Psalms 78:26 — Word Study
WLCיַסַּ֣ע קָ֭דִים בַּשָּׁמָ֑יִם וַיְנַהֵ֖ג בְּעֻזּ֣וֹ תֵימָֽן׃
BSAHe stirrednâçaʻ▸ [caused to journey, sent] the east windqâdîym [from the direction of the rising sun] from the heavensshâmayim [the sky, the abode of God] and drovenâhag▸ [guided, led by His power] the south windtêymân [the southern breeze] by His mightʻôz [strength, power, divine energy]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יַסַּ֣ע | he led out | Verb, Hiphil, jussive third person masculine singular |
| קָ֭דִים | an east wind | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| בַּשָּׁמָ֑יִם | in the heavens | Preposition, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| וַיְנַהֵ֖ג | and he led forth | Verb, Piel, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| בְּעֻזּ֣וֹ | by strength his | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| תֵימָֽן׃ | a south wind | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He stirred the east wind from the heavens and drove the south wind by His might. |
| KJV | He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind. |
| ASV | He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens; And by his power he guided the south wind. |
| YLT | He causeth an east wind to journey in the heavens, And leadeth by His strength a south wind, |
| WEB | He caused the east wind to blow in the sky. By his power he guided the south wind. |
| BBE | He sent an east wind from heaven, driving on the south wind by his power. |
Where they part company is וַיְנַהֵ֖ג — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause is supported by two actions, each with additional descriptive phrases that clarify the source and means of God's actions.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbנָסַע
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 78:26
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Provision in the Wildernessgenerated
Psalm 78:26 recounts how God provided for the Israelites in the wilderness, using natural elements like the east and south winds to deliver sustenance. This verse emphasizes God's sovereignty over creation and His ability to meet the needs of His people, as seen in the preceding and following verses that describe His miraculous acts.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 135:7 | He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He generates the lightning with the rain and brings forth the wind from His storehouses. |
| 2 | Numbers 11:31 | Now a wind sent by the LORD came up, drove in quail from the sea, and brought them near the camp, about two cubits above the surface of the ground, for a day’s journey in every direction around the camp. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יַסַּ֣ע, ya.Sa'generated
The verb נָסַע (na.sa') means to lead out or set out, indicating a purposeful movement. It is often used to describe the action of starting a journey or guiding someone or something from one place to another.
In this verse, it signifies God's active role in directing the winds, which illustrates His power and control over the natural world. The Hiphil form suggests that God is the one causing the winds to journey, highlighting His authority.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verbs יַסַּ֣ע and וַיְנַהֵ֖ג govern the structure of the verse, with two noun phrases following each verb: the first noun phrase describes the east wind and the second noun phrase describes the south wind. This structure emphasizes God's active role in commanding the winds.
The Hebrew word order places the verbs at the beginning, underscoring God's initiative in the actions described.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יַסַּ֣ע as ἀπῆρεν (apēren), meaning 'He sent away.' This choice reflects a focus on the act of sending forth, which aligns with the idea of God directing the winds.
For וַיְנַהֵ֖ג, the LXX uses ἐπήγαγεν (epēgagen), which also emphasizes guidance or leadership, reinforcing the divine control over nature.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 78:26 describes how God used the east wind and the south wind to provide for His people. This shows His power and control over nature, as He directed the winds to fulfill His purpose.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies God's active control over nature, using the wind as a means to provide for the needs of His people.
By commanding the winds, God demonstrates His sovereignty and ability to direct natural forces to accomplish His will.
It highlights the comprehensive nature of God's provision, using different elements of creation to meet the needs of His people.
We learn about God's faithfulness and His ability to provide for us in ways we may not expect, using even the forces of nature.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I seen God's provision in my life, similar to how He provided for the Israelites?
- How can I recognize God's hand in the natural world around me?
- What does it mean for me to trust in God's power when I face challenges?
