He gave up their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to hot thunderbolts.

PSALMS 78:48KJV
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Psalms 78:48 (KJV)

What does Psalms 78:48 mean?

Psalms 78:48 describes how God allowed the Egyptians’ cattle to be struck down by hail and their flocks to be killed by fiery lightning during the plagues in Egypt. The verse highlights the destructive power unleashed on Egypt’s livestock as part of God’s judgment.

The psalm is written by Asaph, who is recounting Israel’s history to remind the people of God’s mighty acts and the consequences of turning away from Him. In this part of the psalm, Asaph is describing the plagues God sent upon Egypt, specifically focusing on the devastation of livestock through natural disasters like hail and lightning.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 78:48

  • The word for "up" is סָגַר (sagar), which often means "to give up" or "to hand over." Here, it emphasizes that God actively allowed the livestock to be exposed to destruction, not just passively letting it happen.
  • The word for "cattle" is בְּהֵמָה (behemah), a general term for large domesticated animals. This shows that all kinds of livestock, not just one type, were affected.
  • The word for "hail" is בָּרָד (barad), which refers to a severe and destructive hailstorm. In the context of the plagues, this was not ordinary weather but a supernatural event.
  • The word for "flocks" is מִקְנֶה (miqneh), which usually refers to smaller livestock like sheep and goats. This detail shows that both large and small animals suffered.
  • The word for "thunderbolts" is מַרְעֵשׁ (mar'esh), which can mean "fiery bolts" or "lightning." This adds to the sense of overwhelming, fiery destruction beyond just hail.

Why Psalms 78:48 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the plagues affected not only people but also the Egyptians’ animals, showing the totality of the judgment.
  • The verse highlights the specific means of destruction—hail and fiery lightning—emphasizing the supernatural nature of the events.
  • By recounting these details, the psalm connects the listeners to the larger story of deliverance from Egypt, reminding them of God’s power and faithfulness in history.

Where else these words appear

“cattle” Hebrew H1165 · used in 6 verses

  • Genesis 45:17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;
  • Exodus 22:5 If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.
  • Numbers 20:8 Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.

“thunderbolts” Hebrew H7565 · used in 6 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:24 They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.
  • Job 5:7 Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.
  • Song of Solomon 8:6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.

“hail” Hebrew H1259 · used in 26 verses

  • Exodus 9:18 Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.
  • Exodus 9:29 And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD'S.
  • Psalms 18:12 At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire.

“flocks” Hebrew H4735 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 4:20 And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.
  • Exodus 9:3 Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain.
  • Judges 6:5 For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.