Exodus 16:31

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478} called {H7121} the name {H8034} thereof Manna {H4478}: and it was like coriander {H1407} seed {H2233}, white {H3836}; and the taste {H2940} of it was like wafers {H6838} made with honey {H1706}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The people called the food man. It was like coriander seed, white; and it tasted like honey cakes.

Berean Standard Bible

Now the house of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 16:31 provides a precise and evocative description of the Manna, the miraculous sustenance divinely provided for the Israelites during their forty years of wilderness wandering. This verse details its distinct appearance as "like coriander seed, white" and its delightful taste as "like wafers made with honey," thereby highlighting its unique, supernaturally ordained nature. It serves as a tangible testament to God's faithful, daily, and palatable provision that sustained an entire nation, underscoring His meticulous care for His covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 16:31 is situated within the broader narrative of God's miraculous provision for Israel in the wilderness, immediately following their liberation from Egyptian bondage and the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea. The preceding verses in [Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - God Provides Manna and Quail") detail the Israelites' initial grumbling against Moses and Aaron due to a lack of food ([Exodus 16:2-3](/exodus/16-2-3 "Exodus 16:2-3 - Israel's grumbling for food")), prompting God's gracious promise to rain "bread from heaven" ([Exodus 16:4](/exodus/16-4 "Exodus 16:4 - God promises bread from heaven")). The chapter meticulously outlines the daily collection instructions, including the prohibition against hoarding ([Exodus 16:19-20](/exodus/16-19-20 "Exodus 16:19-20 - Do not leave any until morning")) and the provision of a double portion on the sixth day to honor the Sabbath ([Exodus 16:22-26](/exodus/16-22-26 "Exodus 16:22-26 - Manna on the Sabbath")). Verse 31, therefore, serves as a culminating summary description of this miraculous food after the Israelites had become accustomed to its appearance and taste, preceding the command to store an omer of Manna as a perpetual reminder of God's enduring provision for future generations ([Exodus 16:32-34](/exodus/16-32-34 "Exodus 16:32-34 - Storing Manna in the ark")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites' journey through the Sinai wilderness was a period of profound and absolute dependence on God, following their liberation from centuries of slavery in Egypt. The Sinai Peninsula was, and remains, a desolate and arid region, utterly incapable of sustaining a population estimated to be over two million people through natural agricultural means. Their complaints about hunger, while often accompanied by a lack of faith, were rooted in a legitimate existential concern within such a harsh environment. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, divine provision of food was a common motif, often seen as a powerful sign of a deity's care and power over their people. However, the Manna was unique in its consistent, daily appearance, its specific collection rules, and its supernatural cessation only upon their entry into the fertile Promised Land ([Joshua 5:12](/joshua/5-12 "Joshua 5:12 - Manna ceases at Gilgal")). This miraculous provision underscored God's direct, personal, and continuous involvement in the daily lives of His covenant people, demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness even amidst their repeated murmuring and faithlessness. It was a tangible, daily lesson in trusting God for their very survival, distinct from any known natural phenomenon or human agricultural effort, shaping their understanding of Yahweh as their sole provider.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 16:31 contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Provision and Sustenance**, showcasing God's omnipotent ability and unwavering commitment to care for His people, even in the most inhospitable circumstances. The Manna vividly illustrates God's **Covenant Faithfulness**, demonstrating that He keeps His promises to Israel despite their unfaithfulness. It also highlights the theme of **Human Dependence**, as the daily collection of Manna taught Israel to rely on God day by day, rather than on their own strength, foresight, or the resources of the land. This daily rhythm of provision fostered a spiritual discipline of trust. Furthermore, the Manna serves as a powerful symbol of **God's Holiness and Order**, seen in the specific instructions for its collection, the Sabbath observance tied to it ([Exodus 16:23](/exodus/16-23 "Exodus 16:23 - Sabbath rest and Manna")), and the judgment for disobedience ([Exodus 16:20](/exodus/16-20 "Exodus 16:20 - Hoarding Manna")). Ultimately, the Manna foreshadows later spiritual truths about true sustenance, pointing towards the ultimate "bread from heaven" ([John 6:32](/john/6-32 "John 6:32 - Jesus, the true bread from heaven")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Manna (Hebrew, _man'_):** This term (H4478) is described as "literally a whatness (so to speak), i.e. manna (so called from the question about it)." This etymology emphasizes the Israelites' initial bewilderment and question, "What is it?" upon first encountering the mysterious substance. The name itself, therefore, serves as a perpetual reminder of the food's unknown, supernatural origin, underscoring that it was an entirely new and unexpected provision directly from God.
* **coriander (Hebrew, _gad'_):** The Hebrew word (H1407) refers specifically to "coriander seed (from its furrows)." This comparison provides a precise visual description of the Manna's physical appearance, indicating that it was small, round, and granular, much like a seed. The detail of its "white" color, mentioned alongside this comparison, further emphasizes its pure, pristine, and possibly luminous quality, contrasting sharply with the desolation of the desert environment.
* **honey (Hebrew, _dᵉbash'_):** This word (H1706) denotes "honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup." The comparison to "wafers made with honey" describes the Manna's taste, indicating that it was sweet, pleasant, and highly palatable. This detail highlights God's abundant graciousness, providing not merely sustenance but a delightful and satisfying food, thereby dispelling any notion that His wilderness provision was a hardship or a meager ration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna":** This clause signifies the communal and formal naming of the miraculous food by the entire Israelite community. It marks the transition from initial bewilderment to an accepted, collective recognition of this unique divine provision. The name "Manna" became the established term, signifying God's daily, supernatural sustenance in the wilderness, deeply embedded in their collective memory and identity.
* **"and it [was] like coriander seed, white;":** This provides the primary visual description of the Manna. Its resemblance to "coriander seed" emphasizes its small, granular, and easily dispersible nature, suggesting a widespread, abundant, yet humble appearance. The adjective "white" highlights its purity, cleanliness, and perhaps its ethereal, heavenly origin, distinguishing it from any ordinary, earthly food and underscoring its divine source.
* **"and the taste of it [was] like wafers [made] with honey.":** This clause describes the sensory experience of eating the Manna, focusing on its flavor. The comparison to "wafers made with honey" indicates a sweet, pleasant, and satisfying taste. This detail underscores the goodness and generosity of God's provision, ensuring that His people were not only fed but also enjoyed the food provided, transforming a desolate wilderness into a place of divine abundance and delight.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 16:31 primarily employs **Simile** to describe the Manna, making an unknown, miraculous substance comprehensible through comparisons to familiar objects. The phrases "like coriander seed" and "like wafers made with honey" directly liken the Manna's appearance and taste to known elements, enabling the reader to visualize and imagine its characteristics. These similes are crucial for conveying the Manna's small size, white color, and sweet flavor. Beyond mere description, the Manna functions as a powerful **Symbolism**. It symbolizes God's faithful and miraculous provision, His absolute sovereignty over creation, and His desire for His people's daily dependence. The Manna's purity ("white") and pleasant taste ("honey") further symbolize the inherent goodness, grace, and even delight found in God's divine care, transforming a barren landscape into a place where God's sustenance was both sufficient and profoundly satisfying.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 16:31 powerfully articulates God's meticulous, abundant, and gracious provision for His people. The Manna, described in such specific detail, serves as a tangible expression of God's covenant faithfulness, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to sustain Israel even amidst their wilderness trials and their persistent complaints. It underscores the theme of divine sovereignty over creation, as God supernaturally provides food where none naturally exists, showcasing His absolute ability to meet every need. Furthermore, the daily nature of the Manna fostered a profound dependence on God, teaching Israel to trust Him day by day for their very survival, rather than relying on their own strength or foresight. This miraculous provision became a foundational lesson in God's character as provider and sustainer, a theme echoed throughout Scripture, culminating in the New Testament's revelation of Christ as the ultimate spiritual sustenance.

