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Psalms 78:15

Psalms 78:15 in Multiple Translations

He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink as abundant as the seas.

He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths.

He clave rocks in the wilderness, And gave them drink abundantly as out of the depths.

The rocks of the waste land were broken by his power, and he gave them drink as out of the deep waters.

He split open rocks in the desert to give his people plenty to drink, water as deep as the ocean.

He claue the rockes in the wildernes, and gaue them drinke as of the great depths.

He cleaveth rocks in a wilderness, And giveth drink — as the great deep.

He split rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink abundantly as out of the depths.

He cleaved the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths.

He split rocks open in the desert, giving to our ancestors plenty of water from deep inside the earth.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 78:15

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 78:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB יְבַקַּ֣ע צֻ֭רִים בַּ/מִּדְבָּ֑ר וַ֝/יַּ֗שְׁקְ כִּ/תְהֹמ֥וֹת רַבָּֽה
יְבַקַּ֣ע bâqaʻ H1234 to break up/open V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
צֻ֭רִים tsûwr H6697 rock N-mp
בַּ/מִּדְבָּ֑ר midbâr H4057 mouth Prep | N-ms
וַ֝/יַּ֗שְׁקְ shâqâh H8248 to water Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
כִּ/תְהֹמ֥וֹת tᵉhôwm H8415 abyss Prep | N-cp
רַבָּֽה rab H7227 many Adj
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 78:15

יְבַקַּ֣ע bâqaʻ H1234 "to break up/open" V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to break or open something, like a door or a wall, and is used in the Bible to describe God breaking through to help his people, as seen in Psalm 107:16.
Definition: 1) to split, cleave, break open, divide, break through, rip up, break up, tear 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cleave, cleave open 1a2) to break through, break into 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be cleft, be rent open, be split open 1b2) to be broken into 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to cleave, cut to pieces, rend open 1c2) to break through, break down 1d) (Pual) 1d1) to be ripped open, be torn open 1d2) to be rent 1d3) to be broken into 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to break into 1e2) to break through 1f) (Hophal) to be broken into 1g) (Hithpael) to burst (themselves) open, cleave asunder
Usage: Occurs in 50 OT verses. KJV: make a breach, break forth (into, out, in pieces, through, up), be ready to burst, cleave (asunder), cut out, divide, hatch, rend (asunder), rip up, tear, win. See also: Genesis 7:11; Psalms 78:13; Psalms 74:15.
צֻ֭רִים tsûwr H6697 "rock" N-mp
A rock or boulder, often used to describe God as a refuge, like in Psalm 18:2.
Definition: 1) rock, cliff 1a) rocky wall, cliff 1b) rock (with flat surface) 1c) block of stone, boulder 1d) rock (specific) 1e) rock (of God) 1f) rock (of heathen gods) n pr dei 1g) Rock Aramaic equivalent: tur (טוּר "mountain" H2906)
Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: edge, [idiom] (mighty) God (one), rock, [idiom] sharp, stone, [idiom] strength, [idiom] strong. See also H1049 (בֵּית צוּר). See also: Exodus 17:6; Psalms 28:1; Psalms 18:3.
בַּ/מִּדְבָּ֑ר midbâr H4057 "mouth" Prep | N-ms
The wilderness refers to a desert or open field, like the one the Israelites wandered in after leaving Egypt. It can also mean a place of solitude or a region without many people. In the Bible, it is often associated with the journey to the Promised Land.
Definition: 1) mouth 1a) mouth (as organ of speech)
Usage: Occurs in 257 OT verses. KJV: desert, south, speech, wilderness. See also: Genesis 14:6; Joshua 5:4; Psalms 29:8.
וַ֝/יַּ֗שְׁקְ shâqâh H8248 "to water" Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to give water or a drink to someone or something, often used in stories like Genesis and Exodus. It describes providing sustenance and care, like God giving water to the Israelites in the desert.
Definition: : watering(ANIMALS/PLANTS) 1) to give to drink, irrigate, drink, water, cause to drink water 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to water, irrigate 1a2) to water, give drink to 1b) (Pual) to be watered 1c) (Niphal) variant
Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: cause to (give, give to, let, make to) drink, drown, moisten, water. See H7937 (שָׁכַר), H8354 (שָׁתָה). See also: Genesis 2:6; 1 Chronicles 11:17; Psalms 36:9.
כִּ/תְהֹמ֥וֹת tᵉhôwm H8415 "abyss" Prep | N-cp
Tehom refers to the deep waters of the ocean or sea, including the subterranean water supply. It can also describe the primeval ocean or the abyss.
Definition: 1) deep, depths, deep places, abyss, the deep, sea 1a) deep (of subterranean waters) 1b) deep, sea, abysses (of sea) 1c) primeval ocean, deep 1d) deep, depth (of river) 1e) abyss, the grave
Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: deep (place), depth. See also: Genesis 1:2; Psalms 78:15; Psalms 33:7.
רַבָּֽה rab H7227 "many" Adj
This Hebrew word means a chief or captain, someone in charge. It is used in 2 Samuel 23:19 to describe a great and powerful man. The idea is one of leadership and authority.
Definition: adj 1) much, many, great 1a) much 1b) many 1c) abounding in 1d) more numerous than 1e) abundant, enough 1f) great 1g) strong 1h) greater than adv 1i) much, exceedingly
Usage: Occurs in 443 OT verses. KJV: (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). See also: Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 11:1; Psalms 3:2.

