A commentary of M. John Calvin, upon the book of Joshua finished a little…A commentarie of M. Iohn Caluine, vpon the booke of Iosue finished a little…

12 And they did eat, &c.) It is not very certain, whether this were the first time, that they did eat corn. For they had dwelt before in a country not unoccupied, which was meetly fruitful. And doubtless, in the dominion of those two Kings, there was store of victuals, which was sufficient for the inhabitants. Neither is it like, that the children of Israel would suffer the corn, which they found there, to be corrupted and rotten. And I doubt not, but they did eat the flesh, which remained of the sacrifices. Therefore it may be, that they abstained not altogether from bread made of wheat, and yet they forsook not their accustomed victual. For that country, which was appointed for the tenth part of the people, was not sufficient for the provision of so great a multitude. There is no doubt, but that an equal proportion was observed, when Moses had placed there, two tribes and an half. Wherefore, the whole twelve tribes had not yet obtained sufficient victuals: especially, seeing the country was ⟨image 30⟩spoiled with war, and the Israelites had not yet given them selves to tillage, neither could they without danger depart from the camp. Wherefore, it was necessary for them, to be fed still with Manna, until they obtained greater store of victuals: which came to pass in the land of Canaan: at what time they returned to the common food of men. But why they deferred the matter until that day, it is not known: unless that after their wounds were healed, it behoved them to bestow certain days in gathering of provision. But the Law permitted them not to make bread immediately, least they should break the Sabaoth. For, although they kept holy the rest, yet by the circumstance we may gather, that they made haste: because their meal was ready before: seeing they could not well grind, and bake, both in one day. Howsoever it is, GOD provided victual for them, so long as there was any scarcity. But whereas Manna failed suddenly, and at that very instant, it ought to have been an other testimony of the grace of GOD toward them: for thereby it appeared, that Manna was a food ordained to serve them, but for a season, which rained out of the clouds by the fatherly providence of GOD. As for this provision, it is manifest, that it was of the increase of the year before, and it were in vain, to make a question of it:

12 And they did eate, &c.) It is not very certaine, whether this were the first time, that they did eate corne. For they had dwelt before in a countrie not vnoccupied, which was meetely fruitfull. And doubtlesse, in the dominion of those two Kinges, there was store of victualles, which was sufficient for the inhabitantes. Neither is it like, that the children of Israel would suffer the corne, which they founde there, to be corrupted and rotten. And I doubt not, but they did eate the flesh, which remained of the sacrifices. Therefore it may be, that they abstained not altogether from bread made of wheate, and yet they forsooke not their accustomed victuall. For that countrie, which was appointed for the tenth parte of the people, was not sufficient for the prouision of so great a multitude. There is no doubt, but that an equall proportion was obserued, when Moses had placed there, two tribes and an halfe. Wherefore, the whole twelue tribes had not yet obteined sufficent victualles: especially, seeing the countrie was