Exodus 16:31

The house of Israel. Some of the oldest versions, such as the LXX, the Syriac, and the Arabic translation, read “children” instead of “house.” It is possible that the reading “children of Israel” is closer to the original than “house of Israel.”

Manna. No explanation of this name yet proposed has met with general acceptance. Some have suggested that it may mean “gift,” but it is more probable that the word owes its origin to the original exclamation of astonishment, man hu’, “What is it?” (see on v. 15).

Like coriander seed. An herb, Coriandrum sativum, which grows wild in the Near East. Its aromatic fruit, called “coriander seed,” is used for seasoning and medicinal purposes. The color of the seed is whitish or yellow-gray. In Num. 11:7 it is compared with the bdellium (see on Gen. 2:12).

Wafers. The Hebrew word thus translated appears only here in the Bible, and is of uncertain meaning. The LXX renders it by the word egkris, according to Greek literary sources, designates a cake made of flour, oil, and honey. The Israelites described the manna as tasting like cakes with honey (Ex. 16:31) and as if baked with fresh oil (Num. 11:8).