Psalms 106:41
And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּתְּנֵ֥ם
And he gave
H5414
וַיִּתְּנֵ֥ם
And he gave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 6
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בְּיַד
them into the hand
H3027
בְּיַד
them into 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
Historical Context
Throughout Judges, oppressors included Mesopotamians, Moabites, Canaanites, Midianites, Ammonites, and Philistines. Under the monarchy, Assyria and Babylon became God's instruments of judgment. Isaiah called Assyria 'the rod of my anger' (Isaiah 10:5). Babylon was God's 'hammer' (Jeremiah 51:20). Though pagan, these nations unwittingly served God's purposes. After discipline accomplished its goal, God judged these oppressor nations for their cruelty (Isaiah 10:12-19; Jeremiah 50-51).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God use hostile powers to discipline His people?
- What does being ruled by 'those who hate them' teach about covenant-breaking consequences?
- How should believers view political oppression or hostile cultural dominance in light of God's sovereignty?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse describes God's judgment. 'And he gave them into the hand of the heathen' means God delivered Israel to pagan oppressors. Throughout Judges and Kings, God used foreign nations as instruments of discipline. 'They that hated them ruled over them' shows the oppressors were hostile, not benevolent. Being ruled by enemies who hate you is severe humiliation and judgment. This fulfilled covenant curses (Leviticus 26:17; Deuteronomy 28:25, 33). God's people experiencing dominion by God-hating pagans demonstrated the reversal of creation order—those made in God's image subjected to idolaters. Yet even this judgment served redemptive purposes, intended to bring repentance.