* [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Man does not live by bread alone")
* [Nehemiah 9:20](/nehemiah/9-20 "God's good Spirit and Manna")
* [Psalm 78:24-25](/psalms/78-24-25 "Grain of heaven, angels' food")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed description of Manna in Exodus 16:31 invites us to deeply reflect on the nature of God's provision in our own lives today. Just as God meticulously provided for Israel with food that was not only sufficient but also pleasant and delightful, He continues to meet our needs with a generosity that often surpasses mere necessity. This verse challenges us to cultivate a posture of daily dependence on God, trusting Him for our physical, emotional, and spiritual sustenance rather than succumbing to anxiety, self-reliance, or the pursuit of fleeting worldly security. It reminds us that God's provisions, though sometimes appearing small, humble, or unexpected like coriander seeds, are perfectly tailored to sustain us and often carry a sweetness that points to His loving, benevolent care. We are called to recognize and appreciate the "honey" in God's daily provisions, acknowledging His goodness even in the mundane, and to resist the temptation to hoard or worry, knowing that our Heavenly Father knows what we need before we even ask, and delights in providing for His children.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the description of Manna's appearance and taste deepen your appreciation for God's meticulous and gracious provision in your own life?**
* **In what specific areas of your life are you currently struggling to trust God for daily sustenance, and what practical steps can you take to cultivate greater dependence on Him, learning from Israel's wilderness experience?**
* **How does the Manna's role in teaching daily dependence speak to our modern tendencies toward self-sufficiency, consumerism, or excessive accumulation, and what spiritual disciplines can counteract these inclinations?**

