161 And they journey from Elim, and all the company of the sons of Israel come in unto the wilderness of Sin, which 'is' between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month of their going out from the land of Egypt. 2 And all the company of the sons of Israel murmur against Moses and against Aaron in the wilderness; 3 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.' 4 And Jehovah saith unto Moses, 'Lo, I am raining to you bread from the heavens—and the people have gone out and gathered the matter of a day in its day—so that I try them whether they walk in My law, or not; 5 and it hath been on the sixth day, that they have prepared that which they bring in, and it hath been double above that which they gather day 'by' day.' 6 And Moses saith—Aaron also—unto all the sons of Israel, 'Evening—and ye have known that Jehovah hath brought you out from the land of Egypt; 7 and morning—and ye have seen the honour of Jehovah, in His hearing your murmurings against Jehovah, and what 'are' we, that ye murmur against us?' 8 And Moses saith, 'In Jehovah's giving to you in the evening flesh to eat, and bread in the morning to satiety—in Jehovah's hearing your murmurings, which ye are murmuring against Him, and what 'are' we? your murmurings 'are' not against us, but against Jehovah.' 9 And Moses saith unto Aaron, 'Say unto all the company of the sons of Israel, Come ye near before Jehovah, for He hath heard your murmurings;' 10 and it cometh to pass, when Aaron is speaking unto all the company of the sons of Israel, that they turn towards the wilderness, and lo, the honour of Jehovah is seen in the cloud. 11 And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses, saying, 12 'I have heard the murmurings of the sons of Israel; speak unto them, saying, Between the evenings ye eat flesh, and in the morning ye are satisfied 'with' bread, and ye have known that I 'am' Jehovah your God.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 16:1-12
Commentary on Exodus 16:1-12
(Read Exodus 16:1-12)
The provisions of Israel, brought from Egypt, were spent by the middle of the second month, and they murmured. It is no new thing for the greatest kindness to be basely represented as the greatest injuries. They so far undervalue their deliverance, that they wished they had died in Egypt; and by the hand of the Lord, that is, by the plagues which cut off the Egyptians. We cannot suppose they had plenty in Egypt, nor could they fear dying for want in the wilderness, while they had flocks and herds: none talk more absurdly than murmurers. When we begin to fret, we ought to consider, that God hears all our murmurings. God promises a speedy and constant supply. He tried whether they would trust him, and rest satisfied with the bread of the day in its day. Thus he tried if they would serve him, and it appeared how ungrateful they were. When God plagued the Egyptians, it was to make them know he was their Lord; when he provided for the Israelites, it was to make them know he was their God.