manna

Definition

Manna was a white, grain-like food that God provided for the Israelites to eat during the 40 years of living in the wilderness after they left Egypt.

• Manna looked like white flakes which appeared each morning on the ground under the dew. It tasted sweet, like honey.
• The Israelites gathered the manna flakes every day except on the Sabbath.
• On the day before the Sabbath, God told the Israelites to gather twice the amount of manna so they would not have to gather it on their day of rest.
• The word “manna” means “what is it?”
• In the Bible, manna is also referred to as “bread from heaven” and “grain from heaven.”

Translation Suggestions

• Other ways to translate this term could include “thin white flakes of food” or “food from heaven.”
• Also consider how this term is translated in a Bible translation in a local or national language. (See: How to Translate Unknowns)

(See also: bread, desert, grain, heaven, Sabbath)

Bible References

• Deuteronomy 8:3
• Exodus 16:27
• Hebrews 9:3-5
• John 6:30-31
• Joshua 5:12

Word Data

• Strong’s: H4478, G31310