מָ֣ן

𐤌𐤍

mân

What is it?

Edible substance supernaturally provided as food for the Israelites during their desert wandering, described as resembling coriander seed, white in color and tasting like wafers with honey. In biblical usage, מָן refers to this unique food, sometimes accompanied by narrative emphasis on its miraculous or mysterious origin, and the questions it prompted among the Israelites.

H4478

Exodus 16:15 · Word #8

Lexicon H4478

Lemmaמָן
Lemma (Paleo)𐤌𐤍
Transliterationmân
Strong'sH4478
DefinitionEdible substance supernaturally provided as food for the Israelites during their desert wandering, described as resembling coriander seed, white in color and tasting like wafers with honey. In biblical usage, מָן refers to this unique food, sometimes accompanied by narrative emphasis on its miraculous or mysterious origin, and the questions it prompted among the Israelites.

Morphology HTi All morphology codes

Part of Speech T — Particle — Function word
Subtype i — Interrogative — Interrogative

Common Translation

PhraseWhat is it?

SIBI-P1 Translation H4478-02

manna

Morphological NotesMasculine singular noun, absolute form; historically derived from an interrogative particle but functioning as a substantive.
Rendering RationaleThough derived from the interrogative root מה (“what?”), this form functions as a masculine singular noun naming the mysterious food so called from the question it provoked. “Manna” preserves its established identity while reflecting its etymological link to inquiry.

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SILEX v2

SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)

manna

Same as P1Yes
RationaleRetaining the standard term for this unique substance matches its identity as described in the passage.