Psalms 78:20

Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?

Behold, he smote {H5221}{H8689)} the rock {H6697}, that the waters {H4325} gushed out {H2100}{H8799)}, and the streams {H5158} overflowed {H7857}{H8799)}; can {H3201}{H8799)} he give {H5414}{H8800)} bread {H3899} also? can {H3201}{H8799)} he provide {H3559}{H8686)} flesh {H7607} for his people {H5971}?

True, he struck the rock, and water gushed out, until the vadis overflowed; but what about bread? Can he give that? Can he provide meat for his people?"

When He struck the rock, water gushed out and torrents raged. But can He also give bread or supply His people with meat?”

Behold, he smote the rock, so that waters gushed out, And streams overflowed; Can he give bread also? Will he provide flesh for his people?

Context of Psalms 78:20

This verse is a crucial part of Psalm 78, a historical psalm that recounts God's faithfulness to Israel and, in stark contrast, their persistent rebellion and unbelief. The psalmist, Asaph, uses Israel's wilderness journey as a cautionary tale for future generations. Specifically, verse 20 recalls two significant miracles during the Exodus: God providing water from the rock, first at Rephidim (Exodus 17:6) and later at Meribah (Numbers 20:11). Despite witnessing this undeniable display of divine power and provision, the Israelites immediately questioned God's ability to provide food, expressing their doubt with the rhetorical questions, "can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?"

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Omnipotence and Provision: The verse highlights God's boundless power and willingness to care for His people, demonstrated by His ability to make water gush from solid rock. This act underscores His sovereignty over creation and His commitment to His covenant.
  • Human Unbelief and Testing God: Despite experiencing a profound miracle, the Israelites quickly reverted to doubt, effectively challenging God's capabilities. This illustrates a recurring theme of human skepticism and impatience in the face of divine faithfulness, a pattern warned against in Hebrews 3:12.
  • Forgetfulness of Past Blessings: The Israelites' immediate questioning reveals a short-term memory of God's miraculous intervention. They failed to build their trust on His previous acts of faithfulness, quickly forgetting His mighty deeds.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?" is a rhetorical question that expresses profound doubt and challenge. The Hebrew verb for "provide" (צָבָה, tsavah) means "to prepare" or "to set in order," suggesting that the Israelites were not merely asking if God *could* but if He *would* organize and deliver such sustenance deliberately. This reveals a heart of unbelief that doubts God's character and commitment, not just His power.

Practical Application

Psalms 78:20 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today to trust God's character and power, especially when facing new challenges. Just as He provided water in the wilderness, then manna (Exodus 16:4), and later quails (Numbers 11:4), He is capable of meeting all our needs. Our past experiences of God's faithfulness should build our confidence for future trials, preventing us from falling into the same pattern of doubt as ancient Israel. This verse encourages us to remember that God's past provisions are a guarantee of His future care, affirming that He will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. It challenges us to move beyond a mindset of "can He?" to a confident "He will."

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Numbers 20:11

    And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts [also].

  • Genesis 18:12

    Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

  • Genesis 18:14

    Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

  • Exodus 17:6

    Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

  • Exodus 17:7

    And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?

  • Numbers 11:18

    And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for [it was] well with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat.

  • Psalms 78:41

    Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.

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