# 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 wouldn’t 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](rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown))

(See also: [bread](../other/bread.md), [desert](../other/desert.md), [grain](../other/grain.md), [heaven](../kt/heaven.md), [Sabbath](../kt/sabbath.md))

## Bible References:

* [Deuteronomy 8:3](rc://en/tn/help/deu/08/3)
* [Exodus 16:27](rc://en/tn/help/exo/16/27)
* [Hebrews 9:3-5](rc://en/tn/help/heb/09/03)
* [John 6:30-31](rc://en/tn/help/jhn/06/30)
* [Joshua 5:12](rc://en/tn/help/jos/05/12)

## Word Data:

* Strong’s: H4478, G31310
