Psalm 135 8

Psalm 135:8 kjv

Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.

Psalm 135:8 nkjv

He destroyed the firstborn of Egypt, Both of man and beast.

Psalm 135:8 niv

He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, the firstborn of people and animals.

Psalm 135:8 esv

He it was who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and of beast;

Psalm 135:8 nlt

He destroyed the firstborn in each Egyptian home,
both people and animals.

Psalm 135 verses

Psalm 135 8 Meaning

Psalm 135:8 recounts a specific act of God's divine power and judgment, serving as a powerful demonstration of His absolute sovereignty over life and death. It describes the devastating Tenth Plague, where the Lord struck down the firstborn of Egypt, both human and animal. This event decisively proved God's supremacy over Pharaoh, Egypt's gods, and the nation's power, ultimately securing Israel's deliverance from bondage. The verse celebrates God's might and His unique ability to intervene in history, contrasting Him with the powerless idols of other nations.

Psalm 135 8 Context

Psalm 135 is a liturgical psalm, likely used in temple worship, functioning as a call to praise and an historical recounting of God's great deeds. It contrasts the living, active God of Israel with the lifeless idols of the nations. Verses 5-7 declare God's uniqueness and control over creation, leading into verse 8 which begins a specific remembrance of the Exodus event—God's central act of redemption for Israel. This particular verse highlights the Tenth Plague as the culminating event that broke Pharaoh's will and secured the deliverance of God's people. Historically, this act directly challenged the pantheon of Egyptian gods, particularly those associated with fertility, life, and the firstborn (e.g., Ra as the creator, Ptah as the craftsman god, or Sobek and Hapi as life-giving Nile deities), asserting the LORD's absolute power.

Psalm 135 8 Word analysis

• Who smote: The Hebrew verb is hikah (הִכָּה), from the root nakah, meaning "to strike, smite, beat, wound, kill." It's a forceful, decisive action, often referring to a fatal blow or a major defeat. In the context of the plagues, it signifies not a random act but a divinely ordained, precise execution of judgment. This active voice underscores God's direct involvement and irresistible power. It’s an act of war against Pharaoh and Egypt’s deities.
• The firstborn: The Hebrew word is bekhor (בְּכוֹר), meaning "firstborn." The firstborn was supremely important in ancient Near Eastern culture, representing the strength, honor, and continuation of the family or nation. For Egypt, the firstborn held the promise of future generations and leadership. Pharaoh himself was considered a divine firstborn. The death of the firstborn was the ultimate blow, targeting the very essence and future of Egypt, a symbolic slaying of the nation's spiritual and physical vitality. It also has a polemical dimension against the pharaoh as "son of Ra" or a divine firstborn.
• Of Egypt: The Hebrew is Mitsrayim (מִצְרַיִם), referring to the land of Egypt, but here representing the entire oppressive nation and its rulers. Egypt serves as a prime example of a nation that exalted itself against the true God, relying on its own strength, wealth, and false gods. Its defeat underscores God's ability to humble the proud.
• Both of man and beast: This phrase, mi'adam ad behemah (מֵאָדָם עַד־בְּהֵמָה), means "from man to beast," or "including both man and animal." It signifies the comprehensive, all-encompassing nature of God's judgment. No living creature within Egypt was spared from this specific plague unless protected by the blood of the Passover lamb. It demonstrated God's complete dominion over all life, debunking any belief in specific Egyptian deities governing animals or human health.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "Who smote the firstborn": This emphasizes the direct agency of God in a historical, undeniable event. It's not a natural disaster, but a specific, targeted act of divine retribution and justice. It points to God as the ultimate warrior, capable of overcoming any opposing power.
  • "the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast": This complete and total destruction highlights the severity and finality of God's judgment against Egypt. It shows that God's authority extends over every sphere of life – human society, animal kingdom, economy, and the future generation. It underscores that all forms of life ultimately belong to Him and are subject to His will and judgment. It contrasts with idols that are powerless over anything.

Psalm 135 8 Bonus section

The Hebrew tradition places significant weight on the concept of the "firstborn," often associating it with leadership, strength, and spiritual primacy. God’s claim over Israel as His “firstborn son” (Exod 4:22) forms a deep theological connection with the judgment on Egypt's firstborn. This divine act demonstrated that the Lord valued and protected His firstborn (Israel) by sacrificing the firstborn of those who enslaved them. It cemented a foundational truth for Israel: their God was powerful enough to defend them, even against the world's strongest empire, and He alone held dominion over all life. The Tenth Plague was not only a judgment but a call for the consecration of all firstborn males of Israel to the Lord, either through direct service or through the redemption of the Levites (Num 3:12-13). This transformation of a moment of devastating judgment into a means of special consecration for Israel further underscores the theological depth of this specific event.

Psalm 135 8 Commentary

Psalm 135:8 serves as a concise, powerful testimony to the Lord's absolute sovereignty and unmatched power. By recalling the slaying of Egypt's firstborn, the psalm magnifies the God of Israel as active in history, performing deeds that no other deity could. This act was not merely punitive but redemptive, serving as the climax of the plagues that compelled Pharaoh to release Israel. It starkly illustrates the contrast between the living God who controls life and death, and the impotent idols revered by the nations (as highlighted in Ps 135:15-18). The selection of the "firstborn" as the target demonstrates the strategic precision of divine judgment, striking at the heart of Egyptian society and faith, overturning their belief in their gods who could not protect them. This verse affirms God's commitment to His covenant people, remembering His promises through mighty displays of power against their oppressors, establishing Himself as the unrivaled Deliverer and Judge over all the earth.