μάννα (manna)
manna
manna
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun manna refers to the miraculous food that sustained the Israelites during their forty years in the wilderness. Its name comes from the Hebrew phrase for "what is it," reflecting the initial confusion of the people when they first encountered this substance on the ground. In the Old Testament, it served as daily bread provided directly by God.
In the New Testament, the word appears in five verses, carrying significant theological weight beyond its historical origin. Jesus uses it in John 6 to contrast the physical manna eaten by ancestors with the true bread from heaven that gives life to the world. The author of Hebrews notes that a jar of this manna was kept inside the Ark of the Covenant as a lasting reminder of God’s provision.
Revelation adds a symbolic layer, promising hidden manna to those who overcome, suggesting a spiritual sustenance reserved for the faithful in the heavenly realm. This usage transforms the word from a historical record of desert survival into a promise of eternal nourishment for believers.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word manna reminds us that God provides for our daily needs in ways we might not expect. In the wilderness, the Israelites relied on this miraculous food to survive, learning to trust God’s provision each morning. This historical event shows how deeply God cares for His people, meeting them in their moments of greatest need and uncertainty.
In the New Testament, Jesus expands this idea significantly. He contrasts the physical manna eaten by ancestors with the true bread from heaven that gives life to the world. This shift invites us to look beyond temporary sustenance toward a deeper, spiritual nourishment that satisfies our souls forever. It is an invitation to find rest in Christ rather than chasing after fleeting comforts.
Revelation adds another layer of hope by promising hidden manna to those who overcome. This suggests that faithfulness leads to a special, eternal reward reserved for the faithful. Whether we are facing daily struggles or long-term challenges, this word encourages us to keep our eyes on the spiritual realities that endure beyond this life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- manna5×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μάννα5×
Key Verses
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John 6:31
Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness. As it is written, ‘He gave them bread out of heaven to eat.’”
This verse sets up Jesus' teaching by quoting the Psalm, highlighting how the people focused on the physical provision rather than its spiritual significance.
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John 6:49
Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness and they died.
Jesus uses this occurrence to challenge the crowd’s assumption that physical sustenance equates to eternal life, pointing out that even those who ate manna eventually died.
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John 6:58
This is the bread which came down out of heaven—not as our fathers ate the manna and died. He who eats this bread will live forever.”
Here Jesus directly contrasts the temporary nature of the wilderness manna with His own body, which offers permanent life to those who partake in Him.
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Revelation of John 2:17
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows but he who receives it.
This promise transforms manna from a historical memory into a symbol of eternal sustenance and intimate fellowship with Christ for the victorious believer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does manna mean in the Bible?
How is manna used in the New Testament?
Why was manna kept in the Ark of the Covenant?
What is the significance of 'hidden manna' in Revelation?
Every Occurrence (5 verses across 3 books)
John 3 verses
Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness. As it is written, ‘He gave them bread out of heaven to eat.’”
John 6:49Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness and they died.
John 6:58This is the bread which came down out of heaven—not as our fathers ate the manna and died. He who eats this bread will…