Topical Bible: Mills used for Grinding: Manna in the Wilderness

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical narrative, mills and grinding stones hold significant importance, particularly in the context of daily sustenance and divine provision. One of the most remarkable instances of divine provision is the miraculous supply of manna to the Israelites during their wilderness journey, as recorded in the Book of Exodus and further elaborated in Numbers.

Manna: The Bread from Heaven

Manna, described as "bread from heaven" (Exodus 16:4), was provided by God to the Israelites as they wandered in the desert after their exodus from Egypt. This miraculous food appeared each morning, except on the Sabbath, and was to be gathered daily by the people. The appearance of manna is described as "white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey" (Exodus 16:31).

Grinding Manna

The process of preparing manna for consumption involved grinding, a task that would have been familiar to the Israelites. Numbers 11:8 provides insight into this process: "The people walked around gathering it, and they ground it on a hand mill or crushed it in a mortar. They cooked it in a pot or made it into cakes, and it tasted like the flavor of olive oil." This description highlights the use of hand mills and mortars, common tools in ancient times for grinding grains and other substances.

Symbolism and Significance

The act of grinding manna can be seen as a symbol of human cooperation with divine provision. While God provided the manna, the Israelites were required to gather and prepare it, emphasizing the partnership between divine grace and human responsibility. The daily gathering and grinding of manna also served as a test of obedience and trust in God's provision, as the Israelites were instructed to collect only what was needed for each day (Exodus 16:16-19).

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, grinding was typically done by women using hand mills or larger millstones. The hand mill, often a pair of stones, was a common household tool. The upper stone was rotated or rubbed against the lower stone to crush the grain. This labor-intensive process was essential for daily sustenance, as it transformed raw grains into usable flour for bread-making.

Theological Implications

The provision of manna and its preparation through grinding underscore several theological themes. It illustrates God's faithfulness and care for His people, providing for their needs in a barren wilderness. It also foreshadows the spiritual sustenance provided by Christ, who referred to Himself as the "bread of life" (John 6:35), drawing a parallel between the physical nourishment of manna and the spiritual nourishment He offers.

In summary, the use of mills for grinding manna in the wilderness narrative is a vivid reminder of God's provision and the daily reliance on His grace. It reflects the intersection of divine miracle and human effort, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical text.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 11:8
And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil.
Torrey's Topical Textbook