- How can I share stories of God's provision with others to encourage their faith?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 78:26 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHe caused an east wind to blow in the heavens,.... In the airy heaven: or "he caused it to go" (f); to go forth out of its place, out of the repositories and treasures of it, from whence he brings
Read John Gill on Psalms 78 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryMarvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 78 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleEither he brought in first an eastern, and afterwards a southern wind, or the wind was south-east; from which quarter these quails might come as well as from the west, where their more common abode is; this work being confessedly miraculous.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 78 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 78:26 He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind.Ver. 26. He caused an east wind to blow] Pergere, to go, to pass away, and to give place to the south wind. And by his power he brought in the south wind] That it might bring in the quails. Now Pliny writeth (lib. 10, c. 23), that quails, though they love to fly with the wind, because of their heavy bodies and small strength, yet not with the south wind, because it is moist, and so more heavy than the north wind, which therefore they rather delight in. And if this be true, here is another miracle, saith an expositor, that these quails were brought in by that wind, which, when it bloweth…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 78 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(26) East wind . . . south wind.—Probably the very winds that brought the flights of quails, and not merely poetical details. (See Smith’s Biblical Dictionary, art. “Quails.”)
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 78 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 26. He caused an east wind to blow] See Clarke on Numbers 11:31.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 78 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges26. He led forth the east wind In the heaven: And by his power he guided the south wind:
Read Cambridge on Psalms 78 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHe caused an east wind to blow in the heaven - See Numbers 11:31.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 78 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
He stirred the east wind from the heavens and drove the south wind by His might.
He caused the east wind to blow in the sky. By his power he guided the south wind.
He stirred the east wind from the heavens and drove the south wind by His might.
He brought the east wind through the sky, and by his strength led forth the south wind.
Tyndale line
He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind.
He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens; And by his power he guided the south wind.
He caused the east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he guided the south wind.
He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind.
He caused the Eastwinde to passe in the heauen, and through his power he brought in the Southwinde.
Strictly literal
He caused the east wind to rise in the heavens, and by his strength he brought the south wind;
He causeth an east wind to journey in the heavens, And leadeth by His strength a south wind,
He causes an east wind to journey in the heavens, || And leads a south wind by His strength,
He caused an east wind to pass along the heavens; and he led forth by his strength the south wind.
He caused the east wind to blow in the sky, and by his power he guided the south wind.
Simplified
He sent the east wind blowing across the sky; by his power he drove the south wind.
He sent an east wind from heaven, driving on the south wind by his power.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree in the wording of יַסַּ֣ע קָ֭דִים בַּשָּׁמָ֑יִם וַיְנַהֵ֖ג בְּעֻזּ֣וֹ תֵימָֽן׃. The Septuagint matches all six words in the Hebrew text, indicating a consistent understanding of the verse across these traditions.
יַסַּ֣ע קָ֭דִים בַּשָּׁמָ֑יִם וַיְנַהֵ֖ג בְּעֻזּ֣וֹ תֵימָֽן׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 78:26
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
נָסַע (naca`) means to pull out or up, particularly in the context of setting out on a journey. It encompasses actions like departing, marching, and removing, with nuances related to both physical movement and the wind. The word can also imply causing someone or something to set out or be led away.
נָסַע 147 vb. pull out or up, set out, journey
Qal 137
pull out or up
hence (from pulling up tent-pegs),
set out
depart
journey, march (by stages)
of wind
Niph. be pulled up, removed
Hiph.
cause to set out, lead out
remove
base
H5265 נָסַע pull out or up, set out, journey .. pull out or up
. hence (from pulling up tent-pegs), . set out
. depart
. journey, march (by stages)
. of wind
. be pulled up, removed
. . cause to set out, lead out
. remove
5265 naca` naw-sah'
a primitive root; properly, to pull up, especially the
tent-pins, i.e. start on a journey:--cause to blow, bring,
get, (make to) go (away, forth, forward, onward, out), (take)
journey, march, remove, set aside (forward), X still, be on
his (go their) way.
