Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 16:35
And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan.
35. How the manna continued till the Israelites reached Canaan. Cf. Jos 5:11 f. (P).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Did eat manna forty years – This does not necessarily imply that the Israelites were fed exclusively on manna, or that the supply was continuous during forty years: but that whenever it might be needed, owing to the total or partial failure of other food, it was given until they entered the promised land. They had numerous flocks and herds, which were not slaughtered (see Num 11:22), but which gave them milk, cheese and of course a limited supply of flesh: nor is there any reason to suppose that during a considerable part of that time they may not have cultivated some spots of fertile ground in the wilderness. We may assume, as in most cases of miracle, that the supernatural supply was commensurate with their actual necessity. The manna was not withheld in fact until the Israelites had passed the Jordan.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 35. The children of Israel did eat manna forty years] From this verse it has been supposed that the book of Exodus was not written till after the miracle of the manna had ceased. But these words might have been added by Ezra, who under the direction of the Divine Spirit collected and digested the different inspired books, adding such supplementary, explanatory, and connecting sentences, as were deemed proper to complete and arrange the whole of the sacred canon. For previously to his time, according to the universal testimony of the Jews, all the books of the Old Testament were found in an unconnected and dispersed state.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
This Moses might well write; for though he did not go into Canaan, yet he came to the borders of Canaan. And though he did not see the cessation of the manna, yet he sufficiently knew both from the nature of the thing, and by revelation from God, that it would forthwith cease upon their entrance into Canaan.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years,…. Wanting thirty days, as Jarchi observes; reckoning from their coming out of Egypt, and the passover they kept there, to their coming to the borders of the land of Canaan to Gilgal, and keeping the passover there, when the manna ceased, were just forty years; but then they had been out of Egypt a month before the manna fell; but the round number is given, as is common: it was on the sixteenth of Ijar, the second month, the manna fell; and it was in the month of Nisan, about the sixteenth or seventeenth of the month, that it ceased, see Jos 5:10
until they came to a land inhabited: where the ground was cultivated, and corn was produced to make bread of, which could not be had in a wilderness; and therefore God graciously provided for them every day, and fed them with manna till they came to such a place:
they did eat manna until they came to the borders of the land of Canaan; that is, Gilgal: the Targum of Jonathan is,
“they ate manna forty years in the life of Moses, until they came unto the land of habitation; they ate manna forty days after his death, until they passed over Jordan, and entered the extremities of the land of Canaan:”
some have thought this verse was not written by Moses, but Joshua, or some other hand after his death since he did not live quite to the cessation of the manna; which need not be much disputed or objected to; though it may be considered that Moses led Israel to the borders of the land of Canaan, though he did not go with them so far as Gilgal, and died before the manna ceased; yet, as he was assured of it, he could write this in certain faith of it, and especially by a spirit of prophecy: this signifies that the children of God are to live by faith upon Christ, while they are in the wilderness of this world; nor will this spiritual food be wanting to them while in it; but when they are come to Canaan’s land, to the heavenly glory, they will no more walk and live by faith, but by sight: the word and ordinances will then cease; Christ will be no more held forth to them in that way, but they shall see him as he is, and behold his glory,
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(35) The children of Israel did eat manna forty years.Moses may have added this verse to the present chapter shortly before his death, when the manna had continued for thirty-nine years and nine months. He does not say that it had ceased to be given. We know that in fact it did not cease till the Jordan was crossed by the Israelites under Joshua, and Canaan was actually reached (Jos. 5:10-12).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
35. Until they came to a land inhabited Till they left the desert with its nomad inhabitants, and reached a country of settled population on the borders of the land of Canaan, in the plains of Moab . Deu 34:1. It does not necessarily follow that the manna had ceased at the time of writing this, hut the statement is, that this supernatural supply had continued through the desert life. According to Jos 5:11-12, it continued after the Israelites had passed the Jordan and encamped in Gilgal, till “the morrow after the passover” of that year . If, as some suppose, a subsequent writer, living after the death of Moses, had written this verse, he would not have left the statement in this shape, conveying, as it does, the implication, though not making the direct statement, that they ate no manna after reaching Canaan. Such subsequent writer must have known of the above quoted account in Joshua. Thus here is a noteworthy touch of genuineness.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Exo 16:35. The children of Israel did eat manna forty years A round number is here, as usual, applied for one which is imperfect. It appears, from Jos 5:11-12 that it was short of forty years by about a month. The manna fell from Friday the fifth of June, in the year of the world 2513, to the second day of the passover, which was on Wednesday the fifth of May, in the year of the world 2553, before Jesus Christ 1447 years, and before the vulgar AEra, 1451 years. Some have supposed, that as Moses lived not to the end of these forty years, these words were added by Ezra; but, as he conducted the Israelites to the frontiers of Canaan, what inconvenience is there in supposing that he inserted these words a little before his death in this place, being in their proper and natural order.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
DISCOURSE: 88
SENDING OF THE MANNA
Exo 16:35. And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited: they did eat manna until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan.
