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.
Original Language Analysis
וּבְנֵ֣י
And the children
H1121
וּבְנֵ֣י
And the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 21
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
2 of 21
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַמָּן֙
manna
H4478
הַמָּן֙
manna
Strong's:
H4478
Word #:
5 of 21
literally a whatness (so to speak), i.e., manna (so called from the question about it)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
8 of 21
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
בֹּאָ֕ם
until they came
H935
בֹּאָ֕ם
until they came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
9 of 21
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
נוֹשָׁ֑בֶת
inhabited
H3427
נוֹשָׁ֑בֶת
inhabited
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
12 of 21
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַמָּן֙
manna
H4478
הַמָּן֙
manna
Strong's:
H4478
Word #:
14 of 21
literally a whatness (so to speak), i.e., manna (so called from the question about it)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
16 of 21
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
בֹּאָ֕ם
until they came
H935
בֹּאָ֕ם
until they came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
17 of 21
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Historical Context
Forty years equals an entire generation. Those who refused to enter Canaan at Kadesh-barnea died in the wilderness, but God faithfully fed even the rebellious generation until their children inherited the promise.
Questions for Reflection
- How does 40 years of daily manna demonstrate both God's judgment (delay) and mercy (provision)?
- What does manna ceasing at Canaan teach about earthly provisions' relationship to promised rest?
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Analysis & Commentary
And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited—The 40 years (corresponding to 40 years' wilderness wandering for unbelief) demonstrates both judgment and mercy: they're delayed but fed. The phrase 'until they came to a land inhabited' (עַד־בֹּאָם אֶל־אֶרֶץ נוֹשָׁבֶת, ad-bo'am el-eretz noshevet) marks manna's cessation upon entering Canaan (Josh 5:12). This 40-year miracle—approximately 14,600 days of provision for 2+ million people—remains unparalleled in history. The daily dependence trained an entire generation in faith. Spiritually, believers feed on Christ throughout earthly pilgrimage 'until' we reach the promised land of glory, when faith becomes sight and manna becomes wedding feast.