Psalms 78:16
Psalms 78:16 in Multiple Translations
He brought streams from the stone and made water flow down like rivers.
He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.
He brought streams also out of the rock, And caused waters to run down like rivers.
He made streams come out of the rock; and waters came flowing down like rivers.
He made streams flow from the stone; water rushing down like rivers!
He brought floods also out of the stonie rocke; so that hee made the waters to descend like the riuers.
And bringeth out streams from a rock, And causeth waters to come down as rivers.
He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.
He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.
He caused a stream of water to flow from the rock; the water flowed like a river [DOU].
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 78:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 78:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יּוֹצִ֣א
נוֹזְלִ֣ים
מִ/סָּ֑לַע
וַ/יּ֖וֹרֶד
כַּ/נְּהָר֣וֹת
מָֽיִם
וַ/יּוֹצִ֣א
yâtsâʼ
H3318
to come out
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
נוֹזְלִ֣ים
nâzal
H5140
to flow
V-Qal
מִ/סָּ֑לַע
çelaʻ
H5553
crag
Prep | N-ms
וַ/יּ֖וֹרֶד
yârad
H3381
to go down
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
כַּ/נְּהָר֣וֹת
nâhâr
H5104
river
Prep | N-mp
מָֽיִם
mayim
H4325
Water (Gate)
N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 78:16
וַ/יּוֹצִ֣א
yâtsâʼ
H3318
"to come out"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.
נוֹזְלִ֣ים
nâzal
H5140
"to flow"
V-Qal
This Hebrew word means to flow or drip, like a stream or flood, and is used to describe the movement of water. It appears in descriptions of natural wonders, like rivers and waterfalls. In the Bible, it is used in Isaiah 44:3 to describe God's blessings flowing like a river.
Definition: 1) to flow, distil, flow forth or down, trickle, drop 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to flow 1a1a) streams, floods (participle) 1a2) to distil 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to flow
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: distil, drop, flood, (cause to) flow(-ing), gush out, melt, pour (down), running water, stream. See also: Exodus 15:8; Proverbs 5:15; Psalms 78:16.
מִ/סָּ֑לַע
çelaʻ
H5553
"crag"
Prep | N-ms
This word means a craggy rock or cliff, a strong and secure place, like the rock of salvation in Psalm 71:3.
Definition: 1) crag, cliff, rock 1a) crag, cliff 1b) as stronghold of Jehovah, of security (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 53 OT verses. KJV: (ragged) rock, stone(-ny), strong hold. See also: Numbers 20:8; Psalms 71:3; Psalms 18:3.
וַ/יּ֖וֹרֶד
yârad
H3381
"to go down"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
To go down or descend, like going to a lower place or falling. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing people and things moving downwards.
Definition: 1) to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come down 1a2) to sink 1a3) to be prostrated 1a4) to come down (of revelation) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to bring down 1b2) to send down 1b3) to take down 1b4) to lay prostrate 1b5) to let down 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be brought down 1c2) to be taken down
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down. See also: Genesis 11:5; Judges 3:28; 2 Kings 1:15.
כַּ/נְּהָר֣וֹת
nâhâr
H5104
"river"
Prep | N-mp
In the Bible, a river symbolizes prosperity, like the Nile or Euphrates, and is often used figuratively. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing the life-giving waters of the Promised Land. This word is also used to describe underground streams.
Definition: 1) stream, river 1a) stream, river 1b) (underground) streams Aramaic equivalent: ne.har (נְהַר "river" H5103H)
Usage: Occurs in 108 OT verses. KJV: flood, river. See also: Genesis 2:10; Psalms 93:3; Psalms 24:2.
מָֽיִם
mayim
H4325
"Water (Gate)"
N-mp
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: This name means water, refreshment
Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.
Study Notes — Psalms 78:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 78:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 78:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 78:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 78:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 78:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 78:16
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 78:16
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 78:16
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 78:16
- Sermons on Psalms 78:16
Context — I Will Open My Mouth in Parables
14He led them with a cloud by day and with a light of fire all night.
15He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink as abundant as the seas.
16He brought streams from the stone and made water flow down like rivers.
