Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, September 22nd, 2024
the Week of Proper 20 / Ordinary 25
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Easy-to-Read Version

Psalms 68:30

Punish the people in Egypt. They are like cattle in the marshes, like bulls among the calves. You humiliated them. You scattered them in war. Now let them come crawling to you, bringing their pieces of silver.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Jesus, the Christ;   War;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Armies;   Ox, the;   Spear;   War;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Bulls;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - War;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Delight;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Cane;   Pieces;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Beast;   Bull;   Old Testament;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Calf;   Congregation;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Crocodile;   Psalms;   Reed;   Sin;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Wandering Stars;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Ox, Oxen;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - God;   Psalms the book of;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Piece of Silver;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Bull;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Piece of Silver;   Reed;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Crocodile;   Gifts;  

Parallel Translations

Legacy Standard Bible
Rebuke the beast in the reeds,The herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples,Trampling under foot the pieces of silver;He has cast out the peoples who delight in war.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Rebuke the beasts in the reeds, The herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples, Trampling under foot the pieces of silver; He has scattered the peoples who delight in war.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Put to rebuke the companie of speare men, a multitude of bulles amongest the people lyke vnto calues: [vntyll] that they brought vnder foote [come] with peeces of siluer [for tribute,] scatter the people that delyght in warre.
Darby Translation
Rebuke the beast of the reeds, the assembly of the strong, with the calves of the peoples: [every one] submitteth himself with pieces of silver. Scatter the peoples that delight in war.
New King James Version
Rebuke the beasts of the reeds, The herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples, Till everyone submits himself with pieces of silver. Scatter the peoples who delight in war.
Literal Translation
Rebuke the wild beasts of the reeds, the herd of bulls, with the calves of the peoples, trampling down with pieces of silver. He scatters the people who delight in war.
World English Bible
Rebuke the wild animal of the reeds, The multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the peoples. Being humbled, may it bring bars of silver. Scatter the nations that delight in war.
King James Version (1611)
Rebuke the company of spearemen, the multitude of the bulles, with the calues of the people, till euery one submit himselfe with pieces of siluer: scatter thou the people that delite in warre.
King James Version
Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Reproue the beestes amonge the redes, the heape of bulles with the calues: those that dryue for money. Oh scatre the people that delyte in batayle.
Amplified Bible
Rebuke the beasts [living] among the reeds [in Egypt], The herd of bulls (the leaders) with the calves of the peoples; Trampling underfoot the pieces of silver; He has scattered the peoples who delight in war.
American Standard Version
Rebuke the wild beast of the reeds, The multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the peoples, Trampling under foot the pieces of silver: He hath scattered the peoples that delight in war.
Bible in Basic English
Say sharp words to the beast among the water-plants, the band of strong ones, with the lords of the peoples, put an end to the people whose delight is in war.
Update Bible Version
Rebuke the wild beast of the reeds, The multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the peoples, Trampling under foot the pieces of silver: He has scattered the peoples that delight in war.
Webster's Bible Translation
Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, [till every one shall] submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people [that] delight in war.
New English Translation
Sound your battle cry against the wild beast of the reeds, and the nations that assemble like a herd of calves led by bulls! They humble themselves and offer gold and silver as tribute. God scatters the nations that like to do battle.
Contemporary English Version
Punish that animal that lives in the swamp! Punish that nation whose leaders and people are like wild bulls. Make them come crawling with gifts of silver. Scatter those nations that enjoy making war.
Complete Jewish Bible
from your temple in Yerushalayim, where kings will bring tribute to you.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Destroy the company of the spearemen, & multitude of the mightie bulles with the calues of the people, that tread vnder feete pieces of siluer: scatter the people that delite in warre.
George Lamsa Translation
Rebuke the wild beasts of the marshes, the multitude of the wild bulls, the idols of the Gentiles which are covered with silver; scatter the people who delight in war.
Hebrew Names Version
Rebuke the wild animal of the reeds, The multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the peoples. Being humbled, may it bring bars of silver. Scatter the nations that delight in war.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Out of Thy temple at Jerusalem, whither kings shall bring presents unto Thee.
New Living Translation
Rebuke these enemy nations— these wild animals lurking in the reeds, this herd of bulls among the weaker calves. Make them bring bars of silver in humble tribute. Scatter the nations that delight in war.
New Life Bible
Speak sharp words to the wild animals in the tall grass by the river, the group of bulls with the calves of the people. Walk on those who desire pieces of silver. Divide the people who have joy in war.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Rebuke the wild beasts of the reed: let the crowd of bulls with the heifers of the nations be rebuked, so that they who have been proved with silver may not be shut out: scatter thou the nations that wish for wars.
English Revised Version
Rebuke the wild beast of the reeds, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the peoples, trampling under foot the pieces of silver; he hath scattered the peoples that delight in war.
Berean Standard Bible
Rebuke the beast in the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations, until it submits, bringing bars of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in war.
New Revised Standard
Rebuke the wild animals that live among the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample under foot those who lust after tribute; scatter the peoples who delight in war.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Rebuke thou, The wild beast of the reeds, The herd of mighty oxen among the calves of the peoples - Each one bowing down with bars of silver, - Scatter thou the peoples, who in wars take delight.
Douay-Rheims Bible
(67-31) Rebuke the wild beasts of the reeds, the congregation of bulls with the kine of the people; who seek to exclude them who are tried with silver. Scatter thou the nations that delight in wars:
Lexham English Bible
Rebuke the beasts in the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples, trampling the pieces of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in battles.
English Standard Version
Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample underfoot those who lust after tribute; scatter the peoples who delight in war.
New American Standard Bible
Rebuke the animals in the reeds, The herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples, Trampling the pieces of silver; He has scattered the peoples who delight in war.
New Century Version
Punish Egypt, the beast in the tall grass along the river. Punish the leaders of nations, those bulls among the cows. Defeated, they will bring you their silver. Scatter those nations that love war.
Good News Translation
Rebuke Egypt, that wild animal in the reeds; rebuke the nations, that herd of bulls with their calves, until they all bow down and offer you their silver. Scatter those people who love to make war!
Christian Standard Bible®
Rebuke the beast in the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample underfoot those with bars of silver. Scatter the peoples who take pleasure in war.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Blame thou the wielde beestis of the reheed, the gaderyng togidere of bolis is among the kien of puplis; that thei exclude hem that ben preuyd bi siluer. Distrie thou folkis that wolen batels,
Young's Literal Translation
Rebuke a beast of the reeds, a company of bulls, With calves of the peoples, Each humbling himself with pieces of silver, Scatter Thou peoples delighting in conflicts.
Revised Standard Version
Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample under foot those who lust after tribute; scatter the peoples who delight in war.

