Psalms 78:53 — Word Study
WLCוַיַּנְחֵ֣ם לָ֭בֶטַח וְלֹ֣א פָחָ֑דוּ וְאֶת־ א֝וֹיְבֵיהֶ֗ם כִּסָּ֥ה הַיָּֽם׃
BSAHe led themnâchâh▸ [guided, directed] safelybeṭach [to a place of security, in confidence] so they did notlôʼ [were not caused to] fearpâchad■ [dread, be afraid] butʼêth the seayâm [the large body of water] engulfedkâçâh■ [overwhelmed, covered] their enemiesʼôyêb [adversaries, those who oppose]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיַּנְחֵ֣ם | and he guided them | Verb hiphil sequential imperfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
| לָ֭בֶטַח | to security | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וְלֹ֣א | and not | Conjunction, particle |
| פָחָ֑דוּ | they were afraid | Verb, Qal, perfect third person common plural |
| וְאֶת־ | and the object marker | Conjunction, particle |
| א֝וֹיְבֵיהֶ֗ם | enemies their | Verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common, suffix |
| כִּסָּ֥ה | it covered | Verb, Piel, perfect third person masculine singular |
| הַיָּֽם׃ | the sea | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He led them safely, so they did not fear, but the sea engulfed their enemies. |
| KJV | And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies. |
| ASV | And he led them safely, so that they feared not; But the sea overwhelmed their enemies. |
| YLT | And He leadeth them confidently, And they have not been afraid, And their enemies hath the sea covered. |
| WEB | He led them safely, so that they weren’t afraid, but the sea overwhelmed their enemies. |
| BBE | He took them on safely so that they had no fear; but their haters were covered by the sea. |
Where they part company is לָ֭בֶטַח — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause is followed by a subordinate clause explaining the result of God's guidance, with another contrasting clause about the fate of their enemies.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbפָּחַד
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 78:53
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 Guidance and Protectiongenerated
Psalm 78:53 describes how God led the Israelites safely through the wilderness, ensuring they did not fear while the sea engulfed their enemies. This verse is part of a larger narrative that highlights God's faithfulness and protective nature throughout Israel's history, particularly during their exodus from Egypt. The psalmist emphasizes that despite the dangers they faced, God provided guidance and security, contrasting the safety of His people with the fate of their adversaries.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 14:15–19 | Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. |
| 2 | Hebrews 11:29 | By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were drowned. |
| 3 | Psalm 136:15 | but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea. His loving devotion endures forever. |
| 4 | Exodus 14:27–28 | So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea returned to its normal state. As the Egyptians were retreating, the LORD swept them into the sea. |
| 5 | Exodus 15:10 | But You blew with Your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — וַיַּנְחֵ֣ם, vai.yan.Chemgenerated
The verb נָחָה (nachah) means to lead or guide. In this verse, it indicates God's active role in directing His people towards safety, suggesting a protective and nurturing leadership.
The parsing as a hiphil imperfect indicates an ongoing action, showing that God continually guided His people, ensuring their safety and confidence as they journeyed.
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 verb governing the verse is וַיַּנְחֵ֣ם, He guided, with two clauses connected: one describing the guidance and the other contrasting the lack of fear with the fate of the enemies.
The structure emphasizes God's leadership and the security provided to His people, with the contrasting fate of their enemies serving as a powerful conclusion.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates וַיַּנְחֵ֣ם as αὐτοὺς, indicating a direct rendering that maintains the subject's focus on God's guidance. This choice reflects a straightforward interpretation of the Hebrew text.
The choice of ἐλπίδι for לָ֭בֶטַח suggests a nuance of hope and expectation in the Greek, which may widen the understanding of security beyond mere physical safety.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 78:53 tells us that God guided His people safely, ensuring they did not fear while the sea overwhelmed their enemies. This verse highlights God's protective leadership during Israel's journey, contrasting their safety with the fate of those who opposed them.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means God provided guidance and protection to His people, ensuring their safety during their journey.
