Manna

New Testament

Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words

Definition

1mannaG3131

the supernaturally provided food for Israel during their wilderness journey (for details see Exod. 16 and Num. 11). The Hebrew equivalent is given in Exo 16:15, RV marg., "man hu." The translations are, RV, "what is it?;" AV and RV marg., "it is manna." It is described in Psa 1:78-25 as "the corn of heaven" and "the bread of the mighty," RV text and AV marg. ("angels' food," AV text), and in 1Co 10:3, as "spiritual meat." The vessel appointed to contain it as a perpetual memorial, was of gold, Heb 9:4, with Exo 16:33. The Lord speaks of it as being typical of Himself, the true Bread from Heaven, imparting eternal life and sustenance to those who by faith partake spiritually of Him, Joh 1:6-35. The "hidden manna" is promised as one of the rewards of the overcomer, Rev 2:17; it is thus suggestive of the moral excellence of Christ in His life on earth, hid from the eyes of men, by whom He was "despised and rejected;" the path of the overcomer is a reflex of His life.

None of the natural substances called "manna" is to be identified with that which God provided for Israel.