Manna
מָן (man)
The miraculous bread from heaven that sustained Israel in the wilderness.
Man (manna) is the Hebrew word for the miraculous food God provided daily to Israel during their 40 years in the wilderness. Jesus identified Himself as the true bread from heaven.
"And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was." — Exodus 16:15 (KJV)
Key Verses
Exodus 16:15
“And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was.”Read in context
John 6:35
“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger.”Read in context
Deuteronomy 8:3
“Man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD.”Read in context
Strong's Concordance
Strong's G3131 — Manna (מָן (man))
Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where מָן (man) appears.
Open Strong's G3131Etymology and Original Meaning
The word manna likely derives from the Hebrew question 'man hu?' — 'What is it?' When Israel first saw the flaky, white substance on the ground each morning, they didn't know what it was (Exodus 16:15). The name itself preserves their wonder. It tasted like wafers made with honey (Exodus 16:31) and appeared with the morning dew.
God's Daily Provision
Manna taught Israel daily dependence on God. They could gather only one day's supply; any hoarded extra spoiled (Exodus 16:20). On the sixth day, a double portion was provided for the Sabbath. For 40 years, God faithfully fed an entire nation in a barren wilderness — a sustained miracle of provision and a lesson in trusting God day by day.
Jesus, the True Manna
In John 6, Jesus declared Himself the 'bread of life,' explicitly connecting to the manna narrative. 'Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die' (John 6:49-50). Physical manna sustained temporal life; Jesus, the living bread, gives eternal life.
Daily Bread Today
The Lord's Prayer echoes the manna principle: 'Give us this day our daily bread' (Matthew 6:11). Believers are called to depend on God daily — for physical provision, spiritual nourishment through His Word, and the sustaining grace of Christ. Just as manna could not be stockpiled, faith must be fresh each morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is manna in the Bible?
Manna was the miraculous bread-like substance God provided daily to feed Israel during their 40 years wandering in the wilderness. It appeared on the ground each morning with the dew.
What did manna look like?
Manna was small, round, white like coriander seed, and tasted like wafers made with honey (Exodus 16:31). It appeared on the ground each morning and had to be gathered before the sun melted it.
Which Bible verse uses the word "Manna"?
Exodus 16:15 — "And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was" (KJV). It also appears in John 6:35, Deuteronomy 8:3.
Why does the Hebrew word behind "Manna" matter?
The word manna likely derives from the Hebrew question 'man hu?' — 'What is it?' When Israel first saw the flaky, white substance on the ground each morning, they didn't know what it was (Exodus 16:15). English uses one word, "Manna", where the Hebrew מָן (man) carries the fuller sense: the miraculous bread from heaven that sustained israel in the wilderness.
Related Words
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Manna (מָן (Man))
The miraculous bread from heaven that sustained Israel in the wilderness
Strong's G3131 — Manna
מָן (Man) • The miraculous bread from heaven that sustained Israel in the wilderness
Manna from Heaven
God rained bread from heaven to feed Israel daily for forty years in the wildern
Heaven (שָׁמַיִם (Shamayim) / οὐρανός (Ouranos))
God's dwelling place and the eternal home of believers
Strong's H4057 — Wilderness
מִדְבָּר (midbar) • An uninhabited wasteland — the place of testing, dependence, and divine encounter.
Biblical Meaning of the Color Blue in a Dream (KJV)
Heaven, revelation, and remembrance of God's commands.
Where to go next
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