Exodus 16:15 Meaning and Explanation
“And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The people see the substance and Moses identifies it as bread from the Lord.
The Context of Exodus 16:15
The people identify the substance as manna.
What Does Exodus 16:15 Mean?
The people's first response is a question: 'It is manna?'—which literally means 'What is it?' in Hebrew. The word becomes the name because they do not know what it is. Rather than naming it from knowledge, they name it from wonder. Their confusion is captured in the name itself.
Moses steps in to interpret: 'This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.' What was mysterious becomes clear through authoritative explanation. Moses teaches them to see the substance not as a curiosity but as provision, as gift from the Lord. The interpretation transforms perception.
Exodus 16:15 in the Original Language
מַן (man), 'manna' — literally 'what is it?', reflecting the people's unknowing response.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 16:15
What does Exodus 16:15 mean?
The people see the substance and Moses identifies it as bread from the Lord.
What is the context of Exodus 16:15?
The people identify the substance as manna.