2 Samuel 22 16

2 Samuel 22:16 kjv

And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.

2 Samuel 22:16 nkjv

Then the channels of the sea were seen, The foundations of the world were uncovered, At the rebuke of the LORD, At the blast of the breath of His nostrils.

2 Samuel 22:16 niv

The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at the rebuke of the LORD, at the blast of breath from his nostrils.

2 Samuel 22:16 esv

Then the channels of the sea were seen; the foundations of the world were laid bare, at the rebuke of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.

2 Samuel 22:16 nlt

Then at the command of the LORD,
at the blast of his breath,
the bottom of the sea could be seen,
and the foundations of the earth were laid bare.

2 Samuel 22 verses

2 Samuel 22 16 Meaning

This verse portrays an awe-inspiring, cosmic manifestation of God's power and righteous indignation on behalf of David. It describes a dramatic unveiling of the deepest parts of creation—the channels of the sea and the very foundations of the world—which are exposed by God's powerful rebuke and the mighty blast from His nostrils. This imagery signifies the irresistible and overwhelming nature of divine intervention, demonstrating that nothing in creation can withstand the Lord's authoritative command when He moves to deliver His anointed. It emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty over all physical and chaotic forces.

2 Samuel 22 16 Context

2 Samuel chapter 22 is a psalm of thanksgiving and praise delivered by David to the Lord on the day that the Lord had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. It is virtually identical to Psalm 18. This song is deeply personal, recounting David's perilous distress and the dramatic, overwhelming divine intervention on his behalf. The preceding verses (1 Samuel 22:10-15) vividly describe David's desperate call to God from the depths of trouble, followed by God's active, stormy, and fearsome descent from heaven. Verse 16 specifically elaborates on the earth-shaking effects of God's arrival, portraying the deepest, hidden elements of creation being laid bare as a testament to His magnificent power in rescue. It uses cosmic language to amplify the scope and magnitude of God's saving act for His anointed king, showcasing His supreme sovereignty over creation and chaos.

2 Samuel 22 16 Word analysis

• Then: This conjunction indicates a sequential progression, emphasizing that God's powerful action is a direct response to David's cries for help and follows the divine descent described in preceding verses.

• the channels of the sea: From Hebrew ’ap̄īqê yām. 'ap̄īqê refers to streambeds, ravines, or the deep, hidden troughs where water flows, whether rivers or deep ocean trenches. Yām is sea. This refers to the most profound, normally concealed, underwater depressions and courses. It signifies the very depths and mysteries of the watery abyss, a place of unknown dangers in ancient cosmology.

• were seen: From Hebrew nigəlū. This verb means "were uncovered," "were revealed," or "were laid bare." It is in the passive voice, highlighting that this is a divine action, not a natural phenomenon. It denotes a supernatural act of making visible that which is profoundly hidden, symbolizing a dramatic uncovering of hidden realms and powers by God.

• the foundations of the world: From Hebrew mōsəḏôṯ tēḇēl. Mōsəḏôṯ signifies foundations, established structures, or the base supports of something. Tēḇēl refers to the habitable earth or the inhabited world. This phrase points to the very structural base, the hidden underpinnings, or the deepest and most secure elements of the earth. It represents the stability and order of creation, now exposed by divine power.

• were laid bare: Also from Hebrew nigəlū. The repetition of this powerful verb (from "were seen") emphasizes the thoroughness and complete exposure of these deep, fundamental elements. It underlines that nothing, not even the innermost structures of the cosmos, can remain hidden from God's penetrating presence and power.

• at the rebuke: From Hebrew bagga‘ăraṯ. Ga‘araṯ implies a stern, authoritative, forceful reproof, reprimand, or command, often with an underlying tone of anger or indignation. This is a direct expression of God's powerful will and judgment, showing His dominion over creation and even the forces of chaos. It is a command spoken with ultimate authority.

• of the Lord: YHWH (Yahweh), the personal covenant name of God, indicating His sovereign, covenant-keeping character and omnipotence. It is He, the one true God, who performs such acts.

• at the blast: From Hebrew binše·meṯ. Neshemet or neshamah refers to "breath," "spirit," or "soul." Here, it specifically denotes a powerful expulsion of breath, like a strong wind or gale.

• of the breath of His nostrils: From Hebrew rūaḥ 'appô. Rūaḥ can mean "wind," "spirit," or "breath." ’appô refers to "His nose" or "His nostrils," which in Hebrew idiom is often associated with anger (e.g., "slow to anger" is "long of nose/nostrils"). Together, this vivid anthropomorphism conveys an overwhelming, tempestuous, and unstoppable force. It is the manifestation of God's indignation and His absolute, furious might directed against opposition, revealing that His mere exhalation carries world-altering power.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "the channels of the sea... the foundations of the world... were seen... were laid bare": This grand imagery cumulatively describes the comprehensive exposure of the hidden depths and fundamental structures of creation. It demonstrates God's unique power to unveil and control the entire cosmos, from the deep seas to the earth's very core, reinforcing that all things are subject to Him.
  • "at the rebuke of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of His nostrils": These two parallel phrases are vivid anthropomorphic depictions of God's overwhelming power. The "rebuke" signifies His authoritative verbal command, while the "blast of the breath" represents His immense, almost violent, physical power and anger. Together, they illustrate God's immediate, forceful, and all-encompassing divine action, showing that His mere command and indignation cause cosmic-level events.

2 Samuel 22 16 Bonus section

The language in this verse is deeply rooted in Ancient Near Eastern cosmologies which often viewed water and the deep as symbols of primordial chaos that gods had to contend with. However, the Bible consistently presents Yahweh as the unchallenged Master of all chaos and creation from the very beginning (Gen 1:2). Here, the exposing of the "channels of the sea" and "foundations of the world" functions as an anti-polemical statement against any notion of other deities having such absolute control or any chaotic force being outside Yahweh's dominion. The revelation of these hidden depths is a grand demonstration of the theophany of God—a powerful appearance or manifestation of God in which He reveals His presence and glory. This kind of imagery reinforces that Yahweh is not merely a regional deity, but the universal Lord over all creation, acting decisively on behalf of His chosen one.

2 Samuel 22 16 Commentary

2 Samuel 22:16 is a high point in David's magnificent song of deliverance, a poetic declaration of God's unique and unfathomable power. Far from describing a localized event, the verse employs majestic, cosmic imagery to express the extent of God's intervention. When David called out in his deepest distress, the Lord responded by unleashing such power that even the hidden abysses of the sea and the bedrock foundations of the world were supernaturally revealed. This is not meant as a geological explanation but a hyperbolic poetic statement asserting God's absolute sovereignty. His "rebuke" and the "blast of the breath of His nostrils" serve as metaphors for irresistible divine will and raw power. This powerful theophanic language is frequently associated with God's acts of judgment and salvation throughout the Old Testament, such as the parting of the Red Sea (Exod 14), which involved God making dry ground visible in the midst of waters, or the divine presence at Sinai (Exod 19). The verse ultimately emphasizes that no power, no hidden depth, no obstacle in creation can withstand the Lord's determination when He arises to protect His anointed. For David, this meant that no enemy, no matter how entrenched or powerful, could escape the consequences of defying a king under the protection of such an Almighty God.