Manna, << MAN uh, >> in the Old Testament, was the food given by God to the Israelites during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness (Exod. 16 and Num. 11). It consisted of small, round, yellowish-white flakes and tasted like wafers made with honey. Manna appeared with the dew each morning. It was gathered early because it melted in the sun. The daily portion of each person was an omer. Estimates of the size of an omer range from about 2 quarts (1.9 liters) to about 4 quarts (3.8 liters). The people gathered up just enough food for each day. The manna spoiled and was unfit to eat if more was gathered. But twice the usual amount was said to fall on the sixth day. Each person then took two omers, because the Sabbath was a day of worship and rest. This manna stayed fresh two days. The fall stopped when the Israelites crossed into Canaan, the Promised Land. Some historians say manna was a gluey sugar from the tamarisk shrub.
