Psalms 106:10
And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
Original Language Analysis
וַֽ֭יּוֹשִׁיעֵם
And he saved
H3467
וַֽ֭יּוֹשִׁיעֵם
And he saved
Strong's:
H3467
Word #:
1 of 6
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
מִיַּ֥ד
them from the hand
H3027
מִיַּ֥ד
them from the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
2 of 6
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וַ֝יִּגְאָלֵ֗ם
them and redeemed
H1350
וַ֝יִּגְאָלֵ֗ם
them and redeemed
Strong's:
H1350
Word #:
4 of 6
to redeem (according to the middle eastern law of kinship), i.e., to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his wido
Historical Context
Pharaoh's pursuit showed Egypt's hatred of Israel—even after the plagues, they sought to re-enslave or destroy God's people (Exodus 14:5-9). God's deliverance at the Red Sea definitively ended Egypt's power over Israel. For later generations, this became the paradigm for all divine redemption—God defeats enemies and rescues His people from hostile powers.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding salvation as rescue from enemies affect our view of the gospel?
- What spiritual enemies do believers need redemption from (beyond personal sin)?
- In what ways does Christ serve as our kinsman-redeemer (<em>goel</em>)?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse explains God's purpose in the Red Sea deliverance. 'He saved them from the hand of him that hated them' identifies Pharaoh and Egypt as enemies who hated Israel. 'Redeemed them from the hand of the enemy' uses gaal (גָּאַל), the kinsman-redeemer term, indicating God acted as Israel's family defender to buy them back from bondage. This redemption language establishes the exodus as the Old Testament's central redemptive event, typifying Christ's greater redemption from sin and Satan. God saves not merely from trouble but from enemies—spiritual warfare is embedded in redemption. The exodus demonstrates that salvation is rescue from hostile forces bent on destruction.