They did not fear because of God's presence and guidance, which gave them confidence amid danger.
Their enemies were engulfed by the sea, illustrating God's power to protect His people while defeating their adversaries.
This verse reflects God's character as a protector and guide, showing His commitment to the safety and well-being of His people.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced God's guidance and protection in my own life?
- How can I trust God more fully in times of fear or uncertainty?
- What does it mean for me to feel secure in God's leadership?
- How can I share the story of God's protection with others?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 78:53 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd he led them on safely,.... Through the sea, where the waters were on each side; and through the wilderness, in which were serpents and scorpions, and where they were attacked by many powerful
Read John Gill on Psalms 78 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHow oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 78 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThey feared not. But it is said that they were sore afraid, . Answ. 1. They were afraid at first, but after Moses had encouraged them they grew bold and secure; one evidence whereof was, that they confidently went into the middle of the sea, and passed between the vast heaps of water which were on both sides of them. 2. The meaning may be that they had no just cause to fear; for men are oft said to do not only what they actually do, but also what they ought to do, as 2:7, &c.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 78 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 78:53 And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.Ver. 53. And he led them on safely, so that they feared not] Or, if they did, it was without cause, Cur enim metuat hominem homo in sinu Dei positus.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 78 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges53. feared not] In contrast to their enemies, who were seized with panic (Exodus 14:25), Israel had no cause for fear (Exodus 14:13). Not of course that they never gave way to fear (Exodus 14:10). overwhelmed] The same word as that rendered covered in Exodus 15:10.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 78 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleAnd he led them on safely, so that they feared not - In hope; in confidence; so that they had no occasion for alarm. He showed himself able and willing to defend them.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 78 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible53. Safely… they feared not—They had no cause of fear, for God was with them. Their exodus was not a flight in terror, but an orderly march.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon 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 led them safely, so they did not fear, but the sea engulfed their enemies.
He led them safely, so that they weren’t afraid, but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
He led them safely, so they did not fear, but the sea engulfed their enemies.
He guided them safely along, while the sea covered their enemies.
Tyndale line
And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
And he led them safely, so that they feared not; But the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
And he led them safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
Yea, he caried them out safely, and they feared not, and the Sea couered their enemies.
Strictly literal
And he led them safely, so that they were without fear; and the sea covered their enemies.
And He leadeth them confidently, And they have not been afraid, And their enemies hath the sea covered.
And He leads them confidently, || And they have not been afraid, || And the sea has covered their enemies.
And he led them in safety, so that they felt no dread; but the sea covered over their enemies.
He led them secure and unafraid, but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
Simplified
He led them to safety, and they were not afraid. He drowned their enemies in the sea.
He took them on safely so that they had no fear; but their haters were covered by the sea.
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 states, "וַיַּנְחֵ֣ם לָ֭בֶטַח וְלֹ֣א פָחָ֑דוּ וְאֶת־ א֝וֹיְבֵיהֶ֗ם כִּסָּ֥ה הַיָּֽם׃" which translates to, "He led them safely, so they did not fear, but the sea engulfed their enemies." The Septuagint, while not providing a direct translation, matches all eight words of the Masoretic Text in a word-by-word correspondence, indicating agreement in content. Therefore, both the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the essential message of this verse. There are no significant differences noted among the witnesses for this particular verse.
וַיַּנְחֵ֣ם לָ֭בֶטַח וְלֹ֣א פָחָ֑דוּ וְאֶת־ א֝וֹיְבֵיהֶ֗ם כִּסָּ֥ה הַיָּֽם׃
8 of the 8 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 78:53
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.
נָחָה (nachah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to lead or guide. It can imply bringing someone or something to a destination, governing, or even transporting into exile. The entries indicate its use in both the Qal and Hiphil forms, suggesting a range of meanings related to leadership and guidance.
