King James Version

What Does Joshua 5:12 Mean?

Joshua 5:12 in the King James Version says “And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel ... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Joshua 5:12 · KJV


Context

10

And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.

11

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.

12

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.

13

And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?

14

And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? captain: or, prince


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The statement—'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'—marks provision transition. Supernatural manna sustained wilderness wandering; natural abundance supplies settled inheritance. God provides appropriately for each season—miraculous intervention when needed, ordinary means when sufficient. The cessation timing (immediately after Passover, verse 10) shows covenant faithfulness brings appropriate provision changes.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Manna fell for forty years (Exodus 16:35), from shortly after Red Sea crossing until Canaan entry. Its daily provision required faith, as hoarding bred worms (except Sabbath preparation). The transition to Canaan's produce fulfilled God's promise of a land flowing with milk and honey. This demonstrates that wilderness provisions (manna, water from rock) were temporary measures, not permanent patterns. Similarly, God's provisions for believers vary by season—sometimes miraculous, sometimes through ordinary means.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you recognize and trust God's provisions even when they change from one season to another?
  2. What 'manna' (temporary provision) might God be transitioning you from toward more permanent blessings?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיִּשְׁבֹּ֨ת1 of 18

ceased

H7673

to repose, i.e., desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)

מָ֑ן2 of 18

And the manna

H4478

literally a whatness (so to speak), i.e., manna (so called from the question about it)

מִֽמָּחֳרָ֗ת3 of 18

on the morrow

H4283

the morrow or (adverbially) tomorrow

וַיֹּֽאכְל֗וּ4 of 18

after they had eaten

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

מֵֽעֲב֣וּר5 of 18

of the old corn

H5669

passed, i.e., kept over; used only of stored grain

אֶ֣רֶץ6 of 18

of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְלֹא7 of 18
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הָ֥יָה8 of 18
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

ע֛וֹד9 of 18
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

לִבְנֵ֥י10 of 18

neither had the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל11 of 18

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

מָ֑ן12 of 18

And the manna

H4478

literally a whatness (so to speak), i.e., manna (so called from the question about it)

וַיֹּֽאכְל֗וּ13 of 18

after they had eaten

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

מִתְּבוּאַת֙14 of 18

of the fruit

H8393

income, i.e., produce (literally or figuratively)

אֶ֣רֶץ15 of 18

of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כְּנַ֔עַן16 of 18

of Canaan

H3667

kenaan, a son a ham; also the country inhabited by him

בַּשָּׁנָ֖ה17 of 18

that year

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הַהִֽיא׃18 of 18
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 5:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 5:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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