Verse-by-Verse Bible CommentaryPsalms 60:7
"Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim also is the helmet of My head; Judah is My scepter. Jump to: Clarke Commentary • Barne's Notes • Gill's Exposition • Geneva Study Bible • Commentary Critical and Explanatory • Wesley's Notes • Trapp's Commentary • Poole's Annotations • Whedon's Commentary • Constable's Expository Notes • Benson's Commentary • Haydock's Catholic Commentary • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes • Commentary Critical and Explanatory - Unabridged • Ellicott's Commentary • Treasury of Knowledge Other Authors
Adam Clarke CommentaryGilead is mine - This country was also beyond Jordan, and Manasseh and Ephraim are put for the tribes that formed the kingdom of Israel. All these, after the return from the captivity, formed but one people, the Jews and Israelites being united. The strength of mine head - It shall be the principal support of the new-found kingdom, when all distinctions shall be buried. Judah is my lawgiver - This tribe was chief of all those who returned from the captivity; and Zerubbabel, who was their leader, was chief of that tribe, and of the family of David. As this part of the Psalm appears to relate to the return of the captives from Babylon, and their repossession of their own land, the psalmist may refer, not only to the promises of their restoration, but also to the principal person under whose superintendence they returned. Copyright Statement Bibliography Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole BibleGilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine - That is, My dominion or authority is extended over these regions - Gilead, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Judah. The idea here is substantially the same as in the former verse, that his dominion extended over the country on both sides of the Jordan; or that in the direction of east and west it embraced all that had been promised - “from the great sea to the river Euphrates.” In verse 6, this idea is expressed by selecting two spots or towns as representatives of the whole country - Shechem on the west, and Succoth on the east; in this verse, the same idea is expressed by a reference to the two regions so situated - Gilead and Manasseh on the east, and Ephraim and Judah on the west. Gilead was on the east of the river Jordan, properly embracing the mountainous region south of the river Jabbok, Numbers 32:26, Numbers 32:29, Numbers 32:39. Hence, in this place, it is put for the region occupied by the tribes of Reuben and Gad. “Manasseh” refers to the district or region occupied by the half tribe of Manasseh, on the east of the Jordan. These two portions - Gilead and Manasseh - or, Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh - would, therefore, embrace the whole of the land of promise, north and south, on the east of the Jordan. The limits of these regions to the east were properly the banks of the Euphrates; that is, the original promise would embrace this. David had gone to carry the boundaries of his country to those assigned limits 2 Samuel 8:3, and he now says that he had completed that undertaking. Ephraim also - Ephraim and Judah were the principal tribes on the west of the Jordan, and they would well represent that part of Canaan. The idea is, that the whole of the promised land, east and west, was now under his control. There needed only the territory of Edom, on the south, to complete the conquest, and place the whole of the promised land under his dominion, Psalm 60:8-9. Is the strength of my head - This means that Ephraim constituted his chief strength, or was that on which he mainly relied. It was that which protected him, as the helmet does the head; that on which his very life in battle depended. This honor is given to the tribe of Ephraim because it was one of the largest tribes, and because it was situated in the very center of the land. Judah is my lawgiver - This means that the tribe of Judah, by its position, its numbers, and the prominence given to it in the prophecies Genesis 49:8-12, actually gave law to the nation. Its influence was felt in all the institutions of the land. The controlling influence went out from that tribe in the time of David; and its authority in this respect was recognized, perhaps partly in anticipation of what it had been said would be its importance in future times: “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet until Shiloh come.” Genesis 49:10. Copyright Statement Bibliography John Gill's Exposition of the Whole BibleGilead is mine,.... This is particularly mentioned, because over this Abner made Ishbosheth king, 2 Samuel 2:9; and is the place to which the Jews shall be brought in the latter day, when converted, Zechariah 10:10; It was a country that abounded with pastures fit for feeding cattle, Numbers 