John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 7. And the manna [was] as coriander seed , etc.] Not in colour, for that is black or darkish, whereas the manna was white, as is generally observed; of which (see Gill on “ Exodus 16:31”); however it might be like the coriander, because of its form and figure, being round, and because of its quantity, being small, ( Exodus 16:14); Some think the mustard seed is meant, as Aben Ezra observes, which is the least of all seeds; it seems that the manna fell in small round grains, like to such seed. This, with what follows, is observed, to expose the folly and ingratitude of the Israelites, that having such bread from heaven, angels food, that they should slight it, and hanker after other food: and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium ; not an aromatic gum, which Pliny speaks of, which is clear as wax, for that is black or blackish, and not white as the manna; besides, this should be read, not “bdellium”, but “bdeloah”, and is a precious stone, and, according to Bochart, the pearl; so Ben Melech observes, that it is a precious stone; some say the diamond, and others a round white stone, which they bore and join stones together, and make a chain of, he doubtless means a pearl necklace; though Jarchi says it is the crystal, and so the Jewish writers commonly; (see Gill on “ Genesis 2:12”); hence it appears the manna was very pleasant to look at, being of a round form, and of a pearl or crystal colour.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 4-9 - Man, having forsaken his proper rest, feels uneasy and wretched, thoug prosperous. They were weary of the provision God had made for them although wholesome food and nourishing. It cost no money or care, an the labour of gathering it was very little indeed; yet they talked of Egypt's cheapness, and the fish they ate there freely; as if that cos them nothing, when they paid dearly for it with hard service! Whil they lived on manna, they seemed exempt from the curse sin has brough on man, that in the sweat of his face he should eat bread; yet the speak of it with scorn. Peevish, discontented minds will find faul with that which has no fault in it, but that it is too good for them Those who might be happy, often make themselves miserable be discontent. They could not be satisfied unless they had flesh to eat It is evidence of the dominion of the carnal mind, when we want to have the delights and satisfaction of sense. We should not indulge in an desire which we cannot in faith turn into prayer, as we cannot when we ask meat for our lust. What is lawful of itself becomes evil, when God does not allot it to us, yet we desire it.
Original Hebrew והמן4478 כזרע2233 גד1407 הוא1931 ועינו5869 כעין5869 הבדלח׃916
