Now the manna resembled coriander seed, and its appearance was like that of gum resin.
Parallel translations
- WEB The manna was like coriander seed, and its appearance like the appearance of bdellium.
- KJV And the manna was as coriander seed, and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium.
- NKJV Now the manna was like coriander seed, and its color like the color of bdellium.
- NASB Now the manna was like coriander seed, and its appearance like that of bdellium.
- NLT The manna looked like small coriander seeds, and it was pale yellow like gum resin.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The text describes the manna's appearance, underscoring it as a real, tangible gift. God's provision was concrete and recognizable.
Overview
A brief description of the manna—like coriander seed, with the look of bdellium—affirms its reality and consistency. The detail rebukes the people's contempt by reminding the reader of the daily miracle they dismissed. It also prepares for the comparison Jesus draws between this perishable bread and himself, the bread that endures (John 6).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Exod 16:31Now the house of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey.
- Gen 2:12And the gold of that land is pure, and bdellium and onyx are found there.
- Exod 16:14–15When the layer of dew had evaporated, there were thin flakes on the desert floor, as fine as frost on the ground.
- 1 Cor 1:23–24but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
- Rev 2:17He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will give the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone inscribed with a new name, known only to the one who receives it.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Commentaries & study tools
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Christ at the center
In the wilderness Christ is the water from the rock, the bronze serpent lifted up that the dying might look and live (John 3:14), and the star and scepter that Balaam saw rising out of Jacob.
How Numbers 11:7 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.