Moses

1The LORD said to Moses, "I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. After that he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will push all of you out."

And the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence: when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether.

NoteA plague is a terrible trouble that came over the whole land. Egypt had already had nine of them. Pharaoh was the king of Egypt.

2"Now speak to the people so they hear you. Every man should ask his neighbor for things made of silver and gold. Every woman should ask her neighbor too."

Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.

NoteThe people of Israel had worked for many years as slaves. They were never paid for any of that work. Now they ask their Egyptian neighbors for silver and gold.

3The LORD made the Egyptians think kindly of the people. Moses himself was very important in the land of Egypt. Pharaoh's servants and the people all thought highly of him.

And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants, and in the sight of the people.

NoteThe people here means the people of Israel. They were a large family living in Egypt as slaves.

4Moses said, "This is what the LORD says. About the middle of the night I will go out into Egypt."

And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:

Note"This is what the LORD says" was how a messenger began. It meant the words came from God, not from Moses.

5"Every firstborn in the land of Egypt will die. That means the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne. It also means the firstborn of the servant woman who works at the mill. And every firstborn animal will die too."

And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.

NoteThe firstborn son mattered very much back then. He got the largest share of the family's things. He also became the leader of the family later. The firstborn is the oldest child born in a family, or the first young one born to an animal.

6"Then loud crying will be heard all over the land of Egypt. There has never been crying like it. There never will be again."

And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more.

7"But not even a dog will growl at any of the people of Israel. No dog will growl at their people or their animals. Then you will know that the LORD makes a difference between the Egyptians and Israel."

But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.

NoteSaying a dog will not even growl was a way to say all is quiet. Nothing at all would hurt the people of Israel.

8"All these servants of yours will come down to me and bow low before me. They will say, 'Go away, you and all the people who follow you.' After that I will go out." Then Moses left Pharaoh, and he was very angry.

And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger.

NoteThese servants were not house helpers. They were important men who helped the king run Egypt. Bowing low was how people showed great respect.

9The LORD said to Moses, "Pharaoh will not listen to you. That is so my wonders will be many in the land of Egypt."

And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.

NoteWonders means amazing things that only God could do.

10Moses and Aaron did all these wonders in front of Pharaoh. But the LORD made Pharaoh's heart hard. So Pharaoh would not let the people of Israel go out of his land.

And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land.

NoteIn the Bible the heart is where a person decides things. A hard heart means Pharaoh would not change his mind.

21Then Moses called all the elders of Israel, the older men who led the people. He said, "Go and pick out a lamb for each family. Kill it for the Passover.

Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.

NoteElders were the oldest and most respected men. Each one spoke for his own big family.

22Take a bunch of hyssop, a small leafy plant. Dip it in the blood in the bowl. Brush the blood on the wood above the door and on the two side posts. No one may go out his door until morning.

And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.

NoteHyssop is a plant with small leafy stems. A bunch of it works like a paintbrush.

23The LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians. He will see the blood above the door and on the two side posts. Then the LORD will pass over that door. He will not let the destroyer come into your houses to strike you.

For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.

NoteThe King James calls him "the destroyer." That is its name for the one who brought death that night.

24Keep this as a rule for you and for your sons forever.

And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.

25You will come to the land the LORD will give you, just as he promised. When you get there, keep doing this.

And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.

NoteThe land is Canaan. God had promised it long before to Abraham, their great-great-grandfather.

26Your children will ask you, "What do you mean by this?"

And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?

27Then you will say, "It is the Passover gift to the LORD. He passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt. He struck the Egyptians, and he saved our houses." Then the people bowed their heads and worshiped.

That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD’s passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.

NoteA sacrifice is an animal given to God as a gift. Bowing your head low was a way of showing honor.

28The people of Israel went away and did this. They did just what the LORD had told Moses and Aaron.

And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.

29At midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt. It began with the firstborn of Pharaoh, the king who sat on his throne. It reached even the firstborn of the prisoner in the jail. All the firstborn of the cattle died too.

And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.

NotePharaoh was the king of Egypt. "Pharaoh" was his title, the way we say "king." A throne is the special chair a king sits on.

30Pharaoh got up in the night. His servants and all the Egyptians got up too. There was loud crying in Egypt. There was not a house without someone dead.

And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.

31That night he called for Moses and Aaron. He said, "Get up. Leave my people, you and the people of Israel. Go and serve the LORD, just as you said.

