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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 78:9 The archers of Ephraim turned back on the day of battle.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/78-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/19_Psa_078_009.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 78:9 - I Will Open My Mouth in Parables" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The archers of Ephraim turned back on the day of battle." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/78-8.htm" title="Psalm 78:8">◄</a> Psalm 78:9 <a href="/psalms/78-10.htm" title="Psalm 78:10">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/78.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/78.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows, turned back on the day of battle;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/78.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The warriors of Ephraim, though armed with bows, turned their backs and fled on the day of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/78.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The Ephraimites, armed with the bow, turned back on the day of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/78.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The archers of Ephraim turned back on the day of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/78.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The children of Ephraim, <i>being</i> armed, <i>and</i> carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/78.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The children of Ephraim, <i>being</i> armed <i>and</i> carrying bows, Turned back in the day of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/78.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The sons of Ephraim were archers equipped with bows, <i>Yet</i> they turned back on the day of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/78.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The sons of Ephraim were archers equipped with bows, Yet they turned back in the day of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/78.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The sons of Ephraim were archers equipped with bows, <i>Yet</i> they turned back in the day of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/78.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The sons of Ephraim were archers equipped with bows, <i>Yet</i> they turned back in the day of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/78.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The sons of Ephraim were armed as archers and carrying bows, <i>Yet</i> they turned back in the day of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/78.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Ephraimite archers turned back on the day of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/78.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Ephraimite archers turned back on the day of battle. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/78.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows, Turned back in the day of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/78.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The warriors from Ephraim were armed with arrows, but they ran away when the battle began. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/78.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/78.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The men of Ephraim, well-equipped with bows [and arrows], turned [and ran] on the day of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/78.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The Ephraimites, armed with bows and arrows, ran away on the day of battle. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/78.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The descendants of Ephraim were sharp shooters with the bow, but they retreated in the day of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/78.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The archers of Ephraim turned back on the day of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/78.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The Ephraimites were armed with bows, but they retreated in the day of battle. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/78.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The people of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/78.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/78.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/78.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Sons of Ephraim—armed bearers of bow, "" Have turned in a day of conflict.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/78.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Sons of Ephraim -- armed bearers of bow, Have turned in a day of conflict.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/78.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The sons of Ephraim bending, lifting up the bow, turned in the day of the encounter.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/78.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The sons of Ephraim who bend and shoot with the bow: they have turned back in the day of battle. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/78.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 77:9>The sons of Ephraim, who bend and shoot the bow, have been turned back in the day of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/78.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The ranks of Ephraimite archers, retreated on the day of battle. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/78.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The Ephraimites, armed with the bow, turned back on the day of battle.