Psalms 78:29

KJV

So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire;

KJV (with Strong's)

So they did eat {H398}{H8799)}, and were well {H3966} filled {H7646}{H8799)}: for he gave {H935}{H8686)} them their own desire {H8378};

Complete Jewish Bible

So they ate till they were satisfied; he gave them what they craved.

Berean Standard Bible

So they ate and were well filled, for He gave them what they craved.

American Standard Version

So they did eat, and were well filled; And he gave them their own desire.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 78:29 captures a poignant and paradoxical moment in Israel's wilderness wanderings, illustrating God's response to their rebellious cravings. Despite His miraculous provision of manna, the Israelites demanded meat, and in this verse, God grants their persistent desire, allowing them to be "well filled." However, this apparent fulfillment was not a blessing but a concession that immediately preceded divine judgment, serving as a stark reminder that not every granted desire is a sign of favor, and sometimes, receiving what one craves can be a form of discipline.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 78 is a sweeping historical psalm, an _asaph_ (didactic) psalm that recounts Israel's history from the Exodus through the establishment of the Davidic monarchy. Its primary purpose is to instruct future generations about God's steadfast faithfulness despite Israel's persistent rebellion and unbelief (Psalm 78:1-8). Leading up to verse 29, the psalmist details God's mighty acts in Egypt and the wilderness, including the parting of the Red Sea and the provision of water from the rock (Psalm 78:12-16). However, immediately following these demonstrations of divine power and care, the narrative shifts to Israel's repeated testing of God, their grumbling, and their craving for food beyond the manna (Psalm 78:17-28). Specifically, they "spoke against God" and questioned His ability to provide meat in the wilderness. Verse 29 directly follows this intense period of demand and sets the stage for the swift and severe consequences detailed in the subsequent verses (Psalm 78:30-31).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described in Psalms 78:29 directly refer to the incident at Kibroth-hattaavah, vividly recounted in [Numbers 11](/numbers/11 "Numbers 11 - The Quail and the Plague"). After receiving manna daily, the Israelites, particularly the "rabble among them," developed a strong craving for meat, lamenting their diet and recalling the "fish... cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic" of Egypt ([Numbers 11:4-6](/numbers/11-4 "Numbers 11:4-6 - The People Crave Meat")). This was more than simple hunger; it was a deep-seated discontent and a rejection of God's miraculous, albeit monotonous, provision. Culturally, meat was a luxury, often associated with feasts and prosperity, contrasting sharply with the simple, miraculous manna. Their demand was a spiritual rebellion, questioning God's wisdom and sufficiency, and longing for the perceived comforts of their past bondage over the freedom and provision of their present journey with God.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 78 and the broader biblical narrative.
* **God's Grudging Provision:** The text highlights that God, though provoked by their unbelief and incessant complaining, relented and provided the meat they craved. This was not a blessing born of pure benevolence but a concession given in anger, demonstrating that God sometimes allows people to have what they insist upon, even if it is ultimately harmful or leads to judgment. It underscores the concept that divine provision is not always a sign of divine approval, especially when it stems from a rebellious heart.
* **The Danger of Ungodly Desire:** The verse underscores the perilous nature of human craving or "desire" (_ta'avah_) when it becomes insatiable, challenges God's wisdom, or rejects His perfect provision. Their craving for meat was not merely a physical hunger but a spiritual discontent, a rejection of God's daily sustenance and a yearning for something other than what God deemed best for them. This illustrates how unchecked desires can quickly morph into idolatry, placing one's own cravings above God's will.
