Laura Smith
Manna, described in the Bible and the Quran as a food bestowed by God to the Israelites during their 40-year exile in the desert, has been the subject of various interpretations. While some believe it to be a form of tree resin, honey, or plant syrup, others propose that it refers to edible mushrooms, specifically psychedelic mushrooms or truffles. This theory is based on the Bible's description of manna as small, round, and found in dew, similar to the characteristics of certain mushrooms. The idea of manna as a psychoactive substance is further explored, with references to altered mental states in the Bible possibly attributed to the consumption of manna. However, this interpretation is controversial and rejected by some.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Description | Manna is described in the Bible and the Quran as an edible substance bestowed upon the Israelites by God during their 40-year desert wanderings. |
| Appearance | Manna is described as "a fine, flake-like thing," "a small round thing," "like coriander seed," and "of the colour of bdellium." It is said to arrive with the dew during the night and melt in the heat of the sun. |
| Taste | Manna is described as tasting "like wafers made with honey." |
| Preparation | Manna could be baked, boiled, ground in mills, or beaten in a mortar. Drying or baking it prevents decomposition. |
| Potential Identification | Some have theorized that manna could have been a type of mushroom, truffle, honey, tree resin, or plant syrup. |
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What You'll Learn
- Manna is described in the Bible and the Quran as an edible substance
- Manna is described as small, round, and white, like coriander seed
- Manna is said to have fallen from the sky and spoiled quickly
- Manna is believed to be a type of honeydew, lichen, or mushroom
- Manna is mentioned three times in the Quran
Manna is described in the Bible and the Quran as an edible substance
Manna, derived from the Hebrew word 'mān', is described in the Bible and the Quran as a substance that God provided for the Israelites during their 40-year exile in the desert after fleeing Egypt. The word 'manna' means "what is it?" in Hebrew, as the Israelites were unsure of what this substance was when they first encountered it.
In the Bible, manna is described as a bread-like substance that fell from heaven and tasted like honey. It is mentioned in Exodus 16:1–36, where it is described as "a fine, flake-like thing" like the frost on the ground, and in Numbers 11:1–9, where it is said to arrive with the dew during the night. The Israelites were instructed to collect a daily portion of manna each day, and to gather twice as much before the Sabbath, as the stored manna bred worms and stank if kept overnight, except on the Sabbath. Manna is also mentioned in Psalm 78:24, John 6:32-50, and Revelation 2:17. In the Bible, manna is symbolic of Jesus, who is referred to as the "bread of life".
In the Quran, the word 'manna' appears three times, in 2:57, 7:160, and 20:80. In these passages, God provides the Israelites with manna and quails, saying, "Eat of the good things We have provided for you." According to a narration from Muhammad, manna was edible mushrooms that grew in the land, while others describe it as tree resin or sap with a sweet flavour, or honey found in the mountains.
While the exact nature of manna remains a mystery, it is clear from both the Bible and the Quran that it was an edible substance that God provided for the Israelites during their exile in the desert, to sustain them during their journey.
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Manna is described as small, round, and white, like coriander seed
Manna is described in the Bible as a small, round, edible substance that God bestowed upon the Israelites while they were wandering the desert during the 40-year period that followed the Exodus and preceded the conquest of Canaan. In the Book of Exodus, manna is described as being "a fine, flake-like thing" like the frost on the ground. It is further described in Exodus 16:14 as:
> "...a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground."
The Book of Numbers describes manna as arriving with the dew during the night and having the appearance of bdellium. Exodus adds that it had to be collected before it was melted by the heat of the sun, and that it was like a coriander seed in size, but white in colour.
The reference to coriander seed is intriguing, as coriander seeds are small, brown, and spherical, with a wrinkled texture. They do not seem to fit the description of manna in terms of colour, as manna is described as white. However, the spherical shape of coriander seeds may be the reason for their mention in the Bible, as it could indicate that manna had a grain-like quality that allowed it to be ground into meal.
Some have interpreted manna as a psycho-active breed of fungus, specifically mushrooms, which are small and round and tend to spring up overnight with light rain or heavy dew. The Bible mentions that when left uncollected, manna bred worms and melted into goo, which can also be observed in mushrooms. Baking or drying manna, as mentioned in Exodus, prevents this decomposition, and dried manna has the colour and consistency of wafers, similar to coriander seeds.
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Manna is said to have fallen from the sky and spoiled quickly
Manna is described in the Bible and the Quran as an edible substance that God bestowed upon the Israelites while they were wandering the desert during the 40-year period that followed the Exodus and preceded the conquest of Canaan. In the Hebrew Bible, manna is described as being "a fine, flake-like thing" like the frost on the ground. It is also described as arriving with the dew during the night and having to be collected before it was melted by the heat of the sun.
