Exodus 16:13
New International Version
That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.

New Living Translation
That evening vast numbers of quail flew in and covered the camp. And the next morning the area around the camp was wet with dew.

English Standard Version
In the evening quail came up and covered the camp, and in the morning dew lay around the camp.

Berean Standard Bible
That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.

King James Bible
And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host.

New King James Version
So it was that quail came up at evening and covered the camp, and in the morning the dew lay all around the camp.

New American Standard Bible
So it came about at evening that the quails came up and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.

NASB 1995
So it came about at evening that the quails came up and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.

NASB 1977
So it came about at evening that the quails came up and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.

Legacy Standard Bible
So it happened at evening that the quails came up and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.

Amplified Bible
So in the evening the quails came up and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a blanket of dew around the camp.

Christian Standard Bible
So at evening quail came and covered the camp. In the morning there was a layer of dew all around the camp.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So at evening quail came and covered the camp. In the morning there was a layer of dew all around the camp.

American Standard Version
And it came to pass at even, that the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the camp.

Contemporary English Version
That evening a lot of quails came and landed everywhere in the camp, and the next morning dew covered the ground.

English Revised Version
And it came to pass at even, that the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the camp.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
That evening quails came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.

Good News Translation
In the evening a large flock of quails flew in, enough to cover the camp, and in the morning there was dew all around the camp.

International Standard Version
Later that evening quail came up and covered the camp, and then in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.

Majority Standard Bible
That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.

NET Bible
In the evening the quail came up and covered the camp, and in the morning a layer of dew was all around the camp.

New Heart English Bible
It happened at evening that quail came up and covered the camp; and in the morning the dew lay around the camp.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass, that at evening the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay around the host.

World English Bible
In the evening, quail came up and covered the camp; and in the morning the dew lay around the camp.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass in the evening, that the quail comes up, and covers the camp, and in the morning there has been the lying of dew around the camp,

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass in the evening, that the quail cometh up, and covereth the camp, and in the morning there hath been the lying of dew round about the camp,

Smith's Literal Translation
And it shall be in the evening, the quail shall come up and shall cover the camp: and in the morning the dew was lying round about the camp.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
So it came to pass in the evening, that quails coming up, covered the camp: and in the morning, a dew lay round about the camp.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, it happened in the evening: quails, rising up, covered the camp. Likewise, in the morning, a dew lay all around the camp.

New American Bible
In the evening, quail came up and covered the camp. In the morning there was a layer of dew all about the camp,

New Revised Standard Version
In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And it came to pass that at evening the quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning the dew lay round about the camp.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And it was in the evening and the quail came up and covered the encampment, and at dawn there was a being, a mist of dew around the camp.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it came to pass at even, that the quails came up, and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew round about the camp.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it was evening, and quails came up and covered the camp:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Manna and Quail from Heaven
12“I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.’ ” 13 That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. 14When the layer of dew had evaporated, there were thin flakes on the desert floor, as fine as frost on the ground.…

Cross References
Numbers 11:31-32
Now a wind sent by the LORD came up, drove in quail from the sea, and brought them near the camp, about two cubits above the surface of the ground, for a day’s journey in every direction around the camp. / All that day and night, and all the next day, the people stayed up gathering the quail. No one gathered less than ten homers, and they spread them out all around the camp.

Psalm 78:27-28
He rained meat on them like dust, and winged birds like the sand of the sea. / He felled them in the midst of their camp, all around their dwellings.

John 6:31-33
Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” / Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. / For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

Psalm 105:40
They asked, and He brought quail and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.

Nehemiah 9:20-21
You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold Your manna from their mouths, and You gave them water for their thirst. / For forty years You sustained them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell.

1 Corinthians 10:3
They all ate the same spiritual food

Deuteronomy 8:3
He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

John 6:49-51
Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. / This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that anyone may eat of it and not die. / I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And this bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh.”

Numbers 11:7-9
Now the manna resembled coriander seed, and its appearance was like that of gum resin. / The people walked around and gathered it, ground it on a handmill or crushed it in a mortar, then boiled it in a cooking pot or shaped it into cakes. It tasted like pastry baked with fine oil. / When the dew fell on the camp at night, the manna would fall with it.

Matthew 4:4
But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

John 6:58
This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your fathers, who ate the manna and died, the one who eats this bread will live forever.”

Deuteronomy 8:16
He fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers had not known, in order to humble you and test you, so that in the end He might cause you to prosper.

Psalm 78:23-25
Yet He commanded the clouds above and opened the doors of the heavens. / He rained down manna for them to eat; He gave them grain from heaven. / Man ate the bread of angels; He sent them food in abundance.

John 6:26-27
Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it is not because you saw these signs that you are looking for Me, but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. / Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”

Numbers 11:18-20
And say to the people: Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you will eat meat, because you have cried out in the hearing of the LORD, saying: ‘Who will feed us meat? For we were better off in Egypt!’ Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you will eat. / You will eat it not for one or two days, nor for five or ten or twenty days, / but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and makes you nauseous—because you have rejected the LORD, who is among you, and have cried out before Him, saying, ‘Why did we ever leave Egypt?’”


Treasury of Scripture

And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host.

the quails.

Numbers 11:31-33
And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth…

Psalm 78:27,28
He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea: …

Psalm 105:40
The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.

the dew

Numbers 11:9
And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.