And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said.

32Take your sheep and your cattle too, as you said. Now go. And bless me also."

Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.

Note"Bless me also" means "ask God to be kind to me too." Pharaoh was asking Moses for help.

33The Egyptians pushed the people hard to hurry. They wanted to send them out of the land fast. They said, "We are all dead men."

And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.

Note"We are all dead men" was their way of saying, "We are all going to die."

34So the people took their dough before it had risen. They wrapped their bread bowls in their clothes. They carried them on their shoulders.

And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.

NoteDough is bread before it is baked. A bread bowl is a wooden bowl for mixing dough. Yeast needs hours to make dough puff up. They could not wait that long.

35The people of Israel did what Moses said. They asked the Egyptians for things made of silver, things made of gold, and clothes.

And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:

NoteThe King James says the people "borrowed." Back then that word could just mean asked for. They were not going to bring the things back.

36The LORD made the Egyptians look kindly on the people. So the Egyptians gave them what they asked for. In this way they took the riches of Egypt.

And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.

Note"Look kindly on" means the Egyptians felt friendly toward them. So they handed over their silver and gold.

10When Pharaoh came close, the people of Israel looked up. They saw the Egyptians marching after them. They were very, very afraid. So the people of Israel cried out to the LORD.

And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.

NoteCrying out to the LORD means praying to God for help, out loud.

11They said to Moses, "Were there no graves in Egypt? Is that why you brought us out here to die in the desert? Why have you done this to us? Why did you bring us out of Egypt?"

And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?

NoteA grave is the place where a dead person is buried. Egypt had many graves, so this was a bitter joke.

12"Isn't this just what we told you back in Egypt? We said, 'Leave us alone. Let us work for the Egyptians.' It would have been better to work for them than to die out here in the desert."

Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.

13Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still. You will see the LORD save you today. The Egyptians you see today, you will never see again."

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

NoteStand still means stay where you are. Do not run away.

14"The LORD will fight for you. You only need to be still."

The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

NoteThe King James says "hold your peace." That meant stay quiet and stop arguing.

15Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward."

And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:

16"Lift up your walking stick. Hold your hand out over the sea and split it in two. Then the people of Israel can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground."

But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.

NoteMoses carried a long wooden staff, like a shepherd's stick. God had used it before to do wonders.

17"And I will make the hearts of the Egyptians hard. They will go in after them. I will be honored through Pharaoh and his whole army, his chariots, and his horsemen."

And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

18"The Egyptians will know that I am the LORD. They will know it when I am honored through Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen."

And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

19The angel of God had been going in front of Israel's camp. Now he moved and went behind them. The tall column of cloud also moved from in front of them. It stood behind them instead.

And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:

NoteAn angel is a messenger God sends. This one led Israel and kept them safe.

20The cloud came between the Egyptians' camp and Israel's camp. To the Egyptians it was cloud and darkness. But it gave light to Israel through the night. So the two camps did not come near each other all night.

And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

NoteA tall column of cloud went with Israel by day. At night it glowed like fire. It was a sign that God was with them.

21Moses held out his hand over the sea. The LORD sent a strong east wind that blew all night long. It pushed the sea back and made it dry land. The water was split in two.

And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.

NoteAn east wind is wind that blows from the east, where the sun comes up.

22The people of Israel walked into the middle of the sea on dry ground. The water stood like a wall on their right side and on their left.

And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

23The Egyptians chased them and went in after them, into the middle of the sea. All of Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen went in.

And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.

24In the last dark part of the night, the LORD looked at the Egyptian army. He looked through the tall column of fire and cloud. He made the Egyptian army mixed up and full of fear.

And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,

NoteThe morning watch is the last dark part of the night, just before the sun comes up. People took turns staying awake to watch the camp.

25He took the wheels off their chariots, so the chariots were very hard to drive. The Egyptians said, "Let's run away from Israel! The LORD is fighting for them against us."

And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.

26Then the LORD said to Moses, "Hold out your hand over the sea. The water will come back over the Egyptians, their chariots, and their horsemen."

And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.

27Moses held out his hand over the sea. When morning came, the sea went back to its full strength. The Egyptians were running away, straight toward the water. The LORD swept them down in the middle of the sea.

And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.

NoteThe sea went back to normal. All the water rushed into the empty path again.

