Numbers 11:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Douay-RheimsHebrew (Masoretic text)

Now the manna was like coriander seed, of the colour of bdellium.
Douay-Rheims

וְהַמָּ֕ן כִּזְרַע־גַּ֖ד ה֑וּא וְעֵינ֖וֹ כְּעֵ֥ין הַבְּדֹֽלַח׃
Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Ephraem the Syrian

4th centuryChurch Father

The description of manna, compared to coriander seed, indicates that it was versatile enough to be transformed into various types of food, possessing the taste, juiciness, and appeal of all nourishment. Its likeness was akin to that of crystal, resembling ice.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.

Ex 16:31And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white, and the taste thereof like to flour with honey.
Gen 2:12And the gold of that land is very good: there is found bdellium, and the onyx stone.
Ex 16:14And when it had covered the face of the earth, it appeared in the wilderness small, and as it were beaten with a pestle, like unto the hoar frost on the ground.
Ex 16:15And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another: Manhu! which signifieth: What is this! for they knew not what it was. And Moses said to them: This is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat.
1 Cor 1:23But we preach Christ crucified: unto the Jews indeed a stumblingblock, and unto the Gentiles foolishness:
1 Cor 1:24But unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Rev 2:17He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches: To him that overcometh I will give the hidden manna and will give him a white counter: and in the counter, a new name written, which no man knoweth but he that receiveth it.