Exodus 16:17
Exodus 16:17 in Multiple Translations
So the Israelites did this. Some gathered more, and some less.
And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.
And the children of Israel did so, and gathered some more, some less.
And the children of Israel did so, and some took more and some less.
So the Israelites did as they were told. Some collected more, while others collected less.
And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some lesse.
And the sons of Israel do so, and they gather, he who is [gathering] much, and he who is [gathering] little;
The children of Israel did so, and some gathered more, some less.
And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.
And the children of Israel did so: and they gathered, one more, another less.
So that is what the Israeli people did. Some gathered more and some gathered less.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 16:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 16:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּעֲשׂוּ
כֵ֖ן
בְּנֵ֣י
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
וַֽ/יִּלְקְט֔וּ
הַ/מַּרְבֶּ֖ה
וְ/הַ/מַּמְעִֽיט
וַ/יַּעֲשׂוּ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
כֵ֖ן
kên
H3651
right
Adv
בְּנֵ֣י
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
וַֽ/יִּלְקְט֔וּ
lâqaṭ
H3950
to gather
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
הַ/מַּרְבֶּ֖ה
râbâh
H7235
to multiply
Art | V-Hiphil
וְ/הַ/מַּמְעִֽיט
mâʻaṭ
H4591
to diminish
Conj | Art | V-Hiphil
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 16:17
וַ/יַּעֲשׂוּ
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
כֵ֖ן
kên
H3651
"right"
Adv
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means 'so' or 'thus', often used to show agreement or confirmation, like in the book of Genesis. It can also mean 'rightly' or 'justly', as in doing something the correct way. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: adv adj 1) right, just, honest, true, veritable 1a) right, just, honest 1b) correct 1c) true, veritable
Usage: Occurs in 737 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] after that (this, -ward, -wards), as... as, [phrase] (for-) asmuch as yet, [phrase] be (for which) cause, [phrase] following, howbeit, in (the) like (manner, -wise), [idiom] the more, right, (even) so, state, straightway, such (thing), surely, [phrase] there (where) -fore, this, thus, true, well, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:7; Exodus 37:19; Judges 7:17.
בְּנֵ֣י
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
וַֽ/יִּלְקְט֔וּ
lâqaṭ
H3950
"to gather"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This verb means to gather or pick up, like gleaning leftover crops in a field. It is used in various forms to describe collecting or gathering things.
Definition: 1) to pick up, gather, glean, gather up 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pick up, gather 1a2) to glean 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to gather, gather up 1b2) to collect (money) 1b3) to glean 1c) (Pual) to be picked up 1d) (Hithpael) to collect oneself
Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: gather (up), glean. See also: Genesis 31:46; Ruth 2:2; Psalms 104:28.
הַ/מַּרְבֶּ֖ה
râbâh
H7235
"to multiply"
Art | V-Hiphil
This word means to increase or grow, like a plant shooting up. It is used in the Bible to describe something getting bigger or more abundant. The KJV translates it as abundance or bring up.
Definition: 1) be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to become many, become numerous, multiply (of people, animals, things) 1a2) to be or grow great 1b) (Piel) to make large, enlarge, increase, become many 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make much, make many, have many 1c1a) to multiply, increase 1c1b) to make much to do, do much in respect of, transgress greatly 1c1c) to increase greatly or exceedingly 1c2) to make great, enlarge, do much Aramaic equivalent: re.vah (רְבָה "to grow great" H7236)
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: (bring in) abundance ([idiom] -antly), [phrase] archer (by mistake for H7232 (רָבַב)), be in authority, bring up, [idiom] continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly, [idiom] -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much (greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), [idiom] process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very. See also: Genesis 1:22; 2 Chronicles 33:6; Psalms 16:4.
וְ/הַ/מַּמְעִֽיט
mâʻaṭ
H4591
"to diminish"
Conj | Art | V-Hiphil
This Hebrew word means to make something smaller or less. It can describe reducing a quantity or making something less effective. The KJV translates it as diminish or make few.
