Psalms 78:12
In the sight of their fathers he performed wonders in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
While this verse mentions "wonders in Egypt," the psalmist places it at the beginning of his retelling, even before recounting the plagues. This unusual order highlights that the very fact of God's power displayed in Egypt, particularly around the capital city of Zoan, was the crucial foundational wonder that the current generation needed to remember, even more than the specific plagues that followed.
This psalm, an extended teaching to the people, begins by recounting God's mighty deeds for their ancestors in Egypt, specifically near the city of Zoan. While the text mentions these "wonders" here, it deliberately delays a detailed description of the Egyptian plagues until later in the psalm, opting instead to focus first on the miracles of the wilderness, like the parting of the Red Sea and provision of water. This structure emphasizes Israel's recurring pattern of experiencing God's faithfulness and yet responding with ingratitude, a theme that spans generations.
Why does the psalm pinpoint 'the field of Zoan' when mentioning God's wonders in Egypt? It wasn't just any location; it was a place of power and prestige.
Zoan, also known as Tanis, was a major ancient city in Egypt, serving as a capital and a center of Pharaoh's court.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Psalms 78:12 is available in the Sola app.
This psalm is a 'Maschil,' a teaching psalm. It's not just recalling history; it's deliberately passing down truth. What's the key to this transmission?
Psalm 78 emphasizes that remembering God's mighty deeds is a responsibility passed from one generation to the next.
Psalm 78 uses the grand, foundational events of the Exodus and wilderness wanderings, specifically referencing the wonders in Egypt near Zoan, as a powerful reminder to later generations of God's faithfulness and their ancestors' repeated unfaithfulness.
c. 1550 BC
New Kingdom period begins in Egypt
This period saw Egypt rise to imperial power, with cities like Tanis (Zoan) becoming significant administrative and royal centers.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
The Exodus from Egypt
This is the traditional date for the Israelites' departure from Egypt, following a series of plagues and the miraculous parting of the Red Sea.
c. 1446-1406 BC
Wilderness Wanderings
The Israelites spent 40 years in the Sinai desert, during which God provided for them through various miracles, such as providing water from rocks.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan begins
Following the wilderness wanderings, the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, began their military campaigns to possess the Promised Land.
c. 1047 BC
David becomes King of Israel
The establishment of David's united kingdom marked a significant period of national consolidation and divine favor, a key reference point for the psalm's author.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
After Solomon's death, the united monarchy split into the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah), a division that the psalm seems to allude to.
This passage details the ten plagues God sent upon Egypt, which were the 'wonders' performed in the land and specifically in the region of Zoan, directly illustrating the verse's historical context.
This verse mentions Zoan (Tsoan) as a significant location in Egypt, confirming the geographical specificity of the psalm and highlighting its ancient importance.
Psalm 105:27This verse is a direct parallel, also mentioning God showing 'signs' and 'wonders' in the land of Egypt, underscoring the theme of God's powerful acts for His people.
Isaiah 19:11This prophetic passage refers to the 'princes of Zoan,' indicating its role as a center of power and authority in Egypt, where God's wonders would have been notably displayed before its leaders.
Hebrews 2:4This New Testament passage explicitly references God bearing witness to His message 'by signs and wonders and various miracles,' echoing the theme of divine intervention and validation demonstrated in Psalms 78:12.
clarkePsalms 78:12: "Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan."
The field of Zoan - "In campo Taneos," Vugate. Tanis was the capital of Pharaoh, where Moses wrought so many miracles. It was situated in the Delta, on one of the most easterly branches of the Nile. It was afterwards called Thanis; and from it the district was called the Thanitic Canton. See Calmet. Dr. Shaw thinks Zoan was intended to signify Egypt in general.
expositorsPsalms 78:1-72: "Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth."
Psalm 78:1-72 THIS psalm is closely related to Psalm 105:1-45 ; Psalm 106:1-48 ; Psalm 107:1-43 . Like them, it treats the history of Israel, and especially the Exodus and wilderness wanderings, for purposes of edification, rebuke, and encouragement. The past is held up as a mirror to the present generation. It has been one long succession of miracles of mercy met by equally continu…
While this verse mentions "wonders in Egypt," the psalmist places it at the beginning of his retelling, even before recounting the plagues. This unusual order highlights that the very fact of God's power displayed in Egypt, particularly around the capital city of Zoan, was the crucial foundational wonder that the current generation needed to remember, even more than the specific plagues that followed.
This psalm, an extended teaching to the people, begins by recounting God's mighty deeds for their ancestors in Egypt, specifically near the city of Zoan. While the text mentions these "wonders" here, it deliberately delays a detailed description of the Egyptian plagues until later in the psalm, opting instead to focus first on the miracles of the wilderness, like the parting of the Red Sea and provision of water. This structure emphasizes Israel's recurring pattern of experiencing God's faithfulness and yet responding with ingratitude, a theme that spans generations.
This psalm, an extended teaching to the people, begins by recounting God's mighty deeds for their ancestors in Egypt, specifically near the city of Zoan. While the text mentions these "wonders" here, it deliberately delays a detailed description of the Egyptian plagues until later in the psalm, opting instead to focus first on the miracles of the wilderness, like the parting of the Red Sea and provision of water. This structure emphasizes Israel's recurring pattern of experiencing God's faithfulness and yet responding with ingratitude, a theme that spans generations.
"In the sight of their fathers he performed wonders in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan." — While this verse mentions "wonders in Egypt," the psalmist places it at the beginning of his retelling, even before recounting the plagues. This unusual order highlights that the very fact of God's…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