Contextual Overview

22 My Lord said, "If they run up to Bashan or down to the depths of the sea, I will bring them back. 23 So you will march through pools of their blood, and there will be plenty left for your dogs." 24 God, everyone can see your victory parade— the victory march of my God and King into his holy place! 25 Singers come marching in front, followed by the musicians; they are surrounded by young girls playing tambourines. 26 Praise God in the meeting place. Praise the Lord , people of Israel! 27 There is the smallest tribe, Benjamin, leading them. And there comes a large group of leaders from Judah. Following them are the leaders of Zebulun and Naphtali. 28 God, show us your power! Show us the power you used for us in the past. 29 Kings will bring their wealth to you, to your Temple in Jerusalem. 30 Punish the people in Egypt. They are like cattle in the marshes, like bulls among the calves. You humiliated them. You scattered them in war. Now let them come crawling to you, bringing their pieces of silver. 31 Messengers from Egypt will come bearing gifts. Ethiopia will offer God their tribute.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Rebuke: 2 Samuel 8:1-18, 2 Samuel 10:1-19, 2 Chronicles 14:1-15, 2 Chronicles 20:1-37, Isaiah 37:1-38

company of spearmen: or, beasts of the reeds, Jeremiah 51:32, Jeremiah 51:33

multitude: Psalms 22:12, Psalms 22:13, Isaiah 34:7, Jeremiah 50:11

every: Psalms 2:12, Psalms 18:44, 2 Samuel 8:2, 2 Samuel 8:8-11

scatter thou: or, he scattereth, Psalms 68:14

delight: Psalms 120:7, Romans 7:22, James 4:1

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 16:29 - bring 1 Chronicles 18:2 - brought gifts Ezra 7:15 - the silver Psalms 66:3 - through Psalms 89:10 - scattered Psalms 92:9 - scattered Psalms 110:5 - strike Isaiah 45:14 - The labour Isaiah 60:9 - thy sons Ezekiel 39:18 - of bullocks Micah 4:3 - and rebuke James 4:7 - Submit

