Psalms 78:51

51 He killed the oldest son of each family in Egypt. He struck down the oldest son in every house in the land of Ham.

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.

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Psalms 78:51 In-Context

49 He brought great trouble on Egypt by pouring out his blazing anger. In his hot anger he sent destroying angels against them.

50 God prepared a path for his anger. He didn't spare their lives. He gave them over to the plague.

51 He killed the oldest son of each family in Egypt. He struck down the oldest son in every house in the land of Ham.

52 But he brought his people out like a flock. He led them like sheep through the desert.

53 He guided them safely, and they weren't afraid. But the Red Sea swallowed up their enemies.