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/78.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The children of Ephraim, being armed and throwing forth bows, turned back in the day of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/78.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The children of Ephraim strung and cast away the bow when they were attacked and they turned back in the day of war.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/78.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The children of Ephraim were as archers handling the bow, That turned back in the day of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/78.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The children of Ephraim, bending and shooting <i>with</i> the bow, turned <i>back</i> in the day of battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/78-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=9536" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/78.htm">I Will Open My Mouth in Parables</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>Then they will not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose heart was not loyal, whose spirit was not faithful to God. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5401.htm" title="5401: nō·wō·šə·qê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- To kiss, to equip with weapons. A primitive root; to kiss, literally or figuratively; also, to equip with weapons.">The archers</a> <a href="/hebrew/7411.htm" title="7411: rō·w·mê- (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- To hurl, to shoot, to delude, betray. A primitive root; to hurl; specifically, to shoot; figuratively, to delude or betray."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7198.htm" title="7198: qā·šeṯ (N-fs) -- A bow. From qashah in the original sense of bending: a bow, for shooting or the iris."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.)."></a> <a href="/hebrew/669.htm" title="669: ’ep̄·ra·yim (N-proper-ms) -- Dual of masculine form of 'Ephraath; double fruit; Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory.">of Ephraim</a> <a href="/hebrew/2015.htm" title="2015: hā·p̄ə·ḵū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To turn, overturn. A primitive root; to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert.">turned back</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: bə·yō·wm (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">on the day</a> <a href="/hebrew/7128.htm" title="7128: qə·rāḇ (N-ms) -- A battle, war. From qarab; hostile encounter.">of battle.</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>They failed to keep God’s covenant and refused to live by His law.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/20-16.htm">Judges 20:16</a></span><br />Among all these soldiers there were 700 select left-handers, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair without missing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/5-18.htm">1 Chronicles 5:18</a></span><br />The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 warriors—valiant men who carried the shield and sword, drew the bow, and were trained for battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/31-1.htm">1 Samuel 31:1-7</a></span><br />Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa. / The Philistines hotly pursued Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. / When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him critically. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/14-8.htm">2 Chronicles 14:8</a></span><br />Asa had an army of 300,000 men from Judah bearing large shields and spears, and 280,000 men from Benjamin bearing small shields and drawing the bow. All these were mighty men of valor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-20.htm">2 Kings 17:20</a></span><br />So the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel. He afflicted them and delivered them into the hands of plunderers, until He had banished them from His presence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/7-16.htm">Hosea 7:16</a></span><br />They turn, but not to the Most High; they are like a faulty bow. Their leaders will fall by the sword for the cursing of their tongue; for this they will be ridiculed in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/4-1.htm">1 Samuel 4:1-11</a></span><br />Thus the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now the Israelites went out to meet the Philistines in battle and camped at Ebenezer, while the Philistines camped at Aphek. / The Philistines arrayed themselves against Israel, and as the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who struck down about four thousand men on the battlefield. / When the troops returned to the camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why has the LORD brought defeat on us before the Philistines today? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Shiloh, so that it may go with us to save us from the hand of our enemies.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/12-2.htm">1 Chronicles 12:2</a></span><br />they were archers using both the right and left hands to sling stones and shoot arrows; and they were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin):<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/13-14.htm">2 Kings 13:14-19</a></span><br />When Elisha had fallen sick with the illness from which he would die, Jehoash king of Israel came down to him and wept over him, saying, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!” / Elisha told him, “Take a bow and some arrows.” So Jehoash took a bow and some arrows. / Then Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” So the king put his hand on the bow, and Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/7-2.htm">Isaiah 7:2</a></span><br />When it was reported to the house of David that Aram was in league with Ephraim, the hearts of Ahaz and his people trembled like trees in the forest shaken by the wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/13-19.htm">1 Samuel 13:19-22</a></span><br />And no blacksmith could be found in all the land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, “The Hebrews must not be allowed to make swords or spears.” / Instead, all the Israelites would go down to the Philistines to sharpen their plowshares, mattocks, axes, and sickles. / The charge was a pim for sharpening a plowshare or mattock, a third of a shekel for sharpening a pitchfork or an axe, and a third of a shekel for repointing an oxgoad. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-20.htm">1 Samuel 17:20-24</a></span><br />So David got up early in the morning, left the flock with a keeper, loaded up, and set out as Jesse had instructed him. He reached the camp as the army was marching out to its position and shouting the battle cry. / And Israel and the Philistines arrayed in formation against each other. / Then David left his supplies in the care of the quartermaster and ran to the battle line. When he arrived, he asked his brothers how they were doing. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/1-21.htm">2 Samuel 1:21-22</a></span><br />O mountains of Gilboa, may you have no dew or rain, no fields yielding offerings of grain. For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, no longer anointed with oil. / From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not retreat, and the sword of Saul did not return empty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/31-8.htm">1 Samuel 31:8-13</a></span><br />The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. / They cut off Saul’s head, stripped off his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news in the temples of their idols and among their people. / They put his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths and hung his body on the wall of Beth-shan. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/25-5.htm">2 Chronicles 25:5-6</a></span><br />Then Amaziah gathered the people of Judah and assigned them according to their families to commanders of thousands and of hundreds. And he numbered those twenty years of age or older throughout Judah and Benjamin and found 300,000 chosen men able to serve in the army, bearing the spear and shield. / He also hired 100,000 mighty men of valor from Israel for a hundred talents of silver.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.</p><p class="hdg">the children.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/7-20.htm">1 Chronicles 7:20-22</a></b></br> And the sons of Ephraim; Shuthelah, and Bered his son, and Tahath his son, and Eladah his son, and Tahath his son, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/1-41.htm">Deuteronomy 1:41-44</a></b></br> Then ye answered and said unto me, We have sinned against the LORD, we will go up and fight, according to all that the LORD our God commanded us. And when ye had girded on every man his weapons of war, ye were ready to go up into the hill… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/17-16.htm">Joshua 17:16-18</a></b></br> And the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, <i>both they</i> who <i>are</i> of Bethshean and her towns, and <i>they</i> who <i>are</i> of the valley of Jezreel… </p><p class="hdg">carrying.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/9-28.htm">Judges 9:28,38-40</a></b></br> And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who <i>is</i> Abimelech, and who <i>is</i> Shechem, that we should serve him? <i>is</i> not <i>he</i> the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/22-33.htm">Luke 22:33</a></b></br> And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/16-13.htm">Archers</a> <a href="/psalms/65-6.htm">Armed</a> <a href="/psalms/76-3.htm">Battle</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-17.htm">Bearers</a> <a href="/psalms/76-3.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/job/30-13.htm">Bowmen</a> <a href="/psalms/66-4.htm">Bows</a> <a href="/nehemiah/10-32.htm">Carrying</a> <a href="/psalms/78-6.htm">Children</a> <a href="/job/38-23.htm">Conflict</a> <a href="/psalms/60-7.htm">Ephraim</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/25-7.htm">E'phraimites</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/17-18.htm">Equipped</a> <a href="/psalms/56-2.htm">Fight</a> <a href="/numbers/31-27.htm">Handling</a> <a href="/psalms/77-2.htm">Turned</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/21-17.htm">Archers</a> <a href="/psalms/93-1.htm">Armed</a> <a href="/psalms/89-43.htm">Battle</a> <a href="/luke/7-14.htm">Bearers</a> <a href="/psalms/78-57.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-17.htm">Bowmen</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-28.htm">Bows</a> <a href="/psalms/126-6.htm">Carrying</a> <a href="/psalms/82-3.htm">Children</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-18.htm">Conflict</a> <a href="/psalms/78-67.htm">Ephraim</a> <a href="/joshua/16-5.htm">E'phraimites</a> <a href="/daniel/11-13.htm">Equipped</a> <a href="/psalms/89-43.htm">Fight</a> <a href="/jeremiah/46-9.htm">Handling</a> <a href="/psalms/78-30.htm">Turned</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 78</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/78-1.htm">An exhortation both to learn and to preach, the law of God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/78-9.htm">The story of God's wrath against the incredulous and disobedient</a></span><br><span class="reftext">67. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/78-67.htm">The Israelites being rejected, God chose Judah, Zion, and David.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/78.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/78.