Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version They ate till they were gorged— he had given them what they craved. New Living Translation The people ate their fill. He gave them what they craved. English Standard Version And they ate and were well filled, for he gave them what they craved. Berean Standard Bible So they ate and were well filled, for He gave them what they craved. King James Bible So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire; New King James Version So they ate and were well filled, For He gave them their own desire. New American Standard Bible So they ate and were well filled, And He satisfied their longing. NASB 1995 So they ate and were well filled, And their desire He gave to them. NASB 1977 So they ate and were well filled; And their desire He gave to them. Legacy Standard Bible So they ate and were very satisfied, And their desire He brought to them. Amplified Bible So they ate and were well filled, He gave them what they craved. Christian Standard Bible The people ate and were completely satisfied, for he gave them what they craved. Holman Christian Standard Bible They ate and were completely satisfied, for He gave them what they craved. American Standard Version So they did eat, and were well filled; And he gave them their own desire. Contemporary English Version God gave his people all they wanted, and each of them ate until they were full. English Revised Version So they did eat, and were well filled; and he gave them that they lusted after. GOD'S WORD® Translation They ate more than enough. He gave them what they wanted, Good News Translation So the people ate and were satisfied; God gave them what they wanted. International Standard Version So they ate and were very satisfied, because he granted their desire. NET Bible They ate until they were stuffed; he gave them what they desired. New Heart English Bible So they ate, and were well filled. He gave them their own desire. Webster's Bible Translation So they ate, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo they ate and were well filled, for He gave them what they craved. World English Bible So they ate, and were well filled. He gave them their own desire. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd they eat, and are greatly satisfied, "" And He brings their desire to them. Young's Literal Translation And they eat, and are greatly satisfied, And their desire He bringeth to them. Smith's Literal Translation And they shall eat and be well filled: and he will bring to them their desire. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleSo they did eat, and were filled exceedingly, and he gave them their desire: Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible They ate and were well filled; he gave them what they had craved. New Revised Standard Version And they ate and were well filled, for he gave them what they craved. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSo they did eat and were well filled; for he gave them their own desire. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated They ate and were very satisfied and he gave them their desire. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917So they did eat, and were well filled; And He gave them that which they craved. Brenton Septuagint Translation So they ate, and were completely filled; and he gave them their desire. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context I Will Open My Mouth in Parables…28He felled them in the midst of their camp, all around their dwellings. 29So they ate and were well filled, for He gave them what they craved. 30Yet before they had filled their desire, with the food still in their mouths,… Cross References Numbers 11:31-34 Now a wind sent by the LORD came up, drove in quail from the sea, and brought them near the camp, about two cubits above the surface of the ground, for a day’s journey in every direction around the camp. / All that day and night, and all the next day, the people stayed up gathering the quail. No one gathered less than ten homers, and they spread them out all around the camp. / But while the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of the LORD burned against the people, and the LORD struck them with a severe plague. ... Exodus 16:12-15 “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.’” / That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. / When the layer of dew had evaporated, there were thin flakes on the desert floor, as fine as frost on the ground. ... John 6:31-35 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” / Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. / For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” ... 1 Corinthians 10:3-6 They all ate the same spiritual food / and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. / Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the wilderness. ... Exodus 16:8 And Moses added, “The LORD will give you meat to eat this evening and bread to fill you in the morning, for He has heard your grumbling against Him. Who are we? Your grumblings are not against us but against the LORD.” Numbers 11:4-6 Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, “Who will feed us meat? / We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. / But now our appetite is gone; there is nothing to see but this manna!” John 6:49-51 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. / This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that anyone may eat of it and not die. / I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And this bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh.” Psalm 105:40 They asked, and He brought quail and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. Nehemiah 9:20-21 You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold Your manna from their mouths, and You gave them water for their thirst. / For forty years You sustained them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell. Matthew 14:20-21 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. / About five thousand men were fed, besides women and children. Matthew 15:37-38 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. / A total of four thousand men were fed, besides women and children. Luke 9:17 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 2 Kings 7:1-2 Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the LORD says: ‘About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel, and two seahs of barley will sell for a shekel.’” / But the officer on whose arm the king leaned answered the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” “You will see it with your own eyes,” replied Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it.” 2 Kings 7:19-20 And the officer had answered the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” So Elisha had replied, “You will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of it!” / And that is just what happened to him. The people trampled him in the gateway, and he died. Job 20:23 When he has filled his stomach, God will vent His fury upon him, raining it down on him as he eats. Treasury of Scripture So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire; for he gave Psalm 106:15 And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul. Numbers 11:20 But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt? Jump to Previous Ate Craved Desire Eat Enough Filled Food Full Greatly Lusted SatisfiedJump to Next Ate Craved Desire Eat Enough Filled Food Full Greatly Lusted SatisfiedPsalm 78 1. An exhortation both to learn and to preach, the law of God9. The story of God's wrath against the incredulous and disobedient 67. The Israelites being rejected, God chose Judah, Zion, and David. So they ate and were well filled This phrase refers to the Israelites during their wilderness journey after the Exodus from Egypt. God provided manna and quail to satisfy their hunger, demonstrating His provision and care. The miraculous feeding is a testament to God's ability to meet the physical needs of His people. This event is recorded in Exodus 16 and Numbers 11, where God responds to the Israelites' complaints about the lack of food. The phrase "well filled" indicates not just sufficiency but abundance, highlighting God's generosity. This provision prefigures the feeding of the 5,000 by Jesus in the New Testament (Matthew 14:13-21), where He also provides abundantly for the physical needs of the people, pointing to His divine nature and compassion. for He gave them what they craved Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and wandered in the wilderness. 