Psalms 78:67

Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim:

Moreover he refused {H3988}{H8799)} the tabernacle {H168} of Joseph {H3130}, and chose {H977}{H8804)} not the tribe {H7626} of Ephraim {H669}:

Rejecting the tents of Yosef and passing over the tribe of Efrayim,

He rejected the tent of Joseph and refused the tribe of Ephraim.

Moreover he refused the tent of Joseph, And chose not the tribe of Ephraim,

Context

Psalm 78 is a didactic historical psalm, recounting God's faithful dealings with Israel from the Exodus through the time of King David, contrasting His steadfastness with Israel's repeated rebellion and unfaithfulness. Within this long narrative, verse 67 marks a significant turning point in God's administrative and spiritual arrangement for His people. Historically, the central sanctuary (the Tabernacle) had been located in the territory of the tribe of Ephraim, particularly at Shiloh, for centuries before the monarchy. This verse describes God's decision to reject that arrangement, moving away from the prominence of the northern tribes, often represented by Joseph or Ephraim.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Choice: This verse underscores God's ultimate authority to choose and reject according to His divine purpose and in response to human actions. It's a powerful statement of His sovereign prerogative.
  • Consequences of Unfaithfulness: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the rejection of Ephraim's prominence is implicitly linked to the unfaithfulness and disobedience of the northern tribes detailed earlier in the psalm (e.g., Psalms 78:9-11). God's choices are not arbitrary but often reflect a response to human conduct.
  • The Shift to Judah and Zion: This rejection of Ephraim's leadership and centrality paves the way for God's subsequent choice of the tribe of Judah and Mount Zion (Jerusalem) as His new spiritual and political center, which is elaborated in the following verses (Psalms 78:68-70).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "refused" is ma'as (מאס), which carries a strong sense of rejection, abhorrence, or disdain. It implies a definitive act of casting off due to displeasure or unworthiness, not merely a casual dismissal. The "tabernacle of Joseph" refers to the sanctuary (the Tabernacle) being situated within the territory of Joseph's descendants, particularly the tribe of Ephraim, whose prominent city was Shiloh. This phrase powerfully encapsulates the spiritual and administrative leadership that was once centered in the northern kingdom before its shift.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that spiritual privilege and positions of prominence are not guaranteed by lineage or past blessings alone. God's favor and presence are conditional upon faithfulness and obedience. While God is unchanging in His character, His dealings with people and nations can shift based on their response to Him. It also highlights God's unwavering commitment to His ultimate plan: even when one vessel proves unfaithful, He will raise up another to accomplish His purposes, ultimately leading to the establishment of His kingdom through the line of Judah and David, culminating in Christ.

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.

  • 2 Samuel 6:17

    And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

  • 2 Samuel 6:2

    And David arose, and went with all the people that [were] with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth [between] the cherubims.

  • 1 Samuel 6:21

    And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjathjearim, saying, The Philistines have brought again the ark of the LORD; come ye down, [and] fetch it up to you.

  • 1 Samuel 7:1

    ¶ And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.

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