THE history of the Israelites in the wilderness contains an uninterrupted series of miracles. It might be well expected, that two millions of people encamped in a barren desert would soon begin to want fresh supplies of food. And so it happened. In a month after their first departure from Egypt, they had exhausted the store that they had brought with them. But God, who had brought them thus far, would not suffer them to remain destitute any longer than was necessary to try their faith and patience. He therefore gave them from the clouds a peculiar kind of food, (such as had never been seen before,) a small white substance, like coriander-seed, which, when ground in a mill and baked or seethed in water, was extremely palatable.
We propose to make some observations upon,
I.
The provision he gave them
Let the occasion on which he gave it be first considered
[Instead of confiding in that God who had so often, and so wonderfully interposed for them, they murmured against him in a most impious manner, wishing that he had involved them in the judgments which had desolated Egypt, rather than that he should have brought them into their present difficulties. And though their complaints were directed professedly only against Moses and Aaron, they were, in fact, against God himself, by whose direction alone any step had been taken. How astonishing was it that God should take occasion from such a grievous act of impiety to give them such tokens of his love and mercy! Might we not have expected rather that he should execute upon them his severest judgments? But thus he has done in all ages, in order to display the sovereignty and the riches of his grace [Note: To Adam, Gen 3:6; Gen 3:12; Gen 3:15. To Saul, Act 26:10-16. To ourselves in unnumbered instances, making our sins the occasion of deeper humiliation.] ]
Next, let us notice the directions he gave respecting it
[They ere to gather the manna from day to day, reserving none of it for the morrow [Note:, 19.]. This was to teach them their entire dependence upon God, and impress them with a sense of Gods continued care of them. And though we are not forbidden, yea rather are commanded, to make suitable provision for our families, yet in the habit of our minds we are to be continually dependent on God, and free from all anxious care or distrust
They were not to gather any on the Sabbath, but to provide a double portion on the day preceding it [Note: 9.]. How early was the observance of the Sabbath inculcated! The law was not yet given; therefore the observance of the Sabbath was not a mere ceremonial commandment. Nor was the injunction relative to it either given by Moses, or received by Israel, as a new thing: it doubtless had been enforced from the beginning of the world: and consequently we, no less than the Jews, are bound to lay aside all temporal concerns, as much as possible, on that day, and to consecrate it wholly to the service of our God
They were to preserve some of it in a pot, and lay it up before the Lord as a memorial for future generations [Note: 2, 33.]. They were not to forget the mercies vouchsafed to them; but rather to transmit to their latest posterity the remembrance of them; in order that they also might be led to serve and trust in the living God. And have not we also memorials of the love of God to us? Search the records of our national history, or let every one consult his own personal experience; and We shall find abundant reason to adore that God, who has interposed for us in ten thousand dangers, and supplied our continually returning wants ]
The peculiar interposition of God in relation to it deserves also particular notice
[It was so ordered by his providence, that, when the members of the different families had put together the portions which they had severally collected, and measured it out again for the purpose of distributing to each his regular portion, there never was found any redundancy, or any want [Note: 618.]. What this was designed to teach us, we are at no loss to determine; since God himself has suggested the proper improvement of it. We all are members of one great family. Some, by Gods blessing on their diligence, or by some other means, possess much; whilst others, through a variety of circumstances, possess but little: we ought therefore (not indeed to make one common stock, but) to lay by us for the poor, according as God has prospered us; that, as far at least as the enjoyment of the necessaries of life are concerned, there may be an equality; the abundance of the rich supplying the necessities of their less-favoured brethren [Note: 2Co 8:14-15.]. O that there were in all of us such an heart, and that, instead of scraping together all that we can save, for the purpose of enriching our families, we found our happiness in doing good, being glad to distribute, and willing to communicate! ]
From viewing the mercies God vouchsafed to the Israelites, let us turn our attention to,
II.
The corresponding provision he has given us
St. Paul tells us, that the manna of which we have been speaking, was spiritual meat [Note: 1Co 10:3.]. It was carnal indeed in its immediate use; but it typically shadowed forth the food on which our souls must live: and, to those who partook of it in faith, it was a source of spiritual and eternal blessings. The Lord Jesus Christ has fully explained the subject to us; and drawn a parallel between the manna on which the Israelites subsisted, and himself as the life of our souls [Note: Joh 6:32-58.]. We shall not trace that parallel here [Note: The parallel is drawn in Dis. on Joh 6:34 and 1Co 10:3-4.], but consider the subject in a more appropriate view.
