King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers.
Complete Jewish Bible:
With hatchet and hammer they banged away, smashing all the carved woodwork.
Berean Standard Bible:
and smashing all the carvings with hatchets and picks.
American Standard Version:
And now all the carved work thereof They break down with hatchet and hammers.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
But now they break down{H1986}{H8799)} the carved work{H6603} thereof at once{H3162} with axes{H3781} and hammers{H3597}.
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Kings 6:18
- And the cedar of the house within [was] carved with knops and open flowers: all [was] cedar; there was no stone seen.
1 Kings 6:35
- And he carved [thereon] cherubims and palm trees and open flowers: and covered [them] with gold fitted upon the carved work.
1 Kings 6:29
- And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without.
1 Kings 6:32
- The two doors also [were of] olive tree; and he carved upon them carvings of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, and overlaid [them] with gold, and spread gold upon the cherubims, and upon the palm trees.
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Commentary for Psalms 74:6
Psalm 74:6, "But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers," is a verse that captures a moment of distress and destruction, reflecting a historical event where a sacred place—likely the temple in Jerusalem—was desecrated and destroyed. The psalmist laments the violent and irreverent treatment of the temple, which was a central place of worship for the Israelites and a symbol of God's presence among His people.
The verse is part of a larger communal lament in Psalm 74, attributed to Asaph, a Levite and one of the leaders of David's choir. This psalm is thought to have been written during the period of the Babylonian exile in the 6th century BCE, when the Babylonian army besieged and eventually destroyed Jerusalem, including the First Temple, in 586 BCE. The imagery of axes and hammers used to break down the intricate carved work of the temple emphasizes the brutality and finality of the destruction, as well as the emotional and spiritual turmoil experienced by the Israelites.
The themes of Psalm 74:6 include the loss of sacred space, the trauma of conquest and exile, and the challenge of maintaining faith in God's sovereignty and justice amidst profound suffering and national humiliation. The verse speaks to the devastation of the community's religious and cultural center, and the struggle to understand how such a calamity could be allowed by a protective and loving God. It is a poignant expression of grief and a plea for divine intervention and restoration.
*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: H1986
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הָלַם
Transliteration: hâlam
Pronunciation: haw-lam'
Description: a primitive root; to strike down; by implication, to hammer, stamp, conquer, disband; beat (down), break (down), overcome, smite (with the hammer). - Strong's Number: H6603
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פִּתּוּחַ
Transliteration: pittûwach
Pronunciation: pit-too'-akh
Description: or פִּתֻּחַ ; passive participle of פָּתַח; sculpture (in low or high relief or even intaglio); carved (work) (are, en-) grave(-ing, -n). - Strong's Number: H3162
There are 139 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יַחַד
Transliteration: yachad
Pronunciation: yakh'-ad
Description: from יָחַד; properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly; alike, at all (once), both, likewise, only, (al-) together, withal. - Strong's Number: H3781
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כַּשִּׁיל
Transliteration: kashshîyl
Pronunciation: kash-sheel'
Description: from כָּשַׁל; properly, a feller, i.e. an axe; ax. - Strong's Number: H3597
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֵּילַף
Transliteration: kêylaph
Pronunciation: kay-laf'
Description: from an unused root meaning to clap or strike with noise; a club or sledge-hammer; hammer.