Psalms 108:8
Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;
Original Language Analysis
גִלְעָ֨ד׀
Gilead
H1568
גִלְעָ֨ד׀
Gilead
Strong's:
H1568
Word #:
2 of 9
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites
מְנַשֶּׁ֗ה
is mine Manasseh
H4519
מְנַשֶּׁ֗ה
is mine Manasseh
Strong's:
H4519
Word #:
4 of 9
menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
וְ֭אֶפְרַיִם
is mine Ephraim
H669
וְ֭אֶפְרַיִם
is mine Ephraim
Strong's:
H669
Word #:
5 of 9
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
מָע֣וֹז
also is the strength
H4581
מָע֣וֹז
also is the strength
Strong's:
H4581
Word #:
6 of 9
a fortified place; figuratively, a defense
רֹאשִׁ֑י
of mine head
H7218
רֹאשִׁ֑י
of mine head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
7 of 9
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
Historical Context
These tribal identities reflect the Davidic kingdom at its height. Ephraim dominated the north, Judah the south. After Solomon, the kingdom split along these lines (1 Kings 12). David here celebrates united Israel under God's sovereign distribution.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's emphatic 'mine' over territories teach about His ownership rights over your life?
- How has God assigned you specific functions (like Ephraim's strength or Judah's authority) in His kingdom purposes?
- In what ways does Christ fulfill the royal lawgiver role promised to Judah?
Analysis & Commentary
Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine (לִי גִלְעָד לִי מְנַשֶּׁה, li Gil'ad li Menasheh)—God claims ownership using emphatic li (mine, to me) repeated. Gilead (Transjordan highlands) and Manasseh (tribe spanning both sides of Jordan) represent territories conquered under Joshua. God's 'mine' asserts sovereign right.
Ephraim also is the strength of mine head (וְאֶפְרַיִם מָעוֹז רֹאשִׁי, ve'Efrayim ma'oz roshi)—ma'oz (stronghold, fortress, defense) describes Ephraim as God's 'helmet,' military protection. Ephraim was Israel's most powerful northern tribe. Judah is my lawgiver (יְהוּדָה מְחֹקְקִי, Yehudah mekhokeki)—mekhokek (commander's staff, scepter, lawgiver) identifies Judah as God's ruling tribe, fulfilling Jacob's prophecy (Genesis 49:10).
God assigns each tribe its function in His kingdom: Gilead and Manasseh as possessions, Ephraim as military strength, Judah as royal authority. This foreshadows Christ from Judah's line wielding ultimate authority (Revelation 5:5).