Psalms 72:8
He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.
Original Language Analysis
וְ֭יֵרְדְּ
He shall have dominion
H7287
וְ֭יֵרְדְּ
He shall have dominion
Strong's:
H7287
Word #:
1 of 8
to tread down, i.e., subjugate; specifically, to crumble off
יָ֑ם
also from sea
H3220
יָ֑ם
also from sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
2 of 8
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
3 of 8
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
יָ֑ם
also from sea
H3220
יָ֑ם
also from sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
4 of 8
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
וּ֝מִנָּהָ֗ר
and from the river
H5104
וּ֝מִנָּהָ֗ר
and from the river
Strong's:
H5104
Word #:
5 of 8
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
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)
Cross References
Exodus 23:31And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.Zechariah 9:10And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.Psalms 2:8Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.Psalms 80:11She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river.Psalms 89:25I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.
Historical Context
Solomon's kingdom reached its greatest extent but never literally spanned sea to sea or earth's ends. This language is deliberately hyperbolic, pointing beyond any human king to the Messiah's global reign.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's universal authority shape your understanding of mission and evangelism?
- What does it mean that Christ's kingdom has no geographical or ethnic boundaries?
- How can you participate in extending Christ's reign 'to the ends of the earth'?
Analysis & Commentary
The king's dominion 'from sea to sea' and 'from the river unto the ends of the earth' describes universal rule. 'The river' likely refers to the Euphrates, Israel's northeastern boundary. This global scope exceeds any Davidic king's historical reign, pointing to the Messiah's worldwide kingdom. Christ's Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) extends His authority to all nations, with His reign ultimately encompassing the entire earth (Philippians 2:10-11).