Psalm 78:8
New International Version
They would not be like their ancestors— a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him.

New Living Translation
Then they will not be like their ancestors— stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God.

English Standard Version
and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.

Berean Standard Bible
Then they will not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose heart was not loyal, whose spirit was not faithful to God.

King James Bible
And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

New King James Version
And may not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not set its heart aright, And whose spirit was not faithful to God.

New American Standard Bible
And not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not prepare its heart And whose spirit was not faithful to God.

NASB 1995
And not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not prepare its heart And whose spirit was not faithful to God.

NASB 1977
And not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not prepare its heart, And whose spirit was not faithful to God.

Legacy Standard Bible
And not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not prepare its heart And whose spirit was not faithful to God.

Amplified Bible
And not be like their fathers— A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not prepare its heart to know and follow God, And whose spirit was not faithful to God.

Christian Standard Bible
Then they would not be like their ancestors, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not loyal and whose spirit was not faithful to God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then they would not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not loyal and whose spirit was not faithful to God.

American Standard Version
And might not be as their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that set not their heart aright, And whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

Contemporary English Version
They would be different from their ancestors, who were stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful to God.

English Revised Version
And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then they will not be like their ancestors, a stubborn and rebellious generation. Their hearts were not loyal. Their spirits were not faithful to God.

Good News Translation
They will not be like their ancestors, a rebellious and disobedient people, whose trust in God was never firm and who did not remain faithful to him.

International Standard Version
They will not be like the rebellious generation of their ancestors, a rebellious generation, whose heart was not steadfast, and whose spirits were unfaithful to God.

Majority Standard Bible
Then they will not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose heart was not loyal, whose spirit was not faithful to God.

NET Bible
Then they will not be like their ancestors, who were a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that was not committed and faithful to God.

New Heart English Bible
and might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not make their hearts loyal, whose spirit was not steadfast with God.

Webster's Bible Translation
And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God.

World English Bible
and might not be as their fathers— a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that didn’t make their hearts loyal, whose spirit was not steadfast with God.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they are not like their fathers, "" A generation apostatizing and being rebellious, "" A generation—it has not prepared its heart, "" Nor [is] its spirit steadfast with God.

Young's Literal Translation
And they are not like their fathers, A generation apostate and rebellious, A generation! it hath not prepared its heart, Nor stedfast with God is its spirit.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they shall not be as their fathers, a generation turning away and bitter, a generation it prepared not its heart, and its spirit was not firm with God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
That they may not become like their fathers, a perverse end exasperating generation. A generation that set not their heart aright: and whose spirit was not faithful to God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
May they not become like their fathers, a perverse and exasperating generation: a generation that does not straighten their heart and whose spirit is not trustworthy with God.

New American Bible
They were not to be like their ancestors, a rebellious and defiant generation, A generation whose heart was not constant, and whose spirit was not faithful to God.

New Revised Standard Version
and that they should not be like their ancestors, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they should not be like their fathers, an evil and rebellious generation, a generation that has not set its heart right and whose spirit did not trust in God.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And might not be as their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation; A generation that set not their heart aright, And whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
That they should not be as their fathers, a perverse and provoking generation; a generation which set not its heart aright, and its spirit was not steadfast with God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
I Will Open My Mouth in Parables
7that they should put their confidence in God, not forgetting His works, but keeping His commandments. 8Then they will not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose heart was not loyal, whose spirit was not faithful to God. 9The archers of Ephraim turned back on the day of battle.…

Cross References
Judges 2:19
But when the judge died, the Israelites became even more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods to serve them and bow down to them. They would not give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.

2 Kings 17:14
But they would not listen, and they stiffened their necks like their fathers, who did not believe the LORD their God.

Nehemiah 9:16-17
But they and our fathers became arrogant and stiff-necked and did not obey Your commandments. / They refused to listen and failed to remember the wonders You performed among them. They stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to their bondage in Egypt. But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in loving devotion, and You did not forsake them.

Ezekiel 20:8
But they rebelled against Me and refused to listen. None of them cast away the abominations before their eyes, and they did not forsake the idols of Egypt. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in the land of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 9:6-7
Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people. / Remember this, and never forget how you provoked the LORD your God in the wilderness. From the day you left the land of Egypt until you reached this place, you have been rebelling against the LORD.

Jeremiah 7:24-26
Yet they did not listen or incline their ear, but they followed the stubborn inclinations of their own evil hearts. They went backward and not forward. / From the day your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have sent you all My servants the prophets again and again. / Yet they would not listen to Me or incline their ear, but they stiffened their necks and did more evil than their fathers.

Isaiah 30:9
These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to obey the LORD’s instruction.

Hosea 4:16
For Israel is as obstinate as a stubborn heifer. Can the LORD now shepherd them like lambs in an open meadow?

Zechariah 7:11-12
But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing. / They made their hearts like flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of Hosts.

Matthew 23:37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!

Acts 7:51-53
You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. / Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers— / you who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it.”

Romans 10:21
But as for Israel he says: “All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

Hebrews 3:7-11
Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice, / do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness, / where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works. ...

Hebrews 3:15-19
As it has been said: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion.” / For who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? / And with whom was God angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? ...

Hebrews 4:2
For we also received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, since they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it.


Treasury of Scripture

And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God.

as their

Psalm 68:6
God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

Psalm 106:7
Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea.

