Exodus 16:3 Meaning and Explanation
“And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The people wish they had died in Egypt rather than starve in the wilderness.
The Context of Exodus 16:3
The people's desperate complaint about hunger.
What Does Exodus 16:3 Mean?
The Israelites' complaint reveals selective memory. They recall eating bread 'to the full' and sitting by 'flesh pots' in Egypt—the life of slaves—but forget the brutality of slavery itself. Their nostalgia is a measure of their current fear and hunger.
They accuse Moses and Aaron of bringing them out to 'kill this whole assembly with hunger.' This is hyperbole born from genuine need, yet it shows how quickly trust erodes when circumstances grow difficult. The complaint goes beyond grumbling to question whether their rescue was actually a betrayal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 16:3
What does Exodus 16:3 mean?
The people wish they had died in Egypt rather than starve in the wilderness.
What is the context of Exodus 16:3?
The people's desperate complaint about hunger.