Psalms 105:18

KJV

Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:

KJV (with Strong's)

Whose feet {H7272} they hurt {H6031} with fetters {H3525}: he {H5315} was laid {H935} in iron {H1270}:

Complete Jewish Bible

They shackled his feet with chains, and they bound him in irons;

Berean Standard Bible

They bruised his feet with shackles and placed his neck in irons,

American Standard Version

His feet they hurt with fetters: He was laid inchains ofiron,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 105:18 offers a profound and poignant depiction of Joseph's severe suffering during his unjust imprisonment in Egypt. This verse, a concise yet powerful detail within the psalm's broader narrative of God's covenant faithfulness to Israel, vividly portrays the physical pain and profound confinement Joseph endured. It serves as a stark reminder that even God's chosen instruments may face intense adversity, yet within the overarching theological framework of the psalm, this suffering is understood as a divinely orchestrated prelude to a greater purpose and ultimate exaltation, demonstrating God's sovereign hand at work even in the most challenging circumstances.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 105 is a magnificent historical psalm, functioning as a hymn of praise that recounts God's unwavering covenant faithfulness and miraculous interventions on behalf of Israel, from the call of Abraham through the Exodus and the eventual settlement in Canaan. The psalmist meticulously traces this divine history, highlighting pivotal moments that underscore God's unwavering commitment to His people. Within this grand narrative, verses 17-19 specifically focus on the crucial role of Joseph in God's redemptive plan. Verse 17 sets the stage by introducing Joseph's pre-ordained journey to Egypt, sold as a slave. Verse 18 then provides a stark, vivid account of his physical suffering and confinement in prison, intensifying the drama. This suffering is not presented as an arbitrary misfortune but as a necessary, divinely permitted crucible that precedes his remarkable exaltation, which is immediately detailed in [Psalms 105:19-22](/psalms/105-19-22 "Psalms 105:19-22 - Joseph's Exaltation and Authority"). The psalmist's strategic placement of this verse emphasizes that even Joseph's dire circumstances were under the sovereign hand of God, meticulously preparing him for his future role as a deliverer and preserver of life.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Joseph's imprisonment transpired in ancient Egypt, a sophisticated civilization with established, albeit often brutal, legal and penal systems. While the precise nature of his confinement (whether a literal dungeon or a house-prison) remains debated, the description of "fetters" and "iron" unequivocally points to the common methods of restraint employed for prisoners in the ancient Near East. Fetters, typically crafted from bronze or iron, were used to bind the feet or hands, inflicting considerable discomfort, restricting movement, and serving as a constant reminder of the prisoner's subjugation. The phrase "laid in iron" likely refers to the use of iron chains or possibly a more severe form of confinement within an iron-bound cell or pit. Such conditions were notoriously harsh, often characterized by inadequate food, poor sanitation, and cruel treatment, all designed to break the prisoner's will and inflict suffering. Joseph's experience vividly illustrates the profound vulnerability of individuals, even those of high moral character, to the arbitrary power of rulers or the devastating consequences of false accusations prevalent in that era.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching theological and narrative themes within Psalm 105 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty in Adversity**. Despite the profound injustice and intense suffering Joseph endured, the psalm consistently asserts that God remained in absolute control, meticulously orchestrating events for His ultimate redemptive purposes. Joseph's suffering was not a random misfortune but an integral part of a divine plan to preserve his family and the nascent nation of Israel, a truth profoundly articulated by Joseph himself in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Genesis 50:20 - God's Redemptive Purpose in Suffering"). Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of **Testing and Preparation**. Joseph's prolonged period in prison served as a crucible, a refining process that forged his character, deepened his unwavering faith, and meticulously prepared him for the immense responsibilities he would later bear as Pharaoh's prime minister. This period of obscurity and hardship was indispensable for his spiritual and leadership development, demonstrating how God sovereignly uses trials to equip His chosen servants for their appointed tasks, as seen in the broader narrative of [Joseph's life](/genesis/37 "Genesis 37 - Joseph's Early Life and Dreams"). Finally, the verse speaks directly to the reality of **Suffering and Injustice**, acknowledging the very real pain and unfairness that can be an integral part of a believer's journey, even when God's providential hand is actively at work behind the scenes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **hurt (Hebrew, _ʻânâh'_):** From H6031, this root means "to depress literally or figuratively," "to afflict," "to humble (self)," or "to weaken." In the context of Psalms 105:18, it denotes the physical pain and distress inflicted upon Joseph's feet by the fetters. It conveys the deliberate imposition of suffering and the resultant physical and emotional degradation.
* **fetters (Hebrew, _kebel'_):** From H3525, this word refers to a "fetter" or "shackle," typically made of metal, used to bind a prisoner. Its presence emphasizes the physical restraint, loss of freedom, and the constant discomfort Joseph experienced. It is a tangible symbol of his captivity and the harshness of his conditions.
* **iron (Hebrew, _barzel'_):** From H1270, this term refers to "iron" itself, often used for cutting implements or, in this context, for chains or instruments of confinement. When combined with the verb "laid" (or "entered" in the Hebrew idiom), it powerfully conveys the severity and penetrating nature of Joseph's imprisonment, suggesting that the harshness of his confinement deeply affected his entire being, not just his physical body.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Whose feet they hurt with fetters:"** This clause vividly describes the immediate physical suffering and confinement endured by Joseph. The "fetters" (chains or shackles) were applied to his feet, causing direct pain, chafing, and severely restricting his movement. This detail underscores the brutality of his imprisonment and the deliberate infliction of physical discomfort, painting a clear picture of a man stripped of his liberty and subjected to harsh, dehumanizing restraint.
* **"he was laid in iron:"** This second clause expands upon the nature of Joseph's confinement, employing a profound and evocative Hebrew idiom. While literally meaning "iron entered his soul" (נַפְשׁוֹ בָא בַרְזֶל, _nafsho ba barzel_), the King James Version renders it as "he was laid in iron," capturing the essence of deep, pervasive suffering. This phrase suggests more than mere physical chaining; it conveys a profound, soul-deep affliction, implying that the harshness of his circumstances, the injustice of his situation, and the prolonged isolation permeated his very being, affecting him psychologically and spiritually, even as he maintained his faith and integrity.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 105:18 employs powerful **Imagery** to convey the severity and depth of Joseph's suffering. Phrases such as "hurt with fetters" and "laid in iron" create a vivid mental picture of his physical restraint, discomfort, and the oppressive nature of his imprisonment. The latter phrase, "he was laid in iron," functions as a profound **Metaphor** or **Idiom**, extending beyond a literal description of physical chains to communicate the deep psychological and spiritual impact of his confinement. It suggests that the harsh reality of his imprisonment permeated his very being, affecting his "soul" or inner self, not merely his body. This masterful use of language effectively draws the reader into Joseph's experience of profound affliction and injustice, highlighting the internal as well as external dimensions of his trial.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 105:18 serves as a potent reminder that God's sovereign plan frequently unfolds through periods of intense suffering and apparent injustice for His chosen servants. Joseph's ordeal, though undeniably painful and undeserved, was never outside the meticulous control of God but was intricately woven into the divine tapestry of redemption. This verse powerfully illustrates that even when circumstances appear bleak, and God's immediate presence feels distant, He is actively at work, using trials to refine character, deepen faith, and meticulously prepare individuals for future responsibilities and blessings. It compels believers to cultivate a perspective that looks beyond immediate hardship to the ultimate, redemptive purpose God has in mind, fostering trust that He can transform what was intended for evil into profound good.

* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Genesis 50:20 - God's Redemptive Purpose in Suffering")
* [Romans 5:3-5](/romans/5-3-5 "Romans 5:3-5 - Benefits of Tribulation")
* [1 Peter 1:6-7](/1_peter/1-6-7 "1 Peter 1:6-7 - Faith Tested by Fire")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joseph's experience, so poignantly encapsulated in Psalms 105:18, offers profound encouragement and a robust framework for believers navigating their own seasons of hardship, injustice, or various forms of confinement. Whether facing literal imprisonment, emotional distress, professional setbacks, relational brokenness, or spiritual dryness, this verse reminds us that our trials are not necessarily punitive but can be integral to God's preparatory and perfecting work in our lives. Just as Joseph's "iron" refined him for unparalleled leadership and the preservation of a nation, our own moments of intense pressure and "iron" can serve as divine crucibles for character development, deepening our dependence on God, and strengthening the very foundations of our faith. It calls us to cultivate a transcendent perspective that looks beyond the immediate pain to discern God's sovereign hand, trusting that He is working all things for our ultimate good and His greater glory, even when the path is arduous and the purpose remains shrouded in mystery. Our endurance in such times, rooted in an unwavering faith, can prepare us for future blessings and responsibilities, powerfully demonstrating the transformative power of tribulation when viewed through the lens of God's providence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Joseph's experience of suffering, as described in this verse, challenge or affirm your understanding of God's sovereignty and active involvement in difficult times?**
* **Can you identify "fetters" or "iron" in your own life—circumstances that cause you deep pain, restrict your freedom, or feel profoundly unjust and pervasive?**
* **What specific character qualities might God be seeking to refine or what future responsibilities might He be preparing you for through your current or past seasons of hardship?**
* **How can you cultivate a deeper, more resilient trust in God's timing and His ultimate redemptive purpose when facing prolonged adversity, knowing that He is working behind the scenes for your good and His glory?**

