Psalms 105:27

Authorized King James Version

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They shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.

Original Language Analysis

שָֽׂמוּ They shewed H7760
שָֽׂמוּ They shewed
Strong's: H7760
Word #: 1 of 7
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
בָ֭ם H0
בָ֭ם
Strong's: H0
Word #: 2 of 7
דִּבְרֵ֣י H1697
דִּבְרֵ֣י
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 3 of 7
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֹתוֹתָ֑יו his signs H226
אֹתוֹתָ֑יו his signs
Strong's: H226
Word #: 4 of 7
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
וּ֝מֹפְתִ֗ים among them and wonders H4159
וּ֝מֹפְתִ֗ים among them and wonders
Strong's: H4159
Word #: 5 of 7
a miracle; by implication, a token or omen
בְּאֶ֣רֶץ in the land H776
בְּאֶ֣רֶץ in the land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 6 of 7
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
חָֽם׃ of Ham H2526
חָֽם׃ of Ham
Strong's: H2526
Word #: 7 of 7
cham, a son of noah; also (as a patronymic) his descendants or their country

Analysis & Commentary

Moses and Aaron performed God's 'signs' (dibrei othot, literally 'words of signs') and 'wonders in the land of Ham.' The plagues demonstrated God's power over Egypt and its gods. 'Signs' pointed beyond themselves to God's authority and purpose. 'Wonders' (mophetim) induced awe. These miraculous demonstrations validated Moses' divine commission and revealed God's supremacy. Christ performed signs (John 2:11) pointing to His identity. The Reformed understanding of miracles sees them as God authenticating His messengers and message, not as ends in themselves.

Historical Context

The ten plagues (Exod 7-12) systematically demonstrated Yahweh's superiority over Egyptian deities and Pharaoh's claimed divinity. Each plague attacked specific aspects of Egyptian religion and economy.

Questions for Reflection