* **Immediate Gratification, Swift Consequences:** The Israelites received precisely what they wanted – to be "well filled" with meat. However, as the immediate subsequent verses in [Psalm 78:30-31](/psalms/78-30 "Psalm 78:30-31 - The Wrath of God") and the detailed account in [Numbers 11:33-34](/numbers/11-33 "Numbers 11:33-34 - The Plague at Kibroth-hattaavah") reveal, this gratification was immediately followed by a devastating plague. This serves as a potent warning that getting one's desire can sometimes be a form of judgment, where the very thing craved becomes the instrument of divine discipline, illustrating the bitter fruit of disobedience.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **desire (Hebrew, _ta'avah'_):** This word is central to understanding the verse's theological weight. While _ta'avah_ can denote a neutral longing or appetite, in this context, and frequently elsewhere in the Old Testament (e.g., Numbers 11:4, 34; Deuteronomy 12:20), it carries a strong negative connotation of craving, lust, or greedy appetite. It implies an insatiable, often illicit, longing that leads to discontent, rebellion against God, and ultimately, sin. Its connection to the place name Kibroth-hattaavah ("graves of craving/lust") in [Numbers 11:34](/numbers/11-34 "Numbers 11:34 - Graves of Craving") vividly illustrates the deadly outcome of such ungodly desires.
* **well filled (Hebrew, _śāḇaʿ'_):** This verb typically means to be satisfied, satiated, or to have enough. It speaks of abundance and fullness. In the context of Psalms 78:29, its use is deeply ironic. The Israelites were indeed "well filled" to the point of gorging themselves, but this physical satiation was not a blessing of contentment. Instead, it was a prelude to divine wrath, highlighting the superficiality and destructive nature of a satisfaction gained through rebellious craving rather than through trusting God's provision. The abundance they received became a vehicle for their judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So they did eat,"**: This opening clause describes the immediate, tangible outcome of God's response to Israel's demand for meat. It signifies the physical act of consumption, emphasizing that their specific craving for food beyond manna was indeed met. It marks the moment of apparent gratification, where their persistent grumbling seemingly bore fruit.
* **"and were well filled:"**: This phrase underscores the sheer abundance of the provision. God did not merely give them a taste; He provided so much quail that they were completely satiated, filled to overflowing. This highlights the ironic nature of the divine response: God gave them *exactly* what they wanted in overwhelming quantity, yet this very satiation was not a blessing but a precursor to judgment, demonstrating His power to provide even in wrath.
* **"for he gave them their own desire;"**: This crucial explanatory clause reveals the divine motivation behind the provision. It clarifies that the abundance was not a benevolent gift but a concession to their rebellious, ungodly craving (_ta'avah_). This act of "giving them their own desire" implies a divine allowance, where God permits humanity to experience the full, often bitter, consequences of their persistent, self-centered will. It is a powerful theological statement about God's sovereignty, where even His provision can serve as a form of judgment when it fulfills a desire rooted in rebellion.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich in **Irony** and **Paradox**. The central irony lies in the fact that God's act of "giving them their own desire" and allowing them to be "well filled" was not a blessing but a form of judgment. What they craved for their satisfaction ultimately brought about their destruction. This creates a profound **Paradox**: the fulfillment of a desire leads directly to severe consequences, illustrating that what appears to be a blessing can, in God's economy, be a curse when sought outside of His will. The narrative also employs **Narrative Foreshadowing**, as the immediate gratification described in this verse directly sets the stage for the swift divine wrath and plague detailed in the verses immediately following (Psalm 78:30-31), making the "filling" a ominous prelude to disaster.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 78:29 profoundly illustrates a recurring biblical principle: God's sovereignty extends even to allowing humanity to experience the consequences of their ungodly desires. While God is gracious and delights in blessing His people, He is also just and will sometimes "give them over" to their cravings, not as an endorsement, but as a demonstration of the bitter fruit of rebellion. This verse highlights the danger of discontent and the idolatry of the heart, where human cravings supersede trust in divine wisdom. It teaches that true satisfaction is found not in the fulfillment of every carnal desire, but in submission to God's perfect will and contentment in His provision, however simple it may seem. The narrative serves as a timeless warning against demanding from God what we think we need, rather than humbly receiving what He knows is best.

