Manna, often described as "bread from heaven," is a miraculous provision from God to the Israelites during their 40-year journey in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. The term "manna" is derived from the Hebrew word "man hu," which translates to "What is it?" This reflects the Israelites' initial reaction upon encountering this divine sustenance (Exodus 16:15).

Biblical Description and Characteristics

Manna is described in the Bible as being white in color. In Exodus 16:31, it is stated, "Now the house of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey." This description highlights not only its appearance but also its pleasant taste, which was likened to honey-flavored wafers.

In Numbers 11:7-8, further details are provided: "Now the manna resembled coriander seed, and its appearance was like that of gum resin. The people walked around gathering it, and they ground it on a handmill or crushed it in a mortar. They cooked it in a pot or made it into cakes, and it tasted like the flavor of fresh oil." These verses emphasize the versatility of manna in preparation and its sustaining quality.

Divine Provision and Instructions

Manna was a daily provision from God, appearing each morning with the dew. The Israelites were instructed to gather only as much as they needed for each day, with a double portion collected on the sixth day to prepare for the Sabbath rest (Exodus 16:4-5). This daily gathering was a test of obedience and trust in God's provision.

The miraculous nature of manna is further underscored by its preservation in the Ark of the Covenant. As commanded by God, Aaron placed a jar of manna before the Testimony as a perpetual reminder of God's faithfulness (Exodus 16:32-34).

Symbolism and Typology

Manna holds significant symbolic meaning within the Christian tradition. It is seen as a type of Christ, the true "bread of life." In John 6:31-35, Jesus refers to Himself as the "bread of life," drawing a parallel between the manna provided to the Israelites and His own role as spiritual sustenance: "Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.'"

Theological Implications

The provision of manna is a profound demonstration of God's care and faithfulness. It serves as a reminder of His ability to provide for His people in seemingly impossible circumstances. The daily reliance on manna taught the Israelites to depend on God for their needs, fostering a relationship of trust and obedience.

Manna's white color is often interpreted as a symbol of purity and divine origin, reinforcing the idea that it was a holy provision from God. This purity is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are called to partake in the spiritual nourishment offered by Christ, the true and living bread.Exodus 16:31
And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Hidden Manna and the White Stone
... XXXIX THE HIDDEN MANNA AND THE WHITE STONE. Revelation ii.12-17. Both of
these are Jewish symbols. One refers to that food which, as ...
/.../peabody/mornings in the college chapel/xxxix the hidden manna and.htm

The Third
... The promise is, "I will give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white
stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth, saving he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bullinger/commentary on revelation/the third.htm

The Crisis in Galilee
... Christ had indeed once fed the multitude with barley loaves; but in the days of
Moses Israel had been fed with manna forty years, and far greater blessings ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 41 the crisis in.htm

August the Fourth Hidden Manna
... The Lord gives us to eat of the "hidden manna" whenever we are seeking the refreshment ...
Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields: for they are white already to ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/august the fourth hidden manna.htm

Hidden Manna
... Hidden Manna. ... In this volume the great God condescends to speak to me, and bids me
come and reason with him that my scarlet sins may become white; therein he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/hidden manna.htm

From the Second Chapter.
... 17. "To him that overcometh I will give the hidden manna, and I will give him a
white stone."] The hidden manna is immortality; the white gem is adoption to be ...
/.../commentary on the apocolypse of the blessed john/from the second chapter.htm

The Temptation
... And He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which
thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that He might make thee know ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 12 the temptation.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... holiest of all; which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid
round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 23 what is the.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... holiest of all; which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid
round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /23 what is the sanctuary.htm

"In the Spirit and Power of Elias"
... And through nearly forty years of wandering the Israelites were constantly reminded
of God's appointed rest day, by the withholding of the manna every seventh ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 14 in the spirit.htm

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