Exo 16:22-30 | TSK | e4.org | What the substance called manna was, is utterly unknown, but, from the circumstances in the text, it is evident that it was not a natural production, but was miraculously sent by Jehovah. These the learned Abarbinel, a most judicious Jewish interpreter, has thus enumerated: - The natural manna was never found in the desert where this fell where the common manna does fall; - It is only in the spring time, in March and April, whereas this fell throughout all the months in the year; - The ordinary manna does not melt in the sun, as this did ( ); - It does not stink and breed worms, as this did, when kept till the morning ( ); - It cannot be ground or beaten in a mortar, so as to make cakes, as this was; - The common manna is medicinal and purgative, and cannot be used for food and nutriment, as this was; - This fell in a double proportion on the sixth day, and not on the sabbath, as it certainly would have done had it fallen naturally; - It followed them in all their journeys, where ever they pitched their tents; and - It ceased at the very time of the year when the other falls, namely, in March, when the Israelites were come to Gilgal. Whatever this substance was, it does not appear to have been common to the wilderness. From , , it is evident that the Israelites never saw it before; and from a pot of it being preserved, it is certain that nothing of the kind ever appeared again. , ; ,

‏ Exodus 16:22-30

What the substance called manna was, is utterly unknown, but, from the circumstances in the text, it is evident that it was not a natural production, but was miraculously sent by Jehovah. These the learned Abarbinel, a most judicious Jewish interpreter, has thus enumerated:

- The natural manna was never found in the desert where this fell where the common manna does fall;

- It is only in the spring time, in March and April, whereas this fell throughout all the months in the year;

- The ordinary manna does not melt in the sun, as this did (Exod 16:21);

- It does not stink and breed worms, as this did, when kept till the morning (Exod 16:20);

- It cannot be ground or beaten in a mortar, so as to make cakes, as this was;

- The common manna is medicinal and purgative, and cannot be used for food and nutriment, as this was;

- This fell in a double proportion on the sixth day, and not on the sabbath, as it certainly would have done had it fallen naturally;

- It followed them in all their journeys, where ever they pitched their tents; and

- It ceased at the very time of the year when the other falls, namely, in March, when the Israelites were come to Gilgal.

Whatever this substance was, it does not appear to have been common to the wilderness. From Deut 8:3, Deut 8:16, it is evident that the Israelites never saw it before; and from a pot of it being preserved, it is certain that nothing of the kind ever appeared again.

Exod 16:5, Exod 16:16; Lev 25:12, Lev 25:22

rest Exod 20:8-11, Exod 31:15, Exod 35:3; Gen 2:2-3; Lev 23:3; Mark 2:27-28; Luke 23:56; Rev 1:10

bake Num 11:8

Exod 16:20, Exod 16:33

Exod 16:23, Exod 16:29; Neh 9:14

Exod 20:9-11; Deut 5:13; Ezek 46:1; Luke 13:14

and they found none Prov 20:4

Exod 10:3; Num 14:11, Num 20:12; 2Kgs 17:14; Ps 78:10, Ps 78:22, Ps 81:13-14, Ps 106:13; Isa 7:9, Isa 7:13; Jer 4:14, Jer 9:6; Ezek 5:6, Ezek 20:13, Ezek 20:16; Mark 9:19

hath given Exod 31:13; Neh 9:14; Isa 58:13-14; Ezek 20:12

abide ye Luke 23:56

Lev 23:3; Deut 5:12-14; Heb 4:9