Psalms 78:17
And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness.
Original Language Analysis
וַיּוֹסִ֣יפוּ
yet more
H3254
וַיּוֹסִ֣יפוּ
yet more
Strong's:
H3254
Word #:
1 of 7
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
ע֭וֹד
H5750
ע֭וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
2 of 7
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
לַחֲטֹא
And they sinned
H2398
לַחֲטֹא
And they sinned
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
לַֽמְר֥וֹת
against him by provoking
H4784
לַֽמְר֥וֹת
against him by provoking
Strong's:
H4784
Word #:
5 of 7
to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively, to provoke)
Historical Context
The wilderness period catalogued multiple rebellions: golden calf (Exodus 32), Taberah (Numbers 11:1-3), Kibroth-hattaavah (Numbers 11:4-34), Kadesh (Numbers 14), Korah's revolt (Numbers 16). Each miracle was met with fresh unbelief.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you recognize the pattern of 'sinning yet more' despite experiencing God's faithfulness?
- What wilderness temptation repeatedly provokes you to embitter your heart against God's timing?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness—the Hebrew yāsap (yet more) intensifies the indictment: despite escalating miracles, Israel escalated rebellion. The term mārah (provoking) means to embitter or rebel, the root of Marah where bitter water was sweetened (Exodus 15:23) and Meribah where they tested God (Exodus 17:7).
Stephen's speech recounts this pattern: 'Our fathers refused to obey... and in their hearts they turned back to Egypt' (Acts 7:39). Hebrews 3:7-19 warns Christians not to repeat Israel's unbelief: 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.' Sin's deceitfulness hardens through repeated exposure (Hebrews 3:13).