Definition and Description:
Manna is a miraculous substance provided by God to the Israelites during their 40-year journey in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. It is described as a small, round, and white substance that appeared on the ground each morning, except on the Sabbath. The Israelites were instructed to gather it daily, with specific instructions for the Sabbath, as a test of their obedience and reliance on God (Exodus 16:4-5).

Biblical References:
The primary account of manna is found in Exodus 16, where it is first introduced as God's provision for the Israelites. The people questioned, "What is it?" (Hebrew: "man hu"), which led to its name, "manna" (Exodus 16:15). The description of manna is further detailed in Numbers 11:7-9, where it is likened to coriander seed and its taste to that of cakes baked with oil.

Symbolism and Significance:
1. Divine Provision: Manna symbolizes God's faithful provision and care for His people. It served as a daily reminder of God's sustenance and the necessity of trusting Him for their needs. This is echoed in Deuteronomy 8:3, which states, "He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD."

2. Obedience and Faith: The instructions regarding the collection of manna were a test of the Israelites' obedience and faith. Gathering only what was needed for each day, except for the Sabbath, required trust in God's promise to provide (Exodus 16:19-20).

3. Christ as the True Bread: In the New Testament, Jesus refers to Himself as the "true bread from heaven" (John 6:32). He draws a parallel between the manna given to the Israelites and His own role as the spiritual sustenance for believers. Jesus declares, "I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that anyone may eat of it and not die" (John 6:48-50).

4. Eternal Life: The manna is a foreshadowing of the eternal life offered through Christ. Just as manna sustained the physical life of the Israelites, Jesus, the Bread of Life, sustains spiritual life and offers eternal salvation to those who believe in Him.

Cultural and Historical Context:
Manna's appearance and collection were unique to the Israelites' wilderness experience. It ceased once they entered the Promised Land and began to eat the produce of Canaan (Joshua 5:12). This transition marked the end of their dependence on manna and the beginning of a new phase of God's provision through the land He had promised to their ancestors.

Theological Implications:
Manna serves as a profound illustration of God's grace and the importance of spiritual nourishment. It emphasizes the necessity of daily reliance on God and His Word, as well as the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus Christ. The narrative of manna challenges believers to trust in God's provision and to seek the spiritual sustenance that only Christ can provide.John 6:31-58
Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
Nave's Topical Index

Of the Sacraments.
... These similitudes are applicable to the secondary reason. ... mention is made of the
sacred symbols which were ... addressing those who thought that manna was nothing ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 of the sacraments.htm

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