Psalms 78:51

KJV

And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of [their] strength in the tabernacles of Ham:

KJV (with Strong's)

And smote {H5221}{H8686)} all the firstborn {H1060} in Egypt {H4714}; the chief {H7225} of their strength {H202} in the tabernacles {H168} of Ham {H2526}:

Complete Jewish Bible

striking all the firstborn in Egypt, the firstfruits of their strength in the tents of Ham.

Berean Standard Bible

He struck all the firstborn of Egypt, the virility in the tents of Ham.

American Standard Version

And smote all the first-born in Egypt, The chief of their strength in the tents of Ham.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 78:51 powerfully recounts the tenth and most devastating plague inflicted upon Egypt, where God struck down every firstborn, from humans to animals. This climactic act of divine judgment served as the ultimate catalyst for Israel's liberation from centuries of bondage, demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty over nations and His unwavering commitment to delivering His covenant people. Within the broader narrative of Psalm 78, this verse stands as a stark reminder of the consequences of defying God and the profound cost of Pharaoh's stubborn refusal to release Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 78 is a sweeping historical psalm, attributed to Asaph, functioning as a didactic poem designed to instruct future generations about God's faithfulness and Israel's recurring unfaithfulness. It systematically recounts key events from the Exodus to the establishment of the Davidic covenant, highlighting God's miraculous interventions and Israel's cycles of rebellion and repentance. Verse 51 is situated within the section detailing the plagues against Egypt (verses 43-51), serving as the culmination of God's judgments, immediately preceding the account of Israel's exodus and wilderness journey (verses 52ff.). Its placement emphasizes the decisive nature of this final plague in securing Israel's freedom and underscores the psalm's overarching theme of remembering God's mighty acts.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described in Psalm 78:51 directly refer to the tenth and final plague detailed in [Exodus 12:29-30](/exodus/12-29-30 "Exodus 12:29-30 - The Tenth Plague"). In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the firstborn son held immense significance, representing the strength, future, and continuity of the family line. They often possessed a sacred status, being consecrated to deities or holding special inheritance rights. For the Egyptians, the death of the firstborn was an unparalleled catastrophe, striking at the very heart of their social and religious order, including the firstborn of Pharaoh himself. The reference to "the tabernacles of Ham" identifies Egypt ancestrally through Ham, one of Noah's sons, whose descendant Mizraim is associated with Egypt in [Genesis 10:6](/genesis/10-6 "Genesis 10:6 - Descendants of Ham"). This phrasing emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the judgment, extending to all Egyptian households and their foundational identity.

* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several critical themes prevalent in Psalm 78 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, showcasing God's absolute authority over all creation, including the most powerful nations, and His willingness to execute severe judgment against those who oppose His will. Secondly, it highlights **God's Deliverance and Redemption**, as the striking of the firstborn was the decisive act that broke Pharaoh's resistance and secured the [liberation of Israel from Egyptian slavery](/exodus/12-31 "Exodus 12:31 - Israel's Departure"). This act underscores God's commitment to saving His chosen people and fulfilling His covenant promises. Thirdly, it serves as a stark reminder of **The Cost of Defiance and Stubbornness**, demonstrating the dire consequences of hardening one's heart against God's commands, as Pharaoh did throughout the preceding plagues (e.g., [Exodus 7:13](/exodus/7-13 "Exodus 7:13 - Pharaoh's Hardened Heart")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Smote (Hebrew, _nâkâh'_):** This verb (H5221) is a strong and decisive term, meaning "to strike," "to smite," "to slay," or "to hit." In the context of divine action, it conveys a forceful and direct intervention, emphasizing God's active role in executing judgment. It is not a passive event but a deliberate and powerful act of divine will, highlighting the irresistible nature of God's power to punish or bring about a desired outcome.
* **Firstborn (Hebrew, _bᵉkôwr'_):** The Hebrew word (H1060) refers to the "firstborn" or "chief." In ancient societies, the firstborn held a position of preeminence, representing the strength, honor, and future of the family. The targeting of the firstborn was therefore an attack on the very essence of Egyptian society, striking at their most precious and vital asset, symbolizing the complete devastation and humiliation of their nation.
* **Chief of their strength (Hebrew, _rêʼshîyth ʼôwn'_):** This poetic phrase (H7225 and H202) literally translates to "the first of their ability/power" or "the beginning of their vigor." It serves as a poetic parallelism to "all the firstborn," further emphasizing the preciousness, vitality, and potential that the firstborn represented. It signifies that God struck at the very core of Egypt's power, vitality, and future prospects, leaving them utterly broken and compelled to release Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And smote all the firstborn in Egypt;":** This clause directly states the divine action and its universal target within Egypt. The verb "smote" (נָכָה) indicates a decisive and destructive act by God. "All the firstborn" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the judgment, affecting every household, from the highest to the lowest, without exception. This was the final, most severe plague, designed to break Pharaoh's hardened will and secure Israel's release.
* **"the chief of [their] strength":** This phrase serves as an appositional rephrasing or poetic elaboration of "all the firstborn." It underscores the profound significance of the firstborn, identifying them as the "beginning of their vigor" or "firstfruits of their strength." This highlights that the judgment was not merely a loss of life but a strategic blow against the very foundation of Egypt's societal and familial power, striking at what they valued most.
* **"in the tabernacles of Ham:":** This concluding phrase identifies the geographical and ancestral scope of the judgment. "Tabernacles" (אָהֳלֵי) refers to dwellings or tents, metaphorically representing the homes and households of the Egyptians. "Ham" (חָם) refers to the lineage of Ham, whose descendants, particularly Mizraim, settled in Egypt. This specifies that the judgment was executed throughout all Egyptian households, reinforcing the totality and universality of the plague across the entire land and its people.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 78:51 employs several literary devices to enhance its impact and convey its profound message. **Parallelism** is evident in the relationship between "all the firstborn in Egypt" and "the chief of their strength," where the second phrase rephrases and intensifies the meaning of the first, emphasizing the preciousness and significance of those targeted. **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche** is used in "the tabernacles of Ham," where "tabernacles" stands for the entire nation's households and "Ham" represents the Egyptian people as a whole, linking them to their ancestral origins. The phrase "chief of their strength" also functions as **Metonymy**, referring to the firstborn by their essential quality. The use of "all" and the comprehensive nature of the judgment can be seen as **Hyperbole** or **Intensification**, underscoring the absolute and devastating impact of God's wrath. The verse also functions as a powerful **Historical Allusion**, directly referencing the climactic event of the Exodus narrative, drawing on the audience's knowledge of this pivotal moment in Israel's history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is a profound theological statement on God's character and His relationship with humanity. It unequivocally demonstrates God's sovereign power over all nations and His unwavering commitment to justice. The striking of the firstborn was not merely an act of retribution but a demonstration of God's redemptive purpose, forcing Pharaoh to release Israel and paving the way for the establishment of His covenant people. It underscores that God sees the oppression of His people and will act decisively to deliver them, even if it requires severe judgment on the oppressors. This event also serves as a foundational narrative for understanding the concept of substitutionary atonement and the sanctity of the firstborn, themes that find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ.

