Psalms 60:7
Gilead is mine, and 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 and Manasseh
H4519
מְנַשֶּׁ֗ה
is mine and 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.)
Cross References
Genesis 49:10The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.Deuteronomy 33:17His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.Joshua 13:31And half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were pertaining unto the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, even to the one half of the children of Machir by their families.1 Chronicles 12:37And on the other side of Jordan, of the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and of the half tribe of Manasseh, with all manner of instruments of war for the battle, an hundred and twenty thousand.1 Chronicles 12:19And there fell some of Manasseh to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they helped them not: for the lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying, He will fall to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.
Historical Context
These territories represent Israel's heartland. Ephraim was the northern kingdom's dominant tribe, while Judah was David's own tribe and source of Messianic lineage. God's assignment of roles transcends current political divisions.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's sovereign distribution of roles and gifts in His kingdom affect your contentment with your calling?
- What does the different function of tribes teach about unity in diversity within God's people?
Analysis & Commentary
The declaration of possession over Gilead, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Judah indicates God's sovereignty over tribal territories. Ephraim as 'strength of mine head' (helmet) and Judah as 'lawgiver' (scepter) assign functional roles in the kingdom. This anticipates Christ's ultimate reign through Judah's lineage, demonstrating God's sovereign orchestration of tribal roles in redemptive history.