גַּד (gad)
gad
coriander
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun gad refers to coriander, a small herb whose seeds are distinctively shaped and used as a spice. In the Old Testament, this word appears only twice, both in the context of describing manna. The sources note that the appearance of the manna is compared to these seeds, highlighting their small, round, and white characteristics.
This comparison serves to help readers visualize the texture and look of the miraculous food provided in the wilderness. By linking the divine provision to a familiar culinary ingredient, the text grounds the supernatural event in everyday reality. The brief usage underscores how ordinary details were employed to convey the nature of God's sustenance during the Israelites' journey.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word gad simply means coriander, a small spice seed familiar in ancient kitchens. Scripture uses this ordinary plant to describe manna, the bread from heaven. By comparing divine provision to a common seed, the text reminds us that God’s care often arrives in simple, tangible forms.
This image invites trust in daily sustenance. Just as coriander seeds are small yet flavorful, God’s gifts may seem modest but carry deep nourishment for the soul. The wilderness journey shows that even basic needs are met with precision and grace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- coriander2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- גַּד֙1×
- גַּ֖ד1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 16:31
The house of Israel called its name “Manna”, and it was like coriander seed, white; and its taste was like wafers with honey.
This verse explicitly links the visual appearance of manna to coriander seeds, establishing the metaphor for Israel's first experience of divine bread.
-
Numbers 11:7
The manna was like coriander seed, and it looked like bdellium.
Here the comparison is repeated during a later wilderness period, reinforcing the consistency of God’s provision through familiar imagery.