Psalms 78:12

12 While their ancestors watched, God performed miracles 1 in the plain of Zoan in the land of Egypt.

Psalms 78:12 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 78:12

Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers
The Targum is,

``before Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes of their fathers, he did marvellous things;''

but these were dead before this time; the Jews have a fancy, that these were brought to the sea, and placed upon it; and the Lord showed them what he would do for their children, and how he would redeem them; but this is to be understood of the plagues which were brought upon the Egyptians, and which are called wonders, ( Exodus 11:10 ) , and were so to the Egyptians themselves; and these were done by the hands of Moses and Aaron, and in their sight:

in the land of Egypt;
where the Israelites were in bondage, and while they were there, and on their account were these things done:

in the field of Zoan;
that is, in the territory of Zoan, which was an ancient city of Egypt, ( Numbers 13:22 ) , the metropolis of the land where Pharaoh kept his court; hence we read of the princes of Zoan, ( Isaiah 19:11 Isaiah 19:13 ) , it is the same with Tanis, and so it is called here in the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions, and also in the Targum; it is said to have been two miles from Heliopolis, and one from Memphis; and at this day these three cities are become one, which is fifteen miles in compass, and goes by the name of Alcair. In this great city, the metropolis of the nation, before Pharaoh and all his court, were the above wonders done.

Psalms 78:12 In-Context

10 They did not keep their covenant with God; they refused to obey his law.
11 They forgot what he had done, the miracles they had seen him perform.
12 While their ancestors watched, God performed miracles in the plain of Zoan in the land of Egypt.
13 He divided the sea and took them through it; he made the waters stand like walls.
14 By day he led them with a cloud and all night long with the light of a fire.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 78.12Exodus 7.8--12.32.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.