Exodus 16:36
What is Exodus 16:36 about? Read the meaning and summary with full commentary explained, historical context, verse insights, word analysis, and cross-references.
Exodus chapter 16 - Bread From Heaven And The Sabbath Law
Exodus 16 articulates God’s response to the hunger of the Israelites by providing manna and quail. It establishes the rhythm of daily gathering and the specific prohibition of gathering on the seventh day, introducing the Sabbath as a day of rest and reliance. The chapter emphasizes that provision is linked to obedience and that 'enough' is the divine standard.
Exodus 16:36
ESV: (An omer is the tenth part of an ephah.)
KJV: Now an omer is the tenth part of an ephah.
NIV: (An omer is one-tenth of an ephah.)
NKJV: Now an omer is one-tenth of an ephah.
NLT: The container used to measure the manna was an omer, which was one-tenth of an ephah; it held about two quarts.
Meaning
Exodus 16:36 provides an essential clarification regarding the size of an omer, a unit of dry measure used in the context of the manna. It states that "Now an omer is the tenth part of an ephah." This explanatory note defines the omer, which was the daily portion of manna gathered by each Israelite and also the amount kept as a memorial, in terms of the larger, more common dry measure, the ephah. This ensures precision and understanding for all generations regarding God's meticulous provision.
Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 16:16 | "This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Gather... an omer a head’" | Defines the daily manna portion. |
| Exod 16:18 | "when they measured it by the omer, whoever gathered much had nothing over..." | Demonstrates God's equal provision for all. |
| Exod 16:33-34 | "Take a jar, and put an omer of manna in it... kept before the testimony." | The omer of manna as a perpetual memorial. |
| Lev 23:10-11, 15 | Instructions for the "omer of the firstfruits" offering. | Liturgical significance of the omer unit. |
| Num 5:15 | Specifies "a tenth of an ephah of barley flour" for offering. | Example of tenth of an ephah in rituals. |
| Num 28:5 | Mandates "a tenth of an ephah of fine flour" with offerings. | Reinforces specific measure in sacrifices. |
| Num 15:4, 6, 9 | Various meal offerings require "a tenth of an ephah of flour." | Consistent use of this measure for offerings. |
| Deut 25:13-16 | Condemns dishonest weights and measures, emphasizes honest ones. | Ethical foundation for standard units. |
| Lev 19:35-36 | Command: "You shall have honest scales, honest weights, an honest ephah..." | Divine requirement for integrity in trade. |
| Ezek 45:10-11 | Describes righteous ephah and homer measures for the Temple. | Reinforces precise divine standards. |
| John 6:31-35 | Jesus contrasts Himself as "the true bread from heaven" to manna. | Spiritual fulfillment of the manna provision. |
| Heb 9:4 | Mentions the "golden urn holding the manna" within the Ark. | New Testament recall of the manna memorial. |
| 1 Cor 10:1-5 | Paul references the spiritual lessons from Israel's wilderness. | New Testament theological reflection on manna. |
| 2 Cor 8:15 | Paul quotes Exod 16:18 about equality in manna gathering. | Applies the manna principle to generosity. |
| Rev 2:17 | Promise of "hidden manna" to believers. | Eschatological spiritual manna. |
| Matt 6:11 | "Give us this day our daily bread." | Echoes the daily nature of manna provision. |
| Prov 11:1 | "A false balance is an abomination... but a just weight is his delight." | Principle of righteous measurement. |
| Amos 8:5 | Condemns merchants for "making the ephah small." | Direct denunciation of dishonest measures. |
| Mic 6:10 | Denounces "the dishonest measures of the ephah." | Further prophetic condemnation. |
| Deut 8:3 | States manna was given "that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone..." | The deeper spiritual lesson of manna. |
| Ps 78:24-25 | Poetic praise for God raining "manna for them to eat" from heaven. | Highlights the miraculous nature of manna. |
| Judg 6:19 | Gideon prepares an ephah of flour for an offering. | Example of ephah used as a measure for food. |
| Ruth 2:17 | Ruth gathers "about an ephah of barley." | Common usage of the ephah measure. |
Context
Exodus chapter 16 describes God's miraculous provision of manna and quail to the Israelites in the wilderness of Sin, demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant people. This provision was accompanied by specific instructions for gathering (daily, except for Sabbath preparations). Verse 36, appearing at the end of the chapter, serves as an explanatory postscript. After discussing the specific quantity of manna (an omer per person) and the keeping of an omer for a memorial, this verse clarifies the omer's relationship to a known, larger unit (the ephah). This clarifies the precise volume of food God provided daily, underscoring the exactness and order of His provision and instructions, making the account understandable for later generations.
Word analysis
- And the omer (וְהָעֹמֶר - v'ha'omer):
- And (וְ - v'): Functions here as a connective or narrative particle, meaning "now" or "so," indicating a follow-up clarification.
- the omer (הָעֹמֶר - ha'omer): "The omer." The Hebrew term for a dry measure. In Exodus 16, it denotes the specific amount of manna allotted to each Israelite per day (Exod 16:16). An omer was roughly equivalent to 2.2 liters or about 2 quarts. Its name likely relates to "sheaf" or "heap," referencing harvested grain. This small, specific measure highlighted God's personalized daily care.
- is the tenth part (עֲשִׂירִית - asirit):
- the tenth (עֲשִׂירִית - asirit): From the root "aser" meaning "ten." This precise fraction emphasizes divine order and standards. It is not an approximation but an exact, defined proportion. The mention of "a tenth" suggests an established system of measures was in place, even if the omer itself was primarily associated with the manna event.
- of an ephah (הָאֵיפָה - ha'eiphah):
- of an ephah (הָאֵיפָה - ha'eiphah): "The ephah." A larger and more common Hebrew unit of dry measure used for grains and other foodstuffs. One ephah was roughly equivalent to 22 liters or about 3/5 of a bushel. By linking the omer to the ephah, the text provides context and allows future readers to understand the practical quantity involved. The ephah was a foundational unit in commerce and temple offerings, emphasizing God's concern for fair and exact dealing, as seen in prohibitions against dishonest weights and measures (Deut 25:13-16).
- it is (הִוא - hi):
- it is (הִוא - hi): This pronoun serves as the verb "is," completing the identity statement. Grammatically, it signifies "it is so" or "that is its equivalence," solidifying the definitive nature of the statement.
Commentary
Exodus 16:36 is a precise, technical clarification appended to the miraculous account of manna. Its placement underscores the meticulousness of God's arrangements and commands, extending even to the practical details of measurement. This parenthetical statement, likely inserted by Moses or a later inspired editor, ensures that future generations, potentially unfamiliar with the direct use of the "omer," would grasp the exact scale of the daily manna provision. The specific equivalency of an omer being "the tenth part of an ephah" speaks volumes about divine order. It suggests God is not vague in His provisions or requirements, whether in feeding His people in the wilderness or establishing just weights for trade and accurate measures for sacred offerings. This detail reinforces themes of divine accountability, fairness, and the systematic nature of God's law. While appearing mundane, it quietly stands as a testament to the God who is precise, ensuring clarity and removing ambiguity concerning His benevolent and just actions.
Bonus section
The act of keeping an omer of manna in the Ark of the Covenant (Exod 16:33-34) makes this specific measurement sacred and memorable. The omer was not just a utilitarian unit; it was tied to Israel's foundational experience of divine provision and daily dependence. The very concept of "daily bread" echoes the specific, precise, daily collection of this "omer." Its exact measure facilitated equality among the people, regardless of their harvesting ability (Exod 16:18), illustrating God's desire for everyone to have sufficient.
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