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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 78:51 He struck all the firstborn of Egypt, the virility in the tents of Ham.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/78-51.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/19_Psa_078_051.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 78:51 - I Will Open My Mouth in Parables" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He struck all the firstborn of Egypt, the virility in the tents of Ham." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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the chief of <i>their</i> strength in the tabernacles of Ham:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/78.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And destroyed all the firstborn in Egypt, The first of <i>their</i> strength in the tents of Ham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/78.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And struck all the firstborn in Egypt, The first and best of their vigor in the tents of Ham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/78.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And smote all the firstborn in Egypt, The first issue of their virility in the tents of Ham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/78.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And smote all the first-born in Egypt, The first <i>issue</i> of their virility in the tents of Ham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/78.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So He struck all the firstborn in Egypt, The first of their vigor in the tents of Ham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/78.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He killed all the firstborn in Egypt, The first and best of their strength in the tents [of the land of the sons] of Ham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/78.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He struck all the firstborn in Egypt, the first progeny of the tents of Ham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/78.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He struck all the firstborn in Egypt, the first progeny of the tents of Ham. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/78.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And smote all the first-born in Egypt, The chief of their strength in the tents of Ham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/78.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />He killed the first-born son of each Egyptian family. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/78.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And smote all the firstborn in Egypt, the chief of their strength in the tents of Ham:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/78.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He slaughtered every firstborn in Egypt, the ones born in the tents of Ham when their fathers were young.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/78.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He killed the first-born sons of all the families of Egypt. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/78.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He struck every firstborn in Egypt, the first fruits of their manhood in the tents of Ham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/78.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, the firstfruits of their reproductive power in the tents of Ham. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/78.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />and struck all the firstborn in Egypt, the chief of their strength in the tents of Ham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/78.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And smote all the first-born in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham:<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/78.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He struck all the firstborn of Egypt, the virility in the tents of Ham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/78.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />and struck all the firstborn in Egypt, the chief of their strength in the tents of Ham. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/78.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And He strikes every firstborn in Egypt, "" The first-fruit of the strong in tents of Ham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/78.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And He smiteth every first-born in Egypt, The first-fruit of the strong in tents of Ham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/78.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will strike all the firstborn in Egypt; the first-fruits of their toils in the tents of Ham:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/78.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt: the firstfruits of all their labour in the tabernacles of Cham. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/78.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 77:51>And he struck all the first-born in the land of Egypt: the first-fruits of all their labor in the tabernacles of Ham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/78.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He struck all the firstborn of Egypt, the first fruits of their vigor in the tents of Ham. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/78.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He struck all the firstborn in Egypt, the first issue of their strength in the tents of Ham.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/78.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And smote all the first-born in Egypt, the fairest of their sons in the tabernacles of Ham;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/78.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />He killed all the firstborn of Egypt, the first of all their children in the tents of Ham.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/78.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And smote all the first-born in Egypt, The first-fruits of their strength in the tents of Ham;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/78.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and smote every first-born in the land of Egypt; the first-fruits of their labours in the tents of Cham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/78-51.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=9806" 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">50</span>He cleared a path for His anger; He did not spare them from death but delivered their lives to the plague. <span class="reftext">51</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: way·yaḵ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike.">He struck</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/1060.htm" title="1060: bə·ḵō·wr (N-ms) -- First-born. From bakar; firstborn; hence, chief.">the firstborn</a> <a href="/hebrew/4714.htm" title="4714: bə·miṣ·rā·yim (Prep-b:: N-proper-fs) -- A son of Ham, also his desc. and their country in N.W. Africa. Dual of matsowr; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt.">of Egypt,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7225.htm" title="7225: rê·šîṯ (N-fsc) -- Beginning, chief. From the same as ro'sh; the first, in place, time, order or rank."></a> <a href="/hebrew/202.htm" title="202: ’ō·w·nîm (N-mp) -- Vigor, wealth. Probably from the same as 'aven; ability, power, wealth.">the virility</a> <a href="/hebrew/168.htm" title="168: bə·’ā·ho·lê- (Prep-b:: N-mpc) -- A tent. From 'ahal; a tent.">in the tents</a> <a href="/hebrew/2526.htm" title="2526: ḥām (N-proper-ms) -- The same as cham; hot; Cham, a son of Noah; also his descendants or their country.">of Ham.