Psalm 78:12
New International Version
He did miracles in the sight of their ancestors in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.

New Living Translation
the miracles he did for their ancestors on the plain of Zoan in the land of Egypt.

English Standard Version
In the sight of their fathers he performed wonders in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan.

Berean Standard Bible
He worked wonders before their fathers in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.

King James Bible
Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.

New King James Version
Marvelous things He did in the sight of their fathers, In the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.

New American Standard Bible
He performed wonders before their fathers In the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.

NASB 1995
He wrought wonders before their fathers In the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.

NASB 1977
He wrought wonders before their fathers, In the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.

Legacy Standard Bible
He did wonders before their fathers In the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.

Amplified Bible
He did marvelous things in the sight of their fathers In the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan [where Pharaoh resided].

Christian Standard Bible
He worked wonders in the sight of their ancestors in the land of Egypt, the territory of Zoan.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He worked wonders in the sight of their fathers in the land of Egypt, the region of Zoan.

American Standard Version
Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, In the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.

Contemporary English Version
he did for their ancestors near Zoan in Egypt.

English Revised Version
Marvelous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
In front of their ancestors he performed miracles in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan.

Good News Translation
While their ancestors watched, God performed miracles in the plain of Zoan in the land of Egypt.

International Standard Version
He performed marvelous things in the presence of their ancestors in the land of Egypt— in the fields of Zoan.

Majority Standard Bible
He worked wonders before their fathers in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.

NET Bible
He did amazing things in the sight of their ancestors, in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.

New Heart English Bible
He did marvelous things in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.

Webster's Bible Translation
Marvelous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.

World English Bible
He did marvelous things in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
He has done wonders before their fathers, "" In the land of Egypt—the field of Zoan.

Young's Literal Translation
Before their fathers He hath done wonders, In the land of Egypt -- the field of Zoan.

Smith's Literal Translation
Before their fathers he did a wonder in the land of Egypt, the field of loading.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Wonderful things did he do in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Tanis.

Catholic Public Domain Version
He performed miracles in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Tanis.

New American Bible
In the sight of their ancestors God did wonders, in the land of Egypt, the plain of Zoan.

New Revised Standard Version
In the sight of their ancestors he worked marvels in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Marvellous things did he in the land of Egypt and in the fields of Zoan.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
In front of their fathers when he did wonders in the land of Egypt and in the fields of Zoan.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Marvellous things did He in the sight of their fathers, In the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
the miracles which he wrought before their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the plain of Tanes.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
I Will Open My Mouth in Parables
11They forgot what He had done, the wonders He had shown them. 12He worked wonders before their fathers in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan. 13He split the sea and brought them through; He set the waters upright like a wall.…

Cross References
Exodus 14:21-22
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, / and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left.

Exodus 7:8-12
The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, / “When Pharaoh tells you, ‘Perform a miracle,’ you are to say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,’ and it will become a serpent.” / So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD had commanded. Aaron threw his staff down before Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a serpent. ...

Exodus 15:11
Who among the gods is like You, O LORD? Who is like You—majestic in holiness, revered with praises, performing wonders?

Nehemiah 9:10-11
You performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, all his officials, and all the people of his land, for You knew they had acted with arrogance against our fathers. You made a name for Yourself that endures to this day. / You divided the sea before them, and they crossed through it on dry ground. You hurled their pursuers into the depths like a stone into raging waters.

Psalm 106:7-12
Our fathers in Egypt did not grasp Your wonders or remember Your abundant kindness; but they rebelled by the sea, there at the Red Sea. / Yet He saved them for the sake of His name, to make His power known. / He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up; He led them through the depths as through a desert. ...

Deuteronomy 4:34
Or has any god tried to take as his own a nation out of another nation—by trials, signs, wonders, and war, by a strong hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors—as the LORD your God did for you in Egypt, before your eyes?

Deuteronomy 6:22
Before our eyes the LORD inflicted great and devastating signs and wonders on Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his household.

Isaiah 63:11-13
Then His people remembered the days of old, the days of Moses. Where is He who brought them through the sea with the shepherds of His flock? Where is the One who set His Holy Spirit among them, / who sent His glorious arm to lead them by the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to gain for Himself everlasting renown, / who led them through the depths like a horse in the wilderness, so that they did not stumble?

Acts 7:36
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.

1 Corinthians 10:1-2
I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and that they all passed through the sea. / They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.

Hebrews 11:29
By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were drowned.

John 6:30-31
So they asked Him, “What sign then will You perform, so that we may see it and believe You? What will You do? / Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

John 6:49
Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died.

