And the LORD said to Moses does not easily follow from verse 10, for Yahweh is here speaking only to Moses, even though he seems to be appearing to all the people. Since Yahweh is here telling Moses what to say to them, some scholars believe these verses should come before verse 4 (see the comment there). But rearranging the verses often creates other problems. It is better just to drop the And and begin a new paragraph here (so New International Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, and Translator’s Old Testament).

I have heard the murmurings of the people of Israel is information that Aaron has already announced to the Israelites in verse 9. Say to them introduces what Moses is to say to the people. At twilight is literally “between the two evenings,” as in 12.6. The Hebrew does not clarify whether this refers to the coming evening, as is probable in verse 6, or to every evening. Either interpretation is possible, and translators may wish to retain the ambiguity. However, it is more likely in this verse that “each evening” (Contemporary English Version) is intended. You shall eat flesh means “meat” (Good News Translation) and refers to the quails in verse 13. In the morning may be understood as “tomorrow morning” (Translator’s Old Testament), but it is better to follow Contemporary English Version and say “each morning,” unless one chooses to retain the ambiguity. You shall be filled with bread refers to the manna that came. (See verse 8.)

Then you shall know is discussed at verse 6. That I am the LORD your God is Yahweh’s self-introductory formula. Since it does not have any verb, it may also be translated as “I, the LORD, am your God” (Good News Translation).

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .