Psalms 78:25

KJV

Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full.

KJV (with Strong's)

Man {H376} did eat {H398}{H8804)} angels {H47}' food {H3899}: he sent {H7971}{H8804)} them meat {H6720} to the full {H7648}.

Complete Jewish Bible

mortals ate the bread of angels; he provided for them to the full.

Berean Standard Bible

Man ate the bread of angels; He sent them food in abundance.

American Standard Version

Man did eat the bread of the mighty: He sent them food to the full.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 78:25 eloquently describes God's miraculous and abundant provision of manna for the Israelites during their wilderness journey. This verse highlights the divine origin and exceptional quality of this heavenly sustenance, referring to it as "angels' food," and emphasizes God's boundless generosity in supplying it "to the full," completely satisfying their needs despite their persistent grumbling and lack of faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 78 is a historical *maskil*, an instructive psalm designed to recount God's faithful dealings with Israel from the Exodus through the early monarchy, serving as a cautionary tale and a reminder of divine steadfastness. Asaph, the psalmist, uses this narrative to teach future generations about God's enduring covenant loyalty contrasted with Israel's recurrent disobedience and forgetfulness. Verse 25 is situated within the detailed account of God's miraculous sustenance of the Israelites in the barren desert, specifically the provision of manna and quail. It follows the description of Israel's complaining and testing God's patience regarding food in the wilderness, as seen in [Psalm 78:17-20](/psalms/78-17-20 "Psalm 78:17-20 - Israel's Discontent and Testing of God"). This verse then sets the stage for God's gracious response, yet it also precedes the Israelites' continued lack of faith and their subsequent judgment, despite such extraordinary intervention, as detailed in [Psalm 78:32-33](/psalms/78-32-33 "Psalm 78:32-33 - Israel's Continued Disobedience and God's Patience").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for Psalm 78:25 is the forty-year period of Israel's wilderness wanderings following their liberation from Egyptian bondage, a period extensively documented in the books of Exodus and Numbers. During this time, millions of people, along with their livestock, were entirely dependent on supernatural provision in an arid and inhospitable desert. The manna, first introduced in [Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - The Provision of Manna and Quail"), was a daily, miraculous phenomenon, appearing like dew each morning. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, food security was paramount for survival, making the consistent, supernatural appearance of manna an undeniable and profound sign of God's immediate presence, power, and care. The phrase "angels' food" (or "food of the mighty ones") would have conveyed to an ancient audience the extraordinary, non-earthly origin and superior quality of this sustenance, underscoring it as a divine gift far beyond human capacity or expectation.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prominent in Psalm 78 and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost among these is **Divine Provision**, showcasing God's sovereign ability and unwavering willingness to sustain His people even in the most desolate circumstances, literally providing from heaven. It profoundly illustrates **God's Faithfulness and Generosity**, as He provides not merely minimally but "to the full," demonstrating His abundant care despite Israel's persistent **Ingratitude and Rebellion**. The miraculous nature of the manna underscores God's **Omnipotence and Covenant Loyalty**, reminding Israel (and us) that He unfailingly keeps His promises even when His people fail to uphold their end of the covenant. Ultimately, the psalm, including this verse, serves a crucial **Didactic Purpose**, aiming to instruct future generations about the consequences of forgetting God's mighty works and the vital importance of obedience and remembrance, as articulated in [Psalm 78:1-8](/psalms/78-1-8 "Psalm 78:1-8 - Hear My Teaching, O My People").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **אַבִּיר (Hebrew, _ʼabbîyr'_):** Translated as "angels'" in the KJV, this word literally means "mighty one," "strong one," or "chiefest." While it can refer to divine beings or angels in some contexts, its primary sense here emphasizes the extraordinary *quality* and *source* of the food. It suggests food fit for exalted, powerful beings, thereby highlighting its supernatural origin and superior nature, distinguishing it from any ordinary earthly provision. It signifies that the manna was not merely sustenance but a divine delicacy, a gift of unparalleled excellence.
* **לֶחֶם (Hebrew, _lechem'_):** This common Hebrew word, translated as "food" in the first clause, broadly means "food (for man or beast)," especially "bread" or "grain." In the context of the manna, it refers to the staple, daily sustenance miraculously provided. Its use here emphasizes the fundamental, life-sustaining nature of God's gift, distinguishing it from the more general "meat" mentioned later in the verse.
* **צֵידָה (Hebrew, _tsêydâh'_):** Translated as "meat" in the KJV, this feminine noun more broadly means "provision," "food," "victuals," or "supplies for a journey." While the context of Psalm 78 also includes the provision of quail, *tsêydâh* here likely refers to the general sustenance provided, encompassing both manna and quail, or primarily the manna as the consistent staple. It underscores the practical, life-sustaining nature of God's daily and abundant gift.
* **שֹׂבַע (Hebrew, _sôbaʻ'_):** This noun, used with the preposition "to" (לָשֹׂבַע), means "satisfaction," "fullness," or "satiety." It stresses the generous and complete nature of God's provision. It was not a meager ration but an overflowing supply that fully met the needs of the Israelites, demonstrating God's boundless generosity and desire to satisfy His people completely.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Man did eat angels' food":** This clause refers to the Israelites ("man," from H376 `ʼîysh`, denoting individuals of humanity) who consumed the miraculous manna. The description "angels' food" (or "food of the mighty ones") underscores the manna's divine origin and exceptional quality. It was not a natural phenomenon but a supernatural gift, a heavenly bread provided directly by God, elevating it beyond ordinary sustenance to a truly miraculous and precious commodity, fit for the most exalted beings.
* **"he sent them meat to the full."**: This second clause identifies the divine agent ("he," referring to God, implied from the preceding narrative) and the abundance of His provision. God not only provided food (the broader "meat" or "provision," encompassing both manna and quail) but did so "to the full," meaning in complete sufficiency and overflowing generosity. This highlights God's unfailing commitment to meet the needs of His people, providing more than enough to satisfy their hunger and sustain them generously in the barren wilderness.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 78:25 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The phrase "**angels' food**" functions primarily as a **Metaphor** or **Hyperbole**. It is a metaphor because the manna is not literally food consumed by angels, but it is *likened* to food fit for exalted, heavenly beings, thereby emphasizing its divine origin, supernatural quality, and unparalleled excellence. It can also be seen as hyperbole, exaggerating the manna's superior nature to underscore God's extraordinary generosity and the miraculous nature of the provision. The verse also exhibits **Synthetic Parallelism**, where the two clauses, "Man did eat angels' food" and "he sent them meat to the full," do not repeat the same idea but rather build upon and expand it. The first clause emphasizes the *quality* and *source* of the divine provision, while the second clause highlights its *quantity* and *generosity*. This structure reinforces the dual nature of God's gift: its heavenly origin and its complete sufficiency. The entire psalm, including this verse, functions as a **Didactic Narrative**, using historical recounting to instruct and remind Israel of God's past faithfulness and their own failures, serving as a timeless lesson for future generations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 78:25 stands as a profound testament to God's character as the faithful Provider who sustains His people even in the most impossible circumstances. It reveals His boundless generosity and unwavering commitment to His covenant, even when His people are undeserving. The "angels' food" signifies not only the miraculous nature of the manna but also God's condescension—His willingness to bestow divine blessings of the highest order upon fallible humanity. This act of provision was not merely about physical sustenance; it was a visible, tangible lesson in utter dependence on God and a powerful demonstration of His sovereignty and power to overcome all natural limitations. The Israelites' subsequent grumbling and spiritual amnesia, despite such miraculous provision, sadly highlights their spiritual blindness and the human tendency to forget God's goodness, a recurring and tragic theme throughout the psalm.

* [Exodus 16:4](/exodus/16-4 "The Promise of Manna")
* [Numbers 11:7-9](/numbers/11-7-9 "Description and Gathering of Manna")
* [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Man Does Not Live by Bread Alone")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 78:25 serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness and His profound desire to provide for His people, both physically and spiritually. It challenges us to cultivate a deep and abiding trust in His provision, especially when our circumstances seem dire, resources appear scarce, or our future feels uncertain. Just as He miraculously sustained millions in the barren wilderness, He promises to meet our needs today, often in ways we might not expect or fully comprehend. This verse also calls us to a posture of profound gratitude, recognizing that every blessing, every daily provision, is a gift from His generous hand. We are prone to take God's mercies for granted, much like the Israelites, and this text urges us to remember His past goodness and allow it to fuel our present faith and thankfulness. Moreover, it subtly prompts us to consider what "food" truly satisfies us—is it merely earthly provision, or do we hunger for the spiritual nourishment that endures for eternity?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways have you experienced God's miraculous provision in your own life, even in seemingly impossible situations?**
* **How does the idea of "angels' food" challenge your understanding of God's generosity and the extraordinary quality of His blessings?**
* **Are there areas in your life where you are struggling to trust God for provision, and how might this verse encourage you to lean more fully on Him?**
* **What "meat to the full" (abundance and complete satisfaction) has God given you, and how can you cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude for it in your daily life?**

### FAQ
**What exactly is "angels' food" mentioned in this verse, and does it mean angels actually eat it?**

Answer: "Angels' food" (Hebrew: לֶחֶם אַבִּירִים, _lechem abbirim_) refers to the manna that God miraculously provided for the Israelites in the wilderness. The term "abbirim" (from H47 `ʼabbîyr`) literally means "mighty ones," "strong ones," or "nobles." While some translations render it "angels," the primary intent is not to suggest that angels literally consume this food. Instead, it emphasizes the manna's extraordinary, divine origin and superior quality. It was food so exceptional and miraculous that it was considered fit for exalted, powerful beings, thus highlighting God's incredible condescension and generosity in providing such a heavenly sustenance to mortal humans. It underscores that this was no ordinary bread but a direct, supernatural gift from God, as described in [Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - The Provision of Manna and Quail").

**Does "he sent them meat to the full" refer only to quail, or something else?**

Answer: While the broader context of Psalm 78, and the wilderness narratives in [Numbers 11](/numbers/11 "Numbers 11 - Quail and Manna Provided"), certainly includes God's provision of quail (often referred to as "meat"), the Hebrew word used here, צֵידָה (_tsêydâh_, H6720), is a more general term for "provision," "food," or "victuals." Therefore, "meat to the full" signifies the abundant and complete sustenance God provided for the Israelites. This would encompass both the daily manna, which was their staple food, and the occasional miraculous provision of quail. The phrase emphasizes the *generosity* and *completeness* of God's provision, ensuring that His people were fully satisfied and lacked nothing in the barren desert, a testament to His overflowing care.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 78:25, with its vivid description of "angels' food" and abundant provision, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The manna, though miraculously provided and life-sustaining for a time, was a physical provision for a physical journey, unable to grant eternal life. Jesus Himself drew this crucial theological connection, declaring in [John 6:32-33](/john/6-32-33 "John 6:32-33 - Jesus, the True Bread from Heaven") that Moses did not give the true bread from heaven, but His Father gives the true bread, "for the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." He then powerfully proclaimed, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). Unlike the manna, which sustained physical life but did not prevent death ([John 6:49](/john/6-49 "John 6:49 - Your Fathers Ate the Manna and Died")), Jesus offers spiritual life that endures eternally ([John 6:51](/john/6-51 "John 6:51 - The Living Bread Gives Eternal Life")). He is the true "heavenly food" sent by God, not just to satisfy physical hunger but to nourish the soul unto everlasting life. To truly eat this "angels' food" today means to believe in Him and receive Him as the spiritual sustenance for our lives, finding in Him the complete and abundant satisfaction that no earthly provision can ever offer, a "food that endures to eternal life" ([John 6:27](/john/6-27 "John 6:27 - Seeking Enduring Food")). He is God's ultimate provision, satisfying our deepest spiritual hunger.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 14:20

And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.

Matthew 15:37

And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken [meat] that was left seven baskets full.

Psalms 103:20

Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

Exodus 16:8

And Moses said, [This shall be], when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what [are] we? your murmurings [are] not against us, but against the LORD.