Psalms 78:52 — Word Study
WLCוַיַּסַּ֣ע כַּצֹּ֣אן עַמּ֑וֹ וַֽיְנַהֲגֵ֥ם כַּ֝עֵ֗דֶר בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃
BSAHe led out His peopleʻam [brought forth, guided, nation, community] like sheeptsôʼn [a flock, gentle creatures] and guided themnâhag▸ [directed, led] like a flockʻêder [a group, herd] in the wildernessmidbâr [desert, barren land]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיַּסַּ֣ע | and he led out | Verb, Hiphil, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| כַּצֹּ֣אן | like sheep | Preposition, noun common both singular absolute |
| עַמּ֑וֹ | people his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וַֽיְנַהֲגֵ֥ם | and he led them | Verb piel sequential imperfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
| כַּ֝עֵ֗דֶר | like flock | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃ | in the wilderness | Preposition, 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 out His people like sheep and guided them like a flock in the wilderness. |
| KJV | But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. |
| ASV | But he led forth his own people like sheep, And guided them in the wilderness like a flock. |
| YLT | And causeth His people to journey as a flock, And guideth them as a drove in a wilderness, |
| WEB | But he led out his own people like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. |
| BBE | But he took his people out like sheep, guiding them in the waste land like a flock. |
Where they part company is וַיַּסַּ֣ע and וַֽיְנַהֲגֵ֥ם — see How Translations Differ.
The structure consists of a main clause followed by phrases that elaborate on how and where the people were led.
5 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Cambridge & more — read them ›
clause
verbנָסַע
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 78:52
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 of His Peoplegenerated
Psalm 78:52 reflects on the journey of the Israelites as they were led out of Egypt and through the wilderness. This verse emphasizes God's role as a shepherd to His people, guiding them with care and direction. The surrounding verses recount God's mighty acts, including striking the firstborn of Egypt and bringing His people safely to the Promised Land, highlighting His faithfulness and protection.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 77:20 | You led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. |
| 2 | Psalm 105:37 | He brought Israel out with silver and gold, and none among His tribes stumbled. |
| 3 | Nehemiah 9:12 | You led them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, to light for them the way in which they should travel. |
| 4 | Isaiah 63:11–14 | Then His people remembered the days of old, the days of Moses. Where is He who brought them through the sea with the shepherds of His flock? Where is the One who set His Holy Spirit among them, |
| 5 | Psalm 95:7 | For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep under His care. Today, if you hear His voice, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — וַיַּסַּ֣ע, vai.ya.Sa'generated
The verb נָסַע (naca`) is in the Hiphil stem, indicating causative action, meaning 'to lead out' or 'to set out.' It conveys the idea of starting a journey or removing something, which in this context refers to God leading His people out of bondage.
This word appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, often in the context of journeys or movements. The parsing as a sequential imperfect third person masculine singular suggests ongoing action, emphasizing God's continuous guidance of His people.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses led out and guided to describe God's actions toward His people.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb וַיַּסַּ֣ע governs the entire verse, with a prepositional phrase describing how the people were led and a second clause detailing the guidance they received. The structure emphasizes God's active role in leading and guiding His people.
The Hebrew word order places the verbs prominently, highlighting the actions of leading and guiding as central to the message of the verse.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates וַיַּסַּ֣ע as ἀπῆρεν (G522), meaning 'he led out.' This choice maintains the sense of movement and departure, reflecting the same theme of guidance found in the Hebrew text.
For וַֽיְנַהֲגֵ֥ם, the Septuagint uses αὐτοὺς (G848) to refer to the people being led, which emphasizes the act of leadership over the individuals being guided.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 78:52 describes how God led His people out of Egypt like a shepherd leads sheep. He guided them through the wilderness, showing His care and direction. This imagery emphasizes God's protective nature and His role as a leader.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
This metaphor illustrates God's protective and guiding nature, showing that He cares for His people as a shepherd cares for his flock.
The wilderness represents the journey the Israelites took after leaving Egypt, a time of testing and reliance on God's guidance.
This verse connects to themes of deliverance and guidance found throughout the Bible, such as in Exodus 3:8 and Isaiah 40:11, where God is depicted as a shepherd.
We can learn about the importance of trusting in God's leadership and guidance in our own lives, especially during challenging times.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced God's guidance in my life?
