Numbers 11:7

7 Now the manna was like a seed of grain, like small clear drops.

Numbers 11:7 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 11:7

And the manna [was] as coriander seed
Not in colour, for that is black or darkish, whereas the manna was white, as is generally observed; of which (See Gill on Exodus 16:31); however it might be like the coriander, because of its form and figure, being round, and because of its quantity, being small, ( Exodus 16:14 ) ; Some think the mustard seed is meant, as Aben Ezra observes, which is the least of all seeds; it seems that the manna fell in small round grains, like to such seed. This, with what follows, is observed, to expose the folly and ingratitude of the Israelites, that having such bread from heaven, angels food, that they should slight it, and hanker after other food:

and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium;
not an aromatic gum, which Pliny ^F11 speaks of, which is clear as wax, for that is black or blackish, and not white as the manna; besides, this should be read, not "bdellium", but "bdeloah", and is a precious stone, and, according to Bochart, the pearl; so Ben Melech observes, that it is a precious stone; some say the diamond, and others a round white stone, which they bore and join stones together, and make a chain of, he doubtless means a pearl necklace; though Jarchi says it is the crystal, and so the Jewish writers commonly; (See Gill on Genesis 2:12); hence it appears the manna was very pleasant to look at, being of a round form, and of a pearl or crystal colour.

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FOOTNOTES:

F11 Nat. Hist. l. 12. c. 9.

Numbers 11:7 In-Context

5 Sweet is the memory of the fish we had in Egypt for nothing, and the fruit and green plants of every sort, sharp and pleasing to the taste:

6 But now our soul is wasted away; there is nothing at all: we have nothing but this manna before our eyes.

7 Now the manna was like a seed of grain, like small clear drops.

8 The people went about taking it up from the earth, crushing it between stones or hammering it to powder, and boiling it in pots, and they made cakes of it: its taste was like the taste of cakes cooked with oil.

9 When the dew came down on the tents at night, the manna came down with it.