8474. 'And no large number had more than enough and no few had less' means that the proportion was right for each in particular and in general. This is clear from the meaning of 'not having more than enough' and also 'not having less' as using the right amount; and from the meaning of 'large number' and 'few' as differences in capacity, dealt with above in 8472 (end), at this point according to each one's capacity in particular and in general.

8472. 'And gathered it, [each] collecting it for a large number or for a few' means receiving according to the capacity of each community. This is clear from the meaning of 'gathering' as receiving, as above in 8467; and from the meaning of '[each] collecting for a large number or for a few' as according to the capacity of each community. The nature of all this has to be deduced from the things that take place in communities in heaven. Manna is heavenly food, heavenly food is goodness and truth, and goodness and truth in heaven are the Lord since they come from Him. From all this it becomes clear that these stipulations regarding the manna describe the kinds of things that occur in the communities mentioned. They describe how Divine Good which emanates from the Lord is shared with all in heaven, with all in particular and in general, but everywhere according to the capacity to receive it, for there are those who can receive only little and there are those who can receive much. Those who can receive only little are on the borders of heaven, whereas those who can receive much are in the inner parts there. Each person's capacity to receive is determined by the nature and amount of good he acquired in the world. Differences in that power are what are meant by 'a large number' and 'a few'.