Psalms 78:25
Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full.
Original Language Analysis
לֶ֣חֶם
food
H3899
לֶ֣חֶם
food
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
1 of 8
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
אִ֑ישׁ
Man
H376
אִ֑ישׁ
Man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
4 of 8
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
Cross References
Matthew 14:20And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.Matthew 15:37And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.Psalms 103:20Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.Exodus 16:8And Moses said, This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD.
Historical Context
Manna's nutritional completeness sustained millions through harsh desert conditions. Modern analysis suggests it contained complete proteins, carbohydrates, and essential nutrients. Yet Israel 'loathed this worthless food' (Numbers 21:5), proving sin's irrationality.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the incarnation—God becoming 'edible' in Christ—surpass even manna's miracle?
- What 'angels' food' (Scripture, prayer, worship) do you neglect while craving 'Egyptian' substitutes?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full—the phrase leḥem 'abbîrîm (bread of the mighty ones) likely means 'bread of angels' (so LXX, Vulgate), emphasizing manna's heavenly origin. Alternate reading 'bread of the mighty' stresses its supernatural potency—one omer daily sustained adults for forty years without malnutrition.
This verse inspired Jesus's Bread of Life discourse: 'This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate' (John 6:58). Angels don't need food; calling manna 'angels' food' means it came from heaven's realm. Christ, who 'came down from heaven' (John 6:38), is the true 'angels' food'—divine substance made edible to humanity through incarnation.