Psalms 106:14
in Psalms 106They craved intensely in the wilderness and tested God in the desert.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, And tempted God in the desert.
KJV
But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.
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This verse in Psalms 106
Commentary
11 notes on this verseA commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
Literally, "lusted a lust" (quoted from Nu 11:4, Margin). Previously, there had been impatience as to necessaries of life; here it is lusting (Ps 78:18).
This site's exposition
they soon forgot His works
on Psalms 106:13-15
They forgot His works soon after the song of verse 12. In the desert they craved and tested God, and the craving is the demand for meat at Numbers 11:4. He granted the request and sent a wasting disease with it.
This site's exposition
They craved intensely in the wilderness
The Hebrew says they craved a craving. Numbers 11:34 names the place where the people who craved meat were buried Kibroth-hattaavah, the graves of craving. At Massah in Exodus 17:7 they tested the LORD in the same desert, asking whether He was among them.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
Lastly, "And they lusted a lust in the wilderness, and they tempted God in the dry land" (ver. 14). The "dry land," or land without water, and "desert," are the same: so also are, "they lusted a lust," and, "they tempted God." The form of speech is the same as above, "they praised a praise."
A commentator
Philoxenus of Mabbug13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 11 -- On Abstinence · Written before 523.
proposed
That they sought flesh lustfully, and asked for it with lust, David testifieth, saying, "They lusted with lust in the wilderness, and they tempted God in the waterless desert, And He gave them their requests, and sent fulness into their souls." And in the place …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
God must give them flesh as he gave them bread, or they will never give him credit, or their good word. They did not only wish for flesh, but they lusted exceedingly after it. A desire, even of lawful things, when it is inordinate and violent, becomes sinful; and therefore this is called lusting after evil things ( 1 Cor. x.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens
But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness,....
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
The faith induced by God's display of power in their behalf was short lived, and their new rebellion and temptation was visited by God with fresh punishment, inflicted by leaving them to the result of their own gratified appetites, and sending on them spiritual poverty (Nu 11:18). They soon forgat--literally, "They hasted, they forgat" (compare Ex 32:8).
3 more voices on this verse
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness. Though they would not wait God's will, they are hot to have their own. When the most suitable and pleasant food was found them in abundance, it did not please them long, but they grew dainty and sniffed at angel's food, and must needs have flesh to eat, which was unhealthy diet for that warm climate, and for their easy life. This desire of theirs they dwelt upon till it became a mania with them, and, like a wild horse, carried away its rider. For a meal of meat they were ready to curse their God and renounce the land which floweth with milk and honey. What a wonder that the Lord did not take them at their word! It is plain that they vexed him greatly, And tempted God in the desert. In the place where they were absolutely dependent upon him and were everyday fed by his direct provision, they had the presumption to provoke their God. They would have him change the plans of his wisdom, supply their sensual appetites, and work miracles to meet their wicked unbelief: these things the Lord would not do, but they went as far as they could in trying to induce him to do so. They failed not in their wicked attempt because of any goodness in themselves, but because God "cannot be tempted, "—temptation has no power over him, he yields not to man's threats or promises.
But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness. Though they would not wait God's will, they are hot to have their own. When the most suitable and pleasant food was found them in abundance, it did not please them long, but they grew dainty and sniffed at angel's food, and must needs have flesh to eat, which was unhealthy diet for that warm climate, and for their easy life. This desire of theirs they dwelt upon till it became a mania with them, and, like a wild horse, carried away its rider.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness - Margin, as in Hebrew, “lusted a lust.” The reference is to their desire of better food than the manna. And tempted God in the desert - Tried God, whether he “could” provide for them food and drink. Psa 78:19-20.
How the passage was read
What the Jewish commentators add
On the verses either side of this one
but He sent emaciation into their soul (Num.:33) “and the Lord’s wrath was kindled against the people.”
This section is reception history: how the passage was read and kept in the Jewish tradition. Where a reading parts from an essential of the Christian faith, the section says so at that point.
Texts and citation data: Sefaria; each excerpt follows its version’s licence. 6 further sources are cited on this chapter that carry no English text this site may quote or only restate the verse.
The words behind it
6 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| וַיִּתְאַוּ֣וּ | vaiyitavu | and they craved | H183 → | 26 times |
| תַ֭אֲוָה | taavah | a craving | H8378 → | 20 times |
| בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר | bamidbar | in the wilderness | H4057 → | 270 times |
| וַיְנַסּוּ־ | vaynasu- | and they put to [the] test | H5254 → | 36 times |
| אֵ֝֗ל | ʾel | God | H410 → | 241 times |
| בִּֽישִׁימֽוֹן׃ | bishimon | in a desolate place | H3452 → | 13 times |
וַיִּתְאַוּ֣וּand they craved
vaiyitavuH183 →26 times
תַ֭אֲוָהa craving
taavahH8378 →20 times
בַּמִּדְבָּ֑רin the wilderness
bamidbarH4057 →270 times
וַיְנַסּוּ־and they put to [the] test
vaynasu-H5254 →36 times
אֵ֝֗לGod
ʾelH410 →241 times
בִּֽישִׁימֽוֹן׃in a desolate place
bishimonH3452 →13 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
1 Corinthians 10:9We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes.
it leads to
- Psalms 78:18
They willfully tested God by demanding the food they craved.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Numbers 21:5–6
and spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you led us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!”
- Deuteronomy 6:16
Do not test the LORD your God as you tested Him at Massah.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Hebrews 3:8–11
do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness,
- 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?”
- Psalms 78:18
Through
Numbers 11:4Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, “Who will feed us meat?
it leads to
- 1 Corinthians 10:6
These things took place as examples to keep us from craving evil things as they did.
- 1 Corinthians 10:6
Through
1 Corinthians 10:6These things took place as examples to keep us from craving evil things as they did.
it leads to
- Jude 1:7
In like manner, Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, who indulged in sexual immorality and pursued strange flesh, are on display as an example of those who sustain the punishment of eternal…
- 1 Corinthians 10:11
Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.
- Jude 1:7
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies4
About Psalms
This page draws on 10 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Albert Barnes, Notes on the Book of Psalms; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Augustine of Hippo, Exposition on Psalm 106; Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, Vol. 5; Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary on the Psalms; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and Philoxenus of Mabbug, 13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 11 -- On Abstinence.