And he said to them, This is that which the LORD has said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath to the LORD: bake that which you will bake to day, and seethe that you will seethe; and that which remains over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.
rest
Exodus 20:8-11 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy…
Exodus 31:15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
Exodus 35:3 Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day.
bake
Numbers 11:8 And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil.
‘Tomorrow is to be a day of complete rest,
The concept of rest is rooted in the creation narrative where God rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2-3). This establishes a pattern for the Israelites, highlighting the importance of rest as a divine ordinance. It also serves as a reminder of God's provision and sovereignty, teaching reliance on Him rather than on human effort.
a holy Sabbath to the LORD.
The Sabbath is set apart as holy, indicating its sanctity and dedication to God. This day is not merely for physical rest but is a spiritual observance, a sign of the covenant between God and Israel (Exodus 31:16-17). It foreshadows the ultimate rest found in Christ (Hebrews 4:9-10), who fulfills the law and offers spiritual rest to believers.
So bake what you want to bake, and boil what you want to boil.
This instruction allows for preparation before the Sabbath, ensuring that the day remains free from labor. It reflects the practical aspects of observing the Sabbath, where necessary work is completed in advance. This preparation underscores the importance of intentionality in worship and rest.
Then set aside whatever remains and keep it until morning.’”
This directive ensures that the Israelites have enough provision for the Sabbath without gathering manna on that day. It demonstrates God's miraculous provision, as the manna would not spoil overnight on this occasion, unlike other days (Exodus 16:19-20). This act of setting aside also symbolizes trust in God's provision and care, pointing to the sufficiency found in Christ, the Bread of Life (John 6:35).
• Moses speaks with authority because he is relaying the very words of God (Exodus 19:7-8; Deuteronomy 5:1).
• The verse underscores that obedience is rooted in revelation, not human opinion (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
• God’s instructions for daily living arrive before Sinai’s formal giving of the Law, reminding us that divine guidance precedes written code (Genesis 6:22; Hebrews 11:7).
• The command anticipates Israel’s need for physical and spiritual pause after six days of gathering manna (Exodus 16:26).
• “Complete rest” translates into ceasing from ordinary labor, echoing God’s own pattern in creation (Genesis 2:2-3).
• Rest is a gift, not a burden; it teaches trust in God’s provision rather than relentless self-effort (Matthew 6:31-34).
• “Holy” sets the day apart exclusively for God (Leviticus 23:3).
• The Sabbath belongs to the LORD; therefore He defines its purpose and boundaries (Exodus 31:13; Isaiah 58:13-14).
• By calling the day “to the LORD,” the text links worship and rest—one cannot separate devotion from dependence (Mark 2:27-28).
• Practical preparation ensures no ordinary work will be needed on the Sabbath itself (Exodus 12:16).
• God values order and foresight; He provides manna early so Israel can plan ahead (1 Corinthians 14:33).
• Cooking options—bake or boil—show flexibility within obedience; God prescribes the principle, not a single recipe (Romans 14:5-6).
• Unlike other days when leftover manna would spoil (Exodus 16:19-20), Sabbath manna miraculously keeps, proving God’s power over decay.
• The preservation teaches reliance on His sufficiency for the extra day (2 Corinthians 9:8).
• Storing the excess also prevents unnecessary gathering on the Sabbath, honoring its sanctity (Nehemiah 13:15-22).
Exodus 16:23 reveals God’s heart for His people: He speaks clearly through His servant, commands intentional rest, sanctifies time for worship, provides practical means to obey, and supernaturally sustains what is entrusted to Him. The verse calls believers to rhythm—six days of diligent effort followed by one day of devoted rest—anchored in trust that the LORD who commands also supplies.
(23) To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the Lord.--Heb., to morrow is a rest of a holy Sabbath to Jehovah. If the translation of the Authorised Version were correct, the previous institution of the Sabbath, and the knowledge, if not the observance, of it by the Israelites would be necessarily implied, since no otherwise would the double use of the article be intelligible. But in the Hebrew there is no article either here or in Exodus 16:25. The absence of the article indicates that it is a new thing which is announced--if not absolutely, at any rate to those to whom the announcement is made. Much, no doubt, may be said in favour of a primaeval institution of the Sabbath (see the comment on Genesis 2:2-3); and its observance in a certain sense by the Babylonians (see the first Note on Exodus 16:5) is in favour of its having been known to the family of Abraham; but during the Egyptian oppression the continued observance would have been impossible, and the surprise of the elders, as well as the words of Moses, show that at this time the idea was, to the Israelites, practically a novelty.Bake . . . Seethe.--These directions imply a very different substance from any of the natural forms of manna. The heavenly "gift" could be either made into a paste and baked, or converted into a porridge.