נָסַע (na.sa) — to set out.
1) to pull out, pull up, set out, journey, remove, set forward, depart
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to pull out or up
1a2) to set out, depart
1a3) to journey, march
1a4) to set forth (of wind)
1b) (Niphal) to be pulled up, be removed, be plucked up
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to cause to set out, lead out, cause to spring up
1c2) to remove, quarry
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · jussive third person masculine singularHVhj3ms
קָדִים (qadiym) refers to the direction east and also denotes an east wind. It is derived from another Hebrew root, indicating its connection to the concept of the front or fore part. The entries consistently emphasize its geographical and meteorological meanings.
קָדִים 69 n.m. East, east wind
base
H6921 קָדִים East, east wind
6921 qadiym kaw-deem'
or qadim {kaw-deem'}; from 6923; the fore or front part;
hence (by orientation) the East (often adverbially, eastward,
for brevity the east wind):--east(-ward, wind).
see HEBREW for 06923
קָדִים (qa.dim) — east.
1) east, east wind
1a) east (of direction)
1b) east wind
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
See WIND.
East wind
The wind coming from the east (Job 27:21; Isa. 27:8, etc.). Blight caused by this wind, “thin ears” (Gen. 41:6); the withered “gourd” (Jonah 4: 8). It was the cause and also the emblem of evil (Ezek. 17:10; 19:12; Hos. 13:15). In Palestine this wind blows from a burning desert, and hence is destitute of moisture necessary for vegetation.
See WIND.
→ See WIND
The Hebrew word שָׁמַיִם (*shamayim*) is a dual noun meaning 'heavens' or 'sky.' It refers to the visible heavens where celestial bodies are found, as well as the abode of God. The dual form may suggest both the arch of the sky and the higher ether. It is noted in contexts such as Elijah's ascent in a whirlwind.
[שָׁמַי] n.m. only pl. שָׁמַיִם 421 heavens, sky
visible heavens, sky, where stars, etc., are
phrases
as abode of God
Elijah taken up הַשּׁ׳ in whirlwind
הַשּׁ׳ personified in various relations
base
H8064 שָׁמַי only pl. שָׁמַיִם heavens, sky . . visible heavens, sky, where stars, etc., are
. phrases
. . as abode of God
. Elijah taken up הַשּׁ׳ in whirlwind
. הַשּׁ׳ personified in various relations
8064 shamayim shaw-mah'-yim
dual of an unused singular shameh {shaw-meh'}; from an unused
root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps
alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well
as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies
revolve):--air, X astrologer, heaven(-s).
שָׁמַיִם (sha.ma.yim) — heaven.
1) heaven, heavens, sky
1a) visible heavens, sky
1a1) as abode of the stars
1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc
1b) Heaven (as the abode of God)
Aramaic equivalent: sha.ma.yin (שָׁמַ֫יִן "heaven" H8065)
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absoluteHRd/Ncmpa
hev'-'nz (shamayim; ouranoi): On the physical heavens see ASTRONOMY; WORLD. Above these, in popular conception, were the celestial heavens, the abode of God and of the hosts of angels (Ps 11:4; 103:19-21; Isa 66:1; Re 4:2; 5:11; compare Da 7:10), though it was recognized that Yahweh's presence was not confined to any region (1Ki 8:27). Later Judaism reckoned seven heavens. The apostle Paul speaks of himself as caught up into "the third heaven," which he evidently identifies with Paradise (2Co 12:2).
See HEAVENLY.
נָהַג (nahag) is a Hebrew verb meaning to drive, lead, or guide. It can refer to driving animals or chariots, as well as guiding oneself or others. Additionally, in the Piel form, it can mean to moan or lament. The word appears in contexts that emphasize both physical guidance and emotional expression.