Definition: 1) to be or become small, be few, be diminished 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to diminish 1a2) to be too small 1b) (Piel) to become few 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make small, make few, diminish 1c2) to give less
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: suffer to decrease, diminish, (be, [idiom] borrow a, give, make) few (in number, -ness), gather least (little), be (seem) little, ([idiom] give the) less, be minished, bring to nothing. See also: Exodus 12:4; 2 Kings 4:3; Psalms 107:38.
Study Notes — Exodus 16:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Exodus 16:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 16:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 16:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 16:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 16:17
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 16:17
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 16:17
- Barnes' Notes on Exodus 16:17
- Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 16:17
Context — Manna and Quail from Heaven
15When the Israelites saw it, they asked one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. So Moses told them, “It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat.
16This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Each one is to gather as much as he needs. You may take an omer for each person in your tent.’”
17So the Israelites did this. Some gathered more, and some less.
18When they measured it by the omer, he who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no shortfall. Each one gathered as much as he needed to eat. 19Then Moses said to them, “No one may keep any of it until morning.”Exodus 16:17 Summary
[This verse, Exodus 16:17, shows that the Israelites obeyed God's command to gather as much manna as they needed, and some gathered more while others gathered less. This teaches us to trust in God's provision for our daily needs, just as Jesus taught us to pray for our daily bread in Matthew 6:11. By following God's instructions, we can have what we need, without excess or lack, as seen in Exodus 16:18. This principle can guide us in our own lives, helping us to live in obedience to God's commands and trust in His loving care.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that some gathered more and some less in Exodus 16:17?
This phrase indicates that the Israelites obeyed the command of the Lord to gather as much as they needed, and their individual needs varied, as seen in Exodus 16:16 where it is written that each one is to gather as much as he needs.
Does this verse suggest that the Israelites were disobedient by gathering different amounts?
No, it does not suggest disobedience, because the command was to gather as much as each needed, and the variation in gathering is a reflection of differing needs within the households, as noted in Exodus 16:16 and further clarified in Exodus 16:18.
How does this verse relate to the concept of daily bread in the Bible?
The concept of daily bread, also found in the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:11 and Luke 11:3, is reflected here as the Lord provides for the Israelites' daily needs, teaching them to trust in His provision for each day.
What can we learn from the Israelites' experience of gathering manna?
We can learn about the importance of trusting in God's daily provision and living in obedience to His commands, as seen in Exodus 16:4 where it is written that the Lord would test them to see if they would follow His instructions.
Reflection Questions
- What are my daily needs, and how can I trust God to provide for them, just as He provided manna for the Israelites?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of gathering 'as much as I need' to my own life, avoiding both excess and lack?
- How does the varying amount of manna gathered by the Israelites reflect the diversity of needs within the community of believers, and what does this teach me about my own role in the community?
- What would it mean for me to live in obedience to God's commands, even when they seem unclear or difficult to follow, as the Israelites did in Exodus 16:16-17?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 16:17
And the children of Israel did so,.... They went out of the camp in the morning when it was fallen, and gathered it; which is expressive of believers going out of the camp, leaving the world, and all
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 16:17
And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 16:17
Either, 1. According as their families were more or less numerous. Or rather, 2. As the gatherers were more or less strong and active in gathering it.
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 16:17
Exodus 16:17 And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.Ver. 17. Some more, some less.] Secundum proportionem arithmeticam, sed non secundum propertionem geometricam. As a man had more or less mouths in his family to feed.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 16:17
Verse 17. Some more, some less.] According to their respective families, an omer for a man; and according to the number of infirm persons whose wants they undertook to supply.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 16:17
17. some more, some less] according to the number in their family.
Barnes' Notes on Exodus 16:17
Some more, some less - It is evidently implied that the people were in part at least disobedient and failed in this first trial.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 16:17
16-21. An omer for every man — The amount of the omer at this time is one of the unsettled questions, which may be found fully discussed in Smith’s Dictionary, Art. Weights and Measures.