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 5:12KJV
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Joshua 5:12 (KJV)

What does Joshua 5:12 mean?

Joshua 5:12 describes how, after the Israelites ate food grown in the land of Canaan for the first time, the miraculous manna that had fed them in the wilderness stopped appearing. From that year on, the Israelites no longer received manna but ate the produce of Canaan instead.

This verse comes after the Israelites have crossed the Jordan River into Canaan, the land promised to them. The people are experiencing a major transition: for forty years, God provided manna (a bread-like food) in the desert, but now, as they settle in the new land, they begin to live off its natural crops. This marks the end of their wilderness journey and the beginning of life in the promised land.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 5:12

  • מָן (man, transliterated "manna"): This word refers to the mysterious food God provided in the wilderness. Its sudden ending here highlights a shift from miraculous provision to ordinary, everyday life in the land.
  • שָׁבַת (shavat, translated "ceased"): This verb means to stop or rest. The use of this word emphasizes that the manna did not just run out but was purposefully brought to an end.
  • מָחָר (machar, translated "morrow"): This word means "the next day." The timing is important, showing that the manna stopped immediately after they ate the local food, marking a clear transition.
  • תְּבוּאַת (tevuah, translated "fruit" or "produce"): This word refers to the crops or harvest of the land. It points to the Israelites now living off the abundance of Canaan, fulfilling God’s promise.

Why Joshua 5:12 matters

  • Joshua 5:12 clears up the idea that manna was a permanent miracle; it was always meant for the wilderness journey, not for life in the promised land.
  • The verse emphasizes God’s faithfulness: He provided for the Israelites in the desert, but also kept His promise to bring them to a land where they could provide for themselves.
  • This transition connects to the wider story of Joshua, showing a new chapter for Israel as they move from wandering to settling, and from dependence on miracles to working the land.

Where else these words appear

“corn” Hebrew H5669 · used in 2 verses

  • Joshua 5:11 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.

“manna” Hebrew H4478 · used in 12 verses

  • Exodus 16:15 And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.
  • 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.
  • Deuteronomy 8:3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

“morrow” Hebrew H4283 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 19:34 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.
  • Numbers 11:32 And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp.
  • 1 Samuel 11:11 And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.

“fruit” Hebrew H8393 · used in 40 verses

  • Genesis 47:24 And it shall come to pass in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones.
  • Deuteronomy 14:22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.
  • Proverbs 3:14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.