Exodus 16:18
ESV
But when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. Each of them gathered as much as he could eat.
NIV
And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little. Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed.
NASB
When they measured it by the omer, the one who had gathered much did not have too much, and the one who had gathered little did not have too little; everyone gathered as much as he would eat.
CSB
When they measured it by quarts, the person who gathered a lot had no surplus, and the person who gathered a little had no shortage. Each gathered as much as he needed to eat.
NLT
But when they measured it out, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed.
KJV
And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating.
NKJV
So when they measured it by omers, he who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack. Every man had gathered according to each one’s need.
What does Exodus 16:18 mean?
To keep Israel fed during their time in the wilderness, the Lord has provided "bread" from heaven. This comes in the form of a new (Deuteronomy 8:3), flaked, thin substance which the people later call "manna" (Exodus 16:31; Numbers 11:7–8). God intends the people to trust Him, however (Exodus 16:12). So, the manna cannot be stockpiled; it must be collected over and over (Exodus 16:19–20).God emphasizes His provision in several ways. One is by ensuring that each person obtains exactly their ration of manna each day. The people gather it as instructed (Exodus 16:16–17), with some collecting more than others. But when it is measured, everyone has their precise amount.
The text suggests that the people collected manna into a single location, then portioned it out. When measured, there was always exactly the right amount for each person's ration. The people collect a double portion on the sixth day, and only then is it explained to them (Exodus 16:5) that this will last through the seventh day Sabbath (Exodus 16:22–23). This makes more sense if the people didn't know how much they'd gathered until it was all weighed.
Whatever the specific logistics of the gathering, God demonstrates His ability to provide exactly according to our need.
