Psalms 78:45 — Word Study
WLCיְשַׁלַּ֬ח בָּהֶ֣ם עָ֭רֹב וַיֹּאכְלֵ֑ם וּ֝צְפַרְדֵּ֗עַ וַתַּשְׁחִיתֵֽם׃
BSAHe sentshâlach▸ [divers sorts of] swarms of fliesʻârôb [a large group of insects, like mosquitoes] that devoured themʼâkal▸ [ate, consumed] and frogstsᵉphardêaʻ [marsh-leaping animals] that devastated themshâchath▸ [destroyed, ruined]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יְשַׁלַּ֬ח | he sent | Verb, Piel, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| בָּהֶ֣ם | among them | Preposition, suffix |
| עָ֭רֹב | a swarm of flies | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וַיֹּאכְלֵ֑ם | and it devoured them | Verb qal sequential imperfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
| וּ֝צְפַרְדֵּ֗עַ | and frog[s] | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| וַתַּשְׁחִיתֵֽם׃ | and it ruined them | Verb hiphil sequential imperfect third person feminine singular, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He sent swarms of flies that devoured them, and frogs that devastated them. |
| KJV | He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them. |
| ASV | He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them; And frogs, which destroyed them. |
| YLT | He sendeth among them the beetle, and it consumeth them, And the frog, and it destroyeth them, |
| WEB | He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them. |
| BBE | He sent different sorts of flies among them, poisoning their flesh; and frogs for their destruction. |
All translations agree on the key elements of this verse.
The verse consists of two main clauses connected by 'and', each detailing the plagues sent by God.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbשָׁלַח
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 78:45
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 Judgments in Egyptgenerated
Psalm 78:45 recounts how God sent various plagues upon Egypt as a demonstration of His power and judgment. This verse specifically highlights the sending of swarms of flies and frogs, which served to afflict the Egyptians and compel them to recognize God's authority. The plagues are a significant part of the narrative in Exodus, illustrating God's intervention in human affairs and His ability to control nature.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 105:31 | He spoke, and insects swarmed— gnats throughout their country. |
| 2 | Exodus 8:21–24 | But if you will not let My people go, I will send swarms of flies upon you and your officials and your people and your houses. The houses of the Egyptians and even the ground where they stand will be full of flies. |
| 3 | Psalm 105:30 | Their land teemed with frogs, even in their royal chambers. |
| 4 | Exodus 8:2–15 | But if you refuse to let them go, I will plague your whole country with frogs. |
| 5 | Revelation 16:3 | And the second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it turned to blood like that of the dead, and every living thing in the sea died. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — שָׁלַח, sha.Lachgenerated
The verb שָׁלַח (shalach) is a Piel imperfect form meaning 'he sent.' It conveys the action of sending forth or dispatching, which can apply to both people and things. In this context, it emphasizes God's active role in sending the plagues to afflict the Egyptians.
This word has a wide range of applications, including sending away, letting go, or even stretching out. The use of the Piel form indicates a more intensive action, highlighting God's deliberate intervention in the events of the plagues.
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 verse contains a main clause governed by the verb יְשַׁלַּ֬ח, he sent, with two objects: עָ֭רֹב, a swarm of flies, and צְפַרְדֵּ֗עַ, frogs. Following these are the verbs וַיֹּאכְלֵ֑ם and וַתַּשְׁחִיתֵֽם, indicating the actions of devouring and ruining.
The structure emphasizes the sequence of actions: God sends the plagues, which then devour and devastate the Egyptians. The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the sending of the plagues as a direct act of God.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates שָׁלַח as ἐχαπέστειλεν, which means 'he sent forth.' This translation maintains the active sense of sending, indicating God's direct involvement in the plagues.
The choice of κυνόμυιαν for עָ֭רֹב suggests a focus on a specific type of fly, perhaps indicating a particular interpretation of the plagues that aligns with the Greek audience's understanding.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 78:45 tells us that God sent swarms of flies and frogs to afflict the Egyptians. These creatures devoured and devastated them, demonstrating God's power over nature and His judgment against Egypt.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
These plagues were part of God's judgment against Egypt, showcasing His power and authority over creation.
The plagues serve as a pivotal moment in the Exodus story, compelling Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery.
The plagues symbolize God's judgment against false gods and the oppression of His people.
Remembering these events helps to understand God's faithfulness and power throughout history, as well as His desire for justice.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does this verse teach us about God's power over nature?
- How can we see God's hand at work in our own lives today?
- In what ways can we respond to God's judgments and actions in the world?
- How does understanding the plagues help us appreciate the story of Exodus?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Fathers commented on God's judgments, often referencing this verse to illustrate God's power and the consequences of sin.
