Psalm 105 36

Psalm 105:36 kjv

He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.

Psalm 105:36 nkjv

He also destroyed all the firstborn in their land, The first of all their strength.

Psalm 105:36 niv

Then he struck down all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their manhood.

Psalm 105:36 esv

He struck down all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their strength.

Psalm 105:36 nlt

Then he killed the oldest son in each Egyptian home,
the pride and joy of each family.

Psalm 105 verses

Psalm 105 36 Meaning

Psalm 105:36 declares God's decisive act of judgment against Egypt, where He brought death upon all their firstborn. This plague was a comprehensive blow, striking down the prime essence and future vitality of the Egyptian nation, symbolically described as the "firstfruits of all their strength," signifying their most cherished and potent part.

Psalm 105 36 Context

Psalm 105 is a historical psalm, part of a trio (Psalms 105-107) that recounts God's faithful dealings with Israel from the time of Abraham to the Exodus and the giving of the land. This particular verse (Ps 105:36) focuses on the climactic tenth plague, which God brought upon Egypt during the Exodus. It recounts a pivotal moment in Israel's history of redemption, showcasing God's sovereign power over nations and their deities. Historically, the death of the firstborn was the final and most devastating plague, striking at the heart of Egyptian society, from the pharaoh's household to the lowliest prisoner, and even their livestock, forcing Pharaoh to release Israel from bondage. It directly challenged the life-giving powers of Egyptian gods like Osiris and Ra, affirming Yahweh as the sole Giver and Taker of life.

Psalm 105 36 Word analysis

• He struck: The Hebrew verb is nākhāh (נָכָה), meaning "to strike, smite, kill." This signifies a powerful, decisive, and divine act of judgment. It is not an accident but an intentional, forceful intervention by God Himself.
• also all: Emphasizes the totality and universality of the judgment; no firstborn in Egypt was spared unless covered by the Passover.
• the firstborn: Hebrew bekhor (בְּכוֹר). In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the firstborn held a position of privilege, honor, and significance, representing the strength, heritage, and future of a family or nation. The firstborn son typically inherited a double portion and held the family's leadership. This made the plague not merely a loss of life but an attack on the very structure and hope of Egypt's future.
• in their land: Specifically identifies Egypt as the target of this divine judgment, highlighting the geographical scope and precision of God's power.
• The firstfruits: Hebrew re'shit (רֵאשִׁית). This word generally refers to the "beginning," "best part," or "choicest produce," as in the first ripened grains or fruit offered to God. Here, it is metaphorically applied to human life, indicating that the firstborn represented the absolute best, most vital, and foundational part of Egyptian strength and future. It's a poetic parallel to "the firstborn."
• of all their strength: Hebrew 'on (אוֹן), referring to vigor, generative power, substance, or virility. This term reinforces the idea that the firstborn were the epitome of Egypt's power, potential, and their ability to perpetuate their lineage and might. The judgment struck at the very core of Egypt's vitality and capacity for the future.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "He struck also all the firstborn in their land": This phrase clearly states the direct, comprehensive, and divinely ordained nature of the judgment. "He," being God, indicates the ultimate authority and source of the plague. "All" underscores the inescapable sweep of death that enveloped every Egyptian household, illustrating the extent of God's power and righteous wrath.
• "The firstfruits of all their strength": This is a powerful poetic parallelism, further defining and amplifying the impact of striking the firstborn. It highlights the profound value and prime importance of those taken by the plague. By taking the "firstfruits," God essentially severed the nation's primary source of future strength and prosperity, revealing the depth of His judgment against Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt.

Psalm 105 36 Bonus section

The plague of the firstborn profoundly emphasizes the concept of substitutionary atonement that runs throughout biblical history. Just as the blood of the Passover lamb on the doorposts marked a household for divine bypass and saved the firstborn within, so Christ, the ultimate Lamb of God, offered Himself as the substitute to save the firstborn registered in heaven. The firstborn plague serves as a foundational historical event, powerfully demonstrating God's sovereign hand in judgment and redemption, setting the stage for subsequent themes of consecration, covenant faithfulness, and ultimately, salvation through sacrifice. It highlights the divine principle that what Pharaoh refused to let go (Israel, God's firstborn) was taken from him in judgment (Egypt's firstborn).

Psalm 105 36 Commentary

Psalm 105:36 concisely recounts the tenth plague in Egypt, the ultimate demonstration of Yahweh's supremacy over all the gods of Egypt and the power of Pharaoh. By targeting the firstborn, God attacked the very principle of succession and future, the source of Egypt's national vitality and pride. This was a direct assault on the false gods associated with life, fertility, and royalty, proving them impotent against the God of Israel. This plague also served as a critical educational moment for both Israel and Egypt: for Israel, it cemented their understanding of Yahweh as their deliverer and the only true God; for Egypt, it compelled the release of God's "firstborn son," Israel, fulfilling God's long-standing promise. It underscored the devastating consequences of stubborn defiance against divine will and the absolute power of the Creator.