Joshua 5:12

KJV

And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the manna {H4478} ceased {H7673} on the morrow {H4283} after they had eaten {H398} of the old corn {H5669} of the land {H776}; neither had the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} manna {H4478} any more; but they did eat {H398} of the fruit {H8393} of the land {H776} of Canaan {H3667} that year {H8141}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The following day, after they had eaten food produced in the land, the man ended. From then on the people of Isra'el no longer had man; instead, that year, they ate the produce of the land of Kena'an.

Berean Standard Bible

And the day after they had eaten from the produce of the land, the manna ceased. There was no more manna for the Israelites, so that year they began to eat the crops of the land of Canaan.

American Standard Version

And the manna ceased on the morrow, after they had eaten of the produce of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 5:12 marks a profound theological and historical turning point for the Israelites, signaling the definitive conclusion of God's miraculous wilderness provision and their full, tangible entry into the Promised Land. This verse encapsulates the shift from a nomadic existence sustained by daily manna to a settled life in Canaan, where their sustenance would come from the abundant produce of the land, thereby affirming the faithfulness of God's covenant promises and ushering in a new era of their national identity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse stands at a pivotal juncture in the book of Joshua, immediately following the miraculous [crossing of the Jordan River on dry ground](/joshua/3-17 "Joshua 3:17 - Crossing the Jordan") and the establishment of their first camp in Canaan at Gilgal. The preceding verses detail two profoundly significant acts: the mass [circumcision of the male population](/joshua/5-9 "Joshua 5:9 - Circumcision at Gilgal"), which removed the "reproach of Egypt" and renewed their covenant identity, and the celebration of the Passover. The Passover meal, observed in the land for the first time, included unleavened bread made from the "old corn of the land"—the existing harvest of the Canaanites. It is precisely after this symbolic meal, signifying their new beginning and covenant faithfulness in the land, that the miraculous provision of manna, which had sustained them for forty years, ceased.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Historically, the Israelites had subsisted on manna, a supernatural provision, for four decades during their wilderness wanderings, a period designed to teach them absolute dependence on God ([Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Shall Not Live by Bread Alone")). Their entry into Canaan marked the culmination of promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, a land described as "flowing with milk and honey" ([Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey")). Culturally, the transition from a nomadic, wilderness existence to an agricultural, settled life was immense. The cessation of manna was a clear sign that the "wilderness chapter" was definitively closed. They were no longer wanderers but inheritors, expected to cultivate the land and live off its natural bounty, albeit still dependent on God for favorable seasons and harvests.

* **Key Themes:** The cessation of manna in [Joshua 5:12](/joshua/5-12 "Joshua 5:12 - The Manna Ceases") underscores several crucial themes central to the book of Joshua and the broader Pentateuchal narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **fulfillment of God's covenant promises**: the long-awaited entry into the land of Canaan, a land of abundance, is now a tangible reality, signaling the faithfulness of God to His word ([Deuteronomy 8:7-9](/deuteronomy/8-7-9 "Deuteronomy 8:7-9 - Description of the Promised Land")). Secondly, it emphasizes **adaptive divine provision**: God's faithfulness remains constant, but His methods of sustenance evolve with His people's circumstances. The daily miraculous manna, essential for survival in the barren wilderness ([Exodus 16:35](/exodus/16-35 "Exodus 16:35 - Manna Provided for Forty Years")), is replaced by the "fruit of the land," requiring human labor and stewardship, yet still dependent on God's blessing. This transition signifies a shift from direct, daily supernatural intervention to a more "natural" form of dependence on God's blessing upon their diligent efforts, marking a new era of responsibility and settled life.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Manna (Hebrew, _man'_):** This term, derived from the Hebrew question "What is it?" ([Exodus 16:15](/exodus/16-15 "Exodus 16:15 - What is It?")), refers to the miraculous, bread-like substance supernaturally provided by God to the Israelites daily for forty years in the wilderness. Its cessation here signifies the completion of that specific phase of divine provision and the transition to a new mode of sustenance.
* **Old corn of the land (Hebrew, _ʻabûr hāʼāreṣ'_):** The term _ʻabûr_ denotes "produce" or "grain." This phrase specifically refers to the existing harvest already cultivated by the Canaanite inhabitants. The Israelites ate this "old corn" immediately upon entering the land, indicating that God had prepared a provision for them even before they had tilled the soil themselves, further underscoring His providential care.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land":** This clause precisely dates the end of the miraculous provision. The very next day after consuming the produce already present in Canaan, specifically the unleavened bread from the Passover meal, the daily manna stopped. This immediate cessation underscores God's perfect timing and the direct correlation between their entry into the land of abundance and the conclusion of the wilderness sustenance.
* **"neither had the children of Israel manna any more":** This phrase emphasizes the absolute and permanent nature of the change. The era of manna was definitively over, signifying that the wilderness journey and its unique form of provision had reached their divinely appointed end. There would be no return to this mode of sustenance.
* **"but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year":** This final clause highlights the new reality of their sustenance. Instead of manna, their diet now consisted of the natural produce of the fertile land of Canaan. This was not a temporary measure but their new, ongoing means of provision, requiring their labor and stewardship, yet still ultimately dependent on God's blessing upon the land.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 5:12 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Symbolism** is paramount, with "manna" representing God's direct, miraculous provision for a nomadic people in a barren wilderness, while "the old corn of the land" and "the fruit of the land of Canaan" symbolize the natural, abundant sustenance available in the Promised Land. The cessation of manna, therefore, is not merely a logistical change but a powerful symbol of the definitive end of the wilderness wandering and the full, tangible realization of God's covenant promises. The verse also utilizes **juxtaposition**, sharply contrasting the miraculous, daily provision of manna with the natural, agricultural bounty of Canaan. This stark contrast highlights the significant transition in God's relationship with His people and their new responsibilities within the land, emphasizing the shift from passive reception to active stewardship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The cessation of manna in Joshua 5:12 is a powerful theological statement about God's faithfulness, His adaptive providence, and the fulfillment of His covenant promises. It signifies that God's method of provision, while always sufficient, changes according to the season and circumstances of His people. For forty years, the miraculous manna taught Israel utter dependence on God in the wilderness; now, in the land of promise, their dependence shifts to trusting God for the fertility of the soil and the blessing upon their labor. This transition underscores that God's ultimate goal was not perpetual miraculous intervention but bringing His people into a settled life of abundance, where they would live by His laws and enjoy the fruits of His blessing upon their obedience and stewardship.