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Rebuke the company of spearmen,.... Or, "of the reed" d; that is, men that use and fight with spears, like to reeds, as Kimchi and Ben Melech interpret it. Aben Ezra says, that spears are so called in the Kedarene or Arabian language; and the Arabians use a sort of reed for a spear, as Mr. Castel out of Avicenna observes e, and Pliny f says they are used spears: or rather the words should be rendered, "rebuke", restrain, destroy "the wild beast", or "beasts of the reed" g; as the Syriac, Septuagint, and Vulgate Latin versions, and others, render it: the allusion is to such kind of creatures as lions in the thickets of Jordan; :-; and the behemoth, that lies under the covert of reeds, Job 40:21; or as the crocodile in the river Nile, and other rivers of Egypt, which abounded with flags and reeds, in which such creatures lay; see Isaiah 19:6; perhaps the hippopotamus, or river horse, is referred to; so may design an insidious, cruel, and tyrannical prince; such an one as Pharaoh king of Egypt, Isaiah 27:1; a type of antichrist, and who seems to be here meant; for as Rome, for its wickedness, cruelty, and idolatry, is spiritually called Egypt, Revelation 11:8; so the Romish antichrist is the beast ascending out of the bottomless pit; and is an insidious creature, lies in wait to deceive, puts on the mask and visor of Christianity; has two horns, like a lamb in his ecclesiastic capacity; lies covered with the reeds of the traditions, inventions, and the doctrines of men; and teaches men to trust in the staff of a broken reed, in their own merits, and the merits of others. Jarchi interprets it of Esau, who is like to a wild boar that dwells among the reeds; and the Talmud h interprets it of a beast that dwells among reeds, and the gloss explains it of the nation of Amalek; the Turks, according to some, are meant;

the multitude of bulls; the secular powers of the beast of Rome; the antichristian states, their kings and princes, comparable to these creatures for their great strength, power, and authority, and for their fierceness and furiousness in persecuting the people of God: these are horned creatures, the ten horns of the beast, in his civil and secular capacity, with which he pushes at the saints, casts them down, and tramples upon them; see Psalms 22:13; compared with

Revelation 19:18;

with the calves of the people; or the people, comparable to calves for their weakness, folly, and stupidity; these are the common people under the government and influence of the kings and princes of the earth; the people, multitudes, nations, and tongues, over whom the antichristian harlot sits, rules, and reigns: this phrase shows that the whole is to be taken, not in a literal, but figurative, sense;

[till everyone] submit himself with pieces of silver; that is, rebuke them by thy word, or by thy providences, until they become sensible of their sins, repent of them, and submit themselves to Christ; and bring with them their wealth and substance, and lay it at his feet for the use of his interest, as a testification of their subjection to him: but as this is not to be expected from the persons before described, at least not from everyone of them, the words require another sense, and are to be considered as a continued description of the persons to be rebuked, and may be rendered, even everyone "that treads with pieces of silver" k; that walks proudly and haughtily, being decorated with gold and silver on their garments; so the Romish antichrist is said to be decked, his popes, cardinals, and bishops, with gold and precious stones, Revelation 17:4; or "everyone that humbles himself for pieces of silver" l, as the word is rendered in Proverbs 6:3; that lies down to be trampled upon for the sake of temporal advantage; and so it describes the parasites and flatterers of the man of sin, who crouch unto him, take his mark in their hands or foreheads, that they may be allowed to buy and sell; all these, it is desired, God would rebuke, not in love, but with flames of fire, as he will sooner or later; for when the kings of the earth are become Christians, as in Psalms 68:29, God will put it into their hearts to hate the whore, and burn her flesh with fire;

scatter thou the people [that] delight in war; as antichrist, and the antichristian states, do: they take delight in making war with the saints, and in slaying of them, to whom power has been given so to do; with whose blood they have been made drunk, and have took as much pleasure in the shedding of it as a drunken man does in indulging himself to excess in liquor; but these in God's own time shall be scattered, when Christ the Lamb shall fight against them with the sword of his mouth, and shall utterly destroy them; see Revelation 13:7.