2. The Wilderness The desert area where the Israelites wandered for 40 years after their exodus from Egypt. 3. Moses The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. 4. God's Provision The miraculous supply of food (manna and quail) provided by God to sustain the Israelites in the wilderness. 5. Quail The birds that God sent to the Israelites in response to their craving for meat, as described in the context of Psalm 78. Teaching Points God's Provision and Human DesireGod is faithful to provide for our needs, but we must be cautious of our desires. The Israelites' craving led to consequences, teaching us to align our desires with God's will. Contentment in God's Provision The Israelites' dissatisfaction with manna reflects a lack of contentment. We are called to be content with what God provides, trusting in His wisdom and timing. The Danger of Fleshly Cravings The Israelites' desire for meat over God's provision of manna serves as a warning against allowing fleshly cravings to overshadow spiritual needs. Trust in God's Timing God's provision of quail came in His timing, not the Israelites'. We must trust that God's timing is perfect, even when it doesn't align with our immediate desires. Spiritual Sustenance Over Physical Satisfaction Jesus' teaching in John 6 reminds us that spiritual sustenance is more important than physical satisfaction. We should seek the "bread of life" that only Christ can provide. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Psalm 78:29?2. How does Psalm 78:29 demonstrate God's provision despite Israel's disobedience? 3. What lessons can we learn about contentment from Psalm 78:29? 4. How does Psalm 78:29 connect with God's provision in Exodus 16? 5. How can we apply the principle of gratitude from Psalm 78:29 today? 6. What does Psalm 78:29 teach about the consequences of unchecked desires? 7. How does Psalm 78:29 reflect God's provision and human satisfaction? 8. What historical context surrounds the events described in Psalm 78:29? 9. How does Psalm 78:29 challenge our understanding of divine generosity? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 78? 11. Psalm 29:5 states the Lord's voice shatters the cedars of Lebanon; what evidence supports the claim that a divine voice can cause literal destruction of trees? 12. Psalm 98:7-8 depicts seas and rivers praising God. How are we to accept these as literal events rather than poetic symbolism? 13. How do we reconcile the claim of God's omnipresence with the Psalmist's sense of complete abandonment in Psalm 88:14? 14. Why did God cause deaths in the Bible? What Does Psalm 78:29 Mean So they atePsalm 78 is recounting real events from Israel’s wilderness journey. The phrase opens with the simple fact that the people actually ate the food God sent—quail in this case (Numbers 11:31-32). Their eating was not symbolic; it was a literal meal provided by the LORD, just as He had earlier supplied manna (Exodus 16:13-15). By emphasizing “they ate,” the psalm reminds us: • God meets concrete, practical needs—not merely spiritual ones (Psalm 104:27-28). • His provisions arrive precisely when and where He decrees (Exodus 16:35). This same God still sees every genuine need of His people today (Matthew 6:31-33). and were well filled The supply was abundant, not rationed. Numbers 11:32 notes that each person gathered at least ten homers of quail—far more than enough. The wording “well filled” underscores: • God’s generosity exceeds basic survival; He delights to satisfy fully (Psalm 23:1, 5). • Nothing is too hard for Him, whether sustaining millions in a desert or feeding thousands with a few loaves and fish (John 6:11-13). Yet abundance can become a test: will the people respond with gratitude or with entitlement? (Deuteronomy 8:10-14). for He gave them The psalmist points directly to the Giver. Israel did not stumble upon a natural windfall; “He gave” stresses divine initiative. Cross references reinforce this truth: • Exodus 16:4—“I will rain down bread from heaven for you.” • Psalm 105:40—“They asked, and He brought quail.” God’s hand is both the source and the security of every blessing (James 1:17). Recognizing Him as Giver leads to worship rather than presumption (Deuteronomy 8:17-18). what they craved Here the tone turns sober. The people’s craving was self-focused, expressed with complaint (Numbers 11:4-6). God granted the request, but Psalm 106:15 warns, “He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul.” Lessons surface: • God may permit what we insist on, even when it is not best (1 Samuel 8:19-22). • Craving without submission can bring discipline instead of delight (Numbers 11:33-34). • True satisfaction is found not in the gift but in the Giver (Psalm 37:4; John 6:35). summary Psalm 78:29 records a literal event that doubles as a timeless mirror. God faithfully provided an overflowing feast of quail; Israel literally ate and was stuffed. Yet the same verse hints at the danger of unchecked craving. The Lord’s provision is lavish, but when hearts fixate on the gift rather than the Giver, abundance can harden rather than humble. Receiving with gratitude and obedience turns every provision into a fresh reminder of His steadfast love. (29) Desire.--See Numbers 11:34, margin.Verse 29. - So they did eat, and were well filled; i.e. sated (comp. Numbers 11:19, 20). For he gave them their own desire; or, their own lust - that they lusted after (Revised Version).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew So they ateוַיֹּאכְל֣וּ (way·yō·ḵə·lū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 398: To eat and were well מְאֹ֑ד (mə·’ōḏ) Adverb Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily filled, וַיִּשְׂבְּע֣וּ (way·yiś·bə·‘ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 7646: To be sated, satisfied or surfeited for He gave יָבִ֥א (yā·ḇi) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go them לָהֶֽם׃ (lā·hem) Preposition-l | Pronoun - third person masculine plural Strong's 1992: They what they craved. וְ֝תַֽאֲוָתָ֗ם (wə·ṯa·’ă·wā·ṯām) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 8378: A longing, a delight Links Psalm 78:29 NIVPsalm 78:29 NLT Psalm 78:29 ESV Psalm 78:29 NASB Psalm 78:29 KJV Psalm 78:29 BibleApps.com Psalm 78:29 Biblia Paralela Psalm 78:29 Chinese Bible Psalm 78:29 French Bible Psalm 78:29 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Psalm 78:29 So they ate and were well filled (Psalm Ps Psa.) |