Psalms 105:38

KJV

Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them.

KJV (with Strong's)

Egypt {H4714} was glad {H8055} when they departed {H3318}: for the fear {H6343} of them fell {H5307} upon them.

Complete Jewish Bible

Egypt was happy to have them leave, because fear of [Isra'el] had seized them.

Berean Standard Bible

Egypt was glad when they departed, for the dread of Israel had fallen on them.

American Standard Version

Egypt was glad when they departed; For the fear of them had fallen upon them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 105:38 vividly captures the dramatic climax of the Exodus narrative, portraying Egypt's profound relief and eagerness for Israel's departure. This verse underscores the complete reversal of power dynamics, where the once-oppressed Israelites became a source of divine terror for their former captors, compelling Egypt to hasten their release after the devastating plagues. It stands as a powerful testament to God's sovereign power to deliver His people and execute judgment upon their enemies.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 105 is a historical psalm, part of a collection (Psalms 105-107) that recounts God's faithfulness to His covenant people. Specifically, verses 26-38 detail the series of ten devastating plagues God brought upon Egypt, each one a demonstration of His power over the gods of Egypt and a judgment against Pharaoh's stubborn resistance. This verse serves as the culmination of the plague narrative, immediately preceding Israel's departure from Egypt and their journey through the wilderness, which is then recounted in the subsequent verses. It highlights the divine coercion that finally broke Egypt's will, setting the stage for the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea and the wilderness wanderings.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting is the Exodus, a foundational event in Israel's national identity, marking their liberation from centuries of slavery in Egypt. After enduring unimaginable suffering through the plagues, culminating in the death of the firstborn, the Egyptians were not merely willing but desperate for the Israelites to leave. Culturally, the plagues were not just natural disasters but direct assaults on the Egyptian pantheon and Pharaoh's divine authority, demonstrating the absolute supremacy of Yahweh. The "fear" mentioned was not just apprehension but a deep, supernatural dread that gripped the entire nation, a profound humiliation for a powerful empire, forcing them to concede to the demands of a previously enslaved people. This urgency is corroborated in the historical account in [Exodus 12:33](/exodus/12-33 "Exodus 12:33 - Egypt's urgency for Israel to leave").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 105 and the broader biblical narrative. It is a profound demonstration of **Divine Deliverance and Judgment**, showcasing God's unwavering commitment to liberate His people from oppression and execute precise judgment upon their adversaries. It exemplifies the **Reversal of Fortunes**, where the enslaved become a source of terror to their enslavers, illustrating God's ability to humble the proud and exalt the lowly. Furthermore, it underscores **God's Sovereignty and Covenant Faithfulness**, revealing that the "fear" that fell upon Egypt was not accidental but divinely orchestrated to fulfill His ancient promises to Abraham, particularly the promise that his descendants would leave Egypt with great wealth, as found in [Genesis 15:14](/genesis/15-14 "Genesis 15:14 - God's promise of wealth for Israel's departure").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Glad (Hebrew, _sameach'_):** This word typically denotes joy, cheerfulness, or delight. However, in this context, it carries a sense of profound relief, even desperation. Egypt's "gladness" was not a benevolent joy for Israel's freedom, but an overwhelming relief from the divine judgment and terror that had been unleashed upon them. It signifies a complete breaking of their will and a desperate desire for the cessation of the plagues, even at the cost of losing their slave labor.
* **Fear (Hebrew, _pachad'_):** This term signifies a deep dread, terror, or panic, often implying a divinely imposed awe or judgment. It is a fear that is overwhelming and paralyzing, not merely apprehension but a profound, supernatural terror instilled by God's manifest power. This "fear" was the direct cause of Egypt's "gladness" at Israel's departure, compelling them to hasten the Israelites' exit.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Egypt was glad when they departed":** This clause highlights the astonishing reversal of roles. Egypt, the mighty oppressor, was not reluctant but actively relieved and eager to see their former slaves leave. This "gladness" was born out of the immense suffering and dread brought by the ten plagues, making Israel's departure a welcome cessation of divine judgment rather than a loss of labor. It underscores the complete breaking of Pharaoh's stubborn will.
* **"for the fear of them fell upon them":** This second clause provides the crucial reason for Egypt's "gladness." The "fear of them" refers to the terror inspired by the Israelites, not because of their military might, but because of the God who fought for them. This "fear" was a divinely orchestrated, overwhelming dread that permeated Egyptian society, compelling them to urge Israel's hasty departure. It signifies God's direct intervention, causing a psychological and spiritual breakdown in the enemy, forcing them to comply with His will.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the mighty Egyptian empire, which had enslaved Israel for centuries, is depicted as "glad" to see its slaves depart—a complete reversal of expected power dynamics. This "gladness" is not benevolent but a desperate relief from divine judgment. **Cause and Effect** is clearly demonstrated: the "fear" that fell upon Egypt was the direct cause of their "gladness" and urgency for Israel's departure. The phrase "fear of them fell upon them" also utilizes a form of **Metonymy**, where "them" (Israel) stands for the God who acts through them, emphasizing that the terror was ultimately from Yahweh. Furthermore, the imagery of "fear... fell upon them" conveys a sense of overwhelming, inescapable, and divinely imposed dread, almost a **Personification** of fear itself descending upon the nation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates God's absolute sovereignty over nations and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people. It demonstrates that divine judgment is not merely punitive but also redemptive, serving to liberate the oppressed and establish God's purposes. The "fear" that fell upon Egