Manna w tradycjach biblijnych

Abstract

The motif of „manna” of Ex 16 is closely connected with the theme of Exodus. The astonishment of the Israelites expressed in the words "man-hu”, stresses the mystery of this wonderful gift of God. P. Maiberger, distinguishes four versions on the Ex 16, which show the chronological development of the idea ’’manna”: that is the A – fundamental version, and the B, C, D – versions which reinterprate the version A. The development concerns the spiritualisation of that term and its connection with the sphere of law – i.e. the sanctification of sabbath, of religious traditions for future generations, and also with the sphere of liturgy. The motif of „manna” in Num 11, 6. 7–11, Deut 8, 2–4. 16, Jos 5, 12, Neh 9, 15. 20, Ps 78, 23–25 and Ps 105, 40 – is strictly dependent on these versions and is also connected with Messianic hopes and with the motif of God’s word. In the Book of Wisdom (16, 20–29 and 19, 21) in reference to the supernatural food of the Bock of Ex, we do not find the term "manna” but “the angelic food” and "the bread of Heaven". The there applied Greek term "ambrosios” for Hellenism means immortality and therefore the author points to the eschatological meaning of the account about “manna”. The history of the food for the Israelites in the desert is referred to by Jesus in Jo 6, in connection with his person. The full spiritualization of this motif has also its place in 1 Co 10, 3, where the term ’’spiritual food” – is applied to the preexistent Christ – the Saviour. „The hidden manna" of Rev 2,17 – probably is the allusion to the old biblical and to some extrabiblical Jewish interpretations of that motif. It joins the supernatural aspect, temporaly modernized, with the promised eternal reward for the winner.