Psalm 78:24-25
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While "manna" and "corn of heaven" refer to the same miraculous food, the phrasing highlights two distinct aspects: the act of God raining it down from the sky, and the quality of it as a precious, almost divine sustenance. This emphasizes not just that God provided, but the extraordinary and elevated nature of His provision.
and he rained down on them manna to eat and gave them the grain of heaven. Man ate of the bread of the angels; he sent them food in abundance.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm recounts Israel's history, highlighting their constant rebellion despite God's incredible provision and faithfulness. The focus here is on the wilderness wanderings, where God miraculously supplied food for the hungry Israelites, even raining down manna from the sky. This miraculous sustenance is presented as a powerful testament to God's care, which makes their subsequent grumbling and disbelief all the more egregious.
Imagine waking up each day to a mysterious, sweet-tasting food provided directly from the sky. This wasn't just sustenance; it was a profound statement of God's care.
The manna, described as 'manna to eat' and 'the grain of heaven,' was a miraculous provision for the Israelites during their desert wanderings. It wasn't ordinary food; its origin was divine, falling like dew and gathered like grain. This act highlighted God's power and His commitment to care for His people, even in the most desolate circumstances. It served as a daily reminder that their survival depended entirely on God's gracious provision, not on their own efforts or the resources of the wilderness.
The Israelites received 'grain of heaven,' a gift beyond their understanding. Yet, their response often fell short. What does this tell us about receiving God's blessings?
The phrase 'grain of heaven' elevates manna beyond mere sustenance; it speaks of a divine quality, food fit for the mighty, as some ancient interpretations suggest. It was a gift designed to nourish not just their bodies but their faith. However, the historical context of Psalm 78 reveals a pattern of ingratitude. Despite these incredible miracles, the people often grumbled, longed for their former comforts, and forgot God's faithfulness. This contrast between God's abundant provision and Israel's lack of thankfulness is a stark warning. It challenges us to consider how we respond to the blessings God pours into our lives. Are we truly grateful, or do we, like the Israelites, take His gifts for granted and still crave what we lack?
Understand the original words
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man · Hebrew Noun
The miraculous food provided by God to the Israelites in the wilderness. It represents God’s gracious, daily sustenance and His direct provision for His people.
dagan shamayim · Hebrew Noun Phrase
A reference to the sustenance God provided from above. The phrase signifies that the provision was not merely earthly but originated from the direct intervention of God.
lechem abbirim · Hebrew Noun Phrase
A poetic designation for manna. It emphasizes the supernatural, heavenly origin of the sustenance God provided to His people.
Psalm 78 recounts Israel's history as a lesson, highlighting God's consistent provision of miraculous sustenance, like the manna, amidst their persistent rebellion and forgetfulness.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites, after centuries of slavery, are miraculously led out of Egypt by God through Moses, marking the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Manna and Quail Provided
During their wilderness wanderings, the Israelites grumble about hunger, and God responds by sending manna from heaven to eat and quails to satisfy their craving for meat.
c. 1446 BC
Water from the Rock
In Rephidim, the people thirst, and God provides water by striking a rock at Horeb, demonstrating His power to sustain them even in barren lands.
c. 1445 - 1406 BC
Wilderness Wandering
For forty years, the Israelites journey through the Sinai Peninsula. Despite God's provision of manna and water, they repeatedly doubt and rebel against Him.
c. 1000 BC
David Anointed King
David is established as king over all Israel, marking a new era of leadership and the consolidation of the nation.
This passage describes God's initial provision of manna, directly linking to the 'manna to eat' mentioned in Psalms 78:24 and showing the start of this miraculous sustenance.
John 6:31Jesus references the manna in the wilderness as a sign of God's provision, connecting the 'bread of heaven' in Psalms 78:24 to Himself as the true spiritual food.
Numbers 11:7-9These verses describe the appearance and gathering of manna, giving a tangible sense to the 'grain of heaven' and highlighting its divine origin and daily provision.
1 Corinthians 10:3Paul refers to the manna as 'spiritual food,' connecting the physical nourishment from heaven in Psalms 78:24 to a deeper spiritual reality for believers.
clarkePsalms 78:24: "And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven."
The corn of heaven - The manna. It fell about their camp in the form of seeds; and as it appeared to come down from the clouds, it was not improperly termed heavenly corn, or heavenly grain, דגן שמים degan shamayim. The word shamayim is frequently taken to express the atmosphere.
expositorsPsalms 78:1-72: "Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth."
Psalm 78:1-72 THIS psalm is closely related to Psalm 105:1-45 ; Psalm 106:1-48 ; Psalm 107:1-43 . Like them, it treats the history of Israel, and especially the Exodus and wilderness wanderings, for purposes of edification, rebuke, and encouragement. The past is held up as a mirror to the present generation. It has been one long succession of miracles of mercy met by equally continu…
While "manna" and "corn of heaven" refer to the same miraculous food, the phrasing highlights two distinct aspects: the act of God raining it down from the sky, and the quality of it as a precious, almost divine sustenance. This emphasizes not just that God provided, but the extraordinary and elevated nature of His provision.
This psalm recounts Israel's history, highlighting their constant rebellion despite God's incredible provision and faithfulness. The focus here is on the wilderness wanderings, where God miraculously supplied food for the hungry Israelites, even raining down manna from the sky. This miraculous sustenance is presented as a powerful testament to God's care, which makes their subsequent grumbling and disbelief all the more egregious.
This psalm recounts Israel's history, highlighting their constant rebellion despite God's incredible provision and faithfulness. The focus here is on the wilderness wanderings, where God miraculously supplied food for the hungry Israelites, even raining down manna from the sky. This miraculous sustenance is presented as a powerful testament to God's care, which makes their subsequent grumbling and disbelief all the more egregious.
"and he rained down on them manna to eat and gave them the grain of heaven. Man ate of the bread of the angels; he sent them food in abundance." — While "manna" and "corn of heaven" refer to the same miraculous food, the phrasing highlights two distinct aspects: the act of God raining it down from the sky, and the quality of it as a preciou…
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Last reviewed October 2026
