Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 60:7
Gilead [is] mine, and Manasseh [is] mine; Ephraim also [is] the strength of mine head; Judah [is] my lawgiver;
7. Gilead and Manasseh, that is the land of Bashan in which half the tribe of Manasseh settled, stand for the territory east of the Jordan and the tribes settled there: Ephraim and Judah stand for the tribes west of the Jordan. God claims all as His own: all therefore can claim God’s protection.
Ephraim &c.] Render with R.V.,
Ephraim also is the defence of mine head;
Judah is my sceptre.
Ephraim, as the most powerful tribe and the chief defence of the nation, is compared to the warrior’s helmet: Judah, as the tribe to which belonged the Davidic sovereignty, is compared to the royal sceptre, or, as the same word is rendered in R.V. of Gen 49:10, to which the present passage alludes, ‘the ruler’s staff.’
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Gilead 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, Gen. 31:21-48; Son 4:1. The word has sometimes, however, a wider signification, including the whole mountainous tract between the rivers Arnon and Bashan, and thus including the region occupied by the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh, Num 32:26, Num 32:29, Num 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 2Sa 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, Psa 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 Gen 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. Gen 49:10.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 7. Gilead 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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Gilead; all their land beyond Jordan, which was possessed by Reuben and Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh, Num 32:29,39,40; Deu 3:10, &c.; Jos 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 Mosess prophecy of that tribe, Deu 33:17. Or,
2. The keeper of mine head, as Achish spake 1Sa 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 Gen 48:19; Deu 33:17; Psa 78:9.
Judah is my lawgiver; the chief seat of my throne and kingdom, and of the inferior thrones of judgment, Psa 112:5; the tribe to which the royal sceptre and lawgiver are appropriated by Gods appointment, Gen 49:10.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
7. Gilead . . . and Manassehaslarge districts, east and west of Jordan, represent the whole land.
divide . . . and meteoutmeans to have entire control over.
Ephraimdenotes themilitary (De 33:17); and
Judah(the lawgiver, Ge49:10), the civil power. Foreign nations are then presented assubdued.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Gilead [is] mine,…. This is particularly mentioned, because over this Abner made Ishbosheth king, 2Sa 2:9; and is the place to which the Jews shall be brought in the latter day, when converted,
Zec 10:10; It was a country that abounded with pastures fit for feeding cattle, Nu 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, 2Sa 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,
Eze 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 Ge 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, Isa 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.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(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, Deu. 33:17.
Lawgiver.In Hebrew a participle of verb meaning to cut or engrave, and is applied as here to the lawmaker (comp. Deu. 33:21), or to the staff or sceptre which was the emblem of law, Gen. 49:10, Num. 21:18. The LXX. and Vulg. have my king.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
7. Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine As Shechem and Succoth, Psa 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. Deu 33:17.
Judah is my lawgiver A direct allusion to the blessing of Jacob, Gen 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. 2Sa 2:8-11; 2Sa 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.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 60:7-8. Gilead is mine, &c. He exultingly surveys his strength. Gilead and Manasseh comprehended the whole country beyond Jordan, as did Ephraim and Judah on this side; of which Ephraim, containing the main body of tribes, is here said to be the strength of his head; i.e. the guard of his person: [Achish told David that he would make him the keeper of his head.] The main bulk of the strength lay in Ephraim. Judah was his minister, or secretary of state, as that was the reigning tribe. Moab is my wash-pot, signifies, “the Moabites shall be subject to me.” The wash-pot here is a mean piece of household-stuff for the use of the feet, (as the Syriac interprets it) the lowest part of the body, and so it is a fit title for the Moabites; as we may gather from 2Sa 8:2 where it is said, He smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive: and the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought him gifts. The next phrase, Over Edom will I cast out my shoe, signifies, “I will trample upon the Edomites, and make them my slaves.” (Compare 2Sa 8:14.) Or, I will reach out my shoe to them, as a master does to his meanest servants, to be untied and taken off by him, Mat 3:11. Philstia, triumph thou because of me, may signify, “Let the Philistines also add to my triumph, by meeting me as their conquering lord.” Houbigant renders it,
Against the Philistines I will be united. See Psa 108:9. Mudge is of opinion, that, as Ephraim and Judah are mentioned as affording a supply of certain things to David; so we are to understand the same of Moab, Edom, and Philistia; the two former fulfilling the meaner offices, while Philistia is spoken of as his supporter: Philistia, be thou my sidesman or supporter. But the common interpretation appears to be the best; and the verses, disrobed of metaphor, may be thus understood: “Gilead and Manasseh have submitted to me; Ephraim furnishes me with valiant men; and Judah with men of prudence and wisdom. I will reduce the Moabites to servitude: I will triumph over the Edomites, and make them my slaves; and the Philistines shall add to my triumph.” See the Essay for a new Translation.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Psa 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
Judah is my lawgiver
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Gilead . . . Manasseh. Eastern side.
Ephraim . . . Judah. Western side.
lawgiver. Compare Gen 49:10. Num 21:18. Deu 33:21.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Gilead: Jos 17:1, Jos 17:5, Jos 17:6, 1Ch 12:19, 1Ch 12:37
strength: Deu 33:17, 1Sa 28:2
Judah: Gen 49:10
Reciprocal: Jos 22:9 – the country of Gilead 1Ch 5:2 – Judah 1Ch 28:4 – chosen Judah Psa 68:27 – princes
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 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, Psa 122:5. The tribe to which the royal sceptre and lawgiver were appropriated by divine appointment, Gen 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.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
60:7 Gilead [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.
(i) David means that in this tribe his kingdom will be established, Gen 49:10.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
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 (Gen 49:10), which the scepter symbolized.