* [Numbers 11:33-34](/numbers/11-33 "Numbers 11:33-34 - The Plague at Kibroth-hattaavah")
* [Romans 1:24](/romans/1-24 "Romans 1:24 - God gives them over to their lusts")
* [James 1:14-15](/james/1-14 "James 1:14-15 - Desire leading to sin and death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 78:29 serves as a sobering mirror, prompting us to critically examine the nature and source of our own desires. In a world that constantly encourages the pursuit of immediate gratification and personal fulfillment, this verse reminds us that not every fulfilled longing is a blessing from God; some can be a form of divine allowance that leads to spiritual or even physical detriment. It challenges us to move beyond superficial wants and cultivate a heart of contentment, trusting in God's perfect wisdom and provision. True spiritual maturity involves discerning between God-given desires that align with His will and self-centered cravings that arise from discontent or a lack of faith. It encourages us to pray not just for what we want, but for what God knows is truly good for us, even if it means denying our fleshly appetites and embracing a path of humble obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I discern if my deepest desires are aligned with God's will, or if they are rooted in discontent, impatience, or a lack of trust in His provision?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be subtly demanding from God rather than humbly submitting to His wisdom and finding contentment in what He has already provided?**
* **What are the potential long-term spiritual or relational consequences of pursuing immediate gratification or desires that are not sanctified by God's Spirit?**

### FAQ
**Why would God give them what they desired if it was going to harm them?**

Answer: This passage illustrates a profound theological truth about God's sovereignty and justice. God is not obligated to shield us from the consequences of our rebellious choices. In this instance, He gave the Israelites their "desire" not as a blessing, but as a form of judgment or a severe lesson. By allowing them to experience the overwhelming abundance of what they craved, God demonstrated the emptiness and destructive nature of desires pursued outside of His will. It was a clear, undeniable revelation of the bitter fruit of their unbelief and discontent. This act underscores that God sometimes "gives people over" to their own sinful inclinations, as seen in [Romans 1:24](/romans/1-24 "Romans 1:24 - God gives them over to their lusts"), allowing the natural and spiritual consequences to unfold, thereby revealing His holiness and the seriousness of sin.

**Does this mean all desires are bad, and we shouldn't pursue anything we want?**

Answer: Not at all. God created human beings with desires and longings, many of which are good and God-given. The issue is not desire itself, but the *nature*, *source*, and *object* of our desires. When desires are rooted in discontent, rebellion against God's provision, or a craving for something that contradicts His will, they become problematic. However, desires that are sanctified by the Holy Spirit, aligned with God's purposes, and focused on His glory are good and can lead to life. The psalmist encourages us to "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart" ([Psalm 37:4](/psalms/37-4 "Psalm 37:4 - Delight in the Lord and desires of the heart")). This implies that when our hearts are truly aligned with God, our desires will naturally conform to His, and their fulfillment will bring true blessing, not judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 78:29, with its stark portrayal of Israel's destructive craving for physical sustenance, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus, the ultimate source of true satisfaction. While Israel demanded meat and received it to their detriment, Jesus offers Himself as the "bread of life" who truly satisfies the soul, declaring, "Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). Unlike the quail that brought a plague, Christ's provision of Himself brings eternal life and spiritual nourishment. He did not give in to the sinful, carnal desires of humanity but offered a better way, challenging the notion that life consists in the abundance of possessions or physical gratification ([Luke 12:15](/luke/12-15 "Luke 12:15 - Life is not in possessions")). Through His sacrifice on the cross, Jesus addresses the very root of our ungodly desires—our sin nature—and through the Holy Spirit, He empowers believers to put to death the cravings of the flesh and walk in newness of life ([Romans 8:13](/romans/8-13 "Romans 8:13 - Living by the Spirit")). He is the one who truly satisfies our deepest longings, not by indulging our every whim, but by transforming our hearts and aligning our desires with God's perfect will, leading to lasting joy and peace that the world cannot give ([Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God supplies all needs")).

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

Psalms 106:15

And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.

Numbers 11:19

Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days;

Numbers 11:20

[But] even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which [is] among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?