### FAQ

**Why was Manna called "Manna"?**

Answer: The name "Manna" comes from the Hebrew phrase "man hu" (מָן הוּא), which literally means "What is it?" When the Israelites first saw the mysterious substance covering the ground, they were bewildered and asked this question ([Exodus 16:15](/exodus/16-15 "Exodus 16:15 - The Israelites' question 'What is it?'")). The name stuck as a perpetual reminder of its miraculous and unknown origin, emphasizing that it was a unique, divine provision that defied natural explanation.

**Did Manna have a specific nutritional value?**

Answer: While the Bible does not provide a scientific breakdown of Manna's nutritional content, its consistent provision for forty years to sustain an entire nation implies it was nutritionally complete and adequate for their needs. The biblical emphasis is on its miraculous origin and its role as a tangible sign of God's faithfulness and power, rather than its biological composition. It was "bread from heaven," a supernatural food designed by God to sustain His people in the wilderness ([Psalm 78:24](/psalms/78-24 "Psalm 78:24 - Grain of heaven for them")).

**How long did the Manna last?**

Answer: The Manna was provided daily for the Israelites for forty years, throughout their entire journey in the wilderness. Its provision ceased only when they entered the Promised Land and were able to eat the produce of the land of Canaan ([Exodus 16:35](/exodus/16-35 "Exodus 16:35 - Manna ceased when they entered Canaan") and [Joshua 5:12](/joshua/5-12 "Joshua 5:12 - Manna ceases at Gilgal")). This cessation marked the end of their period of supernatural dependence for food and the beginning of their reliance on the land God had given them.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Manna, so meticulously described in Exodus 16:31, serves as a profound type and foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, the ultimate "Bread of Life." While the Manna physically sustained Israel in the desolate wilderness, Jesus Himself drew a direct parallel, declaring that He is the true bread from heaven, offering not temporary physical sustenance but eternal spiritual life ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus declares 'I am the bread of life'") and [John 6:48](/john/6-48 "John 6:48 - Jesus is the bread of life")). The Manna, despite its miraculous nature, was eaten by the fathers who eventually died ([John 6:49](/john/6-49 "John 6:49 - The fathers ate manna and died")), but Jesus promises that those who eat of *Him* will live forever ([John 6:50-51](/john/6-50-51 "John 6:50-51 - Jesus gives life to the world")). Just as the Manna was a daily, gracious provision from God to sustain His people, Christ is the continuous, sufficient, and delightful spiritual nourishment for believers, providing all that is needed for eternal life and daily strength. He is the "hidden manna" promised to those who overcome ([Revelation 2:17](/revelation/2-17 "Revelation 2:17 - The hidden manna for the overcomer")), signifying the intimate and satisfying communion with Him that awaits the faithful. This profound connection reveals that God's provision in the wilderness was not merely about physical food, but about preparing His people for the ultimate, life-giving sustenance found only in His Son, who fully satisfies the deepest hunger of the human soul.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 16:15

And when the children of Israel saw [it], they said one to another, It [is] manna: for they wist not what it [was]. And Moses said unto them, This [is] the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.

Numbers 11:6

But now our soul [is] dried away: [there is] nothing at all, beside this manna, [before] our eyes.

Numbers 11:9

And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.

Song Of Solomon 2:3

¶ As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so [is] my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit [was] sweet to my taste.