8475. 'They gathered, each according to the mouth of his eating' means receiving, each according to his own ability. This is clear from what has been stated above in 8467, where the same words occur.

8467. 'Gather from it, each according to the mouth of his eating' means receiving and making it their own, each in accordance with his own ability. This is clear from the meaning of 'gathering' - when said in regard to the good of truth, which is meant by 'the manna' - as receiving; and from the meaning of 'each according to the mouth of his eating' as making their own, each in accordance with his own ability. For when 'according to the mouth of one's eating' refers to food it means in accordance with what is requisite and necessary to nourish [the body]; but when the expression refers to the good of truth it means in accordance with the ability to receive and make one's own, since 'eating' in the spiritual sense means making a thing one's own, 3168, 3513 (end), 3596, 4745.