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The archers of Ephraim</b><br>Ephraim was one of the tribes of Israel, descended from Joseph's son Ephraim. This tribe was known for its strength and prominence among the northern tribes. In biblical history, Ephraim often represented the northern kingdom of Israel. The mention of "archers" suggests a group skilled in warfare, as archery was a significant military skill in ancient times. The tribe of Ephraim was expected to be a leader in battle, given its size and influence. This phrase highlights the tribe's potential and the expectation of their role in Israel's military endeavors.<p><b>turned back</b><br>This phrase indicates a failure or retreat in the face of conflict. In the context of Israel's history, turning back in battle was seen as a lack of faith or trust in God's promises and power. The act of retreating could symbolize a spiritual failure, reflecting a broader theme of disobedience and lack of reliance on God. This failure is often contrasted with the victories achieved when Israel trusted in God, as seen in other biblical narratives.<p><b>on the day of battle</b><br>The "day of battle" refers to a specific time of conflict or warfare. In the biblical context, battles were often seen as tests of faith and obedience to God. The failure of Ephraim on this day serves as a reminder of the consequences of not trusting in God's strength. This phrase can be connected to other instances in Scripture where God fought for Israel when they were faithful, such as the battles led by Joshua. The day of battle is a critical moment that reveals the spiritual state of the people involved.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/ephraim.htm">Ephraim</a></b><br>One of the tribes of Israel, descended from Joseph's son Ephraim. Known for its significant role in the history of Israel, Ephraim often symbolizes the Northern Kingdom.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_men_of_ephraim.htm">The Men of Ephraim</a></b><br>Representing the warriors or soldiers from the tribe of Ephraim, who were equipped for battle but failed to stand firm.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_day_of_battle.htm">The Day of Battle</a></b><br>A specific, though unspecified, event where the men of Ephraim were expected to fight but retreated instead.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_faithfulness.htm">The Importance of Faithfulness</a></b><br>The men of Ephraim were equipped for battle but lacked the faith and courage to stand firm. As Christians, we must ensure that our spiritual readiness is matched by our faithfulness in action.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_preparedness.htm">Spiritual Preparedness</a></b><br>Being armed with knowledge and resources is not enough; we must also be spiritually prepared to face challenges with God's strength.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_turning_back.htm">The Consequences of Turning Back</a></b><br>Retreating in the face of spiritual battles can lead to missed opportunities for God's glory and personal growth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/learning_from_past_failures.htm">Learning from Past Failures</a></b><br>The account of Ephraim serves as a reminder to learn from past mistakes and to seek God's guidance in overcoming our weaknesses.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_power.htm">Trust in God's Power</a></b><br>Like David, we should trust in God's power rather than our own abilities, ensuring that our confidence is rooted in Him.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_78.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 78</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_144_1_align_with_peace.htm">How can Psalm 144:1's portrayal of God training hands for war be reconciled with other biblical teachings on peace (e.g., Matthew 5:9)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_evidence_of_god's_eternal_throne.htm">Psalm 9:7-8 pictures a God sitting in eternal judgment; why is there no physical evidence of such a throne or consistent global recognition of this rule?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_paul_misquote_psalms_in_romans.htm">If the Bible is divinely inspired, why does Paul misquote the Old Testament (Romans 3:10-18 vs. Psalms)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_ask_'where_is_god'_if_omnipresent.htm">If God is said to be omnipresent, why does the psalmist continually ask, 'Where is your God?' (Psalm 42:3)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/78.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">Armed, and carrying bows.</span>--Following <a href="/jeremiah/4-29.htm" title="The whole city shall flee for the noise of the horsemen and bowmen; they shall go into thickets, and climb up on the rocks: every city shall be forsaken, and not a man dwell therein.">Jeremiah 4:29</a>, and from analogy with <a href="/jeremiah/44-9.htm" title="Have you forgotten the wickedness of your fathers, and the wickedness of the kings of Judah, and the wickedness of their wives, and your own wickedness, and the wickedness of your wives, which they have committed in the land of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem?">Jeremiah 44:9</a> ("handle and bend the bow") we get as literal rendering of the Hebrew here, <span class= "ital">drawing and shooting with the bow. </span>LXX. and Vulgate, "bending and shooting with the bow." But a close comparison of this verse with <a href="/psalms/78-57.htm" title="But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.">Psalm 78:57</a> of this psalm, and with <a href="/hosea/7-16.htm" title="They return, but not to the most High: they are like a deceitful bow: their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt.">Hosea 7:16</a>, has suggested to a recent commentator a much more satisfactory explanation, <span class= "ital">The sons of Ephraim </span>(<span class= "ital">are like men</span>) <span class= "ital">drawing slack bowstrings which turn back in the day of battle. "</span>Both the disappointment on the day of battle and the cause of the disappointment, which are mentioned in the text, will be appreciated by the English reader who remembers that the result of the battle of Crecy was determined at the outset by a shower of rain which relaxed the strings of our enemy's bows" (Burgess, <span class= "ital">Notes on the Hebrew Psalms.