28The water came back. It covered the chariots, the horsemen, and Pharaoh's whole army that had followed Israel into the sea. Not even one of them was left.

And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.

29But the people of Israel walked on dry land through the middle of the sea. The water stood like a wall on their right side and on their left.

But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

30That day the LORD saved Israel from the power of the Egyptians. Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore of the sea.

Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.

31Israel saw the great thing the LORD did to the Egyptians. The people feared the LORD. They believed the LORD, and they believed his servant Moses.

And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.

NoteFeared the LORD does not mean they were scared of God. It means they felt wonder and deep respect for him.

1Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD. They said, "I will sing to the LORD. He has won a great and glorious victory. He threw the horse and its rider into the sea."

Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

NoteThe people of Israel had just escaped from Egypt. They had been slaves there for a very long time. Now they sing a song to thank God for saving them.

2"The LORD makes me strong. He is my song. He is the one who saved me. He is my God, and I will make a home for him. He is my father's God, and I will lift his name high."

The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

Note"I will make a home for him" means building a special place to worship God. It was like a tent where people came to be near him.

3"The LORD is a fighter in war. The LORD is his name."

The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.

NoteCalling the LORD "a fighter in war" is a word picture. It means God fought for his people when they could not.

4"He threw the chariots and the army of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, into the sea. Pharaoh's best captains drowned in the Red Sea."

Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.

NoteA chariot was a small cart pulled by fast horses. Soldiers rode in chariots to fight. Pharaoh was the king of Egypt, and his army had chased Israel to the sea.

5"The deep water covered them. They sank to the bottom like a stone."

The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.

6"Your right hand, O LORD, is full of shining power. Your right hand, O LORD, broke the enemy in pieces."

Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.

Note"Your right hand" is an old way of saying "your strength." Most people write and lift with their right hand, so it stood for power.

7"You are so great and splendid. You knocked down the ones who rose up against you. You sent out your anger, and it burned them up like dry straw."

And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.

NoteStubble is the short dry straw left in a field after the grain is cut. It catches fire fast and burns up in a moment.

8"You breathed hard through your nose, and the waters piled up. The rushing water stood up straight in a heap. The deep water grew firm in the middle of the sea."

And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.

Note"You breathed hard through your nose" is a picture of a strong wind. The song says God blew the sea back like a person puffing air.

9"The enemy said, 'I will chase them. I will catch them. I will share out the things I take. I will have my fill of them. I will pull out my sword. My hand will destroy them.'"

The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.

Note"The things I take" are called the spoil. Soldiers who won a fight took the gold and clothes and animals home with them.

10"You blew with your wind, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead, a heavy metal, in the strong waters."

Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.

11"Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you? You shine with holiness. People are full of awe when they praise you. You do wonderful things."

Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

NoteThe gods here are the statues that other lands prayed to. Awe is a big quiet feeling of wonder and respect.

12"You reached out your right hand. The earth swallowed them."

Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.

Note"The earth swallowed them" means the ground and the water closed over them. They were gone, the way food is gone when you swallow it.

13"You were kind, and you led out the people you set free. With your strength you guided them to your holy home."

Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.

Note"Set free" means God paid the price to bring his people out of slavery. His "holy home" is the special place where he would live with them.

14"The peoples will hear about it, and they will be afraid. Deep sadness will take hold of the people who live in Palestina."

The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.

NotePalestina was the land along the sea, north of Egypt. The people who lived there were called Philistines.

15"Then the leaders of Edom will be shocked. The strong men of Moab will shake with fear. All the people who live in Canaan will melt away."

Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.

NoteEdom, Moab, and Canaan were lands Israel would pass on the way. "Melt away" means their courage would drain out of them, like ice melting.

16"Fear and terror will fall on them. Your arm is so strong that they will be as still as a stone. They will stay still until your people pass by, O LORD. They will stay still until the people you bought pass by."

Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.

Note"The people you bought" is another way of saying the people God set free. It is like paying money so a slave can go home.

17"You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain that belongs to you. It is the place you made for yourself to live in, O LORD. It is the holy place, O LORD, that your hands built."

Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O LORD, which thy hands have established.

Note"Plant them" is a word picture. God will settle his people in the land to stay, the way a tree stays where it is planted.

18"The LORD will be king for ever and ever."

The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.

19Pharaoh's horses went into the sea with his chariots and his riders. The LORD brought the water of the sea back over them. But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the middle of the sea.

For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.