Jump to Previous
Birds Camp Covered Covereth Dew Evening Host Lay Lying Morning Quail Quails Round
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Birds Camp Covered Covereth Dew Evening Host Lay Lying Morning Quail Quails Round
Exodus 16
1. The Israelites come to Sin, and murmur for want of bread
4. God promises them bread and meat from heaven, and they are rebuked
13. Quail and manna are sent
16. The ordering of manna
25. It was not to be found on the Sabbath
32. An omer of it is preserved














So that evening
The phrase "so that evening" marks a specific time when God's provision began to manifest. In the Hebrew context, the day begins at sunset, which is significant in understanding the rhythm of divine provision. The evening signifies a transition from the day's labor to a time of rest and reflection, symbolizing God's faithfulness in providing for His people at the close of their daily journey.

quail came
The Hebrew word for "quail" is "שְׂלָו" (selav), which refers to a migratory bird. Historically, quail were known to migrate across the Sinai Peninsula, and their arrival in the camp is a testament to God's sovereignty over nature. This miraculous provision of meat highlights God's ability to meet the physical needs of His people in unexpected ways, reinforcing His role as Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides.

and covered the camp
The imagery of quail covering the camp suggests abundance and sufficiency. The Hebrew root "כָּסָה" (kasah) means to cover or conceal, indicating that the provision was not just adequate but overwhelming. This act of covering symbolizes God's protective and nurturing nature, enveloping His people with His care and ensuring that their needs are met in full measure.

and in the morning
The phrase "and in the morning" introduces a new phase of God's provision. Morning, in biblical terms, often represents new beginnings and renewed mercies. Lamentations 3:23 speaks of God's mercies being new every morning, and here, the morning brings a fresh manifestation of God's grace in the form of manna, underscoring His continual faithfulness.

there was a layer of dew
The "layer of dew" is significant in its subtlety and purity. Dew, or "טַל" (tal) in Hebrew, is a gentle and silent provision, contrasting with the more dramatic arrival of the quail. Dew in the Bible often symbolizes divine blessing and favor (Genesis 27:28). It represents the quiet, sustaining presence of God, providing nourishment and refreshment to His people.

around the camp
The phrase "around the camp" indicates the comprehensive nature of God's provision. The Hebrew word "סָבִיב" (saviv) means surrounding or encircling, suggesting that God's blessings are all-encompassing. This encirclement is a reminder of God's protective presence, as He surrounds His people with His love and provision, ensuring that no one is left without what they need.

(13) At even the quails came up.--The common quail (Tetrao coturnix) is very abundant in the East, and regularly migrates from Syria and Arabia in the autumn of the year for the purpose of wintering in Central Africa, whence it returns in immense masses in the spring (Schubert: Reise, vol. ii., p. 361). Exhausted after a long flight over the Red Sea, the flocks drop to the ground as soon as they reach the coast, and it is then easy either to take the birds with the hand or to kill them with sticks. Diodorus says that "the inhabitants of Arabia Petraea were wont to prepare long nets, and spread them near the coast for many furlongs, by which means they caught a great quantity of quails, which were in the habit of coming in from the sea" (ii. 60), The flesh of the quail is regarded as a delicacy throughout the East, though if too many are eaten it is said to be unwholesome.

The dew lay.--Literally, there was a lying of dew. A heavy fall seems to be meant.

Verse 13. - The quails came up. The word here translated, "quails" has been supposed to designate the flying-fish (Trigla Israelitarum of Ehrenberg), or a species of locust (Ludolf). But Psalm 78:28, makes it clear that "feathered fowls" are intended; and moderns generally, are agreed that the rendering "quails" is right. It has the authority of the Septuagint, of Josephus, and of the Vulgate. Diodorus says that "the inhabitants of Arabia Petraea prepared long nets, spread them near the coast for many stadia, and thus caught a great number of quails which are in the habit of coming in from the sea" (2:60). The quail regularly migrates from Syria and Arabia in the autumn, and winters in the interior of Africa, whence it returns northwards in immense masses in the spring (Schubert, Reise, vol. 2. p. 361). Kalisch thinks that the particular species of quail intended is the kata of the Arabs (Tetrao Alchata of Linnaeus); but the common quail (Tetrao coturnix) is preferred by most commentators. When these birds approach the coast after a long flight over the Red Sea, they are often so exhausted that they rather fall to the ground than settle, and are then easily taken by the hand or killed with sticks. Their flesh is regarded by the natives as a delicacy. Covered the camp - i.e., covered all the ground between the tents in which the Israelites lived in the wilderness. The dew lay. Literally, "there was a layer of dew" - something, i.e., lay on the ground outside the camp which looked like dew, and was in part dew, but not wholly so.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
That evening
בָעֶ֔רֶב (ḇā·‘e·reḇ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6153: Evening

quail
הַשְּׂלָ֔ו (haś·śə·lāw)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7958: The quail

came
וַתַּ֣עַל (wat·ta·‘al)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

and covered
וַתְּכַ֖ס (wat·tə·ḵas)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3680: To plump, fill up hollows, to cover

the camp,
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה (ham·ma·ḥă·neh)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 4264: An encampment, an army

and in the morning
וּבַבֹּ֗קֶר (ū·ḇab·bō·qer)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning

there was
וַיְהִ֣י (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a layer
שִׁכְבַ֣ת (šiḵ·ḇaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7902: (act of) lying, a layer

of dew
הַטַּ֔ל (haṭ·ṭal)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2919: Night mist, dew

around
סָבִ֖יב (sā·ḇîḇ)
Adverb
Strong's 5439: A circle, neighbour, environs, around

the camp.
לַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃ (lam·ma·ḥă·neh)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 4264: An encampment, an army


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OT Law: Exodus 16:13 It happened at evening that quail came (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 16:12
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