</a> </span><span class="reftext">52</span>He led out His people like sheep and guided them like a flock in the wilderness.…<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="/exodus/12-29.htm">Exodus 12:29</a></span><br />Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/11-4.htm">Exodus 11:4-5</a></span><br />So Moses declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘About midnight I will go throughout Egypt, / and every firstborn son in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, to the firstborn of the servant girl behind the hand mill, as well as the firstborn of all the cattle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/33-4.htm">Numbers 33:4</a></span><br />who were burying all their firstborn, whom the LORD had struck down among them; for the LORD had executed judgment against their gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/105-36.htm">Psalm 105:36</a></span><br />Then He struck all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their vigor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/4-22.htm">Exodus 4:22-23</a></span><br />Then tell Pharaoh that this is what the LORD says: ‘Israel is My firstborn son, / and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. But since you have refused to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son!’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/13-15.htm">Exodus 13:15</a></span><br />And when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of man and beast. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb, but I redeem all the firstborn of my sons.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-28.htm">Hebrews 11:28</a></span><br />By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch Israel’s own firstborn.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/11-8.htm">Revelation 11:8</a></span><br />Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city—figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where their Lord was also crucified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-36.htm">Acts 7:36</a></span><br />He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/9-6.htm">Exodus 9:6</a></span><br />And the next day the LORD did just that. All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one animal belonging to the Israelites died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/10-21.htm">Exodus 10:21-23</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, so that darkness may spread over the land of Egypt—a palpable darkness.” / So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and total darkness covered all the land of Egypt for three days. / No one could see anyone else, and for three days no one left his place. Yet all the Israelites had light in their dwellings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/7-4.htm">Exodus 7:4-5</a></span><br />Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay My hand on Egypt, and by mighty acts of judgment I will bring the divisions of My people the Israelites out of the land of Egypt. / And the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out My hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out from among them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/8-1.htm">Exodus 8:1-2</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and tell him that this is what the LORD says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me. / But if you refuse to let them go, I will plague your whole country with frogs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/9-1.htm">Exodus 9:1-7</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and tell him that this is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me. / But if you continue to restrain them and refuse to let them go, / then the hand of the LORD will bring a severe plague on your livestock in the field—on your horses, donkeys, camels, herds, and flocks. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/10-1.htm">Exodus 10:1-2</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials, that I may perform these miraculous signs of Mine among them, / and that you may tell your children and grandchildren how severely I dealt with the Egyptians when I performed miraculous signs among them, so that all of you may know that I am the LORD.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham:</p><p class="hdg">smote</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/105-36.htm">Psalm 105:36</a></b></br> He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/135-8.htm">Psalm 135:8</a></b></br> Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/136-10.htm">Psalm 136:10</a></b></br> To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy <i>endureth</i> for ever:</p><p class="hdg">the chief</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/49-3.htm">Genesis 49:3</a></b></br> Reuben, thou <i>art</i> my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:</p><p class="hdg">tabernacles</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/105-23.htm">Psalm 105:23</a></b></br> Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/106-22.htm">Psalm 106:22</a></b></br> Wondrous works in the land of Ham, <i>and</i> terrible things by the Red sea.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/9-22.htm">Genesis 9:22-25</a></b></br> And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/77-1.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/psalms/78-48.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/psalms/78-43.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/psalms/58-3.htm">First</a> <a href="/job/18-13.htm">Firstborn</a> <a href="/job/18-13.htm">First-Born</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-4.htm">First-Fruit</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-31.htm">Firstfruits</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-31.htm">First-Fruits</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-40.htm">Ham</a> <a href="/ezra/7-21.htm">Issue</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-24.htm">Manhood</a> <a href="/job/26-12.htm">Smiteth</a> <a href="/psalms/78-31.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/psalms/78-26.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/psalms/78-25.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/psalms/78-31.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/psalms/78-28.htm">Tabernacles</a> <a href="/psalms/78-28.htm">Tents</a> <a href="/job/30-2.htm">Vigour</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/79-13.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/psalms/81-15.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/psalms/80-8.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/psalms/89-27.htm">First</a> <a href="/psalms/89-27.htm">Firstborn</a> <a href="/psalms/89-27.htm">First-Born</a> <a href="/psalms/105-36.htm">First-Fruit</a> <a href="/psalms/105-36.htm">Firstfruits</a> <a href="/psalms/105-36.htm">First-Fruits</a> <a href="/psalms/105-23.htm">Ham</a> <a href="/psalms/105-36.htm">Issue</a> <a href="/psalms/105-36.htm">Manhood</a> <a href="/psalms/78-66.htm">Smiteth</a> <a href="/psalms/78-66.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/psalms/78-61.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/psalms/78-65.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/psalms/78-66.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/psalms/83-6.htm">Tabernacles</a> <a href="/psalms/78-55.htm">Tents</a> <a href="/psalms/105-36.htm">Vigour</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>He struck all the firstborn of Egypt</b><br>This phrase refers to the tenth and final plague that God sent upon Egypt, as recorded in <a href="/exodus/12-29.htm">Exodus 12:29-30</a>. This plague was a direct judgment against Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt, demonstrating God's supremacy and power. The firstborn in ancient cultures often held a place of prominence and inheritance, making this a devastating blow to Egyptian society. The event is a pivotal moment in the Exodus narrative, leading to the liberation of the Israelites from slavery. It also prefigures the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, the "firstborn over all creation" (<a href="/colossians/1-15.htm">Colossians 1:15</a>), who provides deliverance from sin.