Psalms 78:47
Psalms 78:47 in Multiple Translations
He killed their vines with hailstones and their sycamore-figs with sleet.
He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycomore trees with frost.
He destroyed their vines with hail, And their sycomore-trees with frost.
He sent ice for the destruction of their vines; their trees were damaged by the bitter cold.
He destroyed their vines with hail, and their fig trees with freezing rain.
He destroied their vines with haile, and their wilde figge trees with the hailestone.
He destroyeth with hail their vine, And their sycamores with frost,
He destroyed their vines with hail, their sycamore fig trees with frost.
He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycamore trees with frost.
He sent hail that destroyed the grapevines, and sent frost that ruined the figs.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 78:47
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 78:47 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יַהֲרֹ֣ג
בַּ/בָּרָ֣ד
גַּפְנָ֑/ם
וְ֝/שִׁקְמוֹתָ֗/ם
בַּֽ/חֲנָמַֽל
יַהֲרֹ֣ג
hârag
H2026
to kill
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
בַּ/בָּרָ֣ד
bârâd
H1259
hail
Prep | N-ms
גַּפְנָ֑/ם
gephen
H1612
vine
N-cs | Suff
וְ֝/שִׁקְמוֹתָ֗/ם
shiqmâh
H8256
sycamore
Conj | N-fp | Suff
בַּֽ/חֲנָמַֽל
chănâmâl
H2602
frost
Prep | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 78:47
יַהֲרֹ֣ג
hârag
H2026
"to kill"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To kill or slay with intent, as seen in the Bible when God instructs the Israelites to destroy certain nations. This word is used in various forms, including to murder or destroy. It appears in books like Exodus and Deuteronomy.
Definition: 1) to kill, slay, murder, destroy, murderer, slayer, out of hand 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to kill, slay 1a2) to destroy, ruin 1b) (Niphal) to be killed 1c) (Pual) to be killed, be slain
Usage: Occurs in 158 OT verses. KJV: destroy, out of hand, kill, murder(-er), put to (death), make (slaughter), slay(-er), [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 4:8; 2 Kings 8:12; Psalms 10:8.
בַּ/בָּרָ֣ד
bârâd
H1259
"hail"
Prep | N-ms
Hail is a sign of God's judgment in the Bible, with hailstones sometimes used as a symbol of His power. It appears in stories of destruction and chaos.
Definition: 1) hail 1a) of God's judgment (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: hail(stones). See also: Exodus 9:18; Exodus 10:15; Psalms 18:13.
גַּפְנָ֑/ם
gephen
H1612
"vine"
N-cs | Suff
The Hebrew word for vine, often referring to Israel or prosperity, appears in the Bible as a symbol of God's people. It is also used to describe a grapevine. In the Bible, vines are often associated with abundance and fruitfulness.
Definition: 1) vine, vine tree 1a) of Israel (fig.) 1b) of stars fading at Jehovah's judgment (metaph.) 1c) of prosperity
Usage: Occurs in 53 OT verses. KJV: vine, tree. See also: Genesis 40:9; Isaiah 24:7; Psalms 78:47.
וְ֝/שִׁקְמוֹתָ֗/ם
shiqmâh
H8256
"sycamore"
Conj | N-fp | Suff
A sycamore tree is a type of fig tree, mentioned in the Bible as a common tree in Israel, like the one Zacchaeus climbed in Luke 19. It was a notable landmark and provided shade.
Definition: sycamore tree (bearing figs)
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: sycamore (fruit, tree). See also: 1 Kings 10:27; 2 Chronicles 9:27; Psalms 78:47.
בַּֽ/חֲנָמַֽל
chănâmâl
H2602
"frost"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this word refers to frost or a type of insect, possibly an aphid, that can harm plants like sycamore trees.
Definition: 1) frost, flood, sleet (meaning uncertain) 1a) that which destroyed the sycamore trees
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: frost. See also: Psalms 78:47.
