Psalm 78 25

Psalm 78:25 kjv

Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full.

Psalm 78:25 nkjv

Men ate angels' food; He sent them food to the full.

Psalm 78:25 niv

Human beings ate the bread of angels; he sent them all the food they could eat.

Psalm 78:25 esv

Man ate of the bread of the angels; he sent them food in abundance.

Psalm 78:25 nlt

They ate the food of angels!
God gave them all they could hold.

Psalm 78 verses

Psalm 78 25 Meaning

Psalm 78:25 states that the Israelites, during their wilderness journey, were fed a remarkable substance, described as "angels' food." This emphasizes the divine and supernatural origin of the manna, distinguishing it from ordinary human sustenance. The second part of the verse, "he sent them meat enough," confirms God's abundant and fully satisfying provision, extending beyond basic necessity to include ample "meat," referring to the quails provided. The verse encapsulates God's generous and miraculous care for His people despite their continued rebellion and testing of Him.

Psalm 78 25 Context

Psalm 78 is a Maskil, an instructive poem, recounting Israel's history of rebellion and God's enduring faithfulness from the Exodus to the time of David. The broader context of the psalm (Ps 78:12-31) describes God's wondrous deeds in the wilderness, particularly the provision of water from the rock, manna from heaven, and quails. This section highlights the paradox of God's abundant provision met by Israel's ungratefulness, unbelief, and continuous "testing" of Him. Ps 78:25 specifically fits into the narrative where, after opening the heavens (v. 23-24) to rain down manna, God proceeds to provide quail in excessive amounts. The historical context is the forty-year wandering in the wilderness after the Exodus, a period marked by God's miraculous care and Israel's stubborn resistance. This recounting implicitly serves as a polemic against forgetting God's power and provision, challenging any belief in self-sufficiency or reliance on lesser gods by demonstrating the LORD's singular, unmatched ability to sustain His people supernaturally.

Psalm 78 25 Word analysis

• Man (אִישׁ - 'ish): This word commonly means "man," "individual," or "people." In this context, it refers collectively to the Israelites, the specific generation who experienced the Exodus and wilderness wandering. It underscores that ordinary humanity received extraordinary, divine provision.
• did eat (אָכַל - 'akal): A straightforward verb meaning "to eat," "to consume." Its significance here lies in the direct participation of the people in this miraculous meal, physically sustaining them. It was a tangible, sensory experience of God's care.
• angels' food (לֶחֶם אַבִּירִים - lechem 'abbirim): This is a crucial phrase.
  • לֶחֶם (lechem): Means "bread," often broadly used for food or sustenance.
  • אַבִּירִים ('abbirim): This plural form of 'abbir means "mighty ones," "strong ones," "princes," or "nobles." While some English translations interpret this as "angels" (stemming from the Septuagint's 'ἄρτον ἀγγέλων'), the literal Hebrew refers to "bread of the mighty." This can signify:
    1. Food fit for great personages or rulers, emphasizing its extraordinary quality and preciousness.
    2. Food from the Mighty One, referring to God Himself as the ultimate source, highlighting His power and glory in providing such sustenance.
    3. Food given to make people mighty, reflecting the sustaining power of God's provision.
    The interpretation as "angels' food" or "food of the mighty" ultimately conveys its supernatural, heavenly origin and unique character, setting it apart from any natural, earthly food. It highlights its purity, delicacy, and direct divine source. It's a reminder that this was not merely survival food but food from the realm of the divine.
• he sent (שָׁלַח - shalach): This verb means "to send," "to send forth," "to stretch out." Here, it powerfully attributes the sending directly to God (implied subject). It conveys the intentional, active, and sovereign act of God in providing. It was not a random occurrence but a deliberate bestowal.
• them (לָהֶם - lahem): "To them," referring back to the "man," the Israelites. This emphasizes the targeted and personal nature of God's provision for His covenant people.
• meat enough (צֵידָה לָשׂבַע - tseidah laśova'): This phrase describes the nature of the second provision.
  • צֵידָה (tseidah): Means "provision," "food for a journey," or "supply." Here it refers specifically to the quails mentioned in the broader context of Psalm 78 (v. 26-29) and Numbers 11.
  • לָשׂבַע (laśova'): Means "to satisfaction," "to abundance," "to fullness," "more than enough." It indicates not merely adequacy but super-abundance. This highlights God's immense generosity, even for a murmuring people, showing His grace. It's not just meat, but meat provided to their heart's full desire, or even to the point of excess, revealing both God's bounty and their gluttonous demand.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "Man did eat angels' food": This phrase accentuates the extraordinary nature of God's provision. It wasn't just physical sustenance, but a tangible miracle that elevated the very act of eating into a participation in a divine event. It speaks of dignity conferred upon ordinary people by being recipients of such food.
  • "he sent them meat enough": This highlights God's initiative and the overflowing generosity of His supply. "Enough" here does not signify bare minimum, but lavish surplus, fulfilling (and even over-fulfilling) their desires. It sets the stage for the narrative in subsequent verses about Israel's failure to truly be satisfied or to trust God despite such abundant demonstrations of His power and goodness.

Psalm 78 25 Bonus section

The "angels' food" or "bread of the mighty" also implies a food untouched by human labor or earthly corruption. It fell pure, ready to be gathered, symbolizing God's unmerited grace. The daily provision of manna (Ex 16:4) was designed to teach dependence, obedience, and trust, testing whether Israel would walk in His law. The specific amount "enough" that God "sent" was often far beyond what was needed for simple sustenance, illustrating not just sufficiency but God's desire to bless abundantly, emphasizing His delight in showering His people with good things despite their spiritual infirmities. This overflow also laid bare the depth of their rebellion, as even an excess of miraculous food did not quell their desire to "test God" in their heart by demanding exactly what their sinful appetites craved, rather than accepting His gracious provision with thanksgiving.

Psalm 78 25 Commentary

Psalm 78:25 presents a powerful picture of divine sustenance. God, out of His sovereign power and unwavering faithfulness, rained down miraculous food from the heavens for the Israelites, characterized as "angels' food" due to its supernatural origin and pure quality. This manna was not mere survival ration; it was a token of God's intimate care and a foreshadowing of higher, spiritual nourishment. Furthermore, despite the Israelites' incessant grumbling and desire for meat, God provided quails in such vast quantities that it was "enough" – indeed, far more than enough – signifying His boundless resources and generous heart, even when met with human ingratitude. This lavish provision tested Israel, revealing their inability to be satisfied by God alone and highlighting the persistent nature of human covetousness. Ultimately, this verse celebrates God as the benevolent and super-abundant Provider, contrasting His endless faithfulness with humanity's persistent faithlessness, a pattern throughout Israel's history.