"manna, the miraculous food of the Israelites while in the desert, Jn. 6:31, 49; Heb. 9:4; Rev. 2:17*"
Definition and meaning
manna, the miraculous food of the Israelites while in the desert, Jn. 6:31, 49; Heb. 9:4; Rev. 2:17*
In the original Greek the word is written: μάννα
Historical context
John wrote for an audience familiar with both Jewish Scripture and Greek philosophy. The logos — the Word — was a term Greek philosophers used for the rational principle underlying the universe. John takes that concept and says: that logos became a person and lived among us. Crucifixion was the Roman execution method designed to maximize public humiliation, reserved for slaves and rebels.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of manna (G3131) across the King James Bible.
Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
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Common questions
Strong's G3131 (manna) is a Greek word that means: manna, the miraculous food of the Israelites while in the desert, Jn. 6:31, 49; Heb. 9:4; Rev. 2:17* It appears 5 times in the King James Bible.
The word manna (G3131) appears 5 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3131 is manna, a Greek word defined as: manna, the miraculous food of the Israelites while in the desert, Jn. 6:31, 49; Heb. 9:4; Rev. 2:17*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
manna is a Greek word found in the New Testament.