Psalm 78:12 kjv
Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
Psalm 78:12 nkjv
Marvelous things He did in the sight of their fathers, In the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
Psalm 78:12 niv
He did miracles in the sight of their ancestors in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.
Psalm 78:12 esv
In the sight of their fathers he performed wonders in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan.
Psalm 78:12 nlt
the miracles he did for their ancestors
on the plain of Zoan in the land of Egypt.
Psalm 78 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 7:3 | But I will harden Pharaoh's heart... and multiply my signs and my wonders. | God performs signs & wonders to defy Pharaoh. |
| Ex 7:9 | "When Pharaoh says to you, 'Prove yourselves by working a miracle,' then..." | Divine power validated by signs. |
| Ex 8:23 | "...tomorrow this sign shall be." | God's differentiation through signs. |
| Ex 10:1-2 | "...that I may show these signs of Mine among them, and that you may tell." | Plagues as teaching moments for generations. |
| Ex 14:30-31 | "...Israel saw the great work which the LORD had done..." | Eyewitness accounts of God's powerful acts. |
| Ex 15:11 | "Who is like You...awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?" | God's uniqueness in performing wonders. |
| Dt 4:34 | "...by testings, by signs, by wonders, by war, by a mighty hand..." | Recounting God's display of power in Egypt. |
| Dt 6:22 | "And the LORD showed signs and wonders, great and severe, against Egypt..." | Divine judgment shown through wonders. |
| Dt 7:19 | "...the great trials which your eyes saw, the signs, the wonders..." | Reminds Israel of what they witnessed. |
| Dt 11:3 | "...His signs and His works which He did in the midst of Egypt..." | God's visible deeds as a basis for obedience. |
| Neh 9:10 | "You performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, against all his servants..." | God's justice against oppressors. |
| Ps 77:11-12 | "I will remember the deeds of the LORD... Your wonders of old. I will meditate..." | Remembering past divine acts. |
| Ps 105:27 | "They performed His signs among them and wonders in the land of Ham." | Echoes Ps 78; "Ham" referring to Egypt. |
| Ps 135:9 | "He sent signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt..." | Confirmation of widespread divine acts. |
| Jer 32:20-21 | "...who set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt even to this day..." | God's everlasting fame from Egyptian deeds. |
| Acts 7:36 | "This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in Egypt..." | Stephen's sermon on God's historical action. |
| Heb 3:7-11 | "...Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts..." | Warning against Israel's past hardening in the wilderness, tied to the original Exodus generation. |
| Heb 11:29 | "By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land..." | A specific wonder enabled by faith. |
| 1 Cor 10:1-5 | "...our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea..." | Recounting Exodus events as a spiritual lesson. |
| Jn 2:11 | "This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana..." | Establishes concept of "signs" pointing to divine power. |
| Rom 15:19 | "...by the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit of God..." | Apostolic ministry accompanied by divine power. |
| 2 Thes 2:9 | "...with all power and signs and false wonders..." | Contrast with deceptive signs, highlighting divine origin. |
| Isa 51:9-10 | "Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD... that cut Rahab in pieces?" | Recalls the defeat of Egypt (Rahab) and drying of the sea. |
Psalm 78 verses
Psalm 78 12 Meaning
Psalm 78:12 states that God performed astonishing acts and clear manifestations of His power and presence in ancient Egypt. These were not hidden, but were done publicly in the presence of the Israelite ancestors, specifically noted as occurring in "the field of Zoan." This verse serves as a historical reminder of God's mighty deliverance and foundational acts that established His relationship with Israel.
Psalm 78 12 Context
Psalm 78 is a "Maschil," an instructional psalm intended to teach successive generations about God's faithfulness and Israel's recurrent unfaithfulness. It begins with an appeal to listen to a parable (v. 2) which unfolds into a lengthy historical recounting of Israel's journey from Egypt to the establishment of the temple under David. Verse 12 is situated at the beginning of this historical narrative, specifically detailing God's miraculous acts against Egypt preceding the Exodus. It sets the stage for the rest of the Psalm by establishing God's initial overwhelming power and benevolence, which sharply contrasts with Israel's subsequent rebellion and ingratitude despite witnessing such great wonders. The recounting serves to remind future generations of God's covenant loyalty and their forefathers' failures, urging them to learn from history.
