Psalms 78:29
So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire;
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׂבְּע֣וּ
filled
H7646
וַיִּשְׂבְּע֣וּ
filled
Strong's:
H7646
Word #:
2 of 6
to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)
מְאֹ֑ד
and were well
H3966
מְאֹ֑ד
and were well
Strong's:
H3966
Word #:
3 of 6
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
וְ֝תַֽאֲוָתָ֗ם
them their own desire
H8378
וְ֝תַֽאֲוָתָ֗ם
them their own desire
Strong's:
H8378
Word #:
4 of 6
a longing; by implication, a delight (subjectively, satisfaction, objectively, a charm)
Historical Context
The phrase 'their own desire' indicts Israel's self-determination. God gave them precisely what they demanded, without editing or improvement. This divine 'yes' to fleshly appetite resulted in mass graves, proving that God sometimes judges by granting requests.
Questions for Reflection
- What desires are you pursuing that, if fully satisfied, might destroy you?
- How does consumer culture's promise of satisfaction through consumption mirror Israel's fatal craving?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire—the Hebrew śāba' (well filled) means satiated to excess, stuffed beyond satisfaction. God gave them ta'ăwātām (their desire), the same word for 'lust' in v. 18. This verse captures the tragedy of getting exactly what you want when what you want is poisonous.
Proverbs 23:2 warns: 'Put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite.' Jesus taught that life doesn't consist in abundance of possessions (Luke 12:15). Paul calls the stomach 'their god' for those who mind earthly things (Philippians 3:19). Israel's filled bellies revealed empty souls—they ate themselves to death, proving Augustine's maxim: 'Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee.'