* [Exodus 16:35](/exodus/16-35 "Exodus 16:35 - Manna Provided for Forty Years")
* [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Shall Not Live by Bread Alone")
* [Nehemiah 9:20-21](/nehemiah/9-20-21 "Nehemiah 9:20-21 - God's Sustaining Provision in the Wilderness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 5:12 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, encouraging us to recognize and embrace the various seasons of God's provision in our own lives. Just as God transitioned Israel from miraculous manna to the fruit of the land, He often shifts how He sustains and guides us, moving us from periods of direct, immediate intervention to times requiring greater stewardship, labor, and faith in His ongoing blessing upon our efforts. This verse calls us to trust God's wisdom in every season, understanding that His faithfulness is constant even when His methods change. It reminds us that our dependence on Him remains absolute, whether through supernatural means or through the "natural" processes He has ordained. Furthermore, it challenges us to cultivate a spirit of gratitude for all forms of His provision and to actively participate in the work He has given us, knowing that He blesses the labor of our hands.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "manna" (direct, miraculous provision) might God be transitioning you away from, and what "fruit of the land" (new responsibilities or natural blessings) might He be calling you to embrace?**
* **How does this verse challenge your understanding of divine provision, and how might it encourage a deeper trust in God's faithfulness through changing circumstances?**
* **In what areas of your life are you being called to move from passive reception to active stewardship, trusting God to bless your diligent efforts?**

### FAQ
**Why did the manna cease precisely when it did?**

Answer: The manna ceased immediately after the Israelites ate of the "old corn of the land" because its purpose was fulfilled. Manna was a supernatural provision specifically for their forty-year journey through the barren wilderness, teaching them absolute dependence on God ([Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Shall Not Live by Bread Alone")). Once they entered the fertile Promised Land, a land of abundance where they could cultivate their own food, the need for this unique form of provision ended. Its cessation marked the definitive conclusion of their nomadic wilderness phase and the beginning of their settled life in Canaan, signifying God's perfect timing and the fulfillment of His promise to bring them into a land flowing with milk and honey ([Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey")).

**What is meant by "the old corn of the land"?**

Answer: "The old corn of the land" refers to the existing harvest, specifically grain, that the Canaanite inhabitants had already cultivated and stored in the land. When the Israelites entered Canaan, they immediately benefited from the produce that was already available, even before they had begun to sow and harvest themselves. This detail highlights God's abundant provision, ensuring that His people had immediate sustenance upon entering the Promised Land, reinforcing that He had prepared the way for them ([Joshua 5:11](/joshua/5-11 "Joshua 5:11 - Eating the Produce of the Land")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 5:12, while marking the end of a physical provision, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate spiritual provision found in Jesus Christ. The manna, though miraculous, was a temporary and earthly bread that sustained physical life ([John 6:49](/john/6-49 "John 6:49 - Your Fathers Ate Manna and Died")). Jesus, however, declares Himself to be the true bread from heaven, the "bread of life," offering eternal sustenance ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). Just as the Israelites transitioned from the wilderness manna to the abundance of the Promised Land, believers in Christ transition from a life of striving under the law or seeking temporary satisfaction to an inheritance of spiritual abundance and rest in Him ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9-10 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - The Sabbath Rest for the People of God")). The cessation of manna signifies the fulfillment of a preparatory phase; similarly, the Old Covenant's types and shadows find their ultimate fulfillment and cessation in Christ, who is the substance and reality of all God's promises ([Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16-17 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Shadow and Reality in Christ")). He is our true and eternal "fruit of the land," providing all we truly need for life and godliness, bringing us into a spiritual inheritance far greater than any earthly Canaan ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")).

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

Exodus 16:35

And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan.

Revelation 7:16

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

Revelation 7:17

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Nehemiah 9:20

Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.

Nehemiah 9:21

Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, [so that] they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.

Isaiah 65:13

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed:

Isaiah 65:14

Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.