32:1, and may point out those green pastures where Christ makes his flocks to lie down and rest; and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head: these two were also under Saul's son when David first came to the throne, but afterwards became his, as was promised him, and he believed, 2 Samuel 2:9. And the concord and harmony of the people of God among themselves, and under David their Prince, the King Messiah, are signified and Ephraim being one in the hand of the by the ceasing of the envy of the one, and of the vexation of the other, Ezekiel 37:19; Ephraim was more numerous and populous than Manasseh, and abounded with mighty men, which are the strength of a prince, and therefore called here the strength of his head; Judah is my lawgiver; manifestly referring to Genesis 49:10; which furnished out persons fit to be counsellors in enacting laws, and proper to be employed in the execution of them. The great Lawgiver is Christ himself, who came of this tribe, Isaiah 33:22; All this is expressive of dominion over the whole land of Judea, Ephraim, and Manasseh, with the places mentioned with them; the house of Joseph being, as Aben Ezra observes, in the north part of it, and Judah in the south. Next mention is made of the subjection of the Gentiles, and dominion over them. Copyright Statement Bibliography Geneva Study BibleGilead [is] mine, and Manasseh [is] mine; Ephraim also [is] the h strength of mine head; i Judah [is] my lawgiver;(h) For it was strong and well peopled. Copyright Statement Bibliography Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bibleand Manasseh — as large districts, east and west of Jordan, represent the whole land.divide … and mete out — means to have entire control over. Ephraim — denotes the military (Deuteronomy 33:17); and - Judah — (the lawgiver, Genesis 49:10), the civil power. Foreign nations are then presented as subdued. Copyright Statement Bibliography Wesley's Explanatory NotesGilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver; Gilead — All the land beyond Jordan, which was possessed by Reuben and Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh. Manasseh — The other half of that tribe within Jordan. The strength — A chief part of my strength, either to offend mine enemies, or to defend myself. For this tribe was very numerous, and valiant and rich. Law-giver — The chief seat of my throne and kingdom, and of the inferior throne of judgment, Psalm 122:5. Copyright Statement Bibliography John Trapp Complete CommentaryPsalms 60:7 Gilead [is] mine, and Manasseh [is] mine; Ephraim also [is] the strength of mine head; Judah [is] my lawgiver; Ver. 7. Gilead is mine and Manasseh] These countries on the other side of Jordan the Syrians haply had gotten, and now David had recovered them.
Ephraim also is the strength of my head] Because a populous and potent tribe. Junius thinks David here alludeth to that of Moses in his blessing of this tribe, Deuteronomy 33:17; as in the next words to that of Jacob, Genesis 49:10.
Judeah is my lawgiver] There, viz. at Jerusalem, sitteth the Synedrion, Numbers 11:16, and there is my sovereign court of justice, Psalms 122:5, and of that tribe, Christ, the great lawgiver of his Church, shall spring. Copyright Statement Bibliography Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy BibleGilead; all their land beyond Jordan, which was possessed by Reuben and Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh, Numbers 32:29,39,40 Deu 3:10, &c.; Joshua 13:25, &c. Manasseh; the other half of that tribe within Jordan. Mine head; either, 1. Mine horns, wherewith I shall push mine enemies, according to Moses’s prophecy of that tribe, Deuteronomy 33:17. Or, 2. The keeper of mine head, as Achish spake 1 Samuel 28:2. A chief part of my strength, either to offend mine enemies, or to defend myself. For this tribe was very numerous, and valiant, and rich. See Genesis 48:19 Deuteronomy 33:17 Psalms 78:9. Judah is my lawgiver; the chief seat of my throne and kingdom, and of the inferior thrones of judgment, Psalms 112:5; the tribe to which the royal sceptre and lawgiver are appropriated by God’s appointment, Genesis 49:10. Copyright Statement Bibliography Whedon's Commentary on the Bible7. Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine—As Shechem and Succoth, Psalms 60:6, geographically represented the total territory of Israel, so Gilead and Manasseh (east) are only a more literal and minute repetition of the same idea, politically considered, of the territory east of Jordan, while Ephraim and Judah represented the west. Ephraim… is the strength of mine head—My helmet, the defensive armour for the head, denoting how vital a part of the nation’s defence Ephraim was. Moses compared Ephraim and Manasseh to the strength of the neck and horns of the buffalo. Deuteronomy 33:17. Judah is my lawgiver—A direct allusion to the blessing of Jacob, Genesis 49:10. Thus far David describes the continued unity and integrity of his kingdom, which his recent disasters had threatened, but which faith in the oracle of God had now reassured Ephraim and Manasseh were the jealous and disappointed tribes. See note on Psalms 78. Saul’s son had already sought to dismember the kingdom by their means. 