Psalms 78:66
And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּךְ
And he smote
H5221
וַיַּךְ
And he smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
1 of 7
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אָח֑וֹר
in the hinder parts
H268
אָח֑וֹר
in the hinder parts
Strong's:
H268
Word #:
3 of 7
the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the west
ע֝וֹלָ֗ם
them to a perpetual
H5769
ע֝וֹלָ֗ם
them to a perpetual
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
Cross References
1 Samuel 5:6But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof.Job 40:12Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.Jeremiah 23:40And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.
Historical Context
The hemorrhoids/tumors afflicting Philistines (1 Samuel 5:6, 9, 12) caused such agony that they couldn't wait to return the ark. This judgment on paganism's representatives vindicated Yahweh's uniqueness. The incident became proverbial—Dagon's fallen idol and Philistia's plagues demonstrated that Israel's God couldn't be manipulated or defeated.
Questions for Reflection
- How have you seen God turn apparent defeats into victories and enemies' weapons into their own downfall?
- What does God's humiliation of His enemies teach about His zeal for His own name and glory?
- In what ways did the cross function as 'perpetual reproach' to Satan and his kingdom?
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Analysis & Commentary
And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach. God's awakening (v. 65) immediately produces enemy defeat. Smote his enemies in the hinder parts (vayakh tzarav achor, וַיַּךְ־צָרָיו אָחוֹר) could mean striking them from behind (routing them in retreat) or afflicting their buttocks/rear (the specific location of Philistine tumors, 1 Samuel 5:6-12). Both readings emphasize humiliating defeat.
Perpetual reproach (cherpat olam, חֶרְפַּת עוֹלָם) means lasting shame. The Philistines' confidence in capturing Yahweh's ark turned to terror and disgrace. Their god Dagon fell prostrate before the ark; they suffered plagues; they desperately sent the ark back with guilt offerings. What seemed like their triumph became their enduring humiliation.
This pattern—enemies' apparent victory becoming their shame—recurs throughout redemptive history, culminating in the cross. Satan's seeming triumph in crucifying Jesus became his ultimate defeat. God specializes in turning enemies' weapons against them, making their attacks boomerang into their own destruction (Psalm 7:15-16).