According to the Bible, manna came with instructions. The Israelites were told to gather exactly as much as they needed each day and never to save it, as it would spoil. An exception was made for the day before the Sabbath, when they were allowed to gather twice as much. This larger portion did not spoil overnight, unlike the regular daily portions.
The various identifications of manna are naturalistic. Some scholars have proposed that manna refers to the crystallized honeydew of certain scale insects, specifically the Tamarisk manna scale (Trabutina mannipara). The honeydew produced by this insect is similar to wax, melts in the sun, is sweet and aromatic, and has a dirty-yellow colour, somewhat fitting the biblical descriptions of manna. However, it is argued that this substance would not have provided sufficient nutrition for the Israelites and could not have been compacted into cakes.
Another theory suggests that manna refers to edible mushrooms that grew in the land. This theory is based on the description of manna in the Bible as small and round, found in dew, and spoiling overnight. These characteristics are said to match those of certain mushrooms, which often spring up overnight with light rain or heavy dew and can spoil quickly due to insect activity.
In conclusion, while the exact nature of manna remains a subject of debate, it is clear from the biblical and Quranic descriptions that it was a precious and divine substance that played a significant role in the Israelites' survival during their desert sojourn.
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Manna is believed to be a type of honeydew, lichen, or mushroom
Manna is described in the Bible and the Quran as an edible substance bestowed by God upon the Israelites during their 40-year desert sojourn after the Exodus and before the conquest of Canaan. It is described in Exodus as a "fine, flake-like thing" like frost, and in the Book of Numbers as arriving with the dew at night.
There are several theories about the true nature of manna. Some believe it refers to small droplets of sweet-tasting tree sap or resin. Others interpret it as a type of honey or mountain honeydew, such as that produced by the tamarisk tree or the turkey oak. The honeydew produced by the tamarisk tree is similar to wax, melts in the sun, is sweet and aromatic, and has a dirty-yellow colour, which fits with biblical descriptions of manna.
Another theory suggests that manna refers to a type of mushroom. This theory is based on the description of manna in Exodus as a "small round thing" that bred worms and melted into goo if left unpicked. Small round mushrooms often spring up overnight with light rain or heavy dew, and they can spoil quickly. Additionally, the practice of drying or baking mushrooms to prevent decomposition is consistent with the treatment of manna described in the Bible.
Some have also interpreted manna as a type of lichen, such as Lecanora esculenta, which is known to fall in aerial masses separate from the biblical account.
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Manna is mentioned three times in the Quran
The word "mana" appears three times in the Quran, at 2:57, 7:160, and 20:80. It is described as an edible substance that God bestowed upon the Israelites while they were wandering in the desert for 40 years following the Exodus and before entering Canaan. According to Sahih Muslim, Muhammad said: "Truffles are part of the 'manna' which God sent to the people of Israel through Moses, and its juice is a medicine for the eye."
The description of manna in the Quran shares similarities with the biblical account in Exodus and Numbers. In the Quran, manna is mentioned as being sent down from the sky, along with quails, for the Israelites to eat. It is described as a "sweet dish" or "sweet and healing matter" that provided sustenance in the desert.
Interpretations of the nature of manna vary. Some believe it refers to small droplets like dew that settle on trees with a sweet taste, while others describe it as tree resin, honey, or an energizing syrup. In the Bible, manna is described as a "flake-like thing" that arrived with the dew at night and had to be collected before melting in the sun. It is also mentioned that manna could be baked into cakes and had a white colour, resembling a coriander seed.
The identification of manna with mushrooms has been proposed, particularly in the Book of Exodus. Manna is described as small, round, and found in dew, similar to certain types of mushrooms. Additionally, the practice of drying mushrooms to prevent decomposition is comparable to the treatment of manna described in Exodus.
While the exact nature of manna remains open to interpretation, its mention in the Quran and the Bible highlights its significance as a divine provision and a source of nourishment for the Israelites during their journey.
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Frequently asked questions
Manna, or mana, is described in the Bible and the Quran as an edible substance that God bestowed upon the Israelites while they were wandering the desert.
Manna is described as tasting like wafers made with honey.
Manna is described as being small and round, like coriander seed, and white or dirty yellow in colour.
Manna is described in the Bible and the Quran as coming from heaven or God. However, some natural sources have been proposed, including a type of scale insect that feeds on tamarisk trees, and a form of lichen.
Some people have speculated that mana could have been a type of mushroom, based on descriptions of it being small and round, found in the morning dew, and spoiling quickly. However, others disagree, pointing out that mushrooms do not typically turn into worms if left overnight.