- How can I better trust in God's leadership during difficult times?
- What does it mean to me that God cares for His people like a shepherd?
- How can I reflect God's care for others in my community?
Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 78:52 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleBut made his own people to go forth like sheep,.... The people of Israel, whom the Lord chose to be his peculiar people above all others; these he caused to go forth out of Egypt, with a mighty hand
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 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 78:52 But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.Ver. 52. But made his own people to go forth like sheep] i.e. Tuto et lente, softly and safely, as Genesis 33:13, tending them with all tenderness, and providing for their necessities.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 78 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges40–55. But as God multiplied His mercies, Israel multiplied its acts of rebellion: and in order to set the heinousness of their ingratitude in a still stronger light, the Psalmist goes back to recount the miracles which preceded and prepared for the Exodus.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 78 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleBut made his own people to go forth like sheep ... - That is, he was a shepherd to them. He defended them; provided for them; led them - as a shepherd does his flock. See the notes at Psalms 23:1-2.
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 led out His people like sheep and guided them like a flock in the wilderness.
But he led out his own people like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
He led out His people like sheep and guided them like a flock in the wilderness.
Yet he brought out his people like sheep; he led them through the wilderness like a flock.
Tyndale line
But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
But he led forth his own people like sheep, And guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
But he led forth his own people like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
But hee made his people to goe out like sheepe, and led them in the wildernes like a flocke.
Strictly literal
And he made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock;
And causeth His people to journey as a flock, And guideth them as a drove in a wilderness,
And causes His people to journey as a flock, || And guides them as a drove in a wilderness,
But he caused his own people to depart like flocks, and guided them like a drove in the wilderness.
He led his own people out like sheep and guided them through the wilderness like a flock.
Simplified
But he led out his people like sheep, and guided them like a flock in the wilderness.
But he took his people out like sheep, guiding them in the waste land like a flock.
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 reads וַיַּסַּ֣ע כַּצֹּ֣אן עַמּ֑וֹ וַֽיְנַהֲגֵ֥ם כַּ֝עֵ֗דֶר בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃, and the Septuagint matches this closely, with all six words corresponding directly. This agreement highlights the consistency of the text across these ancient witnesses.
וַיַּסַּ֣ע כַּצֹּ֣אן עַמּ֑וֹ וַֽיְנַהֲגֵ֥ם כַּ֝עֵ֗דֶר בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃
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 78:52
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.
נָסַע (naca`) means to pull out or up, particularly in the context of setting out on a journey. It encompasses actions like departing, marching, and removing, with nuances related to both physical movement and the wind. The word can also imply causing someone or something to set out or be led away.
נָסַע 147 vb. pull out or up, set out, journey
Qal 137
pull out or up
hence (from pulling up tent-pegs),
set out
depart
journey, march (by stages)
of wind
Niph. be pulled up, removed
Hiph.
cause to set out, lead out
remove
base
H5265 נָסַע pull out or up, set out, journey .. pull out or up
. hence (from pulling up tent-pegs), . set out
. depart
. journey, march (by stages)
. of wind
. be pulled up, removed
. . cause to set out, lead out
. remove
5265 naca` naw-sah'
a primitive root; properly, to pull up, especially the
tent-pins, i.e. start on a journey:--cause to blow, bring,
get, (make to) go (away, forth, forward, onward, out), (take)
journey, march, remove, set aside (forward), X still, be on
his (go their) way.
נָסַע (na.sa) — to set out.
1) to pull out, pull up, set out, journey, remove, set forward, depart
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to pull out or up
1a2) to set out, depart
1a3) to journey, march
1a4) to set forth (of wind)
1b) (Niphal) to be pulled up, be removed, be plucked up
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to cause to set out, lead out, cause to spring up
1c2) to remove, quarry
Hc/Vhw3ms — Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vhw3ms
צֹאן (tso'n) refers to small cattle, specifically sheep and goats, and is used to denote a flock or flocks. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a multitude. The term appears in contexts such as Psalm 144:13, where it emphasizes the collective nature of these animals.