</span>)<span class= "note">[15]<p>[15] This translation assumes that the primitive meaning of the verb <span class= "ital">r?mah </span>is <span class= "ital">was slack. </span>Certainly the root idea of the word (comp. the cognate <span class= "ital">r?phah </span>and the meaning of the derivation in </span><a href="/proverbs/10-4.htm" title="He becomes poor that deals with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent makes rich.">Proverbs 10:4</a><span class= "note">; </span><a href="/proverbs/12-24.htm" title="The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.">Proverbs 12:24</a><span class= "note">) seems to have been <span class= "ital">relaxation. </span>That <span class= "ital">turned back, </span>both here and in </span><a href="/psalms/78-57.htm" title="But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.">Psalm 78:57</a><span class= "note">, refers to the <span class= "ital">recoil </span>of a bow, seems indubitable.</span> . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/78.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 9-72.</span> - The historical portion of the psalm now follows. It commences with some general remarks on the transgressions of Ephraim, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> of Israel while under the guidance of Ephraim - from Joshua to Samuel (vers. 9-11). It then proceeds to details, and sketches the Israelite history. from the deliverance out of Egypt to the establishment of David's kingdom (vers, 12-72). <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The children of Ephraim</span> (comp. ver. 67). Ephraim was the leading tribe, from the appointment of Joshua to succeed Moses until the establishment of Saul as king. Hence the tabernacle was set up within the territory of Ephraim (<a href="/joshua/18-1.htm">Joshua 18:1</a>). The importance of Ephraim appears in <a href="/judges/3-27.htm">Judges 3:27</a>; <a href="/judges/7-24.htm">Judges 7:24</a>; <a href="/judges/8-1.htm">Judges 8:1, 2</a>; <a href="/judges/10-9.htm">Judges 10:9</a>; <a href="/judges/12-1.htm">Judges 12:1-6</a>. Being <span class="cmt_word">armed</span>, and <span class="cmt_word">carrying bows.</span> There is no "and" in the original. "Carrying bows" is exegetical of "being armed" (comp. <a href="/2_chronicles/17-17.htm">2 Chronicles 17:17</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Turned back in the day of battle.</span> The allusion is not to any one particular occasion, but to the ill success of Israel under the leadership of Ephraim during the whole period of the Judges (see <a href="/judges/2-14.htm">Judges 2:14</a>; <a href="/judges/3-8.htm">Judges 3:8, 13, 31</a>; <a href="/judges/4-2.htm">Judges 4:2</a>; <a href="/judges/6-1.htm">Judges 6:1</a>; <a href="/judges/10-7.htm">Judges 10:7, 12</a>, etc.). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/78-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The archers</span><br /><span class="heb">נוֹשְׁקֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(nō·wō·šə·qê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5401.htm">Strong's 5401: </a> </span><span class="str2">To kiss, to equip with weapons</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Ephraim</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶפְרַ֗יִם</span> <span class="translit">(’ep̄·ra·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_669.htm">Strong's 669: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory</span><br /><br /><span class="word">turned back</span><br /><span class="heb">הָ֝פְכ֗וּ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·p̄ə·ḵū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2015.htm">Strong's 2015: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn about, over, to change, overturn, return, pervert</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on the day</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּי֣וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(bə·yō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of battle.</span><br /><span class="heb">קְרָֽב׃</span> <span class="translit">(qə·rāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7128.htm">Strong's 7128: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hostile encounter</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/78-9.htm">Psalm 78:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/78-9.htm">Psalm 78:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/78-9.htm">Psalm 78:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/78-9.htm">Psalm 78:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/78-9.htm">Psalm 78:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/78-9.htm">Psalm 78:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/78-9.htm">Psalm 78:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/78-9.htm">Psalm 78:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/78-9.htm">Psalm 78:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/78-9.htm">Psalm 78:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/78-9.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 78:9 The children of Ephraim being armed (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/78-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 78:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 78:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/78-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 78:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 78:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>