8422. 'That they are to prepare what they have brought in' means setting in order forms of good that have been assimilated. This is clear from the meaning of 'preparing', when it refers to forms of good that have been assimilated, as setting in order; and from the meaning of 'what they have brought in' when this refers to 'the manna', by which good is meant - as forms of good that have been assimilated. The gathering of the manna every day means the reception of good, and the eating of it means assimilation; therefore 'preparing what they have brought in' means setting in order all the good that has been assimilated. That setting in order is carried out by the Lord at the end of every state, which is meant by 'the sixth day'; and it is followed by a joining together, which is meant by 'the seventh day'.

8418. 'And gather the thing of a day in its day' means continually, in proportion to need. This is clear from the meaning of 'gathering' as receiving, for when 'raining' means flowing in - that is to say, good from the Divine flowing in - 'gathering' means receiving, because the one activity goes with the other; from the meaning of 'the thing' as the object to which it refers, in this instance the bread or manna from heaven; and from the meaning of 'a day in its day' as continually, in proportion to need. Continually is meant because they received the manna daily (for the meaning of 'daily' is continually, see 2838); and in proportion to need is meant because they were to gather as much each day as they were going to need and no more, which for each person was an omen