μάννα

From the study of John 6:31

Range of meaning

A word borrowed from Hebrew man. In Exod 16:15 the Israelites ask man hu?, 'What is it?', and the name sticks (16:31). It names the fine, flaky, frost-like substance that appeared with the dew each morning, tasted like wafers with honey, and was gathered daily for forty years (Exod 16; Num 11:7–9; Josh 5:12). By the first century it had also become a symbol: food from God, 'grain of heaven', 'bread of angels' (Ps 78:24–25), and a picture of God's word and wisdom.

Against the English

English keeps the Hebrew-Greek word, so nothing is lost in translation. But modern speech uses 'manna' loosely for any windfall ('manna from heaven'). That flattens the specific memory of daily, Sabbath-ordered, God-dependent provision during the Exodus.

How it drifted

The idiomatic English sense 'an unexpected boon' came from the biblical story and wore it down. In the verse itself the word is used precisely.

Used elsewhere in the period

LXX Exod 16:31–35; Num 11:6–9; Deut 8:3, 16 (manna as a lesson that 'man does not live by bread alone'); Ps 77:24 LXX; Neh 9:20. Wisdom of Solomon 16:20–21 calls it 'food of angels… bread from heaven' that suited every taste. Philo reads manna as the divine Word (logos) and heavenly wisdom that feeds the soul (Allegorical Interpretation 3.162–176; Who Is Heir 79, 191). Josephus explains the name as the Hebrew question 'What is this?' (Antiquities 3.32). The apocalypse 2 Baruch (around AD 100) expects that 'the treasury of manna will again descend from on high' in the messianic age (29:8). Later rabbinic tradition says 'as the former redeemer [Moses] brought down manna, so will the latter redeemer' (Ecclesiastes Rabbah 1:9). That collection is centuries later, but it probably preserves an older hope.

From the study of Revelation 2:17

Range of meaning

Manna: the miraculous bread God gave Israel in the wilderness (Exod 16; Num 11; Ps 78:24 'grain of heaven'). 'Hidden' (perfect passive): laid away and still kept, by God.

Against the English

BSB has 'the hidden manna'. ESV, NIV and NASB have 'some of the hidden manna', which keeps the Greek sense of a share. NLT adds 'hidden away in heaven', which interprets where it is. KJV's 'to eat of' follows the longer Greek text.

Used elsewhere in the period

Exod 16:32–34: a jar of manna was kept 'before the LORD' and later in the ark (Heb 9:4). 2 Macc 2:4–8: Jeremiah hid the ark until God gathers his people again. 2 Baruch 29:8 (about AD 100): 'the treasury of manna will again descend from on high, and they will eat of it in those years', at the coming of the Messiah. Rabbinic tradition (e.g. Midrash Ecclesiastes Rabbah 1:9) expected the last redeemer to bring down manna as the first redeemer, Moses, had. Jesus as the true bread from heaven: John 6:31–35, 48–51.

From the study of John 6:49

Range of meaning

The food God gave Israel during the wilderness years (Exodus 16; Numbers 11:6–9; Deuteronomy 8:3, 16; Joshua 5:12). The word comes from the Hebrew man, explained in Exodus 16:15 by the people's question man hu, "What is it?" Scripture also calls it "bread from heaven" (Exodus 16:4; Nehemiah 9:15), "grain of heaven" and "bread of the mighty / of angels" (Psalm 78:24–25).

Against the English

English keeps the loanword, which is accurate. What a modern reader misses is the weight the word carried: for a first-century Jew, manna was the great sign of God's care in the founding story, not just an odd miracle food.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint) writes man in Exodus and manna in Numbers and Deuteronomy. Wisdom of Solomon 16:20–21 praises it as "food of angels" that suited every taste. Philo of Alexandria (Allegorical Interpretation 3.169–176) reads manna as the divine Word, the logos. 2 Baruch 29:8 (late first century AD) expects that "the treasury of manna will again descend from on high" in the last days. Later rabbinic tradition said the coming redeemer would bring manna down as Moses did (Ecclesiastes Rabbah 1:9). That source is later than John, but it probably reflects an older hope.