Psalms 105:44
And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people;
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּתֵּ֣ן
And gave
H5414
וַיִּתֵּ֣ן
And gave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 7
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
גּוֹיִ֑ם
of the heathen
H1471
גּוֹיִ֑ם
of the heathen
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
4 of 7
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
Cross References
Psalms 78:55He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.Joshua 24:13And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat.Joshua 11:23So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war.Joshua 24:8And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, which dwelt on the other side Jordan; and they fought with you: and I gave them into your hand, that ye might possess their land; and I destroyed them from before you.Psalms 80:8Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.Joshua 23:4Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea westward.
Historical Context
The conquest of Canaan (circa 1406-1400 BC) under Joshua fulfilled promises made centuries earlier to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The land's inhabitants were judged for wickedness (Genesis 15:16; Deuteronomy 9:4-5), while Israel received grace. Archaeological evidence confirms the sudden appearance of a new culture in Canaan during this period, consistent with Israelite settlement. The inheritance of others' labor illustrates sovereign grace—receiving what one didn't earn.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Israel's inheritance of unearned blessings illustrate salvation by grace?
- What does God's gift of the Promised Land teach about covenant faithfulness?
- In what ways do believers today 'inherit the labor' of previous generations of faithful Christians?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse describes the conquest of Canaan under Joshua. 'Gave them the lands of the heathen' refers to God's gift of the Promised Land, fulfilling the Abrahamic covenant. 'They inherited the labour of the people' means Israel received established cities, vineyards, and olive groves they didn't build or plant (Deuteronomy 6:10-11). This demonstrates grace: unmerited inheritance of blessings. The verb 'gave' (nathan, נָתַן) emphasizes divine gift, not human conquest. Though Israel fought battles, victory came from God. This principle applies spiritually—believers inherit salvation and spiritual blessings not through personal labor but through Christ's finished work (Ephesians 2:8-9).