Psalms 74:14
Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.
Original Language Analysis
רִ֭צַּצְתָּ
Thou brakest
H7533
רִ֭צַּצְתָּ
Thou brakest
Strong's:
H7533
Word #:
2 of 8
to crack in pieces, literally or figuratively
רָאשֵׁ֣י
the heads
H7218
רָאשֵׁ֣י
the heads
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
3 of 8
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
לִוְיָתָ֑ן
of leviathan
H3882
לִוְיָתָ֑ן
of leviathan
Strong's:
H3882
Word #:
4 of 8
a wreathed animal, i.e., a large sea-monster; figuratively, the constellation of the dragon; also as a symbol of babylon
תִּתְּנֶ֥נּוּ
in pieces and gavest
H5414
תִּתְּנֶ֥נּוּ
in pieces and gavest
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
5 of 8
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
מַ֝אֲכָ֗ל
him to be meat
H3978
מַ֝אֲכָ֗ל
him to be meat
Strong's:
H3978
Word #:
6 of 8
an eatable (including provender, flesh and fruit)
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern creation myths (Enuma Elish, Baal Cycle) featured gods battling chaos monsters. Israel's psalms deliberately echo and subvert these myths, showing Yahweh alone as Creator who effortlessly conquers chaos. This verse likely draws on Exodus imagery of crushing Egypt (the 'dragon,' Ezekiel 29:3) and providing manna in the wilderness.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'leviathans' in your life—seemingly unconquerable chaos—need you to remember God's creative power to crush?
- How does God's pattern of transforming defeated evil into provision change your perspective on current trials?
- In what ways does Christ's victory over death (the ultimate chaos) become spiritual food for believers?
Analysis & Commentary
Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces—In the midst of lamenting temple destruction, Asaph recalls God's primordial victory over chaos. Liwyātān (לִוְיָתָן, leviathan) appears in Job 41 as the ultimate untamable creature, representing forces of chaos and evil. The Hebrew rāṣaṣtā (רִצַּצְתָּ, crushed/shattered) is violent and decisive—God didn't merely defeat leviathan but pulverized its multiple heads, echoing Canaanite myths of seven-headed sea monsters while affirming Yahweh's absolute supremacy over all cosmic powers.
And gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness—The image shifts from cosmic battle to provision. God doesn't simply destroy chaos; He transforms it into sustenance for His people. ʿām-ləṣiyyîm (עַם־לְצִיִּים, "people of the wilderness") likely refers to desert creatures or possibly Israel in the wilderness wanderings. The theological point is profound: the very forces that threaten to destroy God's people become, through His power, the means of their nourishment.
This verse functions as encouragement amid present devastation. The same God who crushed leviathan at creation can defeat Babylon. Christians see deeper fulfillment: Christ crushed the serpent's head (Genesis 3:15; Romans 16:20), and even the cross—Satan's apparent victory—became the feast of redemption (John 6:51-58). What looks like chaos triumphant is actually God feeding His people through conquered evil.