Exodus 16:14
And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground.
Original Language Analysis
וַתַּ֖עַל
was gone up
H5927
וַתַּ֖עַל
was gone up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
1 of 13
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פְּנֵ֤י
behold upon the face
H6440
פְּנֵ֤י
behold upon the face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
6 of 13
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הַמִּדְבָּר֙
of the wilderness
H4057
הַמִּדְבָּר֙
of the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
7 of 13
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
כַּכְּפֹ֖ר
as the hoar frost
H3713
כַּכְּפֹ֖ר
as the hoar frost
Strong's:
H3713
Word #:
11 of 13
properly, a cover, i.e., (by implication) a tankard (or covered goblet); also white frost (as covering the ground)
Cross References
Psalms 78:24And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.Psalms 105:40The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.Nehemiah 9:15And gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promisedst them that they should go in to possess the land which thou hadst sworn to give them.Deuteronomy 8:3And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
Historical Context
Various theories attempt natural explanation (insect secretions, etc.), but the biblical text emphasizes supernatural daily provision, Sabbath cessation, and 40-year duration that defy natural explanation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does daily manna combat the temptation to rely on yesterday's spiritual experiences?
- What does bread appearing on barren ground teach about God creating provision where none exists?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground—The manna's appearance after dew evaporation suggests supernatural origin. The Hebrew description 'small round thing' (דַּק מְחֻסְפָּס, daq m'chuspas) indicates fine, flake-like substance resembling frost. The 'face of the wilderness' (פְּנֵי־הַמִּדְבָּר) emphasizes the barren ground that now bears bread—God provides where nothing naturally grows. This bread 'from heaven' (v.4) prefigures Christ who declares 'I am the bread that came down from heaven' (John 6:41). Like morning dew, manna appears new each day, teaching that yesterday's provision doesn't suffice for today—we need fresh dependence daily.