Psalm 78:51
New International Version
He struck down all the firstborn of Egypt, the firstfruits of manhood in the tents of Ham.

New Living Translation
He killed the oldest son in each Egyptian family, the flower of youth throughout the land of Egypt.

English Standard Version
He struck down every firstborn in Egypt, the firstfruits of their strength in the tents of Ham.

Berean Standard Bible
He struck all the firstborn of Egypt, the virility in the tents of Ham.

King James Bible
And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham:

New King James Version
And destroyed all the firstborn in Egypt, The first of their strength in the tents of Ham.

New American Standard Bible
And struck all the firstborn in Egypt, The first and best of their vigor in the tents of Ham.

NASB 1995
And smote all the firstborn in Egypt, The first issue of their virility in the tents of Ham.

NASB 1977
And smote all the first-born in Egypt, The first issue of their virility in the tents of Ham.

Legacy Standard Bible
So He struck all the firstborn in Egypt, The first of their vigor in the tents of Ham.

Amplified Bible
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.

Christian Standard Bible
He struck all the firstborn in Egypt, the first progeny of the tents of Ham.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He struck all the firstborn in Egypt, the first progeny of the tents of Ham.

American Standard Version
And smote all the first-born in Egypt, The chief of their strength in the tents of Ham.

Contemporary English Version
He killed the first-born son of each Egyptian family.

English Revised Version
And smote all the firstborn in Egypt, the chief of their strength in the tents of Ham:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He slaughtered every firstborn in Egypt, the ones born in the tents of Ham when their fathers were young.

Good News Translation
He killed the first-born sons of all the families of Egypt.

International Standard Version
He struck every firstborn in Egypt, the first fruits of their manhood in the tents of Ham.

Majority Standard Bible
He struck all the firstborn of Egypt, the virility in the tents of Ham.

NET Bible
He struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, the firstfruits of their reproductive power in the tents of Ham.

New Heart English Bible
and struck all the firstborn in Egypt, the chief of their strength in the tents of Ham.

Webster's Bible Translation
And smote all the first-born in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham:

World English Bible
and struck all the firstborn in Egypt, the chief of their strength in the tents of Ham.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And He strikes every firstborn in Egypt, "" The first-fruit of the strong in tents of Ham.

Young's Literal Translation
And He smiteth every first-born in Egypt, The first-fruit of the strong in tents of Ham.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will strike all the firstborn in Egypt; the first-fruits of their toils in the tents of Ham:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt: the firstfruits of all their labour in the tabernacles of Cham.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he struck all the first-born in the land of Egypt: the first-fruits of all their labor in the tabernacles of Ham.

New American Bible
He struck all the firstborn of Egypt, the first fruits of their vigor in the tents of Ham.

New Revised Standard Version
He struck all the firstborn in Egypt, the first issue of their strength in the tents of Ham.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And smote all the first-born in Egypt, the fairest of their sons in the tabernacles of Ham;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He killed all the firstborn of Egypt, the first of all their children in the tents of Ham.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And smote all the first-born in Egypt, The first-fruits of their strength in the tents of Ham;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and smote every first-born in the land of Egypt; the first-fruits of their labours in the tents of Cham.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
I Will Open My Mouth in Parables
50He cleared a path for His anger; He did not spare them from death but delivered their lives to the plague. 51He struck all the firstborn of Egypt, the virility in the tents of Ham. 52He led out His people like sheep and guided them like a flock in the wilderness.…

Cross References
Exodus 12:29
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.

Exodus 11:4-5
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.

Numbers 33:4
who were burying all their firstborn, whom the LORD had struck down among them; for the LORD had executed judgment against their gods.

Psalm 105:36
Then He struck all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their vigor.

Exodus 4:22-23
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!’”

Exodus 13:15
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.’

Hebrews 11:28
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.

Revelation 11:8
Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city—figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where their Lord was also crucified.

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.

Exodus 9:6
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.

Exodus 10:21-23
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.

Exodus 7:4-5
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.”

Exodus 8:1-2
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.

Exodus 9:1-7
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. ...

Exodus 10:1-2
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.”


Treasury of Scripture

And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham:

smote

Psalm 105:36
He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.

Psalm 135:8
Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.

Psalm 136:10
To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:

the chief

Genesis 49:3
Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:

tabernacles

Psalm 105:23
Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.

Psalm 106:22
Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea.

Genesis 9:22-25
And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without…

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Chief Destruction Egypt First Firstborn First-Born First-Fruit Firstfruits First-Fruits Ham Issue Manhood Smiteth Smote Strength Strong Struck Tabernacles Tents Vigour
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Chief Destruction Egypt First Firstborn First-Born First-Fruit Firstfruits First-Fruits Ham Issue Manhood Smiteth Smote Strength Strong Struck Tabernacles Tents Vigour
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 struck
The phrase "He struck" refers to a decisive and powerful action taken by God. In the Hebrew text, the verb used here is "נָכָה" (nakah), which means to strike, smite, or hit. This action is indicative of God's judgment and power. It is a reminder of the sovereignty of God over all nations and His ability to execute justice. Historically, this act was part of the ten plagues that God sent upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. It underscores the theme of divine retribution against those who oppose God's will.

all the firstborn of Egypt
The "firstborn of Egypt" signifies the primary victims of the final plague. In ancient cultures, the firstborn held a place of prominence and were often seen as the future hope of the family or nation. The Hebrew word for firstborn is "בְּכוֹר" (bekhor), which carries the connotation of preeminence and priority. This plague was a direct attack on the future and strength of Egypt, demonstrating that no earthly power could withstand the will of God. It also served as a stark contrast to the protection God provided to the Israelites, whose firstborn were spared through the Passover sacrifice.

the virility in the tents of Ham
The term "virility" here is translated from the Hebrew word "רֵאשִׁית" (reshit), which can mean beginning, chief, or choice. It emphasizes the strength and vitality that were cut down in Egypt. "Tents of Ham" refers to the descendants of Ham, one of Noah's sons, traditionally associated with Egypt and other African nations. The use of "tents" symbolizes dwelling places or households, indicating that the judgment was comprehensive, affecting every family unit. This phrase highlights the thoroughness of God's judgment and serves as a reminder of the historical and genealogical connections in the biblical narrative. It also reflects the broader biblical theme of God's justice being meted out to those who oppose His people and His purposes.

Verse 51. - And smote all the firstborn in Egypt (see Exodus 12:29). The chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham; or, "the beginning (literally, firstfruits) of their strength" (comp. Genesis 49:3). "The tabernacles of Ham" is a periphrasis for "Egypt" - the Egyptians, according to the author of Genesis (Genesis 10:6), being descendants of Ham (comp. Psalm 105:23, 27; 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.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He struck
וַיַּ֣ךְ (way·yaḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the firstborn
בְּכ֣וֹר (bə·ḵō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1060: Firstborn, chief

of Egypt,
בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם (bə·miṣ·rā·yim)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

the virility
א֝וֹנִ֗ים (’ō·w·nîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 202: Ability, power, wealth

in the tents
בְּאָהֳלֵי־ (bə·’ā·ho·lê-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 168: A tent

of Ham.
חָֽם׃ (ḥām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2526: Ham -- a son of Noah, also his descendants, also a name for Egyptians


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OT Poetry: Psalm 78:51 And struck all the firstborn in Egypt (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 78:50
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