Psalms 78:51

51 (77-51) And he killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt: the firstfruits of all their labour in the tabernacles of Cham.

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 (77-49) And he sent upon them the wrath of his indignation: indignation and wrath and trouble, which he sent by evil angels.

50 (77-50) He made a way for a path to his anger: he spared not their souls from death, and their cattle he shut up in death.

51 (77-51) And he killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt: the firstfruits of all their labour in the tabernacles of Cham.

52 (77-52) And he took away his own people as sheep: and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.

53 (77-53) And he brought them out in hope and they feared not: and the sea overwhelmed their enemies.