צֹאן 273 n.coll.f. small cattle, sheep and goats, flock, flocks
base
H6629 צֹאן small cattle, sheep and goats, flock, flocks
6629 tso'n tsone
or tsaown (Psalm 144:13) {tseh-one'}; from an unused root
meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock (of sheep or
goats); also figuratively (of men):--(small) cattle, flock
(+ -s), lamb (+ -s), sheep((-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds)).
צֹאן (tson) — flock.
1) small cattle, sheep, sheep and goats, flock, flocks
1a) small cattle (usually of sheep and goats)
1b) of multitude (simile)
1c) of multitude (metaphor)
צֹאן (tson) — Sheep (Gate).
This name means sheep and goats
Also named: probatikos (προβατικός "Sheep Gate" G4262)
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common both singular absoluteHRd/Ncbsa
shep:
1. Names:
The usual Hebrew word is tso'n, which is often translated "flock," e.g. "Abel .... brought of the firstlings of his flock" (Ge 4:4); "butter of the herd, and milk of the flock" (De 32:14). The King James Version and the English Revised Version have "milk of sheep." Compare Arabic da'n. The Greek word is probaton. For other names, see notes under CATTLE; EWE; LAMB; RAM.
2. Zoology:
The origin of domestic sheep is unknown. There are 11 wild species, the majority of which are found in Asia, and it is conceivable that they may have spread from the highlands of Central Asia to the other portions of their habitat. In North America is found the "bighorn," which is very closely related to a Kamschatkan species. One species, the urial or sha, is found in India. The Barbary…
Sheep
Are of different varieties. Probably the flocks of Abraham and Isaac were of the wild species found still in the mountain regions of Persia and Kurdistan. After the Exodus, and as a result of intercourse with surrounding nations, other species were no doubt introduced into the herds of the people of Israel. They are frequently mentioned in Scripture. The care of a shepherd over his flock is referred to as illustrating God’s care over his people (Ps. 23:1, 2; 74:1; 77:20; Isa. 40:11; 53:6; John 10:1-5, 7-16).
“The sheep of Palestine are longer in the head than ours, and have tails from 5 inches broad at the narrowest part to 15 inches at the widest, the weight being in proportion, and ranging generally from 10 to 14 lbs.…
Sheep were an important part of the possessions of the ancient Hebrews and of eastern nations generally. The first mention of sheep occurs in (Genesis 4:2) They were used in the sacrificial offering,as, both the adult animal, (Exodus 20:24) and the lamb. See (Exodus 29:28; Leviticus 9:3; 12:6) Sheep and lambs formed an important article of food. (1 Samuel 25:18) The wool was used as clothing. (Leviticus 13:47) "Rams skins dyed red" were used as a covering for the tabernacle. (Exodus 25:5) Sheep and lambs were…
Of the Syrian sheep, according to Dr. Russell, there are two varieties; the one called Bedaween sheep, which differ in no respect from the larger kinds of sheep among us, except that their tails are somewhat longer and thicker; the others are those often mentioned by travellers on account of their extraordinary tails; and this species is by far the most numerous. The tail of one of these animals is very broad and large, terminating in a small appendage that turns back upon it. It is of a substance between fat and marrow, and is not eaten separately, but mixed with the lean meat in many of their dishes, and also often used instead of butter. A common sheep of this sort, without the head, feet, skin, and entrails, weighs from sixty to eighty pounds, of which the tail itself is usually ten or fifteen pounds, and when the animal is fattened, twice or thrice that weight, and very…
עַם (am) primarily means 'people' or 'nation,' referring to a collective group, often in the context of tribes such as those of Israel. It can also denote kinsmen or compatriots. The term appears in various contexts, including military and familial references. There is a mention of a specific individual named Ammi in Song of Solomon 6:12.
עַם, עָם 1810 n.m. people
a people, nation
= smaller units
= common people
people in gen., persons
phrases
base
[עַם] n.[m.] kinsman (on father's side)
base
H5971a עַם, עָם people H5971b עַם kinsman (on father's side)
5971 `am am
from 6004; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a
tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or
attendants; figuratively, a flock:--folk, men, nation,
people.
see HEBREW for 06004
עַם (am) — people.
: people/nation
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — kinsman.
kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Ammi.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at Sng.6.12
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — People's (Gate).
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — (Ibleam)-am.
Combined with yiv.le.am (יִבְלְעָם "Ibleam" H2991)
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Amaw.
