Exodus 16:8
ESV
And Moses said, "When the Lord gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the Lord has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him — what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord."
NIV
Moses also said, "You will know that it was the Lord when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord."
NASB
And Moses said, 'This will happen when the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening, and bread to the full in the morning; for the Lord hears your grumblings which you grumble against Him. And what are we? Your grumblings are not against us but against the Lord.'
CSB
Moses continued, "The Lord will give you meat to eat this evening and all the bread you want in the morning, for he has heard the complaints that you are raising against him. Who are we? Your complaints are not against us but against the Lord."
NLT
Then Moses added, 'The Lord will give you meat to eat in the evening and bread to satisfy you in the morning, for he has heard all your complaints against him. What have we done? Yes, your complaints are against the Lord, not against us.'
KJV
And Moses said, This shall be, when the Lord shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the Lord heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the Lord.
NKJV
Also Moses said, “ This shall be seen when the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening, and in the morning bread to the full; for the Lord hears your complaints which you make against Him. And what are we? Your complaints are not against us but against the Lord.”
What does Exodus 16:8 mean?
The entire nation of Israel is complaining against Moses and Aaron over a lack of food (Exodus 16:1–3). Wanting to eat is normal, but the people are ignoring all the miraculous things the Lord has done for them (Exodus 3:19–20; 14:21–28). They speak as if Moses and Aaron have led them into starvation.The people's despairing, bitter tone is a problem. This verse uses variations of a Hebrew word which implies stubborn, rebellious complaining. Moses and Aaron are God's uniquely appointed messengers (Exodus 4:13–16). They have repeatedly proven that they speak for the Lord (Exodus 11:10; 12:50; 14:31). When the people attack Moses and Aaron, they are really criticizing God and His plans for Israel.
God promised to send food while also testing the people's faith (Exodus 16:4–6). When the people see the Lord's answer to their prayers, they will be reminded of who He is and what He has done for them.
