King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour.
Complete Jewish Bible:
May creditors seize all he owns and strangers make off with his earnings.
Berean Standard Bible:
May the creditor seize all he owns, and strangers plunder the fruits of his labor.
American Standard Version:
Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; And let strangers make spoil of his labor.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Let the extortioner{H5383} catch{H5367} all that he hath; and let the strangers{H2114} spoil{H962} his labour{H3018}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Job 5:5
- Whose harvest the hungry eateth up, and taketh it even out of the thorns, and the robber swalloweth up their substance.
Job 18:9
- The gin shall take [him] by the heel, [and] the robber shall prevail against him.
Job 18:19
- He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings.
Deuteronomy 28:29
- And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save [thee].
Deuteronomy 28:33
- The fruit of thy land, and all thy labours, shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up; and thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway:
Deuteronomy 28:34
- So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.
Job 20:18
- That which he laboured for shall he restore, and shall not swallow [it] down: according to [his] substance [shall] the restitution [be], and he shall not rejoice [therein].
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Psalms 109:11
Psalm 109:11 is part of a longer psalm attributed to King David, which is known as an imprecatory psalm. Imprecatory psalms are characterized by their calls for divine retribution against the psalmist's enemies. In the historical context, David may have been facing extreme personal and political adversity, prompting him to invoke God's judgment on those who have wronged him.
The verse itself, "Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour," reflects the themes of justice and retribution. The psalmist is calling upon God to allow the wicked, specifically those who have unjustly taken from others (the "extortioner"), to experience the same kind of loss and exploitation they have inflicted on others. The mention of "strangers spoiling his labour" suggests that the psalmist wants the ill-gotten gains of the wicked to be taken away by outsiders, indicating a complete reversal of fortune for the oppressor.
In the broader context of the psalm, this verse is part of a series of curses that David pronounces upon his enemy. It is important to note that David's appeal to God for justice reflects a deep trust in God's righteousness and a belief that God will ultimately vindicate the wronged. This theme is consistent with the ancient Near Eastern context where the power of curses and the appeal to deities for justice were common.
Theologically, this verse and others like it in the Psalms raise complex questions about forgiveness, vengeance, and God's role in judging the wicked. While some interpret these verses as a raw expression of human suffering and a yearning for divine intervention, others see them as a call to leave vengeance to God and to trust in His ultimate justice rather than taking matters into one's own hands.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5383
There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָשָׁה
Transliteration: nâshâh
Pronunciation: naw-shaw'
Description: a primitive root (rather identical with נָשָׁה, in the sense of נָשָׁא); to lend or (by reciprocity) borrow on security or interest; creditor, exact, extortioner, lend, usurer, lend on (taker on) usury. - Strong's Number: H5367
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָקַשׁ
Transliteration: nâqash
Pronunciation: naw-kash'
Description: a primitive root; to entrap (with a noose), literally or figuratively; catch (lay a) snare. - Strong's Number: H2114
There are 76 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זוּר
Transliteration: zûwr
Pronunciation: zoor
Description: a primitive root; to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be aforeigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery; (come from) another (man, place), fanner, go away, (e-) strange(-r, thing, woman). - Strong's Number: H962
There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּזַז
Transliteration: bâzaz
Pronunciation: baw-zaz'
Description: a primitive root; to plunder; catch, gather, (take) for a prey, rob(-ber), spoil, take (away, spoil), [idiom] utterly. - Strong's Number: H3018
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְגִיעַ
Transliteration: yᵉgîyaʻ
Pronunciation: yeg-ee'-ah
Description: from יָגַע; toil; hence, a work, produce, property (as the result of labor); labour, work.