This name means nation, people
עַם (am) — people: soldiers.
: soldiers/army
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — people: creatures.
: creatures
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
נָהַג (nahag) is a Hebrew verb meaning to drive, lead, or guide. It can refer to driving animals or chariots, as well as guiding oneself or others. Additionally, in the Piel form, it can mean to moan or lament. The word appears in contexts that emphasize both physical guidance and emotional expression.
נָהַג vb. drive, conduct
Qal
drive
fig. my heart behaving itself in wisdom
Pi.
drive away, lead off
lead on, guide
cause to drive
H5090a נָהַג drive, conduct .. drive
. fig. my heart behaving itself in wisdom
. . drive away, lead off
. lead on, guide
. cause to drive
H5090b נָהַג Pi. moan, lament
5090 nahag naw-hag'
a primitive root; to drive forth (a person, an animal or
chariot), i.e. lead, carry away; reflexively, to proceed (i.e.
impel or guide oneself); also (from the panting induced by
effort), to sigh:--acquaint, bring (away), carry away, drive
(away), lead (away, forth), (be) guide, lead (away, forth).
נָהַג (na.hag) — to lead.
1) to drive, lead, guide, conduct
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to drive, lead on, drive away, drive off
1a2) to behave itself (fig.) (of heart)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to drive away, lead off
1b2) to lead on, guide, guide on
1b3) to cause to drive
נָהַג (na.hag) — to moan.
(Piel) to moan, lament
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff — Verb piel sequential imperfect third person masculine singular · suffixHc/Vpw3ms/Sp3mp
עֵ֫דֶר (eder) refers to a flock or herd of animals. It is derived from a root meaning to arrange or muster, indicating a gathering of livestock. The term encompasses both flocks and herds, highlighting its use in contexts related to groups of animals.
עֵ֫דֶר n.m. flock, herd
base
H5739 עֵ֫דֶר flock, herd
5739 `eder ay'-der
from 5737; an arrangement, i.e. muster (of animals):--drove,
flock, herd.
see HEBREW for 05737
עֵ֫דֶר (e.der) — flock.
1) flock, herd
1a) flock
1b) herds, flocks and herds
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
See CATTLE.
מִדְבָּר (midbar) primarily means 'mouth' in the sense of an organ of speech, but it also refers to 'wilderness' or 'desert.' The word is derived from a root meaning to drive, suggesting open fields for pasturing cattle. It encompasses various forms of uninhabited land and is notably used in contexts related to the wilderness, such as the Wilderness of Sinai.
[מִדְבָּר] n.m. mouth, as organ of speech, Ct 4:3
ref
מִדְבָר 270 n.m. wilderness
tracts of land, used for the pasturage of flocks and herds
uninhabited land
large tracts of such land bearing various names, in certain districts of which there might be towns and cities
fig.
base
H4057a מִדְבָּר mouth, as organ of speech H4057b מִדְבָר wilderness
4057 midbar mid-bawr'
from 1696 in the sense of driving; a pasture (i.e. open
field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert;
also speech (including its organs):--desert, south, speech,
wilderness.
see HEBREW for 01696
מִדְבָּר (mid.bar) — mouth.
1) mouth
1a) mouth (as organ of speech)
מִדְבָּר (mid.bar) — wilderness.
1) wilderness
1a) pasture
1b) uninhabited land, wilderness
1c) large tracts of wilderness (around cities)
1d) wilderness (fig.)
מִדְבָּר (mid.bar) — Wilderness (of Sinai).
This name means wilderness, uninhabited land
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
wil'-der-nes.
See DESERT; JUDAEA, WILDERNESS OF; WANDERINGS OF ISRAEL.
Wilderness
(1.) Heb. midhbar, denoting not a barren desert but a district or region suitable for pasturing sheep and cattle (Ps. 65:12; Isa. 42:11; Jer. 23:10; Joel 1:19; 2:22); an uncultivated place. This word is used of the wilderness of Beersheba (Gen. 21:14), on the southern border of Palestine; the wilderness of the Red Sea (Ex. 13:18); of Shur (15:22), a portion of the Sinaitic peninsula; of Sin (17:1), Sinai (Lev. 7:38), Moab (Deut. 2:8), Judah (
See DESERT.