Exodus 16:2
ESV
And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness,
NIV
In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
NASB
But the whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.
CSB
The entire Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.
NLT
There, too, the whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron.
KJV
And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:
NKJV
Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.
What does Exodus 16:2 mean?
Ancient writing used figures of speech just as do modern texts. Here, Scripture indicates that "the whole congregation" raises complaints against Moses. This phrase broadly refers to every person of the nation. In context, this use is probably not literal. It's unlikely that infants voiced their frustrations about Moses. A few Israelites might have been content. But for all practical purposes, the entire nation gripes at their leaders because of food (Exodus 16:3).It's important to notice that the people are not merely complaining "about" food. They target Moses and Aaron (Exodus 16:8). The implication is that the people blame leadership for their hunger. This is much like their prior complaints regarding water (Exodus 15:24–26). It's likely Moses and Aaron personally heard these protests; later, Moses will take good advice about how to spread out decision-making (Exodus 18).