20Then Miriam, Aaron's sister, took a timbrel in her hand. All the women went out after her with timbrels and with dancing.

And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.

NoteA timbrel was a small round drum you held in one hand. You hit it and shook it, much like a tambourine today. The King James also calls Miriam a "prophetess," someone who told people what God said.

21Miriam sang back to them, "Sing to the LORD, for he has won a great and glorious victory. He threw the horse and its rider into the sea."

And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

22So Moses led Israel away from the Red Sea. They went out into the desert of Shur. They walked three days in the desert and found no water.

So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.

NoteA desert here means dry, empty land with sand, rocks, and very few plants. There was almost no water and almost nobody living there.

23They came to a place called Marah. They could not drink the water there, because it was bitter. That is why the place was named Marah.

And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.

NoteMarah is a word that means "bitter." The water tasted so bad that nobody could drink it.

24The people grumbled against Moses. They said, "What are we going to drink?"

And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

25Moses called out to the LORD. The LORD showed him a tree. Moses threw the tree into the water, and the water turned sweet. There the LORD gave them a rule and a law. There he tested them.

And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,

NoteA rule and a law were promises about how the people should live. "Tested them" means God let them show whether they would trust him.

26He said, "Suppose you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God. Suppose you do what is right in his eyes. Suppose you pay attention to his commands and keep all his rules. Then I will not put on you any of the sicknesses I put on the Egyptians. I am the LORD who heals you."

And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

NoteThe sicknesses put on the Egyptians were the troubles God sent before Israel left Egypt. Sores and other bad things came on the land.

27Then they came to Elim. There were twelve wells of water there and seventy palm trees. They camped there beside the water.

And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

NoteElim was a green resting place with springs of water. Palm trees gave cool shade and sweet fruit called dates. After the desert, it was a very good place to stop.

1The people of Israel left Elim. The whole group came to the desert of Sin. That desert lies between Elim and Sinai. It was the fifteenth day of the second month after they left Egypt.

And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt.

NoteSin here is just the name of a desert. It has nothing to do with doing wrong.

2There in the desert, all the people of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron.

And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:

NoteMoses was the leader God chose for these people. Aaron was his brother, who helped him.

3They said to them, "We wish the LORD had put us to death in Egypt. There we sat by pots of meat. We ate all the bread we wanted. But you brought us out into this desert to kill this whole group with hunger."

And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

NoteIn Egypt these people had been slaves. They had to work very hard, but they had food. LORD in big letters stands for God's own name.

4Then the LORD said to Moses, "Look, I will rain bread from heaven for you. Each day the people must go out and gather enough for that day. This will test them. I will see if they will live by my law or not.

Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

NoteBread here means food of any kind. God's law means the rules he gave his people to live by.

5On the sixth day they will get ready what they bring in. It will be twice as much as they gather on other days."

And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.

NoteThey counted days in sevens, the way we count a week. The seventh day was a rest day.

6So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, "Tonight you will know that the LORD brought you out of Egypt.

And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel, At even, then ye shall know that the LORD hath brought you out from the land of Egypt:

7And in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD. He has heard you complain against him. Who are we, that you complain against us?"

And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD: and what are we, that ye murmur against us?

NoteThe glory of the LORD was a bright shining light. It showed people that God was there.

8Moses said, "In the evening the LORD will give you meat to eat. In the morning he will give you all the bread you want. He does this because he has heard you complain against him. Who are we? Your complaints are not against us. They are against the LORD."

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.

9Moses said to Aaron, "Tell all the people of Israel this: 'Come near to the LORD. He has heard your complaining.'"

And Moses spake unto Aaron, Say unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, Come near before the LORD: for he hath heard your murmurings.

10While Aaron was speaking to all the people of Israel, they looked toward the desert. And there, in the cloud, the glory of the LORD appeared.

And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud.

NoteA tall cloud went in front of these people to lead them. God showed himself in that cloud.

11The LORD spoke to Moses. He said,

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

12"I have heard the people of Israel complaining. Tell them this: 'In the evening you will eat meat. In the morning you will have all the bread you want. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.'"

I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God.

13That evening quails came up and covered the camp. In the morning dew lay all around the camp.

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.

NoteQuails are small round birds that fly low. People could catch them and cook them for food.

14When the dew dried up, something small and round lay on the desert ground. It was as fine as frost.

And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground.

