The Hebrew word ʻâbûwr, represented by H5669, refers to old corn. This term, derived from a root meaning "passed" or "kept over," is used specifically for stored grain. It is a rare word, appearing just 2 times in 2 unique verses in the entire biblical text, but its context is of great importance.
The use of H5669 is confined to a single, pivotal event in Israel's history. As the Israelites entered the Promised Land, they ate of the old corn of the land on the day after the Passover Joshua 5:11. This act directly coincided with the end of God's supernatural provision of manna, which had sustained them for forty years in the wilderness. The scripture notes that on the very next day after they ate the old corn, the manna ceased, and they began to eat the fruit of the land of Canaan Joshua 5:12.
Several related words help clarify the significance of this transitional moment:
- H398 ʼâkal (to eat): This verb is central to the narrative, as the Israelites "did eat of the old corn" Joshua 5:11. The term can be used literally or figuratively, as in the consequence of one's actions where they shall eat the fruit thereof Proverbs 18:21.
- H4283 mochŏrâth (the morrow): This word establishes the precise timing of the event, emphasizing the immediacy of the change. The manna ceased "on the morrow" after they had eaten the stored grain Joshua 5:12. This term often marks a day of significant change or divine action 1 Samuel 5:3.
- H8393 tᵉbûwʼâh (fruit, gain, increase, revenue): This word represents the new source of sustenance for Israel. After the old corn, they ate the fruit of the land Joshua 5:12, signifying their reliance on the natural produce, or increase, God had promised them Proverbs 3:9.
The theological weight of H5669 comes entirely from its context in the narrative of Israel's journey.
- Fulfillment of Promise: Eating the old corn was a tangible sign that God's promise to bring His people into a fruitful land was fulfilled. They were no longer wanderers but inhabitants subsisting on the produce of the land H776.
- Transition in Provision: The appearance of old corn marks a deliberate shift from God's miraculous provision (manna) to His natural provision through the land. The cessation of manna the very next day underscores this change from dependence on daily miracles to stewardship of the land's bounty.
- First Taste of Inheritance: Consuming the old corn represents the first act of the Israelites partaking in their inheritance. It was the first food from Canaan that sustained them, preceding the harvest of new fruit H8393 they would gather that year Joshua 5:12.
In summary, while H5669 is a seldom-used term for old corn, its role in the book of Joshua is profound. It serves as a narrative marker, signifying the end of an era of wandering and the beginning of a new life in the Promised Land. The word captures the precise moment of transition when Israel moved from dependence on supernatural bread from heaven to the God-given abundance of the earth.
TRV