Psalm 105 35

Psalm 105:35 kjv

And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.

Psalm 105:35 nkjv

And ate up all the vegetation in their land, And devoured the fruit of their ground.

Psalm 105:35 niv

they ate up every green thing in their land, ate up the produce of their soil.

Psalm 105:35 esv

which devoured all the vegetation in their land and ate up the fruit of their ground.

Psalm 105:35 nlt

They ate up everything green in the land,
destroying all the crops in their fields.

Psalm 105 verses

Psalm 105 35 Meaning

Psalm 105:35 describes the comprehensive devastation wrought by the plague of locusts upon Egypt, recounting how they completely consumed all the green vegetation, referred to as "herbs," and thoroughly "devoured" the produce of their cultivated land, encompassing both plants and fruit-bearing trees. This verse highlights the extreme severity of the ninth plague, emphasizing its totality and the resulting destruction of Egypt's agricultural foundation.

Psalm 105 35 Context

Psalm 105 is a historical psalm, recounting God's covenant faithfulness to Israel from the time of Abraham to their settlement in Canaan. The broader context of verses 26-38 specifically details the plagues God sent upon Egypt to secure Israel's release from bondage. Verse 35 is part of the narrative describing the ninth plague, the plague of locusts, which followed the plague of hail (Exod 9:23-26) and devastated what the hail had spared. Historically, the ancient Egyptian economy was highly dependent on the fertile lands along the Nile for its agricultural produce, which sustained its population and wealth. The systematic destruction of their food source directly attacked the very foundation of their civilization and demonstrated the impotence of their gods associated with fertility and harvest, such as Min or Renenutet, before the Almighty God, YHWH. This judgment was a clear manifestation of YHWH's sovereignty and His protective care for His chosen people, Israel.

Psalm 105 35 Word analysis

• And ate up (וַיֹּאכַל֙ - wayyoʾkal): This verb is derived from the Hebrew root ʾākal (אָכַל), meaning "to eat," "to consume," or "to devour." The Hebrew waw-consecutive prefix here denotes a sequential action in the past, flowing from the preceding events. Its usage indicates not just simple eating but thorough consumption, implying nothing was left behind.
• all (כָּל־ - kol): This word signifies totality or completeness. Its inclusion emphasizes the exhaustive nature of the locusts' consumption, highlighting that no part of the vegetation, regardless of type, escaped destruction. It reinforces the severity and scale of the plague.
• the herbs (עֵ֣שֶׂב - ʿēśeḇ): Refers to green plants, grass, vegetables, or general ground-level vegetation. This denotes the primary layer of plant life consumed by the locusts, indicating the initial devastation. In agricultural terms, it means grazing fodder and young sprouts.
• in their land (בְּאַרְצָ֑ם - bəʾarṣām): "Their land" refers specifically to Egypt, highlighting the geographical target of the plague. It underscores that this was a judgment localized to Egypt, distinguishing them from Israel.
• and devoured (וַיֹּ֙אכַל֙ - wayyoʾkal): This is a powerful repetition of the same Hebrew verb used for "ate up." The repetition serves as a literary device (epanaphora) to intensify the destructive action. While "ate up" establishes consumption, "devoured" stresses the speed, totality, and violence of that consumption, reinforcing that the destruction was complete and ruthless.
• the fruit (פְּרִ֥י - pĕrî): This term signifies produce, specifically fruits of trees, but also often encompasses grains and all edible products of the soil. This extends the scope of destruction beyond just basic "herbs" to include the valuable agricultural yields and long-term food sources, thereby compounding the famine and economic ruin.
• of their ground (אַדְמָתָֽם - ʾaḏmātām): Refers to the arable or cultivated land. This points to the source of the "fruit" and "herbs," indicating that the entire productive capacity of Egypt's farmland was rendered useless.

Words-group Analysis:

• "And ate up all the herbs in their land": This phrase introduces the thoroughness of the destruction. It paints a picture of every piece of low-lying green vegetation, crucial for grazing and human consumption, being completely eliminated across the entire Egyptian territory. This immediately sets the scene of widespread agricultural devastation.
• "and devoured the fruit of their ground": This phrase builds upon the first by escalating the destruction to more significant and long-term food sources. It refers to the harvest of trees and crops, the sustenance that would normally last throughout the year. The pairing with "devoured" emphasizes the finality of the consumption, signifying that the very foundation of Egypt's food security was annihilated, ensuring famine. The repetition of the verb "ate up / devoured" across these two phrases provides strong emphasis on the absolute and exhaustive nature of the plague.

Psalm 105 35 Bonus section

The thoroughness of the locust plague, as described in this verse, was critical not just for immediate famine but for future agricultural productivity, leaving behind barren ground, roots possibly chewed or dried out by exposed sun. The psalmist's concise phrasing effectively captures the terror and comprehensive nature of this judgment. In Egyptian theology, agricultural bounty was often linked to specific deities, thus the plague directly challenged and mocked the efficacy of these gods and the belief that the Pharaoh, as a divine intermediary, could control such forces. The fact that no green thing remained served as an unequivocal sign to both Egyptians and Israelites that YHWH alone was God, superior to all their pantheon and master of the land and its productivity.

Psalm 105 35 Commentary

Psalm 105:35 succinctly describes the devastating effect of the locust plague on Egypt. This plague, precisely detailed in Exodus 10, served as a profound display of YHWH's sovereign power over creation and His absolute supremacy over the impotent gods of Egypt. The specific mention of "herbs" and "fruit of their ground" signifies the total annihilation of all vegetation, from ground cover to valuable tree produce. This attack targeted the very sustenance of the nation, exposing Egypt's vulnerability and its complete reliance on God's controlled natural order. The meticulous destruction ensured famine and chaos, making it impossible for Pharaoh to persist in his defiance without further harming his people. It demonstrated God's covenant faithfulness to Israel, highlighting His commitment to delivering His people, even through destructive judgment on their oppressors. This specific plague underlines that God has complete command over the most common creatures, capable of using them as instruments of both judgment and blessing.