NoteDew is tiny drops of water that form on the ground at night. Frost is a thin white coat of ice on cold mornings.

15When the people of Israel saw it, they said to each other, "What is it?" They did not know what it was. Moses said to them, "This is the bread the LORD has given you to eat.

And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.

NoteIn their language, the words "What is it?" sound like the word manna. That is how this food got its name.

16This is what the LORD has commanded: 'Each person must gather as much as he can eat. Take one omer for each person in your tent.'"

This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents.

NoteAn omer was a measuring bowl. It held about as much as a large mixing bowl.

17The people of Israel did this. Some gathered more, and some gathered less.

And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.

18They measured it with an omer. The one who gathered much had none left over. The one who gathered little had enough. Each one gathered as much as he could eat.

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.

19Moses said, "No one may keep any of it until morning."

And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning.

20But they did not listen to Moses. Some of them kept part of it until morning. It filled with worms and smelled bad. Moses was angry with them.

Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them.

NoteThe worms were maggots. They are small wriggly grubs that grow in food gone bad.

21Every morning they gathered it, each one as much as he could eat. When the sun grew hot, it melted away.

And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted.

1All the people of Israel left the desert of Sin. They traveled from place to place, just as the LORD told them to. They camped at a place called Rephidim. There was no water there for the people to drink.

And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink.

Note"The desert of Sin" is just the name of a dry, sandy place. It has nothing to do with doing wrong.

2So the people argued with Moses. They said, "Give us water to drink." Moses said to them, "Why are you arguing with me? Why are you testing the LORD?"

Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD?

NoteThe King James says the people "tempt the LORD." Here "tempt" means test. They wanted to see if God would really help them.

3The people were very thirsty there. They complained about Moses. They said, "Why did you bring us up out of Egypt? Was it to kill us and our children and our animals with thirst?"

And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?

4Moses called out to the LORD. He said, "What should I do with these people? They are almost ready to throw stones at me."

And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.

NoteLong ago, throwing stones at someone was how an angry crowd hurt or killed them. Moses was afraid the people would do that to him.

5The LORD said to Moses, "Walk on ahead of the people. Take some of the elders of Israel with you. Bring the wooden staff you used to hit the river. Hold it in your hand and go."

And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.

NoteElders were the older men who helped lead the people. Everyone listened to them.

6"Look, I will stand there in front of you, on the rock at Horeb. Hit the rock, and water will come out of it. Then the people can drink." Moses did this while the elders of Israel watched.

Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

NoteHoreb is another name for the big mountain called Sinai. Moses met God there.

7He named that place Massah and Meribah. He named it that because the people of Israel argued there. They also tested the LORD. They said, "Is the LORD here with us, or not?"

And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?

NoteMassah and Meribah are two names in the old language. Massah means "testing." Meribah means "arguing." The names remembered what happened there.

8Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim.

Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.

NoteAmalek was a group of people who lived in the desert. The name means the whole family, like saying "the Amalek people."

9Moses said to Joshua, "Pick out some men for us. Go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill. I will hold the staff of God in my hand."

And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.

NoteJoshua was a young man who helped Moses. Later he became the leader of Israel.

10Joshua did what Moses had told him. He fought with Amalek. Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

NoteAaron was Moses' older brother. Hur was another man who helped them.

11When Moses held his hand up, Israel was winning. When he let his hand down, Amalek was winning.

And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

NoteLong ago, people often lifted their hands up in the air when they prayed.

12But Moses' hands got heavy. They took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one man on each side. So his hands stayed steady until the sun went down.

But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

NoteThe King James says Aaron and Hur "stayed up" his hands. "Stayed up" means held up so they would not fall.

13Joshua beat Amalek and his people with the sword.

And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

NoteThe King James says Joshua "discomfited" Amalek. That old word means he beat them badly in the fight.

14The LORD said to Moses, "Write this down in a book, so it will be remembered. Say it out loud to Joshua. I will completely wipe away any memory of Amalek from under heaven."

And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

NoteA book back then was not like ours. It was a long roll of paper called a scroll.

15Moses built an altar there. He named the altar Jehovahnissi.

And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi:

NoteAn altar was a pile of stones. People gave gifts to God on it.

16He said this because the LORD had made a strong promise. The LORD will fight against Amalek for all time, from parents to children to their children.

For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

Note"From generation to generation" means for a very long time. Grandparents, then parents, then children, on and on.