֣רֶץ (bə·’e·reṣ) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land of Egypt!” מִצְרַ֔יִם (miṣ·ra·yim) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4714.htm">Strong's 4714: </a> Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa [they said]. בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son “There we sat בְּשִׁבְתֵּ֙נוּ֙ (bə·šiḇ·tê·nū) Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry by עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against pots סִ֣יר (sîr) Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5518.htm">Strong's 5518: </a> A pot, a thorn, a hook of meat הַבָּשָׂ֔ר (hab·bā·śār) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1320.htm">Strong's 1320: </a> Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man and ate בְּאָכְלֵ֥נוּ (bə·’ā·ḵə·lê·nū) Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> To eat our fill לָשֹׂ֑בַע (lā·śō·ḇa‘) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7648.htm">Strong's 7648: </a> Satisfaction, joy) of bread, לֶ֖חֶם (le·ḥem) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3899.htm">Strong's 3899: </a> Food, bread, grain but כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction you have brought הוֹצֵאתֶ֤ם (hō·w·ṣê·ṯem) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> To go, bring, out, direct and proxim us into אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to this הַזֶּ֔ה (haz·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> This, that desert הַמִּדְבָּ֣ר (ham·miḏ·bār) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4057.htm">Strong's 4057: </a> A pasture, a desert, speech to starve בָּרָעָֽב׃ (bā·rā·‘āḇ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7458.htm">Strong's 7458: </a> Famine, hunger this הַזֶּ֖ה (haz·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> This, that whole כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every assembly הַקָּהָ֥ל (haq·qā·hāl) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6951.htm">Strong's 6951: </a> Assembly, convocation, congregation to death!” לְהָמִ֛ית (lə·hā·mîṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> To die, to kill <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/16-3.htm">Exodus 16:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/exodus/16-3.htm">Exodus 16:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/exodus/16-3.htm">Exodus 16:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/exodus/16-3.htm">Exodus 16:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/exodus/16-3.htm">Exodus 16:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/16-3.htm">Exodus 16:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/16-3.htm">Exodus 16:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/16-3.htm">Exodus 16:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/16-3.htm">Exodus 16:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/exodus/16-3.htm">Exodus 16:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/exodus/16-3.htm">OT Law: Exodus 16:3 And the children of Israel said (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/16-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 16:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 16:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/16-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 16:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 16:4" /></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>