13-31. at even the quails came up, and covered the camp--This
bird is of the gallinaceous kind [that is, relating to the order of
heavy-bodied, largely terrestrial birds], resembling the red partridge,
but not larger than the turtledove. They are found in certain seasons
in the places through which the Israelites passed, being migratory
birds, and they were probably brought to the camp by "a wind from the
Lord" as on another occasion
(Nu 11:31).
and in the morning . . . a small round thing
. . . manna--There is a gum of the same name distilled in
this desert region from the tamarisk, which is much prized by the
natives, and preserved carefully by those who gather it. It is
collected early in the morning, melts under the heat of the sun, and is
congealed by the cold of night. In taste it is as sweet as honey, and
has been supposed by distinguished travellers, from its whitish color,
time, and place of its appearance, to be the manna on which the
Israelites were fed: so that, according to the views of some, it was a
production indigenous to the desert; according to others, there was a
miracle, which consisted, however, only in the preternatural
arrangements regarding its supply. But more recent and accurate
examination has proved this gum of the tarfa-tree to be wanting in all
the principal characteristics of the Scripture manna. It exudes only in
small quantities, and not every year; it does not admit of being baked
(Nu 11:8)
or boiled
(Ex 16:23).
Though it may be exhaled by the heat and afterwards fall with the dew,
it is a medicine, not food--it is well known to the natives of the
desert, while the Israelites were strangers to theirs; and in taste as
well as in the appearance of double quantity on Friday, none on
Sabbath, and in not breeding worms, it is essentially different from
the manna furnished to the Israelites.
JFB.
Outline
1 The Israelites come to the Wilderness of Sin
2 They murmur for want at bread
4 God promises them bread from heaven
11 Quails are sent
14 Manna is provided
16 Directions concerning the manna
25 No manna is found on the Sabbath
32 An omer of manna is preserved
Painting of the Israelites Gathering Manna
Important Topics for Bible Study
The children of Israel journey
through the wilderness of sin
the children of Israel murmured against Moses
God promises to provide bread from heaven
Moses rebukes the people for murmuring
Moses tells the people to come before the Lord
God's glory appears in the cloud
God sends Quail for meat
God also sends bread from heaven
each family of Israel gathers enough for their own
Moses commands Israel about how to keep the bread
Israel disobeys Moses commands
Moses gives him a command about the Sabbath
Israel disobeys again
God becomes angry at their disobedience
Moses gives them wise counsel
Israel rests
the name of the bread is called manna
Aaron stored an omer of manna with the unbroken tablets of stone
the manna will continue for 40 years
Quick Reference Map
Map of the Possible Route of the
Exodus
(Click to Enlarge)
Ancient Customs
manna
quail
omer
Ancient People
God, Moses, Aaron
the children of Israel
the LORD
Geography
the wilderness of Sin
Quick Reference Maps
Map of the Red Sea and Egypt
(Click to Enlarge)
The Old Testament
Exodus Resources
Moses
and the Exodus
The Giving of the Law
The
Tabernacle
The Wilderness Wanderings