Psalm 78:20
New International Version
True, he struck the rock, and water gushed out, streams flowed abundantly, but can he also give us bread? Can he supply meat for his people?”

New Living Translation
Yes, he can strike a rock so water gushes out, but he can’t give his people bread and meat.”

English Standard Version
He struck the rock so that water gushed out and streams overflowed. Can he also give bread or provide meat for his people?”

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

King James Bible
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?

New King James Version
Behold, He struck the rock, So that the waters gushed out, And the streams overflowed. Can He give bread also? Can He provide meat for His people?”

New American Standard Bible
“Behold, He struck the rock so that waters gushed out, And streams were overflowing; Can He also provide bread? Will He prepare meat for His people?”

NASB 1995
“Behold, He struck the rock so that waters gushed out, And streams were overflowing; Can He give bread also? Will He provide meat for His people?”

NASB 1977
“Behold, He struck the rock, so that waters gushed out, And streams were overflowing; Can He give bread also? Will He provide meat for His people?”

Legacy Standard Bible
Behold, He struck the rock so that waters gushed out, And streams were overflowing; Can He give bread also? Will He prepare meat for His people?”

Amplified Bible
“Behold, He struck the rock so that waters gushed out And the streams overflowed; Can He give bread also? Or will He provide meat for His people?”

Christian Standard Bible
Look! He struck the rock and water gushed out; torrents overflowed. But can he also provide bread or furnish meat for his people? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Look! He struck the rock and water gushed out; torrents overflowed. But can He also provide bread or furnish meat for His people?”

American Standard Version
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?

Contemporary English Version
It's true God struck the rock and water gushed out like a river, but can he give his people bread and meat?"

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
True, he did strike a rock, and water did gush out, and the streams did overflow. But can he also give us bread or provide us, his people, with meat?"

Good News Translation
It is true that he struck the rock, and water flowed out in a torrent; but can he also provide us with bread and give his people meat?"

International Standard Version
It's true that Moses struck the rock so that water flowed forth and torrents of water gushed out, but is he also able to give bread or to supply meat for his people?"

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

NET Bible
Yes, he struck a rock and water flowed out, streams gushed forth. But can he also give us food? Will he provide meat for his people?"

New Heart English Bible
Look, he struck the rock, so that waters gushed out, and streams overflowed. Can he give bread also? Will he provide flesh for his people?"

Webster's Bible Translation
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?

World English Bible
Behold, he struck the rock, so that waters gushed out, and streams overflowed. Can he give bread also? Will he provide meat for his people?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Behold, He has struck a rock, "" And waters flow, indeed, streams overflow. “Also, [is] He able to give bread? Does He prepare flesh for His people?”

Young's Literal Translation
Lo, He hath smitten a rock, And waters flow, yea, streams overflow. 'Also -- bread is He able to give? Doth He prepare flesh for His people?'

Smith's Literal Translation
Behold, he struck the rock and waters will flow, and torrents will pour out; will he be able also to give bread? or will he prepare flesh for his people?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Because he struck the rock, and the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed. Can he also give bread, or provide a table for his people?

Catholic Public Domain Version
He struck the rock, and so waters flowed and the torrents flooded, but would even he be able to provide bread, or provide a table, for his people?”

New American Bible
True, when he struck the rock, water gushed forth, the wadies flooded. But can he also give bread, or provide meat to his people?”

New Revised Standard Version
Even though he struck the rock so that water gushed out and torrents overflowed, can he also give bread, or provide meat for his people?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide food for his people?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
If he struck the flint and the waters flowed and he made torrents flow, can he not also give bread to us, or food prepared for his people?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Behold, He smote the rock, that waters gushed out, And streams overflowed; Can He give bread also? Or will He provide flesh for His people?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Forasmuch as he smote the rock, and the waters flowed, and the torrents ran abundantly; will he be able also to give bread, or prepare a table for his people?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
I Will Open My Mouth in Parables
19They spoke against God, saying, “Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness? 20When He struck the rock, water gushed out and torrents raged. But can He also give bread or supply His people with meat?” 21Therefore the LORD heard and was filled with wrath; so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and His anger flared against Israel,…

Cross References
Exodus 17:6
Behold, I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. And when you strike the rock, water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Numbers 20:11
Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that a great amount of water gushed out, and the congregation and their livestock were able to drink.

Isaiah 48:21
They did not thirst when He led them through the deserts; He made water flow for them from the rock; He split the rock, and water gushed out.

Nehemiah 9:15
In their hunger You gave them bread from heaven; in their thirst You brought them water from the rock. You told them to go in and possess the land that You had sworn to give them.

1 Corinthians 10:4
and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.

John 6:31-33
Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” / Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. / For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

John 6:49-51
Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. / This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that anyone may eat of it and not die. / I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And this bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh.”

Deuteronomy 8:15
He led you through the vast and terrifying wilderness with its venomous snakes and scorpions, a thirsty and waterless land. He brought you water from the rock of flint.

Psalm 105:41
He opened a rock, and water gushed out; it flowed like a river in the desert.

Isaiah 43:19-20
Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert. / The beasts of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I provide water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people.

Numbers 11:4-6
Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, “Who will feed us meat? / We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. / But now our appetite is gone; there is nothing to see but this manna!”

Numbers 11:18-20
And say to the people: Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you will eat meat, because you have cried out in the hearing of the LORD, saying: ‘Who will feed us meat? For we were better off in Egypt!’ Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you will eat. / You will eat it not for one or two days, nor for five or ten or twenty days, / but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and makes you nauseous—because you have rejected the LORD, who is among you, and have cried out before Him, saying, ‘Why did we ever leave Egypt?’”

