Psalm 105 40

Psalm 105:40 kjv

The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.

Psalm 105:40 nkjv

The people asked, and He brought quail, And satisfied them with the bread of heaven.

Psalm 105:40 niv

They asked, and he brought them quail; he fed them well with the bread of heaven.

Psalm 105:40 esv

They asked, and he brought quail, and gave them bread from heaven in abundance.

Psalm 105:40 nlt

They asked for meat, and he sent them quail;
he satisfied their hunger with manna ? bread from heaven.

Psalm 105 verses

Psalm 105 40 Meaning

Psalm 105:40 recounts two significant instances of God's miraculous provision for the Israelites in the wilderness after they left Egypt: first, fulfilling their desire for meat by providing quails, and second, sustaining them daily with the supernatural "bread of heaven," known as manna. This verse highlights God's attentiveness and faithful care, even when His people acted with demanding or ungrateful hearts.

Psalm 105 40 Context

Psalm 105 is a hymn of praise recounting God's covenant faithfulness and mighty deeds on behalf of Israel, from Abraham through the Exodus and wilderness wanderings, culminating in their settlement in the Promised Land. The psalm calls for thanksgiving and remembrance of God's "wonderful works." Verses 37-45 specifically describe God's powerful acts during the Exodus and the subsequent forty years in the desert, portraying God as the faithful shepherd and provider. Verse 40 follows descriptions of the plagues and the people's departure from Egypt (vv. 26-39), framing the quails and manna as yet another testament to God's compassionate response to their needs, contrasting Israel's repeated complaints with Yahweh's persistent provision. Unlike Psalm 78, which often highlights Israel's rebellion and the negative consequences, Psalm 105 focuses predominantly on God's enduring love, power, and commitment to His covenant.

Psalm 105 40 Word analysis

• The people: Refers to the Israelites who had recently been delivered from slavery in Egypt. Though freed, they often demonstrated impatience, distrust, and grumbling during their wilderness journey, particularly concerning food.
• asked (שָׁאַל - sha'al): This Hebrew word means "to ask, request, inquire, demand." While it can be a neutral request, in the context of the wilderness narrative (Num 11, Exod 16, Ps 78), it often implies a demanding, complaining, or even testing attitude toward God, born of a lack of faith rather than humble petition. Yet, God still chose to respond.
• and he brought (בּוֹא - bo in Hiphil - caused to come/brought): Emphasizes God's direct, sovereign action. It wasn't by human effort or natural means alone, but by divine command that the provision appeared.
• quails (שְׂלָו - selav): Small migratory birds. This refers to the event documented in Exodus 16 and Numbers 11, where large quantities of quails were driven by wind into the Israelite camp, providing them with meat. This was a response to their craving for meat after complaining about the manna.
• and satisfied them (שָׂבַע - sava): To be sated, filled, to have enough. God's provision was abundant, not merely enough to quell immediate hunger but to fully satisfy their demands, albeit sometimes with negative consequences for their ingratitude (Num 11:33). It speaks of the Lord's lavish, rather than minimalistic, generosity.
• with the bread of heaven (לֶחֶם שָׁמַיִם - lechem shamayim): This specific phrase refers to the manna, the supernatural, mysterious food provided daily by God for forty years in the wilderness. Its designation as "bread of heaven" highlights its divine origin and supernatural nature, emphasizing that it was a gift from God, directly from the sky, not earthly produce. This sustenance was continuous, providing daily nourishment.

Words-group analysis

• "The people asked, and he brought quails": This phrase powerfully illustrates God's condescension and willingness to respond to His people's cries, even when those "asks" were born out of rebellion or craving rather than simple need or trust. It underscores His omnipotence and immediate responsiveness to the conditions of His people, whether in faithfulness or murmuring.
• "and satisfied them with the bread of heaven": This second part highlights God's sustained and primary provision for Israel's foundational hunger. The "bread of heaven" signifies a miraculous, ongoing, and unique divine gift designed not just to fill stomachs but also to teach dependence on God and His word, serving as a constant reminder of His presence and faithfulness. This continuous provision was a direct fulfillment of their need for daily sustenance, showcasing God's intimate and nurturing care for His people.

Psalm 105 40 Bonus section

The contrast between the quails and the manna is subtle yet significant in biblical theology. While both were divine provisions, the quails often came in response to the Israelites' grumbling and craving for meat, sometimes leading to dire consequences due to their covetousness (Num 11:33-34, called "graves of craving"). The manna, conversely, was a continuous, daily staple meant to humble them and teach them dependence, appearing whether they asked or not (Exod 16). Psalm 105, in its focus on God's faithfulness, frames both as positive demonstrations of His care, highlighting His generosity and capacity to meet all needs. The verse emphasizes that God met both the demand for meat and the need for basic sustenance, showing the breadth of His provision.

Psalm 105 40 Commentary

Psalm 105:40 serves as a succinct testament to God's profound grace and omnipotent care for Israel during their wilderness journey. The provision of quails speaks to God's immediate response to a specific craving, often expressed in an unfaithful manner. It demonstrates that God, in His patience, can even provide for desires that arise from discontent, though such provision might also come with discipline if the underlying sin persists, as seen in Numbers 11. More profoundly, the "bread of heaven"—the manna—represents God's consistent, supernatural provision that sustained His people daily for forty years. This "heavenly bread" underscored Israel's total dependence on God for their most basic need. It was a tangible, miraculous expression of His faithfulness, teaching them that human life is sustained not by earthly efforts alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Deut 8:3). The psalmist emphasizes these acts as "wonderful works" of God, intended to stir gratitude and praise for a covenant-keeping God who tirelessly provides for His people, despite their human frailties and rebellious tendencies. The manna further foreshadows Jesus Christ, the true "Bread of Life," who comes down from heaven to offer eternal sustenance to all who believe.