Psalms 107:18

Authorized King James Version

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Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.

Original Language Analysis

כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 1 of 8
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֹ֭כֶל all manner of meat H400
אֹ֭כֶל all manner of meat
Strong's: H400
Word #: 2 of 8
food
תְּתַעֵ֣ב abhorreth H8581
תְּתַעֵ֣ב abhorreth
Strong's: H8581
Word #: 3 of 8
to loathe, i.e., (morally) detest
נַפְשָׁ֑ם Their soul H5315
נַפְשָׁ֑ם Their soul
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 4 of 8
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
וַ֝יַּגִּ֗יעוּ and they draw near H5060
וַ֝יַּגִּ֗יעוּ and they draw near
Strong's: H5060
Word #: 5 of 8
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive
עַד H5704
עַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 6 of 8
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
שַׁ֥עֲרֵי unto the gates H8179
שַׁ֥עֲרֵי unto the gates
Strong's: H8179
Word #: 7 of 8
an opening, i.e., door or gate
מָֽוֶת׃ of death H4194
מָֽוֶת׃ of death
Strong's: H4194
Word #: 8 of 8
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

Analysis & Commentary

This verse describes the severity of affliction. 'Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat' means loss of appetite—food becomes repulsive. 'And they draw near unto the gates of death' depicts life-threatening condition. 'Gates of death' (shaar maveth, שַׁעַר מָוֶת) is boundary language—they're at death's threshold. This terminal condition emphasizes helplessness: they can't heal themselves, can't even eat for strength. Only divine intervention can rescue from death's gates. This prefigures Christ, who 'descended into hell' (Apostles' Creed), entering death's realm to liberate captives and destroy death's power (1 Peter 3:18-20; Hebrews 2:14-15).

Historical Context

Near-death sickness appears throughout Scripture: Hezekiah (Isaiah 38), Job (Job 2:7-8; 17:1), David (Psalm 6:4-5), Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:27). Each required God's intervention to escape death's gates. The imagery appears in Jesus' promise that 'the gates of hell shall not prevail' against the church (Matthew 16:18)—death cannot hold God's people. Resurrection guarantees passage through death's gates to life.

Questions for Reflection