2 Samuel 2:8-11; 2 Samuel 3:2. The moment David’s career of victory was checked he feared the loss of his foreign conquests, followed by the revival of the old internal feuds. Faith has already triumphed over the latter, and he now proceeds to express his exultation over the bordering nations. Copyright Statement Bibliography Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable
Gilead was Israel"s promised territory east of the Jordan River. The tribal territory of Manasseh straddled the Jordan. Ephraim, west of the Jordan, was one of Israel"s strongest and most secure tribes. It lay in central western Canaan and was similar to a helmet in that it provided defense. God had promised Judah the right to rule the other tribes ( Genesis 49:10), which the scepter symbolized. Copyright Statement Bibliography Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 60:7. Gilead is mine — All the land beyond Jordan, which was possessed by Reuben and Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh. And Manasseh is mine — The other half of that tribe within Jordan. Ephraim is the strength, &c. — A chief part of my strength, either to offend mine enemies, or to defend myself. For this tribe was very numerous, and valiant, and rich. Judah is my lawgiver — The chief seat of my throne and kingdom, and of the inferior throne of judgment, Psalms 122:5. The tribe to which the royal sceptre and lawgiver were appropriated by divine appointment, Genesis 49:10. Thus he exultingly surveys his strength, Gilead and Manasseh comprehending the whole country beyond Jordan, as did Ephraim and Judah that on this side of it. Copyright Statement Bibliography George Haydock's Catholic Bible CommentaryKing. They wish long life to the king, expecting that the predictions of the prophets insured to them temporal dominion. But when they saw Zorobabel possess no such splendour, they were naturally taught to extend their thoughts to the Messias, of whom the Chaldeans and ancient Jews, as well as the Fathers, explain this passage. (Calmet) --- Chaldean, "the days of the future world thou wilt add to the days of the king, the Messias. His years shall be like the generations of this world, and the generations of the world to come." Eternity is clearly meant. If David speaks of himself, and of his successors on the throne for many ages, he must be considered as a figure of Christ, who is also designated. (Berthier) --- The Church will continue to the end, and be triumphant throughout eternity. (Worthington) Copyright Statement Bibliography E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible NotesGilead . . . Manasseh. Eastern side. Ephraim . . . Judah. Western side. lawgiver. Compare Genesis 49:10. Numbers 21:18. Deuteronomy 33:21. Copyright Statement Bibliography Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - UnabridgedGilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver; Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine. The very language of Jacob is referred to in Genesis 48:5, "Ephraim and Manasseh ... are mine, as Reuben and Simeon they shall be mine." Gilead and Manasseh are connected with Succoth, as comprising all the region east of Jordon. Ephraim also is the strength of mine head - i:e., is the fortress which protects my head, the most vital part (Psalms 27:1; Psalms 68:21). Ephraim and Judah were the chief tribes of the nation west of Jordan. Ephriam was eminent for its power and riches (Genesis 48:19; Deuteronomy 33:17). Judah is my lawgiver - as being Israel's ruling tribe. The reference is to Genesis 49:10, "The sceptre shall not depart from, Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet." Copyright Statement Bibliography Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(7) Gilead and Manasseh on the east of Jordan, and Ephraim and Judah on the west, are employed to denote the whole dominion. Strength of mine head . . .—i.e., the helmet, or possibly with reminiscence of the patriarchal blessing on Joseph, Deuteronomy 33:17. Lawgiver.—In Hebrew a participle of verb meaning to cut or engrave, and is applied as here to the lawmaker (comp. Deuteronomy 33:21), or to the staff or sceptre which was the emblem of law, Genesis 49:10, Numbers 21:18. The LXX. and Vulg. have “my king.” Copyright Statement Bibliography Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeGilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;
Copyright Statement Bibliography |
return to 'Jump List'