"He destroyed their vine with hail, and their sycamines with frost." Now, just as, in consequence of an irregular mode of living, a deadly bilious humour may be formed in the inwards,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 78 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 78:45 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHe sent divers sorts of flies among them,.... This was the fourth plague; see Exodus 8:24, the word signifies a "mixture" (f), and the Targum renders it "a mixture of wild beasts;'' so Josephus (g)
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 BibleDevoured them; or, destroyed them; which they might do by their cruel and numerous stings, for these flies were doubtless extraordinary in their nature and quantity, and poisonous and hurtful qualities. And the like is to be thought concerning the frogs here following, which also might destroy the people by infecting the air with their stink, and corrupting their meats and drinks.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 78 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 78:45 He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.Ver. 45. He sent divers sorts of flies among them] Miscellam muscarum venenatarum, venomous flies and flying serpents, whose poison and sting did even corrupt the land, Exodus 8:24. The Greek rendereth it κυνομυιαν, the dog-fly.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 78 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(45) Divers sorts of flies.—Better, simply flies. See Note Exodus 8:21. Frogs.—See Exodus 8:2, and Bib. Ed., iv. 145.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 78 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 45. He sent - flies - and frogs] See on Exodus 8:6; Exodus 8:24.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 78 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges45. The fourth and second plagues, Exodus 8:20 ff., Exodus 8:1 ff. The word rendered divers sorts of flies, or, swarms of flies (R.V.), is used only with reference to this plague (Exodus 8; Psalms 105:31), and probably means some venomous kind of fly, such as abound in Egypt.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 78 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHe sent divers sorts of flies ... - The account of this plague is found in Exodus 8:24. The word there used is simply “swarm,” without indicating what the swarm was composed of.
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 sent swarms of flies that devoured them, and frogs that devastated them.
He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.
He sent swarms of flies that devoured them, and frogs that devastated them.
He sent swarms of biting insects against them, as well as frogs that overran their land.
Tyndale line
He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.
He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them; And frogs, which destroyed them.
He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.
He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.
Hee sent a swarme of flies among them, which deuoured them, and frogs, which destroyed them.
Strictly literal
He sent dog-flies among them, which devoured them, and frogs, which destroyed them;
He sendeth among them the beetle, and it consumeth them, And the frog, and it destroyeth them,
He sends among them the beetle, and it consumes them, || And the frog, and it destroys them,
He sent out among them various wild beasts, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.
He sent swarms of flies that devoured them and frogs that overran their land.
Simplified
He sent flies among them to destroy them, and frogs to ruin everything.
He sent different sorts of flies among them, poisoning their flesh; and frogs for their destruction.
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 their wording for this verse, with all six words matched. This consistency highlights the shared understanding of God's actions in sending the plagues.
יְשַׁלַּ֬ח בָּהֶ֣ם עָ֭רֹב וַיֹּאכְלֵ֑ם וּ֝צְפַרְדֵּ֗עַ וַתַּשְׁחִיתֵֽם׃
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 78:45
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.
The Hebrew word שָׁלַח (shalach) is a primitive root meaning 'to send' with a wide range of applications. It can refer to sending away, stretching out (especially a hand), or letting go. The entries indicate various forms, including sending off, casting out, and setting free. Notably, it can also imply divorce or being sent away in a marital context.
שָׁלַח 814 vb. send
Qal
send: human subj.
send: subj. י׳ (God)
stretch out, esp. acc. hand
rarely send away: human subj.
let loose
Niph. letters were sent
Pi.
send off, away, human subj.
send away, subj. י׳
give over
cast out
send out, forth
let go, set free
shoot forth branches
let down
shoot
Phrases
Pu. be sent off (started on journey); be put away, divorced, of wife; be impelled(?)
Hiph. and I (י׳) will send
base
H7971 שָׁלַח send .. send: human subj.
. send: subj. י׳ (God)
. stretch out, esp. acc. hand
. rarely send away: human subj.
. let loose
. letters were sent
. . send off, away, human subj.
. . send away, subj. י׳
. give over
. cast out
. send out, forth
. let go, set free
. shoot forth branches
. let down
. shoot
. Phrases
. be sent off (started on journey); be put away, divorced, of wife; be impelled(?)
. and I (י׳) will send
7971 shalach shaw-lakh'
a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great
variety of applications):--X any wise, appoint, bring (on the
way), cast (away, out), conduct, X earnestly, forsake, give
(up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose),
push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send
(away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread,
stretch forth (out).
שָׁלַח (sha.lach) — to send: depart.
: depart/send
1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to send
1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct
1a3) to send away
1a4) to let loose
1b) (Niphal) to be sent
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out
1c2) to let go, set free
1c3) to shoot forth (of branches)
1c4) to let down
1c5) to shoot
1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled
1e) (Hiphil) to send
שָׁלַח (sha.lach) — to send: let go.
: let_go/free
1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to send
1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct
1a3) to send away
1a4) to let loose
1b) (Niphal) to be sent
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out
1c2) to let go, set free
1c3) to shoot forth (of branches)
1c4) to let down
1c5) to shoot
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singularHVpi3ms
הֶם (hem) — them.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine plural
HR/Sp3mp — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3mp
עָרֹב (arob) likely means 'swarm,' suggesting a connection to 'mixture' and 'incessant motion.' It is associated with mosquitoes and various types of flies, indicating a diverse range of insects. The term appears in contexts related to swarming behavior.