Study Notes — Psalms 78:47
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 78:47 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 78:47
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 78:47
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 78:47
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 78:47
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 78:47
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 78:47
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 78:47
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 78:47
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 78:47
- Sermons on Psalms 78:47
Context — I Will Open My Mouth in Parables
45He sent swarms of flies that devoured them, and frogs that devastated them.
46He gave their crops to the grasshopper, the fruit of their labor to the locust.
47He killed their vines with hailstones and their sycamore-figs with sleet.
48He abandoned their cattle to the hail and their livestock to bolts of lightning. 49He unleashed His fury against them, wrath, indignation, and calamity— a band of destroying angels.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 105:32–33 | He gave them hail for rain, with lightning throughout their land. He struck their vines and fig trees and shattered the trees of their country. |
| 2 | Exodus 9:18–34 | Behold, at this time tomorrow I will rain down the worst hail that has ever fallen on Egypt, from the day it was founded until now. So give orders now to shelter your livestock and everything you have in the field. Every man or beast that remains in the field and is not brought inside will die when the hail comes down upon them.’” Those among Pharaoh’s officials who feared the word of the LORD hurried to bring their servants and livestock to shelter, but those who disregarded the word of the LORD left their servants and livestock in the field. Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, so that hail may fall on all the land of Egypt—on man and beast and every plant of the field throughout the land of Egypt.” So Moses stretched out his staff toward heaven, and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and lightning struck the earth. So the LORD rained down hail upon the land of Egypt. The hail fell and the lightning continued flashing through it. The hail was so severe that nothing like it had ever been seen in all the land of Egypt from the time it became a nation. Throughout the land of Egypt, the hail struck down everything in the field, both man and beast; it beat down every plant of the field and stripped every tree. The only place where it did not hail was in the land of Goshen, where the Israelites lived. Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron. “This time I have sinned,” he said. “The LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. Pray to the LORD, for there has been enough of God’s thunder and hail. I will let you go; you do not need to stay any longer.” Moses said to him, “When I have left the city, I will spread out my hands to the LORD. The thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, so that you may know that the earth is the LORD’s. But as for you and your officials, I know that you still do not fear the LORD our God.” (Now the flax and barley were destroyed, since the barley was ripe and the flax was in bloom; but the wheat and spelt were not destroyed, because they are late crops.) Then Moses departed from Pharaoh, went out of the city, and spread out his hands to the LORD. The thunder and hail ceased, and the rain no longer poured down on the land. When Pharaoh saw that the rain and hail and thunder had ceased, he sinned again and hardened his heart—he and his officials. |
Psalms 78:47 Summary
Psalms 78:47 tells us that God killed the Israelites' vines and sycamore-figs with hailstones and sleet, showing His power and judgment. This happened because the Israelites disobeyed God, and He was punishing them for their sins (see Deuteronomy 28:38-42). Just like the Israelites, we can face consequences for our disobedience, but we can also trust in God's sovereignty and faithfulness (as seen in Psalms 23:1-4). By remembering God's works and obeying His commands, we can avoid His judgment and experience His blessings instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of hailstones and sleet in Psalms 78:47?
The hailstones and sleet in Psalms 78:47 symbolize God's judgment and wrath upon the disobedient Israelites, similar to the plagues in Exodus 9:13-35, where hail destroyed their crops and livestock.
Why did God target the vines and sycamore-figs in this verse?
God targeted the vines and sycamore-figs to demonstrate His control over creation and to punish the Israelites for their disobedience, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:38-42, where God warns of crop failure and destruction as a consequence of disobedience.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
This verse is part of a larger narrative in Psalms 78, which recounts the history of the Israelites and God's interactions with them, highlighting His faithfulness and their disobedience, as seen in Psalms 78:1-8, where the psalmist calls the people to remember God's works and obey His commands.
What can we learn from God's destruction of the Israelites' crops?
