Psalms 78:12
Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
Original Language Analysis
נֶ֣גֶד
he in the sight
H5048
נֶ֣גֶד
he in the sight
Strong's:
H5048
Word #:
1 of 8
a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before
אֲ֭בוֹתָם
of their fathers
H1
אֲ֭בוֹתָם
of their fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
2 of 8
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
עָ֣שָׂה
did
H6213
עָ֣שָׂה
did
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
3 of 8
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
Numbers 13:22And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)Isaiah 19:11Surely the princes of Zoan are fools, the counsel of the wise counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings?Ezekiel 30:14And I will make Pathros desolate, and will set fire in Zoan, and will execute judgments in No.Isaiah 19:13The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived; they have also seduced Egypt, even they that are the stay of the tribes thereof.
Historical Context
Zoan/Tanis was Egypt's capital during the 19th-20th dynasties (1295-1069 BC). Archaeological evidence confirms significant Ramesside construction there, making it the likely setting for Moses's confrontation with the Pharaoh of the Exodus.
Questions for Reflection
- How do God's public displays of power in history strengthen your confidence in His present-day sovereignty?
- What modern 'Zoans' (seats of worldly power) need to witness God's supremacy through your testimony?
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Analysis & Commentary
Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan—Zoan (Hebrew Ṣō'an, Egyptian Tanis) was the Ramesside capital where Moses confronted Pharaoh with the ten plagues (Exodus 7-12). The phrase pele' (marvellous things) denotes supernatural intervention impossible to natural explanation.
Isaiah 19:11-13 later mocks Zoan's 'wise counselors' who could not prevent Egypt's humiliation. The site of Pharaoh's humbling became a perpetual testimony to YHWH's supremacy over all earthly powers—a theme Jesus invokes when declaring 'all authority in heaven and earth' has been given to Him (Matthew 28:18).