2 Samuel 22 14

2 Samuel 22:14 kjv

The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.

2 Samuel 22:14 nkjv

"The LORD thundered from heaven, And the Most High uttered His voice.

2 Samuel 22:14 niv

The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded.

2 Samuel 22:14 esv

The LORD thundered from heaven, and the Most High uttered his voice.

2 Samuel 22:14 nlt

The LORD thundered from heaven;
the voice of the Most High resounded.

2 Samuel 22 verses

2 Samuel 22 14 Meaning

This verse dramatically portrays God's powerful and direct intervention from His heavenly abode to deliver David from his enemies. The thunder signifies an awe-inspiring manifestation of God's majesty and power, often associated with His righteous judgment. His "uttered voice" represents His active command and irresistible word, demonstrating His supreme authority and immediate response to His servant's distress, showcasing Him as a mighty deliverer and warrior who acts decisively from His throne in heaven.

2 Samuel 22 14 Context

2 Samuel 22 is a magnificent song of thanksgiving from David to the Lord, almost identical to Psalm 18. It serves as David's declaration of faith and praise after God delivered him from all his enemies, especially King Saul. The chapter recounts God's powerful intervention on David's behalf using vivid, epic, and cosmic imagery. Verse 14, in particular, contributes to the grand portrayal of YHWH as an omnipotent divine warrior, actively descending from His transcendent dwelling to bring salvation. This depiction strongly contrasts with the limited power of pagan deities, such as the Canaanite storm god Baal, asserting YHWH's exclusive control over the natural world and His ultimate sovereignty as the deliverer of His chosen king.

2 Samuel 22 14 Word analysis

• The LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the tetragrammaton, the personal covenant name of God, indicating His faithfulness to His promises and His unique relationship with His people. It distinguishes Him as the only true God, acting personally and powerfully in human history.
• thundered (וַיַּרְעֵם, wayyar‘em): From the verb רָעַם (ra'am), meaning "to thunder" or "to roar." This signifies an audible manifestation of God's presence, power, and often His wrath or judgment. It evokes awe and terror in the face of divine might. This imagery resonates with God's appearance at Mount Sinai (Ex 19).
• from heaven (מִשָּׁמַיִם, mishshamayim): Indicates God's transcendent origin of action. He is not confined to the earthly realm but operates from His majestic, supreme dwelling place above, underscoring His sovereignty and elevation above all creation. This highlights divine initiative and authority.
• and the Most High (וְעֶלְיוֹן, ve‘elyon): 'Elyon is an epithet meaning "Most High," emphasizing God's supremacy, preeminence, and sovereignty over all things and beings. It affirms that YHWH is exalted above every power, authority, and deity. It stresses His uniqueness and incomparable status.
• uttered (וַיִּתֵּן, wayyittēn): From the verb נָתַן (natan), "to give," "to put," or "to set." In this context, it implies a deliberate act of giving forth or issuing. It signifies an intentional and forceful declaration or emanation.
• his voice (קוֹלוֹ, qolow): The divine voice. More than mere sound, God's voice is intrinsically linked with His power to create, judge, command, and save. Psalm 29 powerfully describes the destructive and constructive power of the Lord's voice, indicating its authority and effectiveness in the natural world and over enemies.

• "The LORD thundered from heaven": This phrase paints a picture of awe-inspiring divine majesty. It is God Himself, YHWH, the covenant God, who actively and powerfully intervenes. The "thunder" indicates His terrifying power, often linked to judgment on His enemies but also to His overwhelming presence for His people. "From heaven" signifies His transcendence and that this intervention is not earthly or limited but originates from His exalted, ultimate realm of authority.
• "and the Most High uttered his voice": This phrase functions as a parallel intensification. "The Most High" (Elyon) reinforces God's supreme status, underscoring that it is the ultimate authority who speaks. The "uttered his voice" implies a deliberate, powerful declaration or emission of divine command and judgment. This pairing of thunder and voice shows God's full manifestation of power – both aural and effectual.

2 Samuel 22 14 Bonus section

This imagery of God's thunderous voice from heaven anticipates future divine interventions, especially the return of Christ, who will descend with a shout and the voice of an archangel (1 Thess 4:16), signifying a similar dramatic manifestation of divine power. The deliberate use of two divine titles, "The LORD" (YHWH) and "the Most High" (Elyon), emphasizes the fullness of God's revealed character in this act of deliverance – both His covenant faithfulness and His ultimate supremacy. This section of David's song is a rich theological declaration, not merely poetry, confirming God's active involvement in the lives of His people and the absolute power of His spoken word in judgment and salvation.

2 Samuel 22 14 Commentary

2 Samuel 22:14 forms a crucial part of David's exultant hymn of deliverance, showcasing a theophanic depiction of God. The verse reveals God not as a distant observer but as an active, potent force descending from His glorious abode. "The LORD thundered from heaven" evokes overwhelming power, characteristic of divine judgment against David's adversaries and the dramatic unveiling of His presence for His anointed. This thunder, paired with "the Most High uttered his voice," presents God as the supreme, transcendent authority whose very vocal declaration carries irresistible force and executes His divine will. It reinforces God's unique sovereignty, standing in stark contrast to the impotent idols of surrounding cultures. David acknowledges that his deliverance was a direct, mighty act of YHWH, confirming God's faithfulness and ability to intercede decisively from His exalted throne. This cosmic imagery underpins the absolute reliability and overwhelming strength of God in saving His servant.