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Bible Dictionaries
Manna
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
or MANNA. The food of the Israelites during the wanderings ( Exodus 16:1 , Joshua 5:12 ), but not the only food available. Documents of various dates speak of ( a ) cattle ( Exodus 17:3; Exodus 19:13; Exodus 34:3 , Numbers 7:3; Numbers 7:6 f.), especially in connexion with sacrifice ( Exodus 24:5; Exodus 32:8 , Leviticus 8:2; Leviticus 8:25; Leviticus 8:31; Leviticus 9:4; Leviticus 10:14 , Numbers 7:15 ff.); ( b ) flour ( Numbers 7:13; Numbers 7:19; Numbers 7:25 etc., Leviticus 10:12; Leviticus 24:5 ); ( c ) food in general ( Deuteronomy 2:3 , Joshua 1:11 ).
1. The origin of the word is uncertain. In Exodus 16:13 the exclamation might be rendered, ‘It is mân !’ (note RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] ). If so, the Israelites were reminded (but only vaguely, see Exodus 16:15 ) of some known substance. The similar Arabic word means ‘gift.’ More probably the words are a question ‘What is it?’ Unaware of the proper term, they thus spoke of manna as ‘the-what-is-it.’
2. The manna was flaky, small, and white (Exodus 16:14; Exodus 16:31 ). It resembled the ‘seed’ (better ‘fruit’) of the coriander plant ( Exodus 16:31 , Numbers 11:7 ), and suggested bdellium ( Numbers 11:7 [see § 3]). It could be ground, and was stewed or baked ( Exodus 16:23 , Numbers 11:8 ). The taste is compared to that of honey-wafers ( Exodus 16:31 ), or oil ( Numbers 11:8 ), it was gathered fresh every morning early (but see § 4), for, if exposed to the sun, it melted ( Exodus 16:21; cf. Wis 19:2 ); if kept overnight (see § 4), it went had ( Exodus 16:19 f.). Each person was entitled to a measured ’omer of manna ( Exodus 16:19 ).
3. Many would identify manna with the juice of certain trees. The flowering ash (S. Europe) exudes a ‘manna’ (used in medicine); and a species of tamarisk found in the Sinai peninsula yields a substance containing sugar. The description of manna would not in every point support such an identification, but it is worth noting that manna is likened (see § 2) to bdellium, which is a resinous exudation. A more recent theory is that manna was an edible lichen like that found in Arabia, etc.
4. Manna would thus come under the category of ‘special providences,’ not ‘miracles.’ There can, however, be no doubt that the Biblical writers regarded it as miraculous. ( a ) There is enough for a host of ‘600,000 footmen.’ ( b ) The quantity gathered proves exactly suited to the consumer’s appetite ( Exodus 16:18 ). ( c ) The Sabbath supply (gathered the previous day) retains its freshness ( Exodus 16:23 f.). ( d ) An ‘omer of it is kept as a sacred object near ( Exodus 16:33 f.) but not within ( 1 Kings 8:9; ct. [Note: t. contrast.] Hebrews 9:4 , Revelation 2:17 ) the ark. ( e ) Allusions to it suggest the supernatural ( Nehemiah 9:20 , Psalms 78:24 f., Psa 105:40 , Esther 1:19 Esther 1:19 , Wis 16:20; Wis 19:21 ).
5. All this must lend significance to NT mention. Christ as the living bread is typified by manna ( John 6:31 ff., 1 Corinthians 10:3; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21 ); and secret spiritual sustenance is the reward for ‘him that overcometh’ ( Revelation 2:17 ).
H. F. B. Compston.
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Hastings, James. Entry for 'Manna'. Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hdb/m/manna.html. 1909.