[נָחָה] vb. lead, guide
Qal lead, bring
Hiph. lead, guide
base
H5148 נָחָה lead, guide
5148 nachah naw-khaw'
a primitive root; to guide; by implication, to transport
(into exile, or as colonists):--bestow, bring, govern, guide,
lead (forth), put, straiten.
נָחָה (na.chah) — to lead.
1) to lead, guide
1a) (Qal) to lead, bring
1b) (Hiphil) to lead, guide
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff — Verb hiphil sequential imperfect third person masculine singular · suffixHc/Vhw3ms/Sp3mp
בֶּ֫טַח (betach) refers to security or safety, encompassing both the concept of a secure place and the feelings of trust and assurance. It can also be used adverbially to mean 'safely' or 'securely.' The word is derived from a root meaning 'to trust' and is linked to the idea of refuge.
בֶּ֫טַח n.[m.] security
base
H983 בֶּ֫טַח security
983 betach beh'takh
from 982; properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both
the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb
with or without preposition) safely:--assurance, boldly,
(without) care(- less), confidence, hope, safe(-ly, -ty),
secure, surely.
see HEBREW for 0982
בֶּ֫טַח (be.tach) — security.
1) security, safety
adv
2) securely
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particleHC/Tn
פָּחַד (pachad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to dread or fear. It encompasses being startled or filled with awe, with various forms indicating different intensities of dread. The root conveys a sense of alarm and reverence, appearing in contexts that evoke both fear and respect.
פָּחַד vb. dread, be in dread, in awe
Qal
be in dread
be in awe
Pi. be in great dread
Hiph. filled my bones with dread
base
H6342 פָּחַד dread, be in dread, in awe
6342 pachad paw-kkad'
a primitive root; to be startled (by a sudden alarm); hence,
to fear in general:--be afraid, stand in awe, (be in) fear,
make to shake.
פָּחַד (pa.chad) — to dread.
1) to fear, tremble, revere, dread, be in awe or dread
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be in dread
1a2) to be in awe
1b) (Piel) to be in great dread
1c) (Hiphil) to cause to dread
V-Qal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common pluralHVqp3cp
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Conj | DirObjM — Conjunction · particleHC/To
אֹיֵב (oyeb) means 'enemy' or 'foe,' indicating hostility. It can refer to personal or national adversaries. The word is derived from the active participle of another root, אָיַב (ayab), which also conveys the sense of being hostile.
[אָיַב] 283 vb. be hostile to (enemy = אֹיֵב)
base
H341 אָיַב be hostile to (enemy = אֹיֵב)
341 'oyeb o-yabe'
or (fully) owyeb {o-yabe'}; active participle of 340;
hating; an adversary:--enemy, foe.
see HEBREW for 0340
אֹיֵב (o.yev) — enemy.
1) (Qal) enemy
1a) personal
1b) national
V-Qal | Suff — Verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common · suffixHVqrmpc/Sp3mp
The Hebrew word כָּסָה (*kacah*) primarily means to cover or conceal. It encompasses a range of meanings, including to clothe, hide, or overwhelm. The entries describe various forms of the verb, such as being covered or covering oneself, and its use in contexts like protection or sin. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
[כָּסָה] vb. cover
Qal
conceal
pass. (cstr.) covered in respect of sin (by God, which he thus puts out of sight)
Niph. covered
Pi.
cover, clothe
cover, conceal blood
cover (with covering of protection)
cover, spread over
cover, overwhelm
cover over
Pual.
be covered
be clothed
Hithp. cover, clothe oneself
base
H3680 כָּסָה cover .. conceal
. pass. (cstr.) covered in respect of sin (by God, which he thus puts out of sight)
. covered
. . cover, clothe
. cover, conceal blood
. cover (with covering of protection)
. cover, spread over
. cover, overwhelm
. cover over
. . be covered
. be clothed
. cover, clothe oneself
3680 kacah kaw-saw'
a primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows;
by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy):--clad
self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide,
overwhelm. Compare 3780.
see HEBREW for 03780
כָּסָה (ka.sah) — to cover.
