King James Version

What Does Psalms 105:35 Mean?

Psalms 105:35 in the King James Version says “And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground. — study this verse from Psalms chapter 105 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.

Psalms 105:35 · KJV


Context

33

He smote their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts.

34

He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number,

35

And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.

36

He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.

37

He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse describes the comprehensive devastation of the locust plague. 'Did eat up' and 'devoured' emphasize total consumption—nothing was left. 'All the herbs' and 'fruit of their ground' means every green thing was destroyed. This fulfilled the covenant curse of Deuteronomy 28:38, 42. The agricultural obliteration left Egypt facing famine, forcing dependence on stored grain (which Joseph had wisely administered generations earlier). This demonstrates divine irony: Egypt once benefited from God's wisdom through Joseph; now they suffered God's judgment through Moses. God's purposes span generations, and His sovereignty encompasses both provision and judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Total crop failure created economic crisis and threatened famine. Egypt's grain surplus had historically made it the 'breadbasket' of the ancient world, but God reduced it to desolation. This reversal demonstrated that national prosperity depends on God's favor, not human ingenuity or natural resources. The psalm's recounting taught Israel that their wilderness provision (manna and quail) came from the same God who could remove provision from their enemies.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's control over food supply demonstrate His sovereignty over nations?
  2. What does Egypt's reduction from abundance to desolation teach about the source of prosperity?
  3. How should God's ability to give or remove provision affect our economic discipleship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
וַ֝יֹּ֗אכַל1 of 7

And did eat up

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

כָּל2 of 7
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֵ֣שֶׂב3 of 7

all the herbs

H6212

grass (or any tender shoot)

בְּאַרְצָ֑ם4 of 7

in their land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וַ֝יֹּ֗אכַל5 of 7

And did eat up

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

פְּרִ֣י6 of 7

the fruit

H6529

fruit (literally or figuratively)

אַדְמָתָֽם׃7 of 7

of their ground

H127

soil (from its general redness)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 105:35 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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