A food God provided for the Hebrews in the wilderness (Exod 16:1-36; Num 11:4-9). The manna was found each morning on the ground and is described as “a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground” (Exod 16:14). It is further described as being white (Exod 16:31), like coriander seed (a small, globular, grayish-colored seed, Exod 16:31), and like bdellium (a sticky resinous gum, Num 11:7). Each Hebrew was to gather one omer (approximately two quarts) of manna each day, but two omers on the day preceding the Sabbath (Exod 16:16; Exod 16:22). The manna could be boiled in pots or ground into a meal and baked into cakes (Num 11:8). Manna that was left on the ground after the sun warmed the earth quickly disappeared. A jar of manna was kept, along with Aaron’s budding almond branch, in the Holy of Holies beside the Ark of the Covenant (Exod 16:33-34).
Exod 16:1-36
Bread from Heaven
1The whole congregation of the Israelites set out from Elim; and Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the ... View more
Num 11:4-9
4The rabble among them had a strong craving; and the Israelites also wept again, and said, “If only we had meat to eat!5We remember the fish we used to eat in E ... View more
Exod 16:14
14When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground.
Exod 16:31
31The house of Israel called it manna; it was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.
Exod 16:31
31The house of Israel called it manna; it was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.
Num 11:7
7Now the manna was like coriander seed, and its color was like the color of gum resin.
Exod 16:16
16This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Gather as much of it as each of you needs, an omer to a person according to the number of persons, all providing for tho ... View more
Exod 16:22
22On the sixth day they gathered twice as much food, two omers apiece. When all the leaders of the congregation came and told Moses,
Num 11:8
8The people went around and gathered it, ground it in mills or beat it in mortars, then boiled it in pots and made cakes of it; and the taste of it was like the ... View more
Exod 16:33-34
33And Moses said to Aaron, “Take a jar, and put an omer of manna in it, and place it before the Lord, to be kept throughout your generations.”34As the Lord comm ... View more