Numbers 11:31-33
Now a wind sent by the LORD came up, drove in quail from the sea, and brought them near the camp, about two cubits above the surface of the ground, for a day’s journey in every direction around the camp. / All that day and night, and all the next day, the people stayed up gathering the quail. No one gathered less than ten homers, and they spread them out all around the camp. / But while the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of the LORD burned against the people, and the LORD struck them with a severe plague.

Exodus 16:4
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test whether or not they will follow My instructions.

Exodus 16:12-15
“I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.’” / That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. / When the layer of dew had evaporated, there were thin flakes on the desert floor, as fine as frost on the ground. ...


Treasury of Scripture

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?

he smote

Exodus 17:6,7
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…

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.

can he give

Psalm 78:41
Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.

Genesis 18:12-14
Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? …

Numbers 11:21-23
And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month…

Jump to Previous
Able Abundantly Bread Cut Flesh Flow Flowed Food Gushed Meat Open Overflow Overflowed Overflowing Power Prepare Provide Rock Rushing Smitten Smote Streams Struck Supply Water Waters
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Able Abundantly Bread Cut Flesh Flow Flowed Food Gushed Meat Open Overflow Overflowed Overflowing Power Prepare Provide Rock Rushing Smitten Smote Streams Struck Supply Water Waters
Psalm 78
1. An exhortation both to learn and to preach, the law of God
9. The story of God's wrath against the incredulous and disobedient
67. The Israelites being rejected, God chose Judah, Zion, and David.














Though He struck the rock
This phrase refers to the miraculous event recorded in Exodus 17:6 and Numbers 20:11, where God provided water for the Israelites by instructing Moses to strike a rock. The Hebrew word for "struck" is "נכה" (nakah), which implies a forceful action. This act of striking the rock symbolizes God's power and provision, demonstrating His ability to meet the needs of His people in seemingly impossible situations. Historically, this event took place in the wilderness, a barren and dry land, emphasizing the miraculous nature of God's provision.

and water gushed out
The imagery of water gushing out from a rock is powerful, signifying abundance and life. The Hebrew word "נָזַל" (naza) means to flow or pour out abundantly. Water is a symbol of life and sustenance in the Bible, and its sudden abundance from a rock underscores God's ability to provide life-giving resources from unexpected sources. This miraculous provision is a testament to God's faithfulness and His care for His people, even in the harshest conditions.

and torrents raged abundantly
The word "torrents" suggests a strong, rushing flow of water, indicating not just sufficiency but abundance. The Hebrew word "שֶׁטֶף" (sheteph) conveys the idea of an overwhelming flood. This abundance is a reminder of God's generosity and His desire to bless His people beyond their immediate needs. The historical context of the Israelites wandering in the desert highlights the contrast between their dire circumstances and God's overwhelming provision.

Can He also give bread?
This rhetorical question reflects the doubt and unbelief of the Israelites, despite witnessing God's miraculous provision. The Hebrew word for "bread" is "לֶחֶם" (lechem), which often represents sustenance and daily provision. The question challenges the reader to consider God's ability to provide not just water but all necessities. It serves as a reminder of the human tendency to doubt God's provision, even after experiencing His faithfulness.

Can He supply His people with meat?
The word "supply" comes from the Hebrew "כּוּן" (kun), meaning to establish or provide. This question further illustrates the Israelites' skepticism about God's ability to meet their needs. The mention of "meat" refers to the Israelites' desire for more than just basic sustenance, as seen in their complaints in the wilderness (Numbers 11:4-6). This reflects a deeper spiritual issue of discontent and lack of trust in God's provision. The historical context of the Israelites' journey emphasizes their struggle with faith and reliance on God, despite His continuous care and miracles.

Verse 20. - Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams (literally, the torrent courses) overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people? These were probably the people's thoughts rather than their words. An "evil heart of unbelief" underlay their clamours and their murmurings. They doubted God's power to relieve their wants, notwithstanding all the proofs that they had had of his omnipotence.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When
הֵ֤ן (hên)
Interjection
Strong's 2005: Lo! behold!

He struck
הִכָּה־ (hik·kāh-)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

the rock,
צ֨וּר ׀ (ṣūr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6697: A cliff, a rock, boulder, a refuge, an edge

water
מַיִם֮ (ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

gushed out
וַיָּז֣וּבוּ (way·yā·zū·ḇū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2100: To flow freely, to have a, flux, to waste away, to overflow

and torrents
וּנְחָלִ֪ים (ū·nə·ḥā·lîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5158: A stream, a winter torrent, a, valley, a shaft

overflowed.
יִ֫שְׁטֹ֥פוּ (yiš·ṭō·p̄ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7857: To gush, to inundate, cleanse, to gallop, conquer

But can
י֣וּכַל (yū·ḵal)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3201: To be able, have power

He also
הֲגַם־ (hă·ḡam-)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

give
תֵּ֑ת (têṯ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

bread
לֶ֭חֶם (le·ḥem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain

or
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

supply
יָכִ֖ין (yā·ḵîn)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3559: To be erect

His people
לְעַמּֽוֹ׃ (lə·‘am·mōw)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

with meat?”
שְׁאֵ֣ר (šə·’êr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7607: Flesh, as living, for, food, food of any kind, kindred by blood


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OT Poetry: Psalm 78:20 Behold he struck the rock so that (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 78:19
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