Bible Strands
Psalms 105:32
He gave them hail for rain, with lightning throughout their land.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist recounts Yahweh’s judgment on Egypt during the plagues, specifically detailing the sequence of destructive signs. The speaker addresses Israel, reminding them of God’s historical interventions to fulfill His covenant promises.
The words — The Hebrew verb נָתַ֣ן (na.Tan) literally means “he gave” or “he made,” introducing the substitution of hail for rain. The phrase בָּרָ֑ד (ba.Rad) directly names hail, paired with אֵ֖שׁ ('esh) and לֶהָב֣וֹת (le.ha.Vot) to describe fire-like lightning.
The thread — This hail motif appears in Psalm 78:47 as hailstones destroying vines and sycamore-figs, and echoes Exodus 9:18 where Yahweh promises the worst hail on Egypt. The imagery of lightning connects to Revelation 11:19, where flashes accompany the opening of God’s temple.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition of divine sovereignty over natural forces and historical judgment. It calls the reader to acknowledge that God’s spoken word directly alters creation to accomplish His purposes.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land.
Cross-references
- Psalms 78:47 He killed their vines with hailstones and their sycamore-figs with sleet.
- Exodus 9:18 Behold, at this time tomorrow I will rain down the worst hail that has ever fallen on Egypt, from the day it was founded until now.
- Revelation 11:19 Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.
- Revelation 16:21 And great hailstones weighing almost a hundred pounds each rained down on them from above. And men cursed God for the plague of hail, because it was so horrendous.
- Revelation 8:7 Then the first angel sounded his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood were hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, along with a third of the trees and all the green grass.