Psalms 78:28
Psalms 78:28 in Multiple Translations
He felled them in the midst of their camp, all around their dwellings.
And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations.
And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, Round about their habitations.
And he let it come down into their resting-place, round about their tents.
He made them fall right in the middle of their camp, all around where they were living.
And hee made it fall in the middes of their campe euen round about their habitations.
And causeth [it] to fall in the midst of His camp, Round about His tabernacles.
He let them fall in the middle of their camp, around their habitations.
And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, around their habitations.
God caused those birds to fall dead in the middle of ◄their camp►/the area where the people had put up their tents. There were dead birds all around their tents.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 78:28
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 78:28 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ֭/יַּפֵּל
בְּ/קֶ֣רֶב
מַחֲנֵ֑/הוּ
סָ֝בִ֗יב
לְ/מִשְׁכְּנֹתָֽי/ו
וַ֭/יַּפֵּל
nâphal
H5307
to fall
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
בְּ/קֶ֣רֶב
qereb
H7130
entrails
Prep | N-ms
מַחֲנֵ֑/הוּ
machăneh
H4264
camp
N-cs | Suff
סָ֝בִ֗יב
çâbîyb
H5439
around
N-cs
לְ/מִשְׁכְּנֹתָֽי/ו
mishkân
H4908
tabernacle
Prep | N-mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 78:28
וַ֭/יַּפֵּל
nâphal
H5307
"to fall"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to fall, and it's used in many ways, like falling down, failing, or being defeated. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. God's people often fell away from Him, but He always offered a way back.
Definition: : fall/drop/fail 1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fall 1a2) to fall (of violent death) 1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before 1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of 1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result 1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to 1a7) to lie, lie prostrate 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate 1b2) to overthrow 1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot 1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.) 1b5) to cause to fall 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon 1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself 1d) (Pilel) to fall
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for H6419 (פָּלַל)), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down. See also: Genesis 2:21; 1 Samuel 17:52; Esther 9:3.
בְּ/קֶ֣רֶב
qereb
H7130
"entrails"
Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word means the inner part or midst of something, whether physical or emotional, and can refer to the entrails of an animal or the seat of thought and emotion. In 1 Kings 17:21, it describes Elijah's emotional plea to God.
Definition: : among/within 1) midst, among, inner part, middle 1a) inward part 1a1) physical sense 1a2) as seat of thought and emotion 1a3) as faculty of thought and emotion 1b) in the midst, among, from among (of a number of persons) 1c) entrails (of sacrificial animals) Also means: qe.rev (קֶ֫רֶב ": inner_parts" H7130H)
Usage: Occurs in 220 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] among, [idiom] before, bowels, [idiom] unto charge, [phrase] eat (up), [idiom] heart, [idiom] him, [idiom] in, inward ([idiom] -ly, part, -s, thought), midst, [phrase] out of, purtenance, [idiom] therein, [idiom] through, [idiom] within self. See also: Genesis 18:12; Joshua 7:12; Psalms 5:10.
מַחֲנֵ֑/הוּ
machăneh
H4264
"camp"
N-cs | Suff
This word refers to a camp or army, like the Israelites' encampments in the wilderness. It can also mean a group of people or animals. The KJV translates it as 'army, band, or camp'.
Definition: 1) encampment, camp 1a) camp, place of encampment 1b) camp of armed host, army camp 1c) those who encamp, company, body of people
Usage: Occurs in 190 OT verses. KJV: army, band, battle, camp, company, drove, host, tents. See also: Genesis 32:3; Joshua 6:18; Psalms 27:3.
סָ֝בִ֗יב
çâbîyb
H5439
"around"
N-cs
This word describes something that surrounds or encompasses, like a circle or neighborhood, and can also mean around or about, as in on every side. It is used to describe physical locations and proximity. The KJV translates it as about or circuit.
Definition: : around/border subst 1) places round about, circuit, round about adv 2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about prep 3) in the circuit, from every side
Usage: Occurs in 282 OT verses. KJV: (place, round) about, circuit, compass, on every side. See also: Genesis 23:17; 1 Kings 7:24; Psalms 3:7.
