Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.

PSALMS 78:12KJV
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Psalms 78:12 (KJV)

What does Psalms 78:12 mean?

Psalms 78:12 recalls how God performed remarkable acts in front of the ancestors of Israel while they were in Egypt, specifically mentioning the area called Zoan. The verse highlights that these wonders were not hidden but done openly for the people to witness.

The psalm is spoken by the writer Asaph to the people of Israel, reminding them of their history and God’s powerful deeds during the time of the Exodus. By mentioning Egypt and Zoan, the verse points to the setting of some of the plagues and miracles that led to Israel’s freedom, emphasizing that these events were real and witnessed by their forefathers.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 78:12

  • "things" (פֶּלֶא, peleʾ): This word refers to something wonderful, extraordinary, or miraculous. It stresses that what God did was far beyond ordinary events.
  • "field" (שָׂדֶה, sadeh): While often translated as "field," here it likely refers to a region or area, specifically Zoan, which was an important city in ancient Egypt. This grounds the miracles in a real, historical place.
  • "Zoan" (צֹעַן, Tsoʿan): Zoan was a significant Egyptian city in the Nile Delta. Mentioning Zoan helps anchor the story in a known location, showing that these events are tied to real geography.

Why Psalms 78:12 matters

  • This verse helps clear up that the miracles of the Exodus were not secret or hidden events but were witnessed by the whole community, making them part of Israel’s shared memory.
  • By naming Zoan, the verse connects the biblical story to a specific place in Egypt, which can help readers see these events as rooted in history, not just legend.
  • The verse sets the stage for the rest of Psalm 78, which recounts Israel’s history and God’s actions, encouraging the people to remember and not forget what God has done.

Where else these words appear

“Zoan” Hebrew H6814 · used in 7 verses

  • Numbers 13:22 And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were.(Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)
  • Isaiah 19:11 Surely the princes of Zoan are fools, the counsel of the wise counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings?
  • Isaiah 30:4 For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to Hanes.

“things” Hebrew H6382 · used in 13 verses

  • Exodus 15:11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
  • Psalms 88:12 Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
  • Isaiah 25:1 O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

“sight” Hebrew H5048 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 21:16 And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
  • 2 Samuel 22:25 Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.
  • Nehemiah 11:22 The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, the singers were over the business of the house of God.