tenance. So he tasted it, and gave them some
of it, that they might be satisfied about what he told them. They also
imitated their conductor, and were pleased with the food, for it was
like honey in sweetness and pleasant taste, but like in its body to
bdellium, one of the sweet spices, and in bigness equal to coriander
seed. And very earnest they were in gathering it; but they were enjoined
to gather it equally [3]--the measure of an omer for each one every
day, because this food should not come in too small a quantity, lest
the weaker might not be able to get their share, by reason of the
overbearing of the strong in collecting it. However, these strong men,
when they had gathered more than the measure appointed for them, had no
more than others, but only tired themselves more in gathering it, for
they found no more than an omer apiece; and the advantage they got by
what was superfluous was none at all, it corrupting, both by the worms
breeding in it, and by its bitterness. So divine and wonderful a food
was this! It also supplied the want of other sorts of food to those that
fed on it. And even now, in all that place, this manna comes down in
rain, [4] according to what Moses then obtained of God, to send it to
the people for their sustenance. Now the Hebrews call this food manna:
for the particle man, in our language, is the asking of a question.
What is this? So the Hebrews were very joyful at what was sent them from
heaven. Now they made use of this food for forty years, or as long as
they were in the wilderness.

7. As soon as they were removed thence, they came to Rephidim, being
distressed to the last degree by thirst; and while in the foregoing days
they had lit on a few small fountains, but now found the earth entirely
destitute of water, they were in an evil case. They again turned their
anger against Moses; but he at first avoided the fury of the multitude,
and then betook himself to prayer to God, beseeching him, that as he had
given them food when they were in the greatest want of it, so he would
give them drink, since the favor of giving them food was of no value to
them while they had nothing to drink. And God did not long delay to give
it them, but promised Moses that he would procure them a fountain, and
plenty of water, from a place they did not expect any. So he commanded
him to smite the rock which they saw lying there, [5] with his rod, and
out of it to receive plenty of what they wanted; for he ha