17But they continued to sin against Him, rebelling in the desert against the Most High. 18They willfully tested God by demanding the food they craved.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 20:8 | “Take the staff and assemble the congregation. You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the rock while they watch, and it will pour out its water. You will bring out water from the rock and provide drink for the congregation and their livestock.” |
| 2 | Numbers 20:10–11 | Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly in front of the rock, and Moses said to them, “Listen now, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that a great amount of water gushed out, and the congregation and their livestock were able to drink. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 8:15 | He led you through the vast and terrifying wilderness with its venomous snakes and scorpions, a thirsty and waterless land. He brought you water from the rock of flint. |
| 4 | Psalms 105:41 | He opened a rock, and water gushed out; it flowed like a river in the desert. |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 9:21 | And I took that sinful thing, the calf you had made, and burned it in the fire. Then I crushed it and ground it to powder as fine as dust, and I cast it into the stream that came down from the mountain. |
Psalms 78:16 Summary
Psalms 78:16 tells us that God brought streams of water from solid rock, showing His amazing power and care for His people. This miracle reminds us that God can provide for us in amazing ways, even when things seem impossible (as in Exodus 17:6). Just as God gave the Israelites water in the desert, He can give us what we need to survive and thrive, and we can trust in His love and care for us (as promised in Jeremiah 31:3). By looking to God as our Rock and Provider, we can find strength and hope in times of need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of God bringing streams from stone in Psalms 78:16?
This miracle demonstrates God's power and provision for His people, as seen in Exodus 17:6 and Numbers 20:11, where God also provided water from rocks to quench the thirst of the Israelites.
How does this verse relate to the overall theme of Psalms 78?
Psalms 78:16 highlights God's faithfulness and provision, which contrasts with the Israelites' rebellion and sin, as mentioned in Psalms 78:17-18, and serves as a reminder of God's covenant love and care for His people, as expressed in Deuteronomy 7:9.
What can we learn from God's provision of water in the wilderness?
This event teaches us about God's ability to supply our needs in times of scarcity and hardship, as promised in Philippians 4:19, and encourages us to trust in His goodness and provision, just as the Israelites were called to do in Psalms 78:7-8.
How does this verse point to Jesus Christ?
The provision of living water from the rock in Psalms 78:16 foreshadows Jesus Christ, who is the Rock of our salvation, as stated in 1 Corinthians 10:4, and who offers us living water, as promised in John 4:14 and Revelation 21:6.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways God has provided for me in times of need, and how can I express my gratitude to Him?
- How can I trust God's provision and care for me, even when I face difficulties and uncertainties?
- What are some 'rocks' in my life that God can turn into sources of blessing and provision, and how can I surrender them to Him?
- In what ways can I, like the Israelites, be tempted to rebel against God's provision and care, and how can I avoid such rebellion?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 78:16
He brought streams also out of the rock,.... Which is expressed in the singular number, as also in Psalms 78:20, because the children of Israel were not come to Kadesh, and the second rock was not
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 78:16
Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 78:16
Which did miraculously follow them in all their travails even to the borders of Canaan. See .
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 78:16
Psalms 78:16 He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.Ver. 16. He brought streams also out of the rock] Idem enuntiat per Epexegesim, ad miraculi magnitudinem ostendendam. The same again, to set forth the greatness of the miracle. This was a standing miracle, as was also the pillar of cloud, the pillar of fire, and the manna.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 78:16
(16) Rock.—Rather, cliff—sela, the word always used of the event that took place at Kadesh (Numbers 20:8-11), as tsûr is of the rock in Horeb. The plural of this latter word in Psalms 78:15 is poetical and general.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 78:16
9–16. Israel’s disobedience and ingratitude, in spite of all God’s mercies to them at the Exodus and in the wilderness.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 78:16
He brought streams also out of the rock ... - literally, “flowings.” The waters were poured out in an over-flowing stream. Those streams continued to flow, thus constituting a continued proof of the presence of God.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 78:16
16. Caused waters to run down like rivers—An important circumstance for their ready supply at all times without inundating the camp.
Sermons on Psalms 78:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Exodus) Exodus 17:1-7 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of the smitten rock and its significance in relation to spiritual blessings. He emphasizes that although God has blessed us abund |
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Is the Lord Among Us, or Not by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the advancements of technology, particularly the TV camera, and how it has brought both incredible discoveries and disturbing events into ou |
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(Through the Bible) Exodus 16-18 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a genuine fear of God and the accountability that comes with being a teacher of the Word. He shares his personal str |
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Things Unshakable 3 . an Unshakable Church by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of having an unshakable church, distinct from an unshakable life or home. It highlights the need for Christians to move beyond personal growth |
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The Rest of God by Gareth Evans | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of being effective witnesses for Jesus. He emphasizes that God has come to glorify Jesus in the lives of believers, enabling th |
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Numbers 27:12 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the role of Moses as God's representative, illustrating how the people learned about God through Moses' actions and words. He highlights the immense responsi |
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Knowing God's Ways - Part 6 by Walter Beuttler | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Job and the challenges he faced. He emphasizes the importance of understanding God's ways and not losing faith in difficult time |