Deuteronomy 8:3

“And he humbled thee, etc.] Or afflicted thee with want of bread: and suffered thee to hunger; that there might be an opportunity of showing his mercy, and exerting his power: and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; a sort of food they had never seen before, and when they saw it, knew not what it was, but asked, what is it? (<021615>Exodus 16:15). Thus the Lord humbles his people by his Spirit and grace, and brings them to see themselves to be in want, and creates in them desires after spiritual food, and feeds them with Christ the hidden manna, whose person, office, and grace, they were before ignorant of: that he might make thee know that man doth not…”

“But by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord - literally, “every outgoing of the mouth of the Lord.” Compare Deuteronomy 29:5-6. The term “word” is inserted by the King James Version after the Septuagint, which is followed by Matthew and Luke (see the marginal references). On the means of subsistence available to the people during the wandering, see Numbers 20:1 note. The lesson was taught, that it is not nature which nourishes man, but God the Creator by and through nature: and generally that God is not tied to the particular channels (“bread only,” i. e. the ordinary means of earthly sustenance) through which He is usually pleased to work. return to 'Top of Page'”

“By every word - That is, by every or any thing which God appoints for this end, how unlikely so - ever it may seem to be for nourishment; seeing it is not the creature, but only God's command and blessing upon it, that makes it sufficient for the support of life. Deuteronomy 8:5”

“8:3 The word manna is derived from the Hebrew words man hu (meaning “what is it?”). God miraculously provided this food to teach his people total dependence on him (Exod 16:1-30; Num 11:4-9). Manna represented the word of God, which is even more essential to life and well-being than food is. • people do not live by bread alone: Jesus quoted this phrase to rebut Satan (Matt 4:4; Luke 4:4).”

“fed thee: Exo 16:2, Exo 16:3, 12-35; Psa 78:23-25, Psa 105:40; Co1 10:3 doth: Psa 37:3, Psa 104:27-29; Mat 4:4; Luk 4:4, Luk 12:29, Luk 12:30; Heb 13:5, Heb 13:6 Deuteronomy 8:4”