1) to cover, conceal, hide
1a) (Qal) conceal, covered (participle)
1b) (Niphal) to be covered
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to cover, clothe
1c2) to cover, conceal
1c3) to cover (for protection)
1c4) to cover over, spread over
1c5) to cover, overwhelm
1d) (Pual)
1d1) to be covered
1d2) to be clothed
1e) (Hithpael) to cover oneself, clothe oneself
V-Piel-Perf-3ms — Verb · Piel · perfect third person masculine singularHVpp3ms
יָם (yam) means 'sea' and refers to various large bodies of water, including the Mediterranean, Red, and Dead Seas, as well as the Sea of Galilee. It can also denote a mighty river like the Nile and has geographical implications, indicating directions such as west or south. The term is derived from a root meaning to roar, suggesting the noise of breaking surf.
יָם 390 n.m. sea
base
H3220 יָם sea
3220 yam yawm
from an unused root meaning to roar; a sea (as breaking in
noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the
article), the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river, or
an artifical basin; locally, the west, or (rarely) the
south:--sea (X -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern,
side, -ward).
יָם (yam) — sea.
: sea
1) sea
1a) Mediterranean Sea
1b) Red Sea
1c) Dead Sea
1d) Sea of Galilee
1e) sea (general)
1f) mighty river (Nile)
1g) the sea (the great basin in the temple court)
1h) seaward, west, westward
יָם (yam) — sea: west.
: west
1) sea
1a) Mediterranean Sea
1b) Red Sea
1c) Dead Sea
1d) Sea of Galilee
1e) sea (general)
1f) mighty river (Nile)
1g) the sea (the great basin in the temple court)
1h) seaward, west, westward
יָם (yam) — (Mt. Ephron in the) West.
This name means sea, seaward, westward
Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ncmsa
se (yam; thalassa; in Ac 27:5 pelagos): The Mediterranean is called ha-yam ha-gadhol, "the great sea" (Nu 34:6; Jos 1:4; Eze 47:10, etc.); ha-yam ha-'acharon, "the hinder," or "western sea" (De 11:24; 34:2; Joe 2:20; Zec 14:8); yam pelishtim, "the sea of the Philis" (Ex 23:31); the King James Version translates yam yapho' in Ezr 3:7 by "sea of Joppa," perhaps rightly.
The sea, yam , is used in Scripture to denote-- "The gathering of the waters," "the Ocean." (Genesis 1:2,10; 30:13) etc. Some portion of this, as the Mediterranean Sea, called the "hinder," the "western" and the "utmost" sea, (11:24; 34:2; Joel 2:20) "sea of the Philistines," (Exodus 23:31) "the great sea," (Numbers 36:6,7; Joshua 15:47) "the sea." Genesis49:13; Psal 80:11 Also frequently of the Red Sea. (Exodus 15:4) [RED SEA SEA] Inland lakes termed seas, as the Salt or Dead Sea. [See the special article] Any…
The Hebrews give the name of sea to any large collection of water, Job 14:11; as to the lakes of Tiberias and Asphaltites, and also to the rivers Nile and Euphrates, Isa 11:15 18:2 21:1 Jer 51:36,42. The principal seas mentioned in Scripture are the following:
1. The GREAT SEA, the Mediterranean, called also the Hinder or Western Sea. Indeed, the Hebrew word for sea, meaning the Mediterranean, is often put for the west. The Great Sea is 2,200 miles long, and in the widest part 1,200 miles in width. In many places it is so deep as to give no soundings. It is little affected by tides, but is often agitated by violent winds. The prevailing direction of the wind in spring is from the southeast and southwest and from the northeast…
→ Creation of Ge 1:9,10; Ps 95:5; 148:4,5
→ Lake Galilee calmed by Jesus Mt 8:24-26; Mr 4:37-39
→ Jesus walked upon Lake Galilee Mt 14:25-31