Psalm 108 8

Psalm 108:8 kjv

Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;

Psalm 108:8 nkjv

Gilead is Mine; Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim also is the helmet for My head; Judah is My lawgiver.

Psalm 108:8 niv

Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet, Judah is my scepter.

Psalm 108:8 esv

Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet, Judah my scepter.

Psalm 108:8 nlt

Gilead is mine,
and Manasseh, too.
Ephraim, my helmet, will produce my warriors,
and Judah, my scepter, will produce my kings.

Psalm 108 verses

Psalm 108 8 Meaning

Psalm 108:8 declares God's absolute sovereignty and ownership over the promised land and its people, delineating the specific, divinely ordained roles of key tribal regions. It portrays God as orchestrating the nation's territorial claims, military might, and the locus of its governing authority. The verse asserts that Gilead and Manasseh are God's by right of possession, signifying His control over the land's expanse. Ephraim is designated as the nation's vital strength and protection under divine direction. Judah is affirmed as God's chosen lawgiver, the source of divinely inspired rule and authority, underscoring its pivotal role in establishing justice and ultimately pointing to the Davidic kingship.

Psalm 108 8 Context

Psalm 108 is a fervent prayer and confident declaration of trust in God before a military conflict, asserting God's promised victory and restoration over all Israel. Verse 8 forms part of a series of divine pronouncements from God, relayed by the Psalmist, affirming divine ownership and the appointed roles of key tribal regions within the broader context of the entire land of Israel. Historically, Psalm 108 is a composite work, drawn largely from Psalm 57:7-11 (for the opening declaration of praise) and Psalm 60:5-12 (for the divine oracle of victory and territorial claim). Psalm 60's original setting was a time of defeat and plea for help, implying that Psalm 108, by reusing these promises, emphasizes the assurance of future triumph even in challenging circumstances. For the original audience, this verse served as a powerful reassurance of God's covenant faithfulness regarding the promised land and His active participation in the nation's battles, asserting divine right over any contemporary human or pagan claims to these territories.

Psalm 108 8 Word analysis

• Gilead (גִּלְעָד, Gil'ad): A significant region located east of the Jordan River. It was renowned for its fertility, pastures, and strategic importance due to its border location. Its mention emphasizes that God's ownership extends beyond the primary settled lands to include the Transjordan territories, indicating complete control over the breadth of the promised inheritance.
• is mine (לִי, li): This possessive declaration is a powerful statement of divine ownership and sovereignty. It underscores that these lands are not merely human possessions but are under the direct, exclusive domain of God. It sets the basis for Israel's rightful claim and success in battle.
• Manasseh (מְנַשֶּׁה, Menashsheh): One of Joseph's sons, whose tribal territory famously straddled both sides of the Jordan River. Coupling Manasseh with Gilead highlights the comprehensive nature of God's territorial claim, signifying control over the entire sweep of the land, both east and west of the Jordan. It emphasizes divine control over diverse tribal allotments.
• is mine (לִי, li): The repetition reinforces the concept of absolute divine possession. This reiteration serves to double down on the Psalmist's confidence in God's faithfulness to His promises concerning the land. It asserts a covenantal relationship between God and His chosen territory and people.
• Ephraim (אֶפְרַיִם, Ephrayim): The younger son of Joseph, but through Jacob's blessing (Gen 48:19), became a prominent and populous tribe, often representing the northern kingdom of Israel due to its strength and leadership. Its mention here signifies the vital military and strategic backbone of the nation.
• also is the strength (מָעוֹז, ma'oz): This term means "strength," "stronghold," "fortress," or "refuge." It implies that Ephraim is not merely a geographic location but embodies a powerful military capacity. This strength is divinely provided and purposed for the defense and security of God's people.
• of mine head (רֹאשִׁי, ro'shi): Literally "my head." The "head" symbolizes leadership, authority, command, and vital strategic importance. This signifies that Ephraim's military power serves as a critical, protective force for the leading aspects or main body of God's people, acting under divine direction. It positions Ephraim as a key instrument in God's national strategy.
• Judah (יְהוּדָה, Yehudah): The tribe from which kings of Israel, particularly the Davidic dynasty, would emerge, and ultimately the Messiah. This tribe represented the enduring center of God's covenant with David. Its role in this verse is highly significant due to its future importance.
• is my lawgiver (מְחֹקְקִי, m'choqe'qi): This is from the root chaqaq, meaning to engrave, decree, legislate, or rule. A choqe'q is one who establishes or enforces laws, a ruler with legislative authority, or a scepter-holder. This term explicitly ties Judah to the divine source of authority and law, fulfilling Jacob's prophecy in Gen 49:10 about the scepter not departing from Judah. It points to the establishment of divine justice and eternal kingship, finding its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

Word-Groups/Phrases Analysis:

• "Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine": This pairing demonstrates God's comprehensive claim over the entirety of the land promised to Israel, particularly including the Transjordan regions. It serves to reinforce the belief that all parts of the Israelite territory, even those traditionally seen as separate, are under God's undisputed ownership, leaving no room for territorial disputes or claims by opposing deities or nations.
• "Ephraim also is the strength of mine head": This phrase portrays Ephraim not merely as a territory but as the operational muscle and defensive arm of God's people. It symbolizes God’s utilization of Ephraim’s numerical superiority and martial prowess as the strategic protective force, safeguarding the "head" or vital core of the nation under His ultimate command and blessing.
• "Judah is my lawgiver": This profound declaration solidifies Judah's unparalleled status in God's plan. It foreshadows the coming of kingship through Judah (the Davidic line) and the ultimate rule of the Messiah, who would bring perfect divine law and justice. It grounds the earthly administration of justice and leadership firmly in God’s direct appointment and authority within this specific tribe.

Psalm 108 8 Bonus section

• The progression within the verse from specific geographic areas (Gilead, Manasseh) to the strategic function of major tribes (Ephraim, Judah) demonstrates God’s precise ordering and intention for Israel as a whole nation, rather than just disconnected tribal entities.
• The explicit divine "is mine" echoes God's primal ownership of all creation (Ps 24:1) and extends it specifically to His covenant people and their inherited land, solidifying the idea that their very existence and claims are rooted in His decree.
• This declaration functions as a powerful declaration of faith during times of military and political instability, grounding national confidence not in military might alone, but in God's active, possessing presence within their land and leadership.

Psalm 108 8 Commentary

Psalm 108:8 encapsulates a profound theological assertion: God's unfettered dominion over His chosen people and their divinely ordained land. It’s a statement of absolute ownership ("is mine") that counters any human or pagan claim to the territory. By identifying specific regions and tribes, the Psalmist paints a complete picture of Israel under God’s protective hand. Gilead and Manasseh symbolize the full geographical extent of the promised land, asserting divine control over all its vast stretches. Ephraim, representing military prowess and strength, is strategically positioned as "the strength of mine head," indicating its vital role in defending the nation's leadership and overall well-being under God's guidance. Most significantly, Judah is declared God's "lawgiver," which points to its foundational role in kingship and the administration of divine law. This pronouncement not only affirms the historical reality of the Davidic line but prophetically foreshadows the ultimate righteous reign of the Messiah, the true Lawgiver, who sprang from Judah. This verse, therefore, underpins Israel's confidence in God's covenant promises, serving as a powerful assurance that their identity, land, and leadership are all divinely sanctioned and secured.