The plant called manna is common in the Sinai country

Manna

Hebrew: man

Alhagi camelorum

Unusual plants are often mentioned in the Apocrypha. The camel's thorn shrub is a low bush growing to a height of about 36 inches. It has spiny, hairy twigs, little creamy yellow, pea-like blossoms and very small leaves. The family name is Leguminosae or Fabaceae. Throughout the day a sweet gummy substance will exude from its many leaves and stems; this hardens when the cool night air falls. In the early morning the sticky, yellow-white resin is shaken from the stalks.

A bush must be ten years old before the gum will loosen. "Manna hebraica" and "Sinai manna" are names by which this gum is known. It is not to be confused with the heavenly manna sent to the Hebrew children in the wilderness. The allowance sent to the Hebrews was an omer a day. This was equal to about two and one quarter pints in measure or two pounds in weight.

Often when a small insect punctures the stem of the plant, the sugary liquid oozes out and hardens into drops that are collected and gathered in baskets. This manna is found everywhere in the Sinai country and is very common in the region.

ALL THE PLANTS OF THE BIBLE

Winifred Walker

Baruch 1:10 And they said, Behold, we have sent you money to buy you burnt offerings and sin offerings, and incense, and prepare ye manna, and offer upon the altar of the Lord our God.

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