- MANDRAKES Hebrew dudaim; i.e., “love-plants”, occurs only in
Genesis 30:14-16 and Cant. 7:13. Many interpretations have been given of
this word dudaim. It has been rendered “violets,” “Lilies,” “jasmines,”
“truffles or mushrooms,” “flowers,” the “citron,” etc. The weight of
authority is in favour of its being regarded as the Mandragora officinalis of
botanists, “a near relative of the night-shades, the ‘apple of Sodom’ and
the potato plant.” It possesses stimulating and narcotic properties
(Genesis 30:14-16). The fruit of this plant resembles the potato-apple in
size, and is of a pale orange colour. It has been called the “love-apple.” The
Arabs call it “Satan’s apple.” It still grows near Jerusalem, and in other
parts of Palestine. - MANEH portion (Ezekiel 45:12), rendered “pound” (1 Kings 10:17; Ezra
2:69; Nehemiah 7:71, 72), a weight variously estimated, probably about 2
1/2 or 3 lbs. A maneh of gold consisted of a hundred common shekels
(q.v.). (Comp. 1 Kings 10:17, and 2 Chronicles 9:16). - MANGER (Luke 2:7, 12, 16), the name (Gr. phatne, rendered “stall” in
Luke 13:15) given to the place where the infant Redeemer was laid. It
seems to have been a stall or crib for feeding cattle. Stables and mangers in
our modern sense were in ancient times unknown in the East. The word
here properly denotes “the ledge or projection in the end of the room used
as a stall on which the hay or other food of the animals of travellers was
placed.” (See INN.) - MANNA Hebrews man-hu, “What is that?” the name given by the
Israelites to the food miraculously supplied to them during their
wanderings in the wilderness (Exodus 16:15-35). The name is commonly
taken as derived from man, an expression of surprise, “What is it?” but
more probably it is derived from manan, meaning “to allot,” and hence
denoting an “allotment” or a “gift.” This “gift” from God is described as “a
small round thing,” like the “hoar-frost on the ground,” and “like coriander
seed,” “of the colour of bdellium,” and in taste “like wafers made with
honey.” It was capable of being baked and boiled, ground in mills, or
beaten in a mortar (Exodus 16:23; Numbers 11:7). If any was kept over till
the following morning, it became corrupt with worms; but as on the
Sabbath none fell, on the preceding day a double portion was given, and
that could be kept over to supply the wants of the Sabbath without
becoming corrupt. Directions concerning the gathering of it are fully given
kiana
(Kiana)
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