לְ/מִשְׁכְּנֹתָֽי/ו
mishkân
H4908
"tabernacle"
Prep | N-mp | Suff
The tabernacle was a special tent where God met with the Israelites, as described in Exodus and Leviticus. It was a portable place of worship, like a dwelling place for God. The Israelites carried it with them.
Definition: 1) dwelling place, tabernacle 1a) dwelling-place 1b) dwellings Aramaic equivalent: mish.kan (מִשְׁכַּן "habitation" H4907)
Usage: Occurs in 129 OT verses. KJV: dwelleth, dwelling (place), habitation, tabernacle, tent. See also: Exodus 25:9; Numbers 3:23; Psalms 26:8.
Study Notes — Psalms 78:28
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — I Will Open My Mouth in Parables
26He stirred the east wind from the heavens and drove the south wind by His might.
27He rained meat on them like dust, and winged birds like the sand of the sea.
28He felled them in the midst of their camp, all around their dwellings.
29So they ate and were well filled, for He gave them what they craved. 30Yet before they had filled their desire, with the food still in their mouths,Psalms 78:28 Summary
This verse tells us that God brought judgment upon the Israelites, striking them down in the midst of their camp, as a result of their disobedience and lack of faith. This event serves as a reminder that God is a God of both provision and judgment, and that we must be careful not to take His blessings for granted or to forget His commands, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:3. Just as the Israelites were given what they craved, only to face judgment, we too must be mindful of our desires and seek to trust in God's goodness and provision, rather than our own selfish desires, as encouraged in Psalm 37:4. By reflecting on this verse, we can learn to trust in God's sovereignty and provision, and to seek His will above our own desires.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that God 'felled them in the midst of their camp'?
This phrase suggests that God brought judgment upon the Israelites, striking them down in the very center of their encampment, as a result of their disobedience and lack of faith, similar to the events described in Numbers 11:33 and Numbers 14:37.
Why did God give the Israelites what they craved, only to bring judgment upon them afterwards?
This act illustrates God's sovereignty and His desire to provide for His people, while also highlighting the dangers of selfish desire and the importance of trusting in His provision, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:3 and Psalm 106:15.
What can we learn from the Israelites' experience in this verse?
We learn that God is a God of both provision and judgment, and that we must be careful not to take His blessings for granted or to forget His commands, as warned in Deuteronomy 6:10-12 and Psalm 78:8-11.
How does this verse relate to the overall theme of Psalm 78?
This verse contributes to the psalm's theme of God's faithfulness and the Israelites' rebellion, serving as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of trusting in God's goodness and provision, as seen in Psalm 78:1-8 and Psalm 78:40-42.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I have taken God's blessings for granted, and how can I cultivate a greater sense of gratitude and trust in His provision?
- How do I respond when God gives me what I want, but it ultimately leads to negative consequences - do I blame Him or reflect on my own actions and desires?
- In what ways can I apply the lessons of the Israelites' experience in this verse to my own life, particularly in regards to trusting in God's sovereignty and provision?
- What are some areas in my life where I am seeking to fulfill my own desires, rather than seeking God's will and provision, and how can I surrender these areas to Him?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 78:28
And he let it fall in the midst of their camp,.... Or, "his camps" (l); the four camps of Israel; for so many there were, Numbers 2:1 or the camp of God, where he dwelt, and before which he went as
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 78:28
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 78:28
Of their camp, Heb. of his camp; either Israel’ s camp, or God’ s camp; for seeing Israel was God’ s people, and he dwelt among them, their camp was his camp.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 78:28
Psalms 78:28 And he let [it] fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations.Ver. 28. And he let it fall in the midst of their camp] A day’ s journey on each side, and about two cubits above the earth, Numbers 11:31, in such abundance, that Moses could not believe it were possible to be done, though all the fish in the sea should be gathered together, and turned into flesh, Numbers 11:31.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 78:28
28. their camp … their habitations] Cp. Exodus 16:13; Numbers 11:31.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 78:28
And he let it fall in the midst of their camp ... - It was brought to their very doors; they had not to go and seek it abroad.