Psalms 106:26
Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness:
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשָּׂ֣א
Therefore he lifted up
H5375
וַיִּשָּׂ֣א
Therefore he lifted up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
1 of 6
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
יָד֣וֹ
his hand
H3027
יָד֣וֹ
his 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
לְהַפִּ֥יל
against them to overthrow
H5307
לְהַפִּ֥יל
against them to overthrow
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
4 of 6
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
Cross References
Ezekiel 20:15Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands;Hebrews 3:11So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)Psalms 95:11Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.Exodus 6:8And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the LORD.
Historical Context
Numbers 14:26-35 records God's oath that everyone 20 years old and upward (except Joshua and Caleb) would die in the wilderness. The nation wandered for 40 years—one year for each day the spies explored Canaan. This generation's corpses fell in the desert while their children eventually entered. The oath's fulfillment demonstrated God's word of judgment is as certain as His word of promise. Hebrews 3-4 uses this as a warning to Christians about the danger of hardened unbelief.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's irrevocable oath of judgment teach about the seriousness of persistent unbelief?
- How does Hebrews 3-4's application of this event warn contemporary believers?
- At what point does God's patience with rebellion turn to fixed judgment?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse records God's oath of judgment. 'Therefore he lifted up his hand against them' describes taking an oath—hand-raising symbolized swearing (Genesis 14:22; Deuteronomy 32:40). 'To overthrow them in the wilderness' declares the sentence: the generation would die during 40 years of wandering. This fulfilled God's word in Numbers 14:28-35. Divine oaths are irrevocable—when God swears judgment, it will certainly come. The lifted hand emphasizes the solemnity and certainty of the decree. This teaches that persistent unbelief and rebellion eventually result in God's fixed judgment, beyond which there is no reprieve for that generation (though individuals like Caleb and Joshua were excepted).