Psalm 78 12 Word analysis
He did (וַיַּעַשׂ - vayya‘as): The subject is explicitly God (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim or יְהוָה - YHWH from previous verses). This active verb emphasizes God as the sole initiator and performer of these extraordinary deeds, not human agency or chance. It underscores divine sovereignty.
wonders (פֶּלֶא - pele’): Denotes acts that are marvelous, extraordinary, and beyond the realm of human capability or natural law. These are divine interventions that cause astonishment and wonder, unmistakably pointing to God's unique power. It is often linked with His unique identity and covenant acts.
before (לְנֶגֶד - l’neged): Literally "in front of," "in the sight of," or "in the presence of." This signifies public and undeniable visibility. The events were not secret or obscure but open for all to witness, particularly for those to whom they were meant to attest.
their fathers (אֲבוֹתָם - ʾavotam): Refers to the original generation of Israelites who experienced the Exodus. This emphasizes that these were firsthand accounts from the very beginning of the nation's history, establishing an authentic witness tradition that generations would inherit.
in the land (בְּאֶרֶץ - bəʾerets): Designates a specific geographical domain, Egypt, where Israel had suffered bondage. It emphasizes the setting of divine intervention amidst a pagan empire, challenging its gods and rulers.
of Egypt (מִצְרָיִם - mitsrayim): The mighty, oppressive empire. The plagues demonstrated YHWH's absolute supremacy over all Egyptian deities and Pharaoh's supposed divine power. This choice of location amplified the polemic nature of God's deeds.
in the field (שְׂדֵה - śədēh): "Field" or "plain." This might suggest an expansive area, not confined to just the cities, indicating the widespread and undeniable nature of the plagues that affected the entire region.
of Zoan (צֹעַן - tso‘an): Also known as Tanis. It was a significant city, possibly a Hyksos or later Ramesside capital in the eastern Nile Delta, a likely royal residence or administrative center. By naming a specific location, the Psalm grounds the historical account in tangible reality and enhances its authenticity. The plagues affected a center of Egyptian power, directly confronting its imperial authority and the pagan gods believed to protect it.
He did wonders...in the land of Egypt: This phrase encapsulates God's active role as deliverer and judge. It positions His miraculous acts not as isolated incidents but as part of a purposeful campaign to liberate His people and discredit the false gods and tyrannical rule of Egypt. These acts laid the foundation for Israel's identity as God's chosen nation.
before their fathers...in the field of Zoan: This combined phrase emphasizes the irrefutable witness of God's mighty power. The original generation, the "fathers," were eyewitnesses. The precise geographical mention of "Zoan" indicates the widespread and publicly humiliating defeat of Egypt and its gods by YHWH. It underscores that God confronted the heart of Egypt's political and spiritual power structure.
Psalm 78 12 Bonus section
The term "signs and wonders" (often paired as here, implicitly, or explicitly in related passages) is a powerful descriptor in the Bible, indicating divine acts that both signify something about God's nature or purpose and elicit awe. In the context of the Exodus, these were also "polemical" signs—demonstrations meant to discredit and utterly defeat the pagan gods of Egypt, revealing their powerlessness before YHWH, the true God. The focus on "their fathers" and the exact location helps ground these incredible events in shared history, making the later generations' rebellion even more stark and inexcusable. The psalm is an example of liturgical history, sung and recited to inculcate spiritual truth through remembering God's works and Israel's responses.
Psalm 78 12 Commentary
Psalm 78:12 serves as a foundational declaration of God's sovereign power and deliberate action on behalf of His people, right at the dawn of their nationhood. The wonders and signs performed in Egypt, particularly "in the field of Zoan," were unmistakable manifestations of divine judgment against a defiant empire and divine mercy for an oppressed people. This public display ensured that the Exodus generation, the "fathers," had no excuse for forgetting God's might and His covenant faithfulness. The specific naming of Zoan underscores that these events were historically grounded, profoundly impactful, and challenged the very heart of pagan power and belief. The verse sets the thematic tone for the entire psalm, which then laments how Israel repeatedly failed to remember and obey, despite such a clear and dramatic demonstration of their God's unique identity and omnipotence. It highlights that God initiated the relationship with compelling evidence of His presence and power, providing the bedrock for His covenant with Israel.