Three things then we wish you to remark;
1.
The freeness of this provision
[What have we done to merit the gift of Gods dear Son? We were rebels against the Majesty of heaven, and deserved nothing but wrath and fiery indignation to consume us The manna rained round the tents of the murmuring Israelites was not more freely given, than Christ is sent to us, and salvation by him is offered us in the Gospel [Note: Isa 55:1.] ]
2.
The suitableness
[The manna was adapted to nourish equally the infant and adult. And to whom is not Christ suited? The great sinner will find in him precisely such a Saviour as his necessities require The weak, the timid, the disconsolate, yea, all persons in all possible circumstances, shall find, that he is as much suited to their individual cases, as if God had sent him for them alone; and to their palate, as though they themselves had chosen what kind of a Saviour they would have ]
3.
The sufficiency
[The vigour of all was renewed from day to day by means of the food provided for them; and they were enabled to march or fight, as occasion required. And what cannot he do who feeds upon the Lord Jesus Christ? What conflicts shall not he support; what victories shall not he gain? The grace of Christ will be sufficient for him; and he will be able to do all things through Christ who strengtheneth him He that gathers most of this heavenly manna, will indeed have nothing over; but he who gathers ever so little, shall have no lack Twice is it repeated in our text, that they ate of the manna till they arrived at the promised land: never did it fail them; nor did they ever need any other food. And thus assuredly shall Christ continue to the end the support of all who feed upon him; and, in possessing that hidden manna, they shall have all that they can want in this dreary wilderness; they shall have an earnest and antepast of heaven itself [Note: Rev 2:17.].]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
Observe, the food of Israel ceased not through all their journey. Though they were continually rebellious and full of murmurings, the Lord’s mercies still continued. They were froward children, but they were children still. Gracious God! well might they sing: for thy mercy endureth ever. Psa 136 , throughout. But is there not a spiritual meaning here? Did the manna cease not until they got to Canaan? And is not Jesus the heavenly manna, the food of his people, until the whole of their pilgrimage is over? Lord! may I know what it is to eat of thy body, that I may have eternal life abiding in me.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 16:35 And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan.
Ver. 35. Until they came. ] So, till we come to heaven shall we have need of ordinances.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
did eat manna. The repetition (for emphasis) is the Figure of speech Epibole (App-6).
forty years. Compare Jos 5:6, Jos 5:11, Jos 5:12. Figure of speech Hysterologia (App-6), a prior mention of a subsequent event.
until they came. Given on 16th Ziph, B.C. 1491, ceased 16th Ziph, B.C. 1461 = 39 years 11 months. See Jos 5:12. See App-60.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
manna
Manna, type of Christ as the “bread of life,” come down from heaven to die “for the life of the world.” Joh 6:35; Joh 6:48-51. A “small” thing Exo 16:14 having but the taste of “fresh oil.” Num 11:8 or “wafers with honey” Exo 16:31, it typifies Christ in humiliation as presented in Matthew, Mark, and Luke; “having no form nor comeliness;. .. no beauty that we should desire him” Isa 53:2. But as such He must be received by faith if we would be saved Joh 6:53-58. To meditate upon Christ as He went about among men, doing not His own will but the will of the Father Joh 6:38-40 is to feed on the manna. This is, of necessity, the spiritual food of young believers, and answers to “milk” 1Co 3:1; 1Co 3:2.
But Christ in glory, and the believer’s present and eternal association with Him there, answers to “the old corn of the land” Jos 5:11 the “meat” of Heb 5:13; Heb 5:14 or Christ as presented in the Epistles of Paul. (Cf) 2Co 5:16.
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
forty years: Num 33:38, Deu 8:2, Deu 8:3, Neh 9:15, Neh 9:20, Neh 9:21, Psa 78:24, Psa 78:25, Joh 6:30-58
until they came to: Jos 5:12
the borders: Num 33:48-50, Deu 1:8, Deu 34:1-4
Reciprocal: Num 26:10 – earth opened Deu 29:6 – eaten bread 1Ki 17:6 – the ravens Pro 30:8 – feed Mat 4:4 – but Joh 6:31 – fathers Act 13:18 – about 1Co 10:3 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Exo 16:35. Israel did eat manna forty years That is, save one month, as appears from Jos 5:11-12. As Moses did not live to see the cessation of the manna, some have supposed that the words of this verse were added by Ezra. But although Moses did not go into Canaan, yet he came to the borders of it, and he perfectly knew, both from the nature of the thing, and by revelation from God, that the manna would immediately cease upon their entering into Canaan; and therefore might well write in this manner.