<p><b>the virility in the tents of Ham</b><br>The term "virility" here refers to the strength and future potential of Egypt, as the firstborn represented the continuation of the family line and the nation's future. "Tents of Ham" is a poetic reference to Egypt, as Ham was one of Noah's sons, and his descendants are traditionally associated with African regions, including Egypt (<a href="/genesis/10-6.htm">Genesis 10:6</a>). This phrase underscores the completeness of God's judgment, affecting the very heart of Egyptian society. The use of "tents" may also evoke the nomadic lifestyle of the patriarchs, contrasting the temporary nature of human power with God's eternal sovereignty.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The sovereign and just deity who executes judgment on Egypt.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/f/firstborn_in_egypt.htm">Firstborn in Egypt</a></b><br>The firstborn sons of the Egyptians, representing the pinnacle of their strength and future.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The land where the Israelites were enslaved, representing a place of oppression and idolatry.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/tents_of_ham.htm">Tents of Ham</a></b><br>Refers to the descendants of Ham, one of Noah's sons, traditionally associated with Egypt and other African nations.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/plague_of_the_firstborn.htm">Plague of the Firstborn</a></b><br>The final and most devastating of the ten plagues that God sent upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_justice.htm">God's Sovereignty and Justice</a></b><br>God is sovereign over all nations and peoples, executing justice according to His divine will.<br><br>The judgment on Egypt serves as a reminder of God's power and authority over earthly rulers.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_disobedience.htm">The Cost of Disobedience</a></b><br>Pharaoh's hardened heart and refusal to obey God led to devastating consequences for Egypt.<br><br>Disobedience to God can result in severe repercussions, both personally and corporately.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/deliverance_and_redemption.htm">Deliverance and Redemption</a></b><br>The plague of the firstborn was a pivotal moment in God's plan to redeem His people from slavery.<br><br>Just as God delivered Israel, He offers spiritual deliverance through Jesus Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_remembrance.htm">The Importance of Remembrance</a></b><br>Psalm 78 serves as a historical reminder for future generations to remember God's mighty works.<br><br>Believers are called to remember and recount God's faithfulness in their own lives.<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/benefits_of_studying_theology.htm">Why did God kill Egypt's firstborn children?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_christians_befriend_non-christians.htm">What evidence supports the historical occurrence of the Exodus?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_god_kill_egypt's_firstborn.htm">Why did God kill Egypt's firstborn children?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_psalm_78_13_align_with_history.htm">Does Psalm 78:13's account of parting the sea align with known physical laws or any historical evidence?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/78.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 51.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And smote all the firstborn in Egypt</span> (see <a href="/exodus/12-29.htm">Exodus 12:29</a>). <span class="cmt_word">The chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham;</span> or, "the <span class="accented">beginning</span> (literally, <span class="accented">firstfruits</span>) of their strength" (comp. <a href="/genesis/49-3.htm">Genesis 49:3</a>). "The tabernacles of Ham" is a periphrasis for "Egypt" - the Egyptians, according to the author of Genesis (<a href="/genesis/10-6.htm">Genesis 10:6</a>), being descendants of Ham (comp. <a href="/psalms/105-23.htm">Psalm 105:23, 27</a>; 6:22). There are no sufficient grounds for connecting the name of Ham either with the Egyptian Kem, Kemi - the native name for the country - or with Khem, one of the principal Egyptian goes. The literation is, no doubt, close in the latter case; but etymologists lay it down that close approximations are especially deceptive. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/78-51.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">He struck</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּ֣ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yaḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strike</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the firstborn</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּכ֣וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḵō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1060.htm">Strong's 1060: </a> </span><span class="str2">Firstborn, chief</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Egypt,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם</span> <span class="translit">(bə·miṣ·rā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4714.htm">Strong's 4714: </a> </span><span class="str2">Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the virility</span><br /><span class="heb">א֝וֹנִ֗ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·w·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_202.htm">Strong's 202: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ability, power, wealth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the tents</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּאָהֳלֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·’ā·ho·lê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_168.htm">Strong's 168: </a> </span><span class="str2">A tent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Ham.</span><br /><span class="heb">חָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḥām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2526.htm">Strong's 2526: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ham -- a son of Noah, also his descendants, also a name for Egyptians</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/78-51.htm">Psalm 78:51 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/78-51.htm">Psalm 78:51 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/78-51.htm">Psalm 78:51 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/78-51.htm">Psalm 78:51 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/78-51.htm">Psalm 78:51 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/78-51.htm">Psalm 78:51 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/78-51.htm">Psalm 78:51 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/78-51.htm">Psalm 78:51 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/78-51.htm">Psalm 78:51 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/78-51.htm">Psalm 78:51 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/78-51.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 78:51 And struck all the firstborn in Egypt (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/78-50.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 78:50"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 78:50" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/78-52.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 78:52"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 78:52" /></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>