2 Samuel 22 11

2 Samuel 22:11 kjv

And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.

2 Samuel 22:11 nkjv

He rode upon a cherub, and flew; And He was seen upon the wings of the wind.

2 Samuel 22:11 niv

He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind.

2 Samuel 22:11 esv

He rode on a cherub and flew; he was seen on the wings of the wind.

2 Samuel 22:11 nlt

Mounted on a mighty angelic being, he flew,
soaring on the wings of the wind.

2 Samuel 22 verses

2 Samuel 22 11 Meaning

2 Samuel 22:11 vividly portrays the Lord's majestic, swift, and transcendent intervention on behalf of King David. It depicts God's arrival with supreme speed and authority, using cosmic elements and heavenly beings as His instruments of movement. The verse emphasizes God's immediate and powerful response to David's cry, showing Him as a sovereign deliverer who controls all creation, manifesting His presence and power through awesome phenomena to secure victory and salvation for His anointed.

2 Samuel 22 11 Context

This verse is part of David's extended "Song of Deliverance," recorded in 2 Samuel 22, which is nearly identical to Psalm 18. This song is a psalm of thanksgiving that David sings "to the LORD on the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul" (2 Sam 22:1). The immediate context describes David's desperate plight and his fervent cry to God. The preceding verses (8-10) depict a dramatic, cosmic outpouring of divine wrath against David's enemies—earthquakes, smoke, fire, and darkness, signifying God's majestic, fearsome, and active presence. Verse 11 continues this imagery, portraying God's swift and personal movement to intervene directly in David's crisis. It transitions from God's general wrathful presence to His direct, purposeful arrival for salvation.

2 Samuel 22 11 Word analysis

• He rode (רָכַב, rakab): This Hebrew verb signifies to ride, whether on an animal or a chariot. Here, it implies majestic motion, swift transit, and sovereign control. It portrays God as an active King, purposefully engaging.
• on a cherub (כְּרוּב, keruv): A cherub is a type of celestial being, a mighty angelic creature associated with guarding sacred space (Gen 3:24), supporting God's throne (Ezekiel 1, 10), and being part of God's mobile glory. This imagery is not literal "riding" as one would a horse, but signifies God's transcendence and His movement upon or accompanied by His heavenly retinue. It highlights that God does not need earthly means of transport; He moves by means of His celestial agents, demonstrating His authority over all realms. This may also serve as a subtle polemic against pagan deities often depicted riding actual animals or chariots, whereas the God of Israel is carried by transcendent, spiritual beings reflective of His unapproachable glory.
• and flew (וַיֵּדֵא, vayyede’): This verb means to dart, to fly quickly, or to swoop down, often referring to an eagle or other swift bird. It emphasizes the extraordinary speed, directness, and ease of God's movement, demonstrating immediate and unfettered response.
• He swooped down (וַיֵּחָפֵף, vayyechafef): This word is rare, meaning to "skim" or "glide over." It implies a controlled, purposeful descent or passage, similar to how an eagle glides purposefully to its target. Combined with "flew," it reinforces the idea of God's focused, targeted action and powerful momentum in reaching David. It highlights that God's arrival is not random, but a direct response to a specific need.
• on the wings of the wind (עַל כַּנְפֵי רוּחַ, al kanfey ruach): This is a poetic metaphor illustrating unparalleled speed, boundless reach, and ethereal nature. "Wings" (כַּנְפֵי, kanfey) symbolize extreme swiftness and the ability to traverse vast distances. "Wind" (רוּחַ, ruach) in Hebrew also means spirit or breath. So, God moves with the speed of the wind and potentially by the power of His very Spirit, demonstrating His absolute control over the elements of creation, which serve as His conveyance. He is not constrained by natural limitations; rather, He employs nature itself as His chariot. This contrasts starkly with limited human means of transport, underlining divine omnipotence and omnipresence.

2 Samuel 22 11 Bonus section

• The imagery of God riding on a cherub or clouds is a classic element of Theophany, the manifestation of God's presence, often accompanied by natural phenomena. This emphasizes the divine inbreaking into the human sphere in a tangible, awe-inspiring way.
• The parallel with Psalm 18:10 indicates the deep spiritual connection and shared theological themes between the historical narrative of David's life and the worshipful poetic expressions found in the Psalms. It suggests that David's song became a staple in Israelite worship, solidifying this divine imagery for generations.
• The description of God as one who can "fly" or "swoop down" is anthropomorphic language (attributing human or animal characteristics to God), but it serves to make the transcendent God relatable while maintaining His ultimate majesty. It reassures believers of God's active, personal care and responsiveness.

2 Samuel 22 11 Commentary

2 Samuel 22:11 provides a majestic, highly symbolic portrait of God's active involvement in human affairs, specifically for the deliverance of His chosen king. Far from a passive or distant deity, God is depicted as a cosmic warrior, harnessing the very forces of the universe—celestial beings and natural phenomena—to execute His sovereign will. The imagery is designed to convey God's absolute power, overwhelming speed, and unapproachable glory. His movement "on a cherub" and "on the wings of the wind" elevates His action beyond earthly comprehension, signaling a divine intervention that transcends ordinary means. This powerful demonstration of God's coming reflects His steadfast love and covenant faithfulness towards David. It shows that when His people cry out, He descends swiftly and with unbridled power to act on their behalf, overturning the designs of their enemies.