Psalms 78:8

Authorized King James Version

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And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

Original Language Analysis

וְלֹ֤א H3808
וְלֹ֤א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 1 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִהְי֨וּ׀ H1961
יִהְי֨וּ׀
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 2 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כַּאֲבוֹתָ֗ם And might not be as their fathers H1
כַּאֲבוֹתָ֗ם And might not be as their fathers
Strong's: H1
Word #: 3 of 15
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
דּ֭וֹר a generation H1755
דּ֭וֹר a generation
Strong's: H1755
Word #: 4 of 15
properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling
סוֹרֵ֪ר a stubborn H5637
סוֹרֵ֪ר a stubborn
Strong's: H5637
Word #: 5 of 15
to turn away, i.e., (morally) be refractory
וּמֹ֫רֶ֥ה and rebellious H4784
וּמֹ֫רֶ֥ה and rebellious
Strong's: H4784
Word #: 6 of 15
to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively, to provoke)
דּ֭וֹר a generation H1755
דּ֭וֹר a generation
Strong's: H1755
Word #: 7 of 15
properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling
לֹא H3808
לֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 8 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הֵכִ֣ין aright H3559
הֵכִ֣ין aright
Strong's: H3559
Word #: 9 of 15
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
לִבּ֑וֹ not their heart H3820
לִבּ֑וֹ not their heart
Strong's: H3820
Word #: 10 of 15
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
וְלֹא H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 11 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נֶאֶמְנָ֖ה was not stedfast H539
נֶאֶמְנָ֖ה was not stedfast
Strong's: H539
Word #: 12 of 15
properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen
אֶת H854
אֶת
Strong's: H854
Word #: 13 of 15
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
אֵ֣ל with God H410
אֵ֣ל with God
Strong's: H410
Word #: 14 of 15
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
רוּחֽוֹ׃ and whose spirit H7307
רוּחֽוֹ׃ and whose spirit
Strong's: H7307
Word #: 15 of 15
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

Analysis & Commentary

The warning: "And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God" (Hebrew v-lo yih-yu ka-avotam dor sorer u-moreh dor lo-hekhim libbo v-lo-ne-emanah et-Elohim rucho). Four indictments: "stubborn" (resistant), "rebellious" (defiant), "set not their heart aright" (uncommitted), "spirit not stedfast" (unfaithful). The verse describes covenant unfaithfulness requiring intergenerational correction. Each generation must choose whether to repeat or reverse parents' failures.

Historical Context

The wilderness generation epitomized this—despite seeing miracles, they rebelled repeatedly (Numbers 14, 16, 20-21). Their failure resulted in forty years' wandering and death before entering the Promised Land. Hebrews 3-4 applies this as warning to Christians: unbelief disqualifies from entering God's rest. Each generation faces the same test: faith or unbelief.

Questions for Reflection

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