### FAQ
**Was Joseph's suffering in prison a punishment from God?**

Answer: No, Joseph's suffering in prison was not a punishment from God. The biblical narrative consistently portrays Joseph as righteous, faithful, and morally upright, even in the face of intense temptation and false accusation. Instead, his imprisonment was a divinely orchestrated, though painful, part of God's larger, redemptive plan to preserve his family and the nascent nation of Israel. As Joseph himself later declared to his brothers in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Genesis 50:20 - God's Redemptive Purpose in Suffering"), "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done—the saving of many lives." His trials served as a crucial period of testing, refinement, and preparation, shaping his character and equipping him for the immense responsibilities he would eventually assume as Pharaoh's prime minister, ultimately demonstrating God's sovereign hand in all circumstances.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 105:18, depicting Joseph's profound suffering in "fetters" and the "iron" that entered his soul, serves as a poignant and powerful foreshadowing of the ultimate suffering of Jesus Christ, the greater Joseph, who was unjustly bound, afflicted, and imprisoned for the sake of His people. Just as Joseph was "sent ahead" by God to preserve physical life, so too was Christ sent into the world, willingly enduring unimaginable physical and spiritual agony for the eternal salvation of humanity. The "iron" that is said to have entered Joseph's soul finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the crushing weight of sin and divine wrath that Jesus bore on the cross, where He was truly "laid in iron" for our transgressions (cf. [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Christ's Suffering for Our Sins")). His hands and feet were literally pierced, fulfilling the imagery of being "hurt with fetters," not by chains of human making, but by the nails of crucifixion (cf. [Psalm 22:16](/psalms/22-16 "Psalm 22:16 - Pierced Hands and Feet")). Yet, just as Joseph's unjust imprisonment led to his exaltation and the preservation of countless lives, Christ's death and burial—His ultimate "imprisonment" in the tomb—led to His glorious resurrection and ascension, securing eternal life, freedom from sin's bondage, and spiritual sustenance for all who believe (cf. [Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8-11 "Philippians 2:8-11 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation") and [Hebrews 2:9-10](/hebrews/2-9-10 "Hebrews 2:9-10 - Jesus Crowned with Glory")). Thus, Joseph's suffering in Psalms 105:18 stands as a profound type, pointing with prophetic clarity to the redemptive suffering and ultimate triumph of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 16:24

Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

Genesis 39:20

And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners [were] bound: and he was there in the prison.

Genesis 40:15

For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.

Psalms 107:10

¶ Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, [being] bound in affliction and iron;