Coriander

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) was a common aromatic herb cultivated throughout Egypt, Persia, and the Mediterranean basin, known for its round seeds with a mild, pleasant flavor. It appears twice in the Old Testament, both times in descriptions of manna: the Israelites compare the manna's appearance to coriander seed — it was white like coriander seed (Exodus 16:31) and like coriander seed with the color of bdellium (Numbers 11:7). These comparisons indicate that the Israelite audience was thoroughly familiar with the small, round, pale seeds of coriander as a recognizable reference point.

Smith notes that coriander (Coriandrum sativum) is found wild and cultivated across the ancient Near East and has been used since antiquity as a spice for food and medicine. The comparison of manna to coriander seed provided a vivid sensory anchor for readers seeking to understand what the wilderness generation ate. Coriander's inclusion in the biblical description of manna has made it a subject of botanical and culinary interest in discussions of the miracle food, though Scripture offers no further information beyond the visual and physical comparison.