עָרֹב 9 n.m. prob. swarm (mixture, from incessant, involved motion)
base
H6157 עָרֹב prob. swarm (mixture, from incessant, involved motion)
6157 `arob aw-robe'
from 6148; a mosquito (from its swarming):--divers sorts of
flies, swarm.
see HEBREW for 06148
עָרֹב (a.rov) — swarm.
1) swarm
1a) probable meaning from 'mixture' and 'incessant or involved motion'
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
fliz.
See FLY.
→ General scriptures concerning Ec 10:1
→ Plague of Ex 8:21-31; Ps 78:45; 105:31
→ FIGURATIVE Isa 7:18
אָכַל (akal) means 'to eat' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including literal consumption by humans and animals, as well as figurative uses like devouring by fire or destruction. It can describe actions such as feeding or causing to eat, and it also appears in contexts of oppression and destruction. The verb has various forms, indicating different subjects and nuances.
אָכַל 806 vb. eat
Qal
eat, human subject
of beasts, birds, etc., eat, devour
fig. of fire, devour, consume
of sword, devour, slay
in genl., devour, consume, destroy
fig. of oppression, devour the poor
Niph.
be eaten by man
be devoured by fire, consumed
be wasted, destroyed, of flesh
Pu. be consumed
Hiph.
cause to eat, feed with
cause to devoure, obj. sword
base
H398 אָכַל eat .. eat, human subject
. of beasts, birds, etc., eat, devour
. fig. of fire, devour, consume
. of sword, devour, slay
. in genl., devour, consume, destroy
. fig. of oppression, devour the poor
. . be eaten by man
. be devoured by fire, consumed
. be wasted, destroyed, of flesh
. be consumed
. . cause to eat, feed with
. cause to devoure, obj. sword
398 'akal aw-kal'
a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively):--X at
all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up),
feed (with), food, X freely, X in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay)
meat, X quite.
אָכַל (a.khal) — to eat.
1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to eat (human subject)
1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds)
1a3) to devour, consume (of fire)
1a4) to devour, slay (of sword)
1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought)
1a6) to devour (of oppression)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be eaten (by men)
1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire)
1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh)
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to cause to eat, feed with
1c2) to cause to devour
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to feed
1d2) to cause to eat
1e) (Piel)
1e1) consume
Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff — Verb qal sequential imperfect third person masculine singular · suffixHc/Vqw3ms/Sp3mp
צְפַרְדֵּעַ (tsphardea`) means 'frogs' and is derived from a root related to swamps or marshes. The term specifically refers to the amphibians known as frogs, with no significant variation in meaning across the entries. It appears in contexts related to plagues in the Old Testament.
צְפַרְדֵּעַ n.f. frogs
base
H6854 צְפַרְדֵּעַ frogs
6854 tsphardea` tsef-ar-day'-ah
from 6852 and a word elsewhere unused meaning a swamp; a
marsh-leaper, i.e. frog:--frog.
see HEBREW for 06852
צְפַרְדֵּעַ (tse.phar.de.a) — frog.
frogs
Conj | N-fs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular absoluteHC/Ncfsa
שָׁחַת (shachath) is a Hebrew verb meaning to ruin or corrupt. It encompasses a range of actions including decay, spoilage, and moral perversion, with various grammatical forms indicating different nuances of destruction or corruption. The word appears in contexts that suggest both physical and moral degradation.
[שָׁחַת] 161 vb. go to ruin (?)
Niph. be marred, spoiled
Pi.
spoil, ruin
pervert, corrupt
Hiph.
spoil, ruin
pervert, corrupt
Hoph. spoiled, ruined
base
H7843 [שָׁחַת] go to ruin (?) . be marred, spoiled
. . spoil, ruin
. pervert, corrupt
. . spoil, ruin
. pervert, corrupt
. spoiled, ruined
7843 shachath shaw-khath'
a primitive root; to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin
(literally or figuratively):--batter, cast off, corrupt(-er,
thing), destroy(-er, -uction), lose, mar, perish, spill,
spoiler, X utterly, waste(-r).
שָׁחַת (sha.chat) — to ruin.
1) to destroy, corrupt, go to ruin, decay
1a) (Niphal) to be marred, be spoiled, be corrupted, be corrupt, be injured, be ruined, be rotted
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to spoil, ruin
1b2) to pervert, corrupt, deal corruptly (morally)
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to spoil, ruin, destroy
1c2) to pervert, corrupt (morally)
1c3) destroyer (participle)
1d) (Hophal) spoiled, ruined (participle)
Aramaic equivalent: she.chat (שְׁחַת "to corrupt" H7844)
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3fs | Suff — Verb hiphil sequential imperfect third person feminine singular · suffixHc/Vhw3fs/Sp3mp