Bible Strands
Psalms 106:14
They craved intensely in the wilderness and tested God in the desert.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses the congregation of Israel, recounting their journey immediately after they forgot God’s works and refused to wait for His counsel. This moment captures their rapid descent into dissatisfaction during the desert wanderings.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַיִּתְאַוּוּ (va.yit'tavu) denotes an intense craving, paired with תַאֲוָה (ta'avah) for the object of that desire. The verb וַיְנַסּוּ (va.yenasu) literally means they put God to the test in a desolate place.
The thread — This pattern of testing God amid craving reappears in Exodus 17:2 where the people contend for water, and Numbers 11:4 when the rabble demands different food. The New Testament references this event in 1 Corinthians 10:9 as a warning against testing Christ.
Why it lands — The text states that the people craved intensely in the wilderness and put God to the test in a desolate place. Readers must confront how immediate dissatisfaction with divine provision replaces gratitude and provokes judgment.
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
But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 10:9 We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes.
- Exodus 17:2 So the people contended with Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why do you contend with me?” Moses replied. “Why do you test the LORD?”
- Numbers 11:4 Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, “Who will feed us meat?
- 1 Corinthians 10:6 These things took place as examples to keep us from craving evil things as they did.
- Hebrews 3:8 do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness,
- Numbers 11:33 But while the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of the LORD burned against the people, and the LORD struck them with a severe plague.
- Numbers 14:22 not one of the men who have seen My glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness—yet have tested Me and disobeyed Me these ten times—
- Deuteronomy 9:22 You continued to provoke the LORD at Taberah, at Massah, and at Kibroth-hattaavah.
- Psalms 78:18 They willfully tested God by demanding the food they craved.
- Psalms 78:30 Yet before they had filled their desire, with the food still in their mouths,