We can learn that God is sovereign over all creation and that disobedience has consequences, as seen in Proverbs 10:27, where it is written that the fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be shortened.
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond to God's discipline in my own life, and what can I learn from the Israelites' experiences?
- In what ways can I trust God's sovereignty over creation and my life, even in difficult circumstances?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to repent and obey God's commands, lest I face consequences like the Israelites?
- How can I remember God's works and faithfulness in my life, and what role does gratitude play in my relationship with Him?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 78:47
He destroyed their vines with hail,.... Or "killed" (k) them; for there is a vegetative life in plants: this was the seventh plague of Egypt, attended with thunder and lightning, and was very
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 78:47
How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 78:47
Sycomore trees; or, wild fig trees, which were there in great plenty. Under these and the vines all other trees are comprehended. And this hail and frost did destroy the fruits of the trees, and sometimes the trees themselves.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 78:47
Psalms 78:47 He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycomore trees with frost.Ver. 47. He destroyed their vines with hail] Heb. He killed, Quia planta habet animam vegetativain, ut Job 14:8, saith Kimchi. And their sycamores with frost] Or, with great hailstones mingled with fire, running along and catching, Exodus 9:24. Confer Revelation 16:21.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 78:47
(47) Vines.—In the history of the plagues (Exodus 9:13-25) no mention is made either of vines or sycamores or of fig-trees, as in Psalms 105:33, and some consider that the poem reflects a Palestinian rather than an Egyptian point of view. But besides Numbers 20:5 and Joseph’s dream there is abundance of evidence of the extensive cultivation of the vine in Egypt. The mural paintings contain many representations of vineyards. Wine stood prominent among the offerings to the gods, and a note on a papyrus of Rameses II. speaks of rations of wine made to workmen. Sycamore.—See 1 Kings 10:27. Frost.—The Hebrew word is peculiar to this place. The LXX. and Vulg. have “hoar-frost,” Aquila “ice,” Symmachus “worm.” The root of the word appears to mean to cut off, so that by derivation any devastating force would suit the word.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 78:47
Verse 47. He destroyed their vines with hail] Though the vine was never plentiful in Egypt, yet they have some; and the wine made in that country is among the most delicious. The leaf of the vine is often used by the Egyptians of the present day for wrapping up their mince-meat, which they lay leaf upon leaf, season it after their fashion, and so cook it, making it a most exquisite sort of food, according to Mr. Maillet. And their sycamore-trees] This tree was very useful to the ancient Egyptians, as all their coffins are made of this wood; and to the modern, as their barques are made of it. Besides, it produces a kind of fig, on which the common people in general live; and Mr. Norden observes that "they think themselves well regaled when they have a piece of bread, a couple of sycamore figs, and a pitcher of water from the Nile." The loss therefore of their vines and sycamore-trees must have been very distressing to the Egyptians.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 78:47
47. He killed their vines &c. The seventh plague, Exodus 9:13 ff. Cp. Psalms 105:33. Grapes and figs are among the fruits frequently represented in paintings in Egyptian tombs. The sycomore was and is one of the common trees of Egypt, much valued for its durable wood, of which mummy cases were commonly made. with frost] This is the rendering of the LXX, Aq., Syr., Jer., but great hailstones (R.V. marg.) or lumps of ice is more probably the meaning.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 78:47
He destroyed their vines with hail - Margin, killed. See Exodus 9:22-26. In the account in Exodus the hail is said to have smitten man and beast, the herb, and the tree of the field.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 78:47
47. Hail—Not uncommon in Egypt, but this, for severity, exceeded any hail tempest ever known. The miracle consisted in the unwonted severity of the storm, (Exodus 9:22-25,) and in its being foretold. Psalms 78:18.
Sermons on Psalms 78:47
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Seventh Seal and the Beginning of the Trumpets by John F. Walvoord | John F. Walvoord delves into the opening of the seventh seal in Revelation, signifying the beginning of the prophetic judgments of God. The seventh seal encompasses the subsequent |