נָהַג vb. drive, conduct
Qal
drive
fig. my heart behaving itself in wisdom
Pi.
drive away, lead off
lead on, guide
cause to drive
H5090a נָהַג drive, conduct .. drive
. fig. my heart behaving itself in wisdom
. . drive away, lead off
. lead on, guide
. cause to drive
H5090b נָהַג Pi. moan, lament
5090 nahag naw-hag'
a primitive root; to drive forth (a person, an animal or
chariot), i.e. lead, carry away; reflexively, to proceed (i.e.
impel or guide oneself); also (from the panting induced by
effort), to sigh:--acquaint, bring (away), carry away, drive
(away), lead (away, forth), (be) guide, lead (away, forth).
נָהַג (na.hag) — to lead.
1) to drive, lead, guide, conduct
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to drive, lead on, drive away, drive off
1a2) to behave itself (fig.) (of heart)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to drive away, lead off
1b2) to lead on, guide, guide on
1b3) to cause to drive
נָהַג (na.hag) — to moan.
(Piel) to moan, lament
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Piel · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vpw3ms
forth: "Forth," adverb (from "for"), signifies movement
(1) forward,
(2) out of,
(3) beyond a certain boundary.
In a few instances in the Old Testament it is the translation of the preposition `al, properly "above," "upon" (2Ki 11:15; 2Ch 23:14; Am 7:17 the King James Version), and of chuts, "without" (Ge 39:13; Jud 19:25). "Forth" is often used as an expletive of various verbs, as "break (forth)," "bring (forth)," "call (forth)," etc. In the Gospel of John it is the translation of exo, "without," as "Lazarus, come forth" (11:43; so 15:6; 19:4 the King James Version…
עֹז (oz) refers to strength or might, encompassing material, physical, personal, social, and political dimensions. It can denote boldness or impudence and is associated with the might of God. The word is built from the root related to strength and power, with various applications noted in the entries.
עֹז, and (rarely) עוֹז n.m. strength, might
material and physical
personal, social, and political
might of י׳
= boldness, impudence
= stronghold
base
H5797 עֹז, and (rarely) עוֹז strength, might . material and physical
. personal, social, and political
. might of י׳
. = boldness, impudence
. = stronghold
5797 `oz oze
or (fully) rowz {oze}; from 5810; strength in various
applications (force, security, majesty, praise):--boldness,
loud, might, power, strength, strong.
see HEBREW for 05810
עֹז (oz) — strength.
1) might, strength
1a) material or physical
1b) personal or social or political
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms
תֵּימָן (teyman) refers to the direction south, including the south wind. It is derived from the root meaning 'right hand' when facing east. The term is primarily used in poetic contexts and encompasses various aspects of the southern quarter, including territory and direction.
תֵּימָן n.f. south, south wind, chiefly poet.
base
H8486 תֵּימָן south, south wind, chiefly poet.
8486 teyman tay-mawn'
or teman {tay-mawn'}; denominative from 3225; the south (as
being on the right hand of a person facing the east):--south
(side, -ward, wind).
see HEBREW for 03225
תֵּימָן (te.man) — south.
1) south, southward, whatever is on the right (so the southern quarter), south wind
1a) south (of territory)
1b) southern quarter (of the sky)
1c) toward the south, southward (of direction)
1d) south wind
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
wind (anemos:
1. Causes:
Unequal distribution of heat in the atmosphere causes currents of air or wind. The heated air rises and the air from around rushes in. The direction from which a current comes determines its name, as west wind coming from the West but blowing toward the East. When two currents of air of different directions meet, a spiral motion sometimes results.
See WHIRLWIND.
2. West Wind:
In Palestine the west wind is the most common. It comes from the sea and carries the moisture which condenses to form clouds, as it is turned upward by the mountains, to the cooler layers of the atmosphere. If the temperature reached is cool enough the cloud condenses and rain falls. Elijah looked toward the West for the "small cloud," and soon "the heavens grew black with clouds and wind" (1Ki 18:44 f). "When ye see a cloud rising in the…