Psalms 78:19
Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיְדַבְּר֗וּ
Yea they spake
H1696
וַֽיְדַבְּר֗וּ
Yea they spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
1 of 8
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
בֵּֽאלֹ֫הִ֥ים
against God
H430
בֵּֽאלֹ֫הִ֥ים
against God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
2 of 8
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
הֲי֣וּכַל
Can
H3201
הֲי֣וּכַל
Can
Strong's:
H3201
Word #:
4 of 8
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
אֵ֑ל
God
H410
אֵ֑ל
God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
5 of 8
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
לַעֲרֹ֥ךְ
furnish
H6186
לַעֲרֹ֥ךְ
furnish
Strong's:
H6186
Word #:
6 of 8
to set in a row, i.e., arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)
Cross References
Numbers 21:5And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.Psalms 23:5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.Exodus 16:3And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.Numbers 11:4And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?Numbers 20:3And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!Numbers 11:13Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat.
Historical Context
Israel's 'table in the wilderness' demand came after witnessing the Red Sea crossing, Marah's healing, manna provision, and water from rock—approximately two years of miracles. Yet abundance didn't produce faith; it exposed the heart's idolatry.
Questions for Reflection
- What circumstances make you question whether God 'can' provide, despite His proven track record?
- How does Communion remind you that God sets a table even in your wilderness seasons?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?—the rhetorical question exposes functional atheism: Israel intellectually affirmed YHWH's existence while practically doubting His ability. The phrase 'ārak šulḥān (furnish a table) means to arrange a formal banquet, not merely provide sustenance. They wanted Egyptian luxury, not covenant manna.
This doubting question contrasts sharply with David's confident declaration: 'Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies' (Psalm 23:5). What Israel thought impossible—God hosting a feast in hostile territory—becomes the believer's assured experience. Jesus transforms this wilderness table into the Eucharist, the 'true bread from heaven' (John 6:32-35) that manna only prefigured.