Joshua 5:11

KJV

And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched [corn] in the selfsame day.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they did eat {H398} of the old corn {H5669} of the land {H776} on the morrow {H4283} after the passover {H6453}, unleavened cakes {H4682}, and parched {H7033} corn in the selfsame {H6106} day {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The day after Pesach they ate what the land produced, matzah and roasted ears of grain that day.

Berean Standard Bible

The day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate unleavened bread and roasted grain from the produce of the land.

American Standard Version

And they did eat of the produce of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes and parched grain, in the selfsame day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 5:11 marks a profound turning point for the Israelites, describing their first meal of the land's produce on the day following their Passover celebration in Canaan. This pivotal moment signifies the definitive end of forty years of miraculous manna provision in the wilderness and the beginning of a new era of settled life and sustenance from the Promised Land, powerfully demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed immediately after two highly significant events: the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River on dry ground, echoing the Red Sea deliverance ([Joshua 3:17](/joshua/3-17 "Joshua 3:17 - Crossing the Jordan River")), and the mass circumcision of the male Israelites at Gilgal, which removed "the reproach of Egypt" ([Joshua 5:9](/joshua/5-9 "Joshua 5:9 - The Reproach of Egypt Removed")). Following this spiritual renewal, the Israelites observed their first Passover in the Promised Land near Jericho ([Joshua 5:10](/joshua/5-10 "Joshua 5:10 - Passover in Canaan")). Joshua 5:11 then details the immediate consequence of these acts of obedience and divine intervention: the cessation of manna and the commencement of eating the land's bounty, setting the stage for the imminent conquest of Canaan.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** For forty years, the Israelites had subsisted on manna, a miraculous daily provision from God, which underscored their complete dependence on Him during their nomadic wilderness journey ([Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna and Quail Provided")). Entering Canaan represented a transition from a nomadic existence to a settled, agricultural life. Eating the "old corn of the land" (stored grain) and "parched corn" (roasted grain) immediately upon arrival highlights that the land was indeed "flowing with milk and honey" ([Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey")), providing abundant sustenance. This act not only fulfilled ancient promises but also culturally integrated them into the agricultural rhythm of the land they were about to inherit, signifying a new phase of their national identity.

* **Key Themes:** Joshua 5:11 powerfully encapsulates several major themes. First, it underscores **God's Faithful Provision**, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises made to Abraham regarding the land ([Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18 - God's Covenant with Abraham Regarding the Land")). Second, it marks the **End of an Era and the Beginning of a New One**, as the miraculous wilderness provision of manna ceases the very next day ([Joshua 5:12](/joshua/5-12 "Joshua 5:12 - Manna Ceases")), replaced by the natural produce of their new home. This transition symbolizes Israel's maturity and readiness to live by the fruit of their labor in the land. Third, it illustrates the principle of **Obedience and Blessing**, as the Israelites' faithful celebration of Passover immediately upon entering the land ([Joshua 5:10](/joshua/5-10 "Joshua 5:10 - Passover in Canaan")) is swiftly followed by this tangible blessing of sustenance directly from the land itself, affirming God's immediate favor upon their acts of faith.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Old Corn (Hebrew, _'abur'_):** This term refers to the produce or grain of the land, specifically that which has already been harvested and stored from the previous season. It is distinct from freshly sown or ripening crops. The use of "old corn" signifies that the Israelites were immediately able to partake of the existing bounty of Canaan, likely the stores of the Canaanites, rather than having to wait for their own first harvest. This emphasizes the immediate, ready-made provision of God.
* **Passover (Hebrew, _Pesach'_):** More than just a meal, the Passover was a foundational annual festival commemorating God's deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt ([Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The First Passover")). Its celebration immediately upon entering Canaan, after the renewal of the covenant through circumcision, underscores the continuity of God's redemptive work and Israel's identity as His delivered people, now entering their inheritance. The timing of eating the land's produce "on the morrow after the passover" links their physical sustenance directly to their spiritual identity and obedience.
* **Parched (Hebrew, _qali'_):** This refers to grain that has been roasted, a common and simple method of preparing grains for immediate consumption. It suggests a practical, ready-to-eat food source, highlighting the immediacy and accessibility of the new provision. It implies a direct, unrefined consumption of the land's bounty, contrasting with the refined and processed nature of manna.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they did eat of the old corn of the land":** This clause signifies a monumental shift in God's provision for Israel. After forty years of miraculous manna, their sustenance now comes from the natural, agricultural produce of the Promised Land. "Old corn" indicates existing stores, likely from the previous season's harvest of the Canaanites, underscoring the immediate and abundant provision God granted them upon entry, without requiring them to sow or reap first.
* **"on the morrow after the passover":** The precise timing is crucial. This new mode of provision follows directly on the heels of their faithful celebration of the Passover, a memorial of God's deliverance and covenant. It links their physical sustenance to their spiritual obedience and identity, demonstrating God's immediate blessing upon their renewed covenant relationship.
* **"unleavened cakes, and parched [corn]":** These specify the forms in which the land's produce was consumed. "Unleavened cakes" connect directly to the Passover celebration, as leaven was forbidden during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. "Parched corn" refers to roasted grains, a simple and immediate way to prepare grain for eating. Both items emphasize the direct, unadorned consumption of the land's bounty, signifying a practical and immediate transition to a new way of life.
* **"in the selfsame day":** This phrase emphasizes the simultaneity and immediacy of their new sustenance. The manna ceased, and on that very day, they began to eat from the land, leaving no gap in God's provision and powerfully illustrating the seamless transition from one form of divine care to another.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 5:11 is rich in **Symbolism**. The cessation of manna and the eating of the land's produce symbolizes the end of the wilderness wandering and the full entry into the Promised Land. Manna represented divine, miraculous, daily dependence, while the land's produce symbolized settled life, agricultural labor, and the fulfillment of God's promise of a land of abundance. There is also **Contrast** between the miraculous, heavenly bread of the wilderness and the natural, earthly produce of Canaan, highlighting God's adaptability in His provision. The immediate timing, "on the morrow after the passover" and "in the selfsame day," creates a sense of **Immediacy** and divine precision, reinforcing the idea that God's blessings are prompt and directly linked to obedience. The verse also serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, signaling the beginning of Israel's settled life and the imminent conquest of the land, for which they would now be sustained by its own bounty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 5:11 serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering covenant faithfulness and His dynamic provision for His people. It marks a significant theological transition, demonstrating that God's methods of sustenance may change, but His commitment to provide never wavers. The cessation of manna, which had taught Israel daily dependence on God in the wilderness, and the commencement of eating the land's produce, signifies their readiness to enter a new phase of responsible stewardship and settled life in the inheritance God had prepared. This verse underscores the principle that divine blessing often follows faithful obedience, as the provision of the land's bounty immediately followed their renewed covenant with God and the celebration of Passover. It is a tangible sign that God's promises are not just spiritual but also material, encompassing every aspect of His people's well-being.