Matthew 12:39-40
Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. / For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Mark 8:11-12
Then the Pharisees came and began to argue with Jesus, testing Him by demanding from Him a sign from heaven. / Jesus sighed deeply in His spirit and said, “Why does this generation demand a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.”


Treasury of Scripture

Marvelous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.

marvellous

Psalm 78:42-50
They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy…

Psalm 105:27-38
They shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham…

Psalm 135:9
Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.

Zoan.

Psalm 78:43
How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan:

Genesis 32:3
And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom.

Numbers 13:22
And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

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Egypt Eyes Fathers Field Fields Great Marvellous Marvelous Marvels Miracles Region Sight Wonders Works Wrought Zoan Zo'an
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Egypt Eyes Fathers Field Fields Great Marvellous Marvelous Marvels Miracles Region Sight Wonders Works Wrought Zoan Zo'an
Psalm 78
1. An exhortation both to learn and to preach, the law of God
9. The story of God's wrath against the incredulous and disobedient
67. The Israelites being rejected, God chose Judah, Zion, and David.














He worked wonders
The phrase "He worked wonders" refers to the miraculous acts performed by God, emphasizing His divine power and authority. The Hebrew root for "wonders" is "פלא" (pala), which conveys the idea of extraordinary, marvelous acts that are beyond human capability. These wonders are a testament to God's sovereignty and His ability to intervene in the natural order. Historically, these acts were meant to demonstrate God's presence and favor towards His people, Israel, reinforcing their faith and trust in Him.

in the sight of their fathers
This phrase underscores the communal and generational aspect of God's miracles. The "fathers" refers to the ancestors of the Israelites, highlighting the continuity of God's relationship with His people. The miracles were not done in secret but were witnessed by the forefathers, serving as a testimony to future generations. This public display of divine power was intended to instill a sense of awe and reverence, ensuring that the knowledge of God's mighty deeds would be passed down through the ages.

in the land of Egypt
The "land of Egypt" is a significant location in the biblical narrative, representing both a place of bondage and the setting for God's deliverance of His people. Egypt was a powerful and advanced civilization, yet it was here that God chose to display His supremacy over the gods of Egypt and the natural world. The historical context of Egypt as a place of oppression for the Israelites makes the miracles performed there even more profound, as they signify God's ability to liberate and redeem His people from the most formidable of foes.

in the region of Zoan
Zoan, also known as Tanis, was an ancient city in the northeastern Nile Delta of Egypt. It was a significant center of power and culture during the time of the Exodus. By specifying "the region of Zoan," the verse provides a concrete geographical context for the miracles, grounding the biblical narrative in historical reality. This detail serves to remind readers that God's actions took place in real, identifiable locations, reinforcing the authenticity and historicity of the biblical account. Zoan's mention also highlights the reach and impact of God's wonders, extending even into the heart of Egyptian civilization.

(12) Field of Zoan.--See Numbers 13:22. It is the classical "Tanis," merely a corruption of Tsoan, i.e., low country (LXX. and Vulgate). Tanis is situated on the east bank of what was formerly called the Tanitic branch of the Nile. Between it and Pelusium, about thirty miles to the east, stretched a rich plain known as "the marshes," or "the pastures," or "the field" of Zoan.

The psalm now turns to the adventures in the wilderness, postponing the marvels in Egypt till Psalm 78:43.

Verse 12. - Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. The miracles of Egypt are, perhaps, the most striking series in Jewish history. A more particular account of them is given below (vers. 44-53). They were wrought "in the field of Zoan," i.e. in the rich flat tract east and south of the city of Zoan, the Greek Tanis, now San. (On this place, see Mr. Reginald Peele's 'Cities of Egypt,' pp. 64-88.) This fact could not have been gathered from Exodus, but must have come to the writer from the tradition of which he speaks in ver. 3.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He worked
עָ֣שָׂה (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

wonders
פֶ֑לֶא (p̄e·le)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6382: A miracle

before
נֶ֣גֶד (ne·ḡeḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 5048: A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before

their fathers
אֲ֭בוֹתָם (’ă·ḇō·w·ṯām)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1: Father

in the land
בְּאֶ֖רֶץ (bə·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Egypt,
מִצְרַ֣יִם (miṣ·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

in the region
שְׂדֵה־ (śə·ḏêh-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7704: Field, land

of Zoan.
צֹֽעַן׃ (ṣō·‘an)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6814: Zoan -- a place in Egypt


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OT Poetry: Psalm 78:12 He did marvelous things in the sight (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 78:11
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