Psalms 79:12

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Repay our neighbors sevenfold where they can feel it for the insults they inflicted on you, Adonai.

Berean Standard Bible:

Pay back into the laps of our neighbors sevenfold the reproach they hurled at You, O Lord.

American Standard Version:

And render unto our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom Their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And render^{H7725}{H8685)} unto our neighbours^{H7934} sevenfold^{H7659} into their bosom^{H2436} their reproach^{H2781}, wherewith they have reproached^{H2778}{H8765)} thee, O Lord^{H136}.

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Commentary for Psalms 79:12

Psalm 79:12 is part of a lament psalm attributed to Asaph, a leader of worship in ancient Israel. The historical context of this psalm is generally associated with the period after the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile, although the exact historical moment is not specified. The theme of the psalm is a communal lament over the destruction of Jerusalem, the profanation of the Temple, and the suffering of the people at the hands of their enemies.

In verse 12, the psalmist calls upon God to repay the nations that have mocked and taunted Israel for their downfall. The phrase "sevenfold into their bosom" signifies a desire for a complete and just retribution, with the number seven often symbolizing completeness or perfection in the Bible. The psalmist is asking God to turn the shame and ridicule that the enemies have heaped upon Israel back upon those same enemies, to a degree that is proportionate to, or even greater than, the suffering they have caused.

This verse reflects the deep emotional pain of the Israelites, their sense of injustice, and their longing for divine vindication. It is a plea for God to act as judge and to restore the honor of His people by punishing those who have wronged them. The call for retribution is a common theme in lament literature, expressing a hope for divine justice in a world where the wicked often seem to prosper at the expense of the righteous.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7725
   There are 952 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שׁוּב
   Transliteration: shûwb
   Pronunciation: shoob
   Description: a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again; ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw.
   
2. Strong's Number: H7934
   There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁכֵן
   Transliteration: shâkên
   Pronunciation: shaw-kane'
   Description: from שָׁכַן; a resident; by extension, a fellow-citizen; inhabitant, neighbour, nigh.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7659
   There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שִׁבְעָתַיִם
   Transliteration: shibʻâthayim
   Pronunciation: shib-aw-thah'-yim
   Description: dual (adverbially) of שֶׁבַע; seven-times; seven(-fold, times).
   
4. Strong's Number: H2436
   There are 34 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֵיק
   Transliteration: chêyq
   Pronunciation: khake
   Description: or חֵק; and חוֹק; from an unused root, apparently meaning to inclose; the bosom (literally or figuratively); bosom, bottom, lap, midst, within.
   
5. Strong's Number: H2781
   There are 72 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֶרְפָּה
   Transliteration: cherpâh
   Pronunciation: kher-paw'
   Description: from חָרַף; contumely, disgrace, the pudenda; rebuke, reproach(-fully), shame.
   
6. Strong's Number: H2778
   There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָרַף
   Transliteration: châraph
   Pronunciation: khaw-raf'
   Description: a primitive root; also denominative (from חֹרֶף); to pull off, i.e. (by implication) to expose (as by stripping); specifically, to betroth (as if a surrender); figuratively, to carp at, i.e. defame; to spend the winter; betroth, blaspheme, defy, jeopard, rail, reproach, upbraid.
   
7. Strong's Number: H136
   There are 910 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֲדֹנָי
   Transliteration: ʼĂdônây
   Pronunciation: ad-o-noy'
   Description: an emphatic form of אָדוֹן; the Lord (used as a proper name of God only); (my) Lord.