Psalms 106:14 (KJV)

What does Psalms 106:14 mean?

Psalms 106:14 says that the people of Israel gave in to strong cravings while they were in the wilderness and put God to the test in the desert. The verse highlights their intense desires for things God had not given and their willingness to challenge or question God’s ways during their journey.

This verse is part of a psalm where the writer looks back on Israel’s history, describing how the people acted after leaving Egypt. The psalmist is speaking about the Israelites’ time in the wilderness, recalling moments when they were dissatisfied and demanded more, especially food, showing a lack of trust in God’s provision. The verse points to a pattern of discontent and testing God, which is a key theme in this section of the psalm.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 106:14

• "lusted" (וַיִּתְאַוּוּ, vayit’avu; H183): This word means to crave or strongly desire, often used for longing after something in an unhealthy or excessive way. Here, it emphasizes that the Israelites’ desires were not just normal needs but intense cravings.
• "exceedingly" (תַּאֲוָה, ta’avah; H8378): This word is related to the idea of desire or longing. Its use here doubles down on the intensity, showing that their craving was extreme, not just a passing wish.
• "tempted" (וַיְנַסּוּ, vayenassu; H5254): This word means to test or try, especially in the sense of putting someone to the proof. The Israelites were not just curious but were challenging God to prove Himself, which in the biblical context is seen as a lack of faith or trust.

Why Psalms 106:14 matters

• Psalms 106:14 helps clarify that the Israelites’ problem was not just hunger but a deep, persistent dissatisfaction that led them to challenge God’s care for them.
• The verse connects to the broader theme of the psalm, which recounts repeated failures of trust and obedience in Israel’s history, helping readers see the pattern rather than isolated mistakes.
• By naming both the craving and the testing, the verse shows that the real issue was not just physical need but a spiritual attitude—one that questioned God’s goodness and timing.