### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **mân**, represented by `{{H4478}}`, is literally a "whatness," so called from the Israelites' question about it. It is translated as **manna**. It appears **14 times** across **12 unique verses** in the Bible, referring exclusively to the miraculous food God provided for the children of Israel during their forty years in the wilderness.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, **mân** `{{H4478}}` first appears when the children of **Israel** `{{H3478}}` **saw** `{{H7200}}` it and **said** `{{H559}}` to one another, "It is **manna** `{{H4478}}`: for they **wist** `{{H3045}}` not what it was" [[Exodus 16:15]]. It is described as being like **coriander** `{{H1407}}` **seed** `{{H2233}}`, **white** `{{H3836}}`, with a **taste** `{{H2940}}` like **wafers** `{{H6838}}` made with **honey** `{{H1706}}` [[Exodus 16:31]]. This food **fell** `{{H3381}}` upon the **camp** `{{H4264}}` with the **dew** `{{H2919}}` each **night** `{{H3915}}` [[Numbers 11:9]]. The Israelites ate **manna** `{{H4478}}` for **forty** `{{H705}}` **years** `{{H8141}}` until they came to the **land** `{{H776}}` of **Canaan** `{{H3667}}` [[Exodus 16:35]]. The provision **ceased** `{{H7673}}` on the **morrow** `{{H4283}}` after they ate the **old corn** `{{H5669}}` of the land [[Joshua 5:12]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide context for the meaning and purpose of manna:
* `{{H3899}}` **lechem** (food, especially bread): Manna is identified by **Moses** `{{H4872}}` as the **bread** `{{H3899}}` which the **LORD** `{{H3068}}` had **given** `{{H5414}}` them to **eat** `{{H402}}` [[Exodus 16:15]], but it was also used to teach that **man** `{{H120}}` does not **live** `{{H2421}}` by **bread** `{{H3899}}` alone [[Deuteronomy 8:3]].
* `{{H1715}}` **dâgân** (grain): This word connects the miraculous provision to a familiar agricultural staple. The psalmist describes God's provision by saying He "had given them of the **corn** `{{H1715}}` of **heaven** `{{H8064}}`" [[Psalms 78:24]].
* `{{H7456}}` **râʻêb** (to hunger): The provision of manna was a direct response to Israel's physical need. God **humbled** `{{H6031}}` them and "suffered thee to **hunger** `{{H7456}}`, and fed thee with **manna** `{{H4478}}`" [[Deuteronomy 8:3]].
* `{{H398}}` **ʼâkal** (to eat): This verb underscores the physical reality of the manna as sustenance. The Israelites "did **eat** `{{H398}}` **manna** `{{H4478}}` **forty** `{{H705}}` **years** `{{H8141}}`" [[Exodus 16:35]], and the provision ceased only after they had **eaten** `{{H398}}` the **fruit** `{{H8393}}` of Canaan [[Joshua 5:12]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H4478}}` is significant, representing a core aspect of God's relationship with Israel.
* **Divine Provision:** Manna is the ultimate symbol of God's direct provision. When the Israelites were in the wilderness without food, God **rained down** `{{H4305}}` **manna** `{{H4478}}` from **heaven** `{{H8064}}` for them to **eat** `{{H398}}` [[Psalms 78:24]]. In their **thirst** `{{H6772}}`, God **gavest** `{{H5414}}` them **water** `{{H4325}}`, and He did not **withholdest** `{{H4513}}` His **manna** `{{H4478}}` from their **mouth** `{{H6310}}` [[Nehemiah 9:20]].
* **Humility and Testing:** The provision was not merely for sustenance but also for spiritual formation. God fed them with **manna** `{{H4478}}` "that he might **humble** `{{H6031}}` thee, and that he might **prove** `{{H5254}}` thee, to do thee **good** `{{H3190}}` at thy **latter end** `{{H319}}`" [[Deuteronomy 8:16]].
* **A Lesson in Spiritual Truth:** The experience of receiving manna was intended to teach a profound lesson. God fed them with this unknown food so "that he might make thee **know** `{{H3045}}` that **man** `{{H120}}` doth not **live** `{{H2421}}` by **bread** `{{H3899}}` only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the **mouth** `{{H6310}}` of the **LORD** `{{H3068}}`" [[Deuteronomy 8:3]].
* **A Memorial for Generations:** To ensure this miraculous provision was not forgotten, **Moses** `{{H4872}}` commanded **Aaron** `{{H175}}` to **take** `{{H3947}}` a **pot** `{{H6803}}` and put an **omer** `{{H6016}}` full of **manna** `{{H4478}}` to be **kept** `{{H4931}}` for future **generations** `{{H1755}}` [[Exodus 16:33]].
### Summary
In summary, **mân** `{{H4478}}` is far more than a name for a mysterious food. It is a cornerstone of the wilderness narrative, embodying God's faithfulness, his power to provide miraculously, and his desire to teach his people dependence and humility. Its very name, derived from a question, captures the wonder of God's provision that was previously unknown to the fathers of Israel. The story of manna illustrates how God uses physical means to reveal profound spiritual truths about life and reliance on His word.
TRV