What is Manna?
Manna which literally means, “what is this?” was a food which God miraculously gave to the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. The history and nature of manna are fully given in Ex. 16. Manna is referred to as the “bread from heaven” and was delivered daily for forty years. (excluding the Sabbath when a double portion of manna would be supplied on the preceding day) The Manna was delivered in dew via deposition and was left behind when the dew evaporated from the ground. (Ex 16:13-14)
The Taste of Manna
Manna was described as tasting “like coriander seed”, “wafers made with honey” (Exodus 16:31). “fresh oil,” and “cakes baked with oil.” (Numbers 11:8) it was white in appearance and melted under the heat of the sun. (Ex 16:31, 35)
Storing of Manna
Manna fell daily and, excluding saving manna for the Sabbath day, it was not to be kept for more than one day. (Exo 16:19) When stored for more than one day, manna would become infested with maggots and gain a distasteful smell. (Exodus 16:20) For the Sabbath, God actively preserved the manna overnight to be consumed on His sanctified day of rest. (Exodus 16:22-27)
Other Notable Information
A different substance of the same name drops from various trees, principally the tamarisk, in the valleys near Sinai. The manna now used for medicinal purposes is the dried juice of the manna-ash found in southern Europe.
Notable passages where manna occurs: Num. 11:6-9; Josh. 5:12; Neh. 9:20; Psa. 78:24; Jn. 6:31, 49, 58.