Exodus 16:31 Meaning and Explanation
“And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Israel names the substance manna and describes its appearance and taste.
The Context of Exodus 16:31
Description of manna's appearance and taste.
What Does Exodus 16:31 Mean?
Now the substance is described in full: it resembles coriander seed in size and shape, white in color. The comparison suggests something familiar in form but new in nature. The taste is pleasant—'like wafers made with honey.' This is not survival food but food that can be enjoyed.
The naming 'manna' (what is it?) becomes permanent. What began as a question becomes the eternal name. Israel will remember this substance as the definition of divine provision. The description emphasizes both the ordinariness of manna's appearance and the extraordinary fact of its provision.
Exodus 16:31 in the Original Language
מַן (man), 'manna' — the substance provided throughout the wilderness journey, literally named from the question 'what is it?'
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 16:31
What does Exodus 16:31 mean?
Israel names the substance manna and describes its appearance and taste.
What is the context of Exodus 16:31?
Description of manna's appearance and taste.