Psalms 78:20

78:19 Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? furnish: Heb. order

Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?

KJV

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Behold, he struck the rock, so that waters gushed out, and streams overflowed. Can he give bread also? Will he provide meat for his people?”

Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?

78:21 Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel;

What does Psalms 78:20 mean?

Psalms 78:20 is a verse in the book of Psalms, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include נָכָה (nâkâh), צוּר (tsûwr), מַיִם (mayim).

Hebrew interlinear

Behold,

smoteנָכָהnâkâh/naw-kaw'/H5221to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

the

rock,צוּרtsûwr/tsoor/H6697properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)

that

the

watersמַיִםmayim/mah'-yim/H4325water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

gushed

out,זוּבzûwb/zoob/H2100to flow freely (as water), i.e. (specifically) to have a (sexual) flux; figuratively, to waste away; also to overflow

and

the

streamsנַחַלnachal/nakh'-al/H5158a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)

overflowed;שָׁטַףshâṭaph/shaw-taf'/H7857to gush; by implication, to inundate, cleanse; by analogy, to gallop, conquer

canיָכֹלyâkôl/yaw-kole'/H3201to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

giveנָתַןnâthan/naw-than'/H5414to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

breadלֶחֶםlechem/lekh'-em/H3899food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

also?

canיָכֹלyâkôl/yaw-kole'/H3201to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

provideכּוּןkûwn/koon/H3559properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix, prepare, apply), or figurative (appoint, render sure, proper or prosperous)

fleshשְׁאֵרshᵉʼêr/sheh-ayr'/H7607flesh (as swelling out), as living or forfood; generally food of any kind; figuratively, kindred by blood

for

his

people?עַםʻam/am/H5971a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

Topics

Blasphemy Infidelity Miracles Murmuring Rock Scoffing Unbelief

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Psalms 78:20.

Exodus 17:6

Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Genesis 21:14

And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

Genesis 24:32

And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that were with him.

Genesis 26:19

And Isaac's servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water. springing: Heb. living

Leviticus 15:11

And whomsoever he toucheth that hath the issue, and hath not rinsed his hands in water, he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

Leviticus 15:12

And the vessel of earth, that he toucheth which hath the issue, shall be broken: and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water.

Frequently asked questions

What does Psalms 78:20 say?

Psalms 78:20 (King James Version) reads: "Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?"

Is Psalms 78:20 in the Old or New Testament?

Psalms 78:20 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Psalms.

Reflect

As you read Psalms 78:20, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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