d חית קנה "congregationem calami", Pagninus. e Lexic. Polyglott. col. 3376. f Nat. Hist. l. 16. c. 36. g "Feram cannae", Montanus; "bestiam arundineti", Cocceius; "feram vel bestiam arundinis", Gejerus, Michaelis. h T. Bab. Pesachim, fol. 118. 2. k מתרפס "gloriantem se", Montanus, Vatablus; "calcantem", Rivet. l "Ob fragmina argenti", Gejerus.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Rebuke the company of spearmen - Margin, “the beasts of the reeds.” This is in the form of a prayer - “Rebuke;” but the idea is, that this “would” occur; and the meaning of the whole verse, though there is much difficulty in interpreting the particular expressions, is, that the most formidable enemies of the people of God, represented here by wild beasts, would be subdued, and would be made to show their submission by bringing presents - by “pieces of silver,” or, with tribute. Thus the idea corresponds with that in the previous verse, that “kings would bring presents.” The rendering in the margin here expresses the meaning of the Hebrew. It “might” perhaps be possible to make out from the Hebrew the sense in our common translation, but it is not the “obvious” meaning, and would not accord so well with the scope of the passage. On the word rendered “company,” which primarily means an animal, see the notes at Psalms 68:10.

It is applied to an army as being formidable, or terrible, “like” a wild beast. The word rendered “spearmen” - קנה qâneh - means “a reed” or “cane;” “calamus.” Compare the notes at Isaiah 42:3; notes at Isaiah 36:6. This phrase, “the beast of the reeds,” would properly denote a wild beast, as living among the reeds or canes that sprang up on the banks of a river, and having his home there. It would thus, perhaps, most naturally suggest the crocodile, but it might also be applicable to a lion or other wild beast that had its dwelling in the jungles or bushes on the banks of a river. Compare Jeremiah 49:19; Jeremiah 50:44. The comparison here would, therefore, denote any powerful and fierce monarch or people that might be compared with such a fierce beast. There is no particular allusion to Egypt, as being the abode of the crocodile, but the reference is more general, and the language would imply that fierce and savage people - kings who might be compared with wild beasts that had their homes in the deep and inaccessible thickets - would come bending with the tribute money, with pieces of silver, in token of their subjection to God.

The multitude of the bulls - Fierce and warlike kings, who might be compared with bulls. See the notes at Psalms 22:12.

With the calves of the people - That is, the nations that might be compared with the calves of such wild herds - fierce, savage, powerful. Their leaders might be compared with the bulls; the people - the multitudes - were like the wild and lawless herd of young ones that accompanied them. The general idea is, that the most wild and savage nations would come and acknowledge their subjection to God, and would express that subjection by an appropriate offering.

Till every one submit himself with pieces of silver - The word here rendered “submit” means properly to tread with the feet, to trample upon; and then, in the form used here, to let oneself be trampled under feet, to prostrate oneself; to humble oneself. Here it means that they would come and submissively offer silver as a tribute. That is, they would acknowledge the authority of God, and become subject to him.

Scatter thou the people that delight in war - Margin, “He scattereth.” The margin expresses the sense most accurately. The reference is to God. The psalmist sees the work already accomplished. In anticipation of the victory of God over his foes, he sees them already discomfited and put to flight. The mighty hosts which had been arrayed against the people of God are dissipated and driven asunder; or, in other words, a complete victory is obtained. The people that “delighted in war” were those that had a pleasure in arraying themselves against the people of God - the enemies that had sought their overthrow.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Psalms 68:30. Rebuke the company of spearmen — חית קנה chaiyath kaneh, the wild beast of the reed-the crocodile or hippopotamus, the emblem of Pharaoh and the Egyptians; thus all the Versions. Our translators have mistaken the meaning; but they have put the true sense in the margin.


 
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