Mannas

Mannas refers to the plural form of manna, a term used in biblical and related texts to describe a miraculous food provided from heaven. In English, manna is usually treated as a mass noun rather than something that is counted, so the plural form mannai or mannas is rarely used outside scholarly discussion or translations that render the idea as individual portions.

In the biblical narrative, manna is described as a fine, flaky substance that appeared on the ground each morning for the Israelites during their wandering in the wilderness. It is said to have tasted like wafers baked with honey and to have sustained the people daily, with instructions not to keep leftovers for the next day except to reserve a double portion on the day before the Sabbath. The account emphasizes divine provision, including a commandment against hoarding and a break in the pattern on the Sabbath.

The concept of manna also appears in other religious traditions. In Islam, similar references to divine sustenance are sometimes linked to the story of God’s care for the Israelites and the provision of food, including mentions of manna and quails in the Qur’an. Throughout Christian, Jewish, and Islamic writings, the idea of manna has been used symbolically to represent God’s providence, daily sustenance, and faith.

In modern usage, manna or mannas can appear metaphorically to describe unexpected or miraculous sustenance, often in discussions of religion, theology, or literature. The term remains largely historical and liturgical, rather than a common everyday noun.