* [Exodus 16:35](/exodus/16-35 "Manna Provided for Forty Years")
* [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "God's Covenant with Abraham for the Land")
* [Hebrews 4:9](/hebrews/4-9 "The Sabbath Rest for the People of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 5:11 offers a profound lesson for believers today: God's faithfulness endures through every season of life, even as His methods of provision may change. Just as He transitioned the Israelites from the miraculous daily manna to the natural bounty of the land, God often leads us through different phases, adapting His provision to our current needs and circumstances. This verse encourages us to trust in His timing and His ways, knowing that He will always supply what is needed for the journey ahead, even if it looks different than before. It challenges us to be spiritually discerning, recognizing when God is shifting our season of provision, and to be prepared to embrace and utilize the new blessings and resources He provides as we step into new phases of our spiritual journey, moving from a period of intense, visible dependence to one of stewardship and cultivation within the "promised land" of our current calling.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How has God's provision in your life shifted across different seasons, and how did you adapt to those changes?**
* **What "old corn" or new resources might God be calling you to embrace and steward in your current season of life or ministry?**
* **In what ways does this passage encourage you to trust God's faithfulness, even when His methods of provision change or become less overtly miraculous?**
* **How does your obedience to God's commands precede or open the way for His tangible blessings in your life?**

### FAQ
**Why did the manna stop after they ate the produce of the land?**

Answer: The cessation of manna, detailed in [Joshua 5:12](/joshua/5-12 "Joshua 5:12 - Manna Ceases"), was a clear sign that Israel's wilderness wandering had definitively ended and they had fully entered the Promised Land. Manna was specifically provided as miraculous sustenance for their nomadic journey in the desert, teaching them daily dependence on God ([Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Lives by Every Word of God")). Once they were in the fertile land of Canaan, where they could cultivate and harvest their own food, the miraculous provision was no longer necessary. God's provision changes with the season and need, moving from the supernatural to the natural, yet always demonstrating His faithfulness.

**What is the significance of eating "old corn" and "parched corn"?**

Answer: The "old corn" refers to grain that was already harvested and stored, likely by the Canaanite inhabitants of the land. This signifies that God immediately provided for Israel from the existing abundance of the land, without them having to wait for their own first harvest. It highlights the immediacy and completeness of God's blessing. "Parched corn" refers to roasted grains, a simple and common method of preparing grain for immediate consumption. Both terms emphasize that the Israelites had instant, ready-to-eat sustenance from their new home, underscoring the seamless transition from manna to the land's bounty and the practical reality of their new, settled life.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 5:11, with its depiction of Israel entering the Promised Land and partaking of its bounty after the Passover, powerfully foreshadows the spiritual inheritance and sustenance found in Christ. The manna in the wilderness, though miraculous, was temporary and sustained only physical life; Jesus himself declared, "Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died" ([John 6:49](/john/6-49 "John 6:49 - The Bread of Life")). He then presented Himself as the true "bread of life" who came down from heaven, offering eternal life to those who believe and partake of Him ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus the Bread of Life") and [John 6:51](/john/6-51 "John 6:51 - Jesus, the Living Bread")). The transition from manna to the "old corn of the land" can be seen as a type of the transition from the old covenant, which provided temporary sustenance, to the new covenant in Christ, which offers ultimate and eternal spiritual nourishment. Furthermore, just as Israel entered their physical inheritance after the Passover, believers enter into their spiritual inheritance and rest in Christ, our ultimate Passover Lamb ([1 Corinthians 5:7](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Christ Our Passover Lamb")), whose sacrifice secures our entry into the "heavenly places" and the true "rest" that remains for the people of God ([Hebrews 4:9](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9 - The Sabbath Rest for the People of God")). Thus, Joshua 5:11 points to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of God's provision, the source of our true spiritual sustenance, and the guarantor of our eternal inheritance.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 23:14

And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your God: [it shall be] a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

Leviticus 23:6

And on the fifteenth day of the same month [is] the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.

Exodus 13:6

Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day [shall be] a feast to the LORD.

Exodus 13:7

Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters.

Exodus 12:18

In the first [month], on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.

Exodus 12:20

Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.