Psalms 78:51

51 He killed all the Egyptian firstborns, lusty infants, offspring of Ham's virility.

Psalms 78:51 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 78:51

And smote all the firstborn in Egypt
From the prince to the peasant; and not only the firstborn of men, but of beasts also, ( Exodus 12:29 ) ,

the chief of their strength;
or first of it, as the firstborn is called, ( Genesis 49:3 ) ,

in the tabernacles of Ham;
in the several cities, towns, villages, and houses of the Egyptians, the descendants of cursed Ham; for Mizraim, from whom the Egyptians have their name, and from whence they sprung, was a son of Ham's, ( Genesis 10:6 ) . Perhaps No Ammon may be particularly meant, ( Nahum 3:8 ) , the same with Memphis, and which signifies the mansion or palace of Ammon, that is, Ham; and so Chemmis, another city in Egypt, signifies the same F14; of which see ( Psalms 105:23 ) this was the tenth and last plague: according to Suidas F15, the plagues of Egypt continued forty days.


FOOTNOTES:

F14 Dickinson Delph. Phoeniciz. cap. 4.
F15 In voce (aiguptou) .

Psalms 78:51 In-Context

49 His anger flared, a wild firestorm of havoc, An advance guard of disease-carrying angels
50 to clear the ground, preparing the way before him. He didn't spare those people, he let the plague rage through their lives.
51 He killed all the Egyptian firstborns, lusty infants, offspring of Ham's virility.
52 Then he led his people out like sheep, took his flock safely through the wilderness.
53 He took good care of them; they had nothing to fear. The Sea took care of their enemies for good.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.