Man ate of the bread of the angels; he sent them food in abundance.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "bread of the mighty ones" suggests more than just excellent food; it implies that this divine provision was so extraordinary it was fit for beings of immense power, even angels. This elevates the manna from mere sustenance to a profound sign of God's intimate and lavish care for His people in their vulnerable wilderness journey.
Man ate of the bread of the angels; he sent them food in abundance.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage occurs within a psalm that recounts Israel's history, focusing on their persistent unfaithfulness despite God's repeated acts of deliverance. The psalmist highlights the miraculous provision of manna in the wilderness, a divine meal that sustained the people. By describing this manna as "bread of the angels," the psalm emphasizes its extraordinary, heavenly origin and its divine quality, setting the stage to contrast this incredible gift with Israel's subsequent ingratitude and complaints.
Imagine food so divine it's called 'angels' food'. What does this incredible description tell us about God's provision?
The verse calls the manna 'angels' food' or 'bread of the mighty'. This isn't just poetic language; it highlights the extraordinary nature of God's provision for Israel in the wilderness.
What Does "Mighty" Mean Here?
The text emphasizes that this wasn't just sustenance; it was a miraculous, high-quality provision directly from God, carrying deep spiritual meaning.
God gave Israel incredible food, yet they still grumbled. What does this tell us about human nature and God's purposes?
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Psalms 78 is a 'maschil,' meaning a teaching psalm. It recounts Israel's history, especially the wilderness period, not just as a record, but as a lesson for future generations.
The Pattern of Ingratitude
Understand the original words
lechem abbirim · Hebrew Noun Phrase
A poetic designation for manna. It emphasizes the supernatural, heavenly origin of the sustenance God provided to His people.
This verse reflects on the manna provided during Israel's forty years in the wilderness, a time when God's people experienced His direct and abundant provision, described here as 'angels' food' due to its heavenly origin and exquisite quality.
c. 1446 BC
Israelites Exit Egypt
Following the ten plagues, the Israelites are freed from slavery in Egypt and begin their journey into the Sinai wilderness.
c. 1446-1406 BC— this verse
Wilderness Wanderings
For forty years, the Israelites journey through the Sinai desert. During this time, God miraculously provides them with manna and quails to eat.
c. 1406 BC
Entry into Canaan
After forty years of wandering, the Israelites finally cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land of Canaan.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Established
David is established as king over all Israel, marking a period of national unity and strength, and the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital.
This passage directly describes the miraculous provision of manna in the wilderness, highlighting its divine origin and purpose as food from heaven, which is the context for Psalm 78:25's description of 'angels' food'.
John 6:31-35Jesus references the manna as 'bread from heaven' and identifies Himself as the true bread that gives life, drawing a parallel to the spiritual significance of the food God provided in the wilderness.
1 Corinthians 10:3-4The Apostle Paul explicitly calls the manna 'spiritual meat' and the water from the rock 'spiritual drink,' connecting these Old Testament provisions to Christ and the spiritual nourishment believers receive.
This passage from the Apocrypha directly calls the manna 'angels' food' and describes it as 'bread prepared without labour,' offering a conceptual parallel to the Psalmist's description of this divine provision.
clarkePsalms 78:25: "Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full."
Man did eat angels' food - לחם אבירים אכל איש lechem abbirim achal ish, "Man did eat the bread of the mighty ones;" or, each person ate, etc. They ate such bread as could only be expected at the tables of the rich and great, the best, the most delicate food. How little did this gross people know of the sublime excellence of that which they called light bread, and which they said their soul loathed; Numbers 21:5 ! It was a…
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…
The phrase "bread of the mighty ones" suggests more than just excellent food; it implies that this divine provision was so extraordinary it was fit for beings of immense power, even angels. This elevates the manna from mere sustenance to a profound sign of God's intimate and lavish care for His people in their vulnerable wilderness journey.
This passage occurs within a psalm that recounts Israel's history, focusing on their persistent unfaithfulness despite God's repeated acts of deliverance. The psalmist highlights the miraculous provision of manna in the wilderness, a divine meal that sustained the people. By describing this manna as "bread of the angels," the psalm emphasizes its extraordinary, heavenly origin and its divine quality, setting the stage to contrast this incredible gift with Israel's subsequent ingratitude and complaints.
This passage occurs within a psalm that recounts Israel's history, focusing on their persistent unfaithfulness despite God's repeated acts of deliverance. The psalmist highlights the miraculous provision of manna in the wilderness, a divine meal that sustained the people. By describing this manna as "bread of the angels," the psalm emphasizes its extraordinary, heavenly origin and its divine quality, setting the stage to contrast this incredible gift with Israel's subsequent ingratitude and complaints.
"Man ate of the bread of the angels; he sent them food in abundance." — The phrase "bread of the mighty ones" suggests more than just excellent food; it implies that this divine provision was so extraordinary it was fit for beings of immense power, even angels. This elev…
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Last reviewed October 2026