Exodus 16:13 Meaning and Explanation
“And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Quails arrive in the evening and dew appears in the morning.
The Context of Exodus 16:13
God's promised provisions arrive.
What Does Exodus 16:13 Mean?
The promise is fulfilled exactly as stated. Quails arrive 'at even'—not gradually, but arriving to cover the camp completely. The abundance is visible and undeniable: enough flesh for the entire congregation in one evening. This is not scarcity addressed but abundance provided.
In the morning, dew surrounds the camp. The dew will bring with it the manna, about to be revealed. The natural phenomenon of dew becomes the vehicle for the miraculous substance. The boundary between natural and miraculous blurs—God works through both.
Exodus 16:13 in the Original Language
שְׂלָוִים (śəlāwîm), 'quails' — migratory birds that migrate through the region.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 16:13
What does Exodus 16:13 mean?
Quails arrive in the evening and dew appears in the morning.
What is the context of Exodus 16:13?
God's promised provisions arrive.