They asked, and he brought quail, and gave them bread from heaven in abundance.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights God's immediate and abundant provision in response to Israel's request for quail. Notice how it contrasts with the "bread of heaven," manna, which was a continuous supply, implying the quail was a special, perhaps even a mercifully granted, interlude to their daily sustenance.
They asked, and he brought quail, and gave them bread from heaven in abundance.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm is recounting God's faithfulness to Israel, particularly highlighting His provision during their wilderness journey. After listing God's acts of power in Egypt and leading them out, the focus shifts to the Israelites' needs and God's gracious responses. The verse before describes God protecting them from plagues, and the verse after speaks of Him opening rocks to provide water, continuing the theme of divine sustenance and care.
Ever felt like your cries for help were met with silence? This verse shows a God who hears and acts.
The people of Israel, in their desperation, cried out to God. And God, in His faithfulness, responded with immediate and abundant provision.
Asking and Receiving
Notice the simple sequence: "They asked, and he brought...". This isn't about earning or deserving, but about God's gracious response to the genuine needs and requests of His people. He didn't wait for them to perfectly phrase their requests or to prove their worthiness. He heard their asking.
The Nature of the Provision
God provided both quail and bread from heaven. The quail offered immediate, tangible sustenance, a welcome relief from their limited diet. The 'bread from heaven'—manna—was a constant, miraculous provision, a testament to God's power and His commitment to sustain His chosen people. It was not just enough; it was 'in abundance,' highlighting the generosity of God's provision.
How does God's provision speak when His people falter? This verse offers a powerful perspective.
The context of Psalm 105 is God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, often in stark contrast to Israel's repeated failures and complaints.
Remembering God's Goodness
The Psalmist is calling Israel to remember and give thanks for God's mighty acts. Even when the people 'asked' out of discontent or need, God's response was gracious. The commentators point out that this likely refers to the first instance of quail being sent, which God graciously pardoned their sin in desiring, rather than the later instance where it was given in judgment.
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A Shadow of Spiritual Truth
This earthly provision of quail and manna is seen as a shadow of deeper, spiritual realities. God doesn't just provide for our physical needs; He provides the ultimate sustenance through His Son, Jesus Christ. The 'bread of heaven' points to Christ, who is the true bread that gives eternal life.
Understand the original words
selav · Hebrew Noun
A migratory bird provided by God in the wilderness as a source of meat. It serves as a testament to God's miraculous provision for His people in times of extreme need.
lechem · Hebrew Noun
The staple of life, often used symbolically in the Bible to represent God's sustaining grace and life-giving word. In the wilderness, it specifically refers to manna, the supernatural food provided by God from above.
This psalm recounts God’s faithful provision for Israel during their wilderness journey, highlighting His miraculous sustenance of manna and quail. It serves as a powerful reminder that even when we face difficult or barren seasons, God is able and willing to provide for His people.
c. 1440 BC
Israelites Emerge from Egypt
After centuries of slavery, the Israelites, numbering around 600,000 men plus women and children, are miraculously freed from Egypt under Moses' leadership.
c. 1440 BC
The Wilderness Wanderings Begin
The freed Israelites begin their journey toward the Promised Land, a 40-year period characterized by dependence on God's provision in the harsh desert environment.
c. 1440 BC— this verse
Manna and Quail Provided
Complaining about hunger, the Israelites are given quail in the evening and manna (described as 'bread from heaven') in the morning, demonstrating God's immediate response to their needs.
c. 1440 BC
Water from the Rock
When the people thirst, God instructs Moses to strike a rock, from which water flows abundantly, providing refreshment in the barren wilderness.
c. 1400 BC
Israel Enters the Promised Land
After 40 years of wandering, the Israelites cross the Jordan River and begin the conquest of Canaan, receiving the land God promised to Abraham.
This passage directly describes the Israelites asking for food in the wilderness, and God responding by sending manna (bread from heaven) and quail.
Numbers 11:4-34While this account also mentions the Israelites craving meat and God sending quail, it's often contrasted with the Psalms 105 account as a time when God sent quail in judgment due to their grumbling, whereas Psalms 105 focuses on God's gracious provision.
Nehemiah 9:15This verse recalls God providing 'bread from heaven' for them, echoing the provision of manna mentioned in Psalms 105:40 and linking it to God's faithfulness in His covenant.
Psalm 78:24-29This psalm recounts God raining down manna ('bread of the angels') and bringing quail, similar to Psalms 105, emphasizing God's provision despite Israel's testing of Him.
1 Corinthians 10:3-4The Apostle Paul references the Israelites eating the same spiritual food and drinking the same spiritual drink from Christ (the Rock) in the wilderness, connecting the manna and water from the rock to spiritual sustenance provided by Christ.
pulpitPsalms 105:40: "The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven."
Verse 40. - The people asked, and he brought quails; literally, they asked (comp. Exodus 16:3, 13; Numbers 11:31). And satisfied them with the bread of heaven. The "bread of heaven" is the manna, which was given to the Israelites continuously from their first encampment in the wilderness of Sin (Exodus 16:14, 15) to their first Passover in Canaan (Joshua 5:12). The quails seem to have been giv…
bensonPsalms 105:40: "The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven."
Psalm 105:40-41 . The people asked, and he brought quails — He speaks of the first instance of his giving quails, mentioned Exodus 16:13 , which God sent them as a refreshment, graciously pardoning their sin in desiring them; and not of that second instance, recorded Numbers 11:31 , when God gave them quails in judgment, which would not have been mentioned here among God’s favours vouchsafed t…
The verse highlights God's immediate and abundant provision in response to Israel's request for quail. Notice how it contrasts with the "bread of heaven," manna, which was a continuous supply, implying the quail was a special, perhaps even a mercifully granted, interlude to their daily sustenance.
This psalm is recounting God's faithfulness to Israel, particularly highlighting His provision during their wilderness journey. After listing God's acts of power in Egypt and leading them out, the focus shifts to the Israelites' needs and God's gracious responses. The verse before describes God protecting them from plagues, and the verse after speaks of Him opening rocks to provide water, continuing the theme of divine sustenance and care.
This psalm is recounting God's faithfulness to Israel, particularly highlighting His provision during their wilderness journey. After listing God's acts of power in Egypt and leading them out, the focus shifts to the Israelites' needs and God's gracious responses. The verse before describes God protecting them from plagues, and the verse after speaks of Him opening rocks to provide water, continuing the theme of divine sustenance and care.
"They asked, and he brought quail, and gave them bread from heaven in abundance." — The verse highlights God's immediate and abundant provision in response to Israel's request for quail. Notice how it contrasts with the "bread of heaven," manna, which was a continuous supply, implyi…
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Last reviewed October 2026