Study Notes — Psalms 78:15

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Psalms 105:41 He opened a rock, and water gushed out; it flowed like a river in the desert.
2 Numbers 20:11 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 Exodus 17:6 Behold, I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. And when you strike the rock, water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.
4 1 Corinthians 10:4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.
5 Psalms 114:8 who turned the rock into a pool, the flint into a fountain of water!
6 Revelation 22:1 Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb
7 Isaiah 41:18 I will open rivers on the barren heights, and fountains in the middle of the valleys. I will turn the desert into a pool of water, and the dry land into flowing springs.
8 Isaiah 48:21 They did not thirst when He led them through the deserts; He made water flow for them from the rock; He split the rock, and water gushed out.
9 Isaiah 43:20 The beasts of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I provide water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people.
10 Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.

Psalms 78:15 Summary

Psalms 78:15 tells us that God split the rocks in the wilderness and gave the Israelites water to drink, just like the abundance of the seas. This shows us that God is a powerful and caring God who provides for our needs, even in the toughest situations (as seen in Exodus 17:6). Just like the Israelites, we can trust God to take care of us, even when we feel like we are in a dry and barren place (Psalms 23:4). By remembering God's faithfulness and provision, we can have confidence that He will care for us, no matter what challenges we face.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of God splitting the rocks in the wilderness?

This act demonstrates God's power and provision for His people, as seen in Psalms 78:15, and is reminiscent of His care for them in the wilderness, as described in Exodus 17:6 and Numbers 20:11.

How does this verse relate to the Israelites' journey through the wilderness?

This verse is part of a larger narrative describing God's guidance and provision for the Israelites as they traveled through the wilderness, as seen in Psalms 78:13-14 and Exodus 13:18.

What can we learn from God's provision of water in the wilderness?

God's provision of water in the wilderness teaches us about His faithfulness and care for His people, even in the most difficult circumstances, as seen in Psalms 23:4 and Isaiah 43:2.

How does this verse apply to our lives today?

This verse reminds us that God is our rock and our provider, and that He will care for us even in the most challenging situations, as seen in Matthew 6:25-34 and Philippians 4:19.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways that God has provided for me in my own wilderness experiences, and how can I express gratitude for His care?
  2. How can I trust God to provide for my needs, even when I feel like I am in a dry and barren place?
  3. What are some 'rocks' in my life that God might need to split in order to provide for me, and how can I surrender them to Him?
  4. How can I remember God's faithfulness and provision in my life, and use those memories to encourage myself and others in times of need?

Gill's Exposition on Psalms 78:15

He clave the rocks in the wilderness,.... The one at Rephidim, Exodus 17:1, and the other at Kadesh, Numbers 20:1 both to be seen at this day; [See comments on Exodus 17:1], [See comments on Exodus

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 78:15

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 78:15

Rocks; he useth the plural number, because it was twice done; once in Rephidim, , and again in Kadesh, ,11. The great depths; in great abundance.

Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 78:15

Psalms 78:15 He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave [them] drink as [out of] the great depths.Ver. 15. He clave the rocks] And set them abroach, both that in Rephidim, Exodus 17:1-8, and the other in Kadesh, Numbers 20:1-13 Moses Nehamides, on Exodus 17:1-8, saith, that the old Jewish doctors held that the rock of Rephidim not only yielded waters like a river all those forty years wherein they were in the wilderness, but followed them also there whithersoever they went. This agreeth well with that of the apostle St Paul, 1 Corinthians 10:4, who sweetly allegorizeth this history. As out of the great depths] i.e. In great abundance, Ad satietatem usque. Rocks sooner yield fire than water; but what cannot God do?

Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 78:15

(15) And gave . . .—Literally, and gave them to drink as it were a great deep, or as we might say, “oceans of drink”—a poetical exaggeration; or are we rather to think of the gift of water as produced by striking or boring through the rock to the great ocean on which the earth was supposed to rest?

Cambridge Bible on Psalms 78:15

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 78:15

He clave the rocks in the wilderness - There were two occasions on which the rock was smitten for water; one Exodus 17:6 at Mount Horeb, shortly after they came out of Egypt; and the other Numbers

Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 78:15

15. Rocks—The plural indicates that the psalmist compresses into one the two miracles, the first at Horeb in the first year after the exodus, (Exodus 17:6,) and the second in the fortieth year, at

Sermons on Psalms 78:15

SermonDescription
John Vissers John's Gospel - Streams of Living Water by John Vissers In this sermon, the speaker describes a significant event in the Gospel of John that took place during the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. The festival was a time of celebration
Andrew Murray The Cause of This Discrepancy Between God's Gifts, and Our Low Experience by Andrew Murray Andrew Murray addresses the discrepancy between God's abundant gifts and our limited experiences, emphasizing that it stems from our unbelief. He illustrates this through the elder
J. Vernon McGee (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
Leonard Ravenhill 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
Randy Krahn The Baptism of the Holy Spirit by Randy Krahn In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of guarding what we listen to and watch, as they can influence and corrupt us. He warns against the infiltration of worldly in
David Wilkerson Wilderness Journey by David Wilkerson David Wilkerson illustrates the Christian life as a wilderness journey, akin to the Israelites' experience, where faith is the only means of crossing the treacherous terrain of lif
David Wilkerson Why Read the Old Testament? by David Wilkerson David Wilkerson emphasizes the relevance of the Old Testament for modern believers, arguing that it provides essential context and understanding for the New Testament. He illustrat

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