* [Exodus 12:29](/exodus/12-29 "Exodus 12:29 - The Tenth Plague")
* [Exodus 4:22-23](/exodus/4-22-23 "Exodus 4:22-23 - Israel, God's Firstborn")
* [Psalm 105:36](/psalms/105-36 "Psalm 105:36 - God's Judgment on Egypt")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 78:51 calls us to remember God's absolute power and His unwavering commitment to justice and deliverance. For those who are oppressed or facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles, this verse offers immense comfort and hope, reminding us that God is actively involved in human history and capable of breaking the strongest chains of bondage. He sees injustice and will act on behalf of His people. Conversely, for those who might be tempted to defy God's will or oppress others, it serves as a solemn warning: God's patience has limits, and His judgments are righteous and inevitable. We are called to humble ourselves before His sovereignty, to trust in His redemptive plan, and to align our lives with His righteous character, knowing that the consequences of defiance are severe, but His deliverance is sure for those who are His.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the severity of the tenth plague, as described in this verse, deepen your understanding of God's justice and His commitment to His covenant people?**
* **In what ways might we, like Pharaoh, harden our hearts against God's will, and what lessons can we draw from this verse about the consequences of such resistance?**
* **How does remembering God's mighty acts of deliverance in the past, like the Exodus, strengthen your faith in His ability to deliver you from current challenges?**

### FAQ
**Why did God target the firstborn?**

Answer: The targeting of the firstborn was deeply symbolic and culturally significant. In ancient Egypt, the firstborn represented the "chief of their strength," the future, and the most precious asset of a family and the nation. Pharaoh himself was considered the firstborn son of Ra, the sun god. By striking the firstborn, God directly challenged the authority of the Egyptian gods and Pharaoh, demonstrating His supreme power over all life and death. It was a direct response to Pharaoh's refusal to let God's "firstborn son," Israel, go (as stated in [Exodus 4:22-23](/exodus/4-22-23 "Exodus 4:22-23 - Israel, God's Firstborn")), serving as a "life for a life" judgment that ultimately broke Egypt's resistance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 78:51, detailing the judgment on Egypt's firstborn, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Passover event, which immediately followed this plague and secured Israel's deliverance, serves as a powerful foreshadowing of Christ. Just as the blood of the Passover lamb on the doorposts protected the firstborn of Israel from God's wrath (as seen in [Exodus 12:13](/exodus/12-13 "Exodus 12:13 - The Blood as a Sign")), so too does the shed blood of Jesus, the ultimate [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), protect believers from the judgment due to sin. Furthermore, Jesus is often referred to as the "firstborn over all creation" ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Jesus, the Firstborn of All Creation")) and the "firstborn among many brothers and sisters" ([Romans 8:29](/romans/8-29 "Romans 8:29 - Conformed to the Image of His Son")), signifying His preeminence and His role as the head of a new humanity. The judgment on Egypt's firstborn ultimately points to the greater judgment on sin that was absorbed by Christ on the cross, allowing for the ultimate deliverance and redemption of all who believe in Him, leading them out of bondage to sin and into the freedom of God's kingdom, a deliverance far greater than the Exodus ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Blood and Eternal Redemption")).

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 105:23

Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.

Psalms 135:8

Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.

Psalms 106:22

Wondrous works in the land of Ham, [and] terrible things by the Red sea.

Psalms 136:10

¶ To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:

Psalms 105:36

He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.

Exodus 13:15

And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem.

Genesis 49:3

Reuben, thou [art] my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: