Albert Barnes Commentary Exodus 16
Albert Barnes Commentary
Exodus 16
Albert Barnes Commentary
Exodus 16
"And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt." — Exodus 16:1 (ASV)
The wilderness of Sin - The desert tract, called Debbet er Ramleh, extends nearly across the peninsula from the Wady Nasb in a south-easterly direction, between the limestone district of Et Tih and the granite of Sinai. The journey from the station at Elim, or even from that on the Red Sea, could be performed in a day: at that time the route was kept in good condition by the Egyptians.
"And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron in the wilderness:" — Exodus 16:2 (ASV)
Murmured - The lack of food was first felt after six weeks from the time of the departure from Egypt, see (Exodus 16:1): we have no previous notice of any deficiency of bread.
"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." — Exodus 16:3 (ASV)
By the hand of the Lord - This evidently refers to the plagues, especially the last, in Egypt: the death which befell the Egyptians appeared to the people preferable to the sufferings of famine.
Flesh pots, and ... bread - These expressions prove that the servile labors to which they had been subjected did not involve privations: they were fed abundantly, either by the officials of Pharaoh, or more probably by the produce of their own fertile district.
"Then said Jehovah unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day`s portion every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or not." — Exodus 16:4 (ASV)
That I may prove them - The trial consisted in the restriction to the supply of their daily wants.
"And it shall come to pass on the sixth day, that they shall prepare that which they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily." — Exodus 16:5 (ASV)
It shall be twice as much - They should collect and prepare a double quantity.
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