The verse reveals a profound practicality in God's commands regarding the Sabbath: it wasn't just about abstaining from work, but about intentionally preparing beforehand. By allowing them to bake and boil what they needed today, God taught them that holy rest is enabled by diligent, timely preparation.
he said to them, “This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Tomorrow is a day of solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD; bake what you will bake and boil what you will boil, and all that is left over lay aside to be kept till the morning.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Israelites are grappling with a new, miraculous food source—manna—provided by God in the wilderness, and a specific instruction to gather a double portion on the sixth day. This leads to confusion and questioning, prompting Moses to explain that this special provision is for the upcoming "holy Sabbath to the LORD," a day of solemn rest. The text highlights the people's surprise and the rulers' astonishment at this divine arrangement, setting the stage for the formal institution and explanation of the Sabbath commandment.
Did the Sabbath start at Mount Sinai, or is it even older than that? This verse offers a fascinating clue.
The instructions in Exodus 16:23 about the Sabbath aren't a brand-new law being introduced, but rather a clarification and re-emphasis of a practice already known. Moses explains that 'Tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath to the LORD.' This phrasing suggests that the concept of a holy day of rest was not entirely foreign to the Israelites, even before the formal Ten Commandments were given.
Commentators point out that the people's actions and their surprise at the double portion of manna on the sixth day imply a prior understanding of the Sabbath principle. If it were entirely new, how would Moses know to instruct them about gathering extra, or how would they even grasp the significance of the seventh day being different?
This points to the Sabbath being an ordinance established at creation, as mentioned in Genesis. While its formal observance and legal codification came with the Law at Sinai, the underlying principle of setting aside a day for rest and worship seems to have roots much deeper in human history.
God doesn't just give us rules; He provides for us. See how this is woven into the Sabbath command.
The instructions for preparing manna for the Sabbath highlight God's thoughtful provision. Moses tells them, 'bake what you will bake and boil what you will boil today, and all that is left over lay aside to be kept till the morning.' This isn't just about resting; it's about how to enable that rest through wise preparation.
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This shows that God wants His people to rest, but He also wants that rest to be practical and undisturbed by the necessities of daily chores. By gathering and preparing double the amount on the sixth day, they could fulfill their need for sustenance without working on the seventh. This demonstrates God's care for their well-being, ensuring that their observance of the Sabbath wouldn't lead to hardship or lack.
This principle reminds us that our obedience to God's commands, including Sabbath rest, is often best supported by forethought and preparation, allowing us to fully embrace the sacredness of the day without the burden of urgent tasks.
Understand the original words
Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God in the Old Testament, revealing Him as the self-existent, faithful, and redeeming God of Israel.
shabbat · Hebrew Noun
A period of time set apart by God for cessation from labor and for rest, established to commemorate God's creative work and His covenant with His people. It is holy because it belongs to God and is intended for His service.
qodesh · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
Something dedicated or consecrated to God; set apart from common use for sacred purposes. It reflects God’s own nature of absolute purity and separation from sin.
shabbathon · Hebrew Noun
A time of complete cessation from work. It signifies a pause in human activity to acknowledge God’s sovereignty and provision, often associated with a formal assembly.
This passage reveals the Sabbath not as a brand new law given at Sinai, but as a principle of sacred rest already known and practiced, now being reinforced and explained through the miraculous provision of manna in the wilderness.
c. 1446 BC
Israelites leave Egypt
The Israelites, after centuries of slavery, are miraculously led out of Egypt by God through Moses and Aaron. This marks the beginning of their 40-year journey in the wilderness.
c. 1446 BC
Manna provided in the wilderness
As the Israelites complain about hunger in the desert, God begins to provide manna, a special bread from heaven, to sustain them. This miraculous provision occurs daily.
c. 1446 BC
Command to gather double portion
Moses instructs the people that on the sixth day, they are to gather twice the amount of manna, preparing for the next day which is to be a day of rest.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Sabbath observance established
Moses explains that the double portion gathered on the sixth day is for the seventh day, which is to be a holy Sabbath rest for the LORD. Food prepared on this day is kept fresh, unlike spoiled leftovers from other days.
c. 1446 BC
Some disobey Sabbath command
Despite the instructions, some Israelites go out to gather manna on the seventh day but find none, demonstrating that the miraculous provision ceased on the Sabbath.
c. 1446 BC
God rebukes Israelites for disobedience
The LORD questions Moses about the people's refusal to keep His commandments and laws concerning the Sabbath, highlighting the importance and divine origin of the observance.
This passage describes God resting on the seventh day and blessing it, establishing the concept of a Sabbath from the very beginning of creation, which Exodus 16 alludes to.
Deuteronomy 5:12-15This passage reiterates the command to keep the Sabbath holy, but it grounds the reason in Israel's liberation from Egypt, offering a different emphasis than the creation-based reason found elsewhere.
Nehemiah 13:15-19This passage shows the people of Israel later struggling with and violating the Sabbath command, highlighting the ongoing challenge of living out this sacred day even after its institution.
Isaiah 58:13-14This prophecy speaks of the blessings that come from honoring the Sabbath, framing it as a delight and a day of joy, which adds a prophetic dimension to the command in Exodus.
bensonExodus 16:23: "And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning."
Exodus 16:23 . This is that which the Lord hath spoken — Either to Moses, by inspiration, or to the former patriarchs, on a like occasion. It is agreeable to the former word and law of God concerning the sabbath. To-morr…
calvinExodus 16:19-30: "And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning."
Sed non audierunt Mosen: quia quidam reservarunt ex eo usque mane. Et scatere coepit vermibus, et computruit: ideoque iratus est contra eos Moses.
And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted.
Itaque collegerunt illud singulis diebus mane: quisque secundum mensuram suam: et quum sol incaluerat, liquefiebat.
And it came to pass, that on th…
The verse reveals a profound practicality in God's commands regarding the Sabbath: it wasn't just about abstaining from work, but about intentionally preparing beforehand. By allowing them to bake and boil what they needed today, God taught them that holy rest is enabled by diligent, timely preparation.
The Israelites are grappling with a new, miraculous food source—manna—provided by God in the wilderness, and a specific instruction to gather a double portion on the sixth day. This leads to confusion and questioning, prompting Moses to explain that this special provision is for the upcoming "holy Sabbath to the LORD," a day of solemn rest. The text highlights the people's surprise and the rulers' astonishment at this divine arrangement, setting the stage for the formal institution and explanation of the Sabbath commandment.
The Israelites are grappling with a new, miraculous food source—manna—provided by God in the wilderness, and a specific instruction to gather a double portion on the sixth day. This leads to confusion and questioning, prompting Moses to explain that this special provision is for the upcoming "holy Sabbath to the LORD," a day of solemn rest. The text highlights the people's surprise and the rulers' astonishment at this divine arrangement, setting the stage for the formal institution and explanation of the Sabbath commandment.
"he said to them, “This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Tomorrow is a day of solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD; bake what you will bake and boil what you will boil, and all that is left over lay aside to be kept till the morning.’”" — The verse reveals a profound practicality in God's commands regarding the Sabbath: it wasn't just about abstaining from work, but about intentionally preparing beforehand. By allowing them to bake…
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Last reviewed October 2026