Exodus 32:9
And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:

set not.

Psalm 78:37
For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.

2 Chronicles 12:14
And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.

2 Chronicles 19:3
Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.

whose

Psalm 78:37
For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.

Deuteronomy 4:4
But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day.

Joshua 14:8,9
Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God…

Jump to Previous
Apostate Aright Faithful Fathers Forefathers Generation Hard Heart Hearts Loyal Prepare Rebellious Spirit Steadfast Stedfast Stiff-Necked Stubborn True. Uncontrolled
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Apostate Aright Faithful Fathers Forefathers Generation Hard Heart Hearts Loyal Prepare Rebellious Spirit Steadfast Stedfast Stiff-Necked Stubborn True. Uncontrolled
Psalm 78
1. An exhortation both to learn and to preach, the law of God
9. The story of God's wrath against the incredulous and disobedient
67. The Israelites being rejected, God chose Judah, Zion, and David.














And they would not be like their fathers
This phrase sets the stage for a contrast between the current generation and their ancestors. The Hebrew word for "fathers" (אָבוֹת, avot) often refers to the patriarchs or previous generations of Israelites. Historically, the Israelites had a pattern of disobedience and rebellion against God, despite His continuous guidance and provision. This phrase serves as a call to break away from the negative patterns of the past, urging the current generation to learn from their ancestors' mistakes and to follow God's commandments faithfully.

a stubborn and rebellious generation
The words "stubborn" (סוֹרֵר, sorer) and "rebellious" (מֹרֶה, moreh) paint a picture of a people resistant to divine authority and guidance. In the biblical context, stubbornness is often associated with a hardening of the heart, a refusal to listen or change. Rebellion against God is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, where the Israelites frequently turned away from God's laws. This phrase serves as a warning against the dangers of pride and self-will, encouraging believers to remain humble and obedient to God's will.

whose heart was not loyal to God
The "heart" (לֵב, lev) in Hebrew culture is the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. A "loyal" heart (נָכוֹן, nachon) is steadfast, faithful, and true. The lack of loyalty indicates a divided heart, one that is not fully committed to God. This phrase highlights the importance of inner devotion and sincerity in one's relationship with God. It calls believers to examine their own hearts, ensuring that their faith is not superficial but deeply rooted in love and commitment to God.

whose spirit was not faithful to Him
The "spirit" (רוּחַ, ruach) refers to the inner life force or breath of a person, often associated with one's attitude or disposition. To be "faithful" (נֶאֱמָן, ne'eman) is to be trustworthy, reliable, and steadfast. This phrase underscores the necessity of aligning one's spirit with God's truth and purposes. It serves as a reminder that faithfulness is not just about outward actions but also about the inner alignment of one's spirit with God's will. Believers are encouraged to cultivate a spirit of faithfulness, reflecting God's own faithfulness in their lives.

(8) Stubborn.--Refractory.

That set not their heart aright.--Literally, did not establish their heart, which preserves the parallelism better.

Verse 8. - And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation (comp. Deuteronomy 21:18, 20, for the combination of the two words). The "stubbornness" of Israel is noted in Deuteronomy 9:27; Judges 2:19; and frequently by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 3:17; Jeremiah 7:24; Jeremiah 9:14; Jeremiah 11:8, etc.); their "rebelliousness" in Deuteronomy 9:7, 24; Isaiah 30:1, 9; Isaiah 65:2; Jeremiah 5:23; Ezekiel 2:3-8; Ezekiel 3:9, 26, 27; Ezekiel 12:2, 3, etc. (compare also for the idea 2 Kings 17:14-17:2 Chronicles 36:14-16; Ezra 9:6, 7; Nehemiah 1:6, 7; Daniel 9:5-11; and Acts 7:51, "Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost; as your fathers did, so do ye"). A generation that set not their heart aright; literally, that prepared not their heart - did not make it ready to receive Divine influences (see 1 Samuel 7:3; Job 11:13; 2 Chronicles 20:33). And whose spirit was not steadfast with God. It was not that Israel was wholly without religious feeling, but the feeling was fickle, unsteadfast, never to be depended on (comp. Exodus 32:1-6; Numbers 16:41, 42; Judges 2:17, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then they will not
וְלֹ֤א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

be
יִהְי֨וּ ׀ (yih·yū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

like their fathers,
כַּאֲבוֹתָ֗ם (ka·’ă·ḇō·w·ṯām)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1: Father

a stubborn
סוֹרֵ֪ר (sō·w·rêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5637: To turn away, be refractory

and rebellious
וּמֹ֫רֶ֥ה (ū·mō·reh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 4784: To be contentious or rebellious

generation,
דּוֹר֮ (dō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1755: A revolution of time, an age, generation, a dwelling

whose heart
לִבּ֑וֹ (lib·bōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

was not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

loyal,
הֵכִ֣ין (hê·ḵîn)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3559: To be erect

whose spirit
רוּחֽוֹ׃ (rū·ḥōw)
Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

was not
וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

faithful
נֶאֶמְנָ֖ה (ne·’em·nāh)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 539: To confirm, support

to
אֶת־ (’eṯ-)
Preposition
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

God.
אֵ֣ל (’êl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 410: Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty


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OT Poetry: Psalm 78:8 And might not be as their fathers (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 78:7
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