Joshua 5:12

12 The manna stopped falling then, and the Israelites no longer had any. From that time on they ate food grown in Canaan. 1

Joshua 5:12 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 5:12

And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of
the old corn of the land
There being now no further need of it; miracles are not wrought or continued when unnecessary; for the ceasing of the manna shows, that it was not a common but an extraordinary provision. The ceasing of the manna, which was a type of Christ, may signify the cessation of Gospel ordinances, in which Christ is held forth as food for his people. These are to continue till all the spiritual Israel of God have passed over the river Jordan, or death, even until the end of the world, and then to cease, ( Matthew 28:19 Matthew 28:20 ) ( 1 Corinthians 11:26 ) ( Revelation 21:22 Revelation 21:23 ) ; the eating of the old corn may signify the glories of the future state, the joys and happiness of the heavenly Canaan, prepared for those that love the Lord from the foundation of the world; it may denote those ancient things the saints will feed and live upon to all eternity; the eternal love of the three divine Persons, electing grace, the ancient settlements of grace, the everlasting covenant of grace, and the blessings of it; the glorious Mediator of it, that was set up from everlasting, and the grace given to them in him before the world began:

neither had the children of Israel manna any more;
having no more need of it, as the saints in heaven will stand in no more need of Gospel ordinances:

but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year;
the increase of the land, not only of the fields, but of the vineyards and oliveyards, which they had neither sown nor planted, see ( Deuteronomy 6:10 Deuteronomy 6:11 ) ; which may denote the plenty and variety of the joys of heaven, and glories of the future state; the various fruits which grow on Christ, the tree of life, brought forth every month, or continually; all which will be enjoyed through the free grace of God, without the works or merits of men.

Joshua 5:12 In-Context

10 While the Israelites were camping at Gilgal on the plain near Jericho, they observed Passover on the evening of the fourteenth day of the month.
11 The next day was the first time they ate food grown in Canaan: roasted grain and bread made without yeast.
12 The manna stopped falling then, and the Israelites no longer had any. From that time on they ate food grown in Canaan.
13 While Joshua was near Jericho, he suddenly saw a man standing in front of him, holding a sword. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you one of our soldiers, or an enemy?"
14 "Neither," the man answered. "I am here as the commander of the Lord's army." Joshua threw himself on the ground in worship and said, "I am your servant, sir. What do you want me to do?"

Cross References 1

  • 1. 5.12Exodus 16.35.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.