Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 16:17
And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.
17. some more, some less ] according to the number in their family.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Some more, some less – It is evidently implied that the people were in part at least disobedient and failed in this first trial.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
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.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
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 behind them for Christ; and of their going out of themselves to him, and of their going in and out, and finding pasture and food for their souls in him to live upon: and gathered some more, some less; some that were more robust and strong, that were more active and diligent, gathered in more than others; which may denote the different degree and exercise of faith in God’s people; some are strong in it, and others weak; some attain to a greater degree of knowledge of Christ, and receive more grace from him, and have more spiritual peace, joy, and comfort in believing, and others less; see Ro 15:1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
17. And the children of Israel did so. I do not think that the obedience of the people is here greatly praised; since soon afterwards Moses adds that some, not contented with their due allowance, collected more than was permitted them, and that others also transgressed what was enjoined them as to the Sabbath day. But I thus paraphrase the passage, that, when they had applied themselves to the gathering of it, the whole amount was found sufficient to fill an omer for every individual. For they did not each of them collect a private store; but, when all had assisted, at length. they took their prescribed portion from the common heap Thus, as each was more especially diligent, the more he bone. flied his slower and less industrious neighbor, without any loss to himself. This is aptly applied by Paul to almsgiving, (2Co 8:14,) wherein every one bestows of what he possesses on his poor brethren, only let us remember that this is done (182) figuratively; for though there be some likeness between the manna and our daily food, yet there is a distinction between them to be observed, on which we shall elsewhere remark. Since, then, the manna was a food differing from what we commonly use, and was given daily without tillage or labor almost into their hands, it is not to be wondered that God should have called each one of the people to partake of it equally, and forbade any one to take more than another. The case of ordinary food is different; for it is necessary (183) for the preservation of human society that each should possess what is his own; that some should acquire property by purchase, that to others it should come by hereditary right, to others by the title of presentation, that each should increase his means in proportion to his diligence, or bodily strength, or other qualifications. In fine, political government requires, that each should enjoy what belongs to him; and hence it would be absurd to prescribe, as to our common food, the law which is here laid down as to the manna. And Paul, also, wisely makes the distinction, in enjoining that there should be an equality, not arising from a promiscuous and confused use of property, but by the rich spontaneously and liberally relieving the wants of their brethren, and not grudgingly or of necessity. In this way he reminds us, that whatever goods we possess, flow from the bounty of God, like the manna; but, since each now possesses privately and separately whatever is given them, the same law is not in force for the mutual communication of property, whereby God bound His ancient people. Thence it appears that the distribution of the manna, as it is related by Moses, is properly applied to almsgiving. This doctrine, too, extends still further; for Paul warns believers not to be over-anxious lest they should exhaust themselves by their bounty, because no man’s provision failed, when the Israelites by God’s command divided the manna among them.
(182) Per anagogen. — Lat.
(183) “Pour nourrir les hommes en amitie et paix;” for sustaining men in friendship and peace. — Fr.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
The apostle is the best commentator on this, 2Co 8:15 . Probably they gathered in families, or households; and so each had his proportion after. But is there not a sweet spiritual sense here, respecting the measure of the gospel? He that gathers most of Jesus, hath nothing over, nothing to spare. And the soul that hath the least of Jesus, can lack nothing beside. Eph 4:7 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 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.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 16:17. Some more, some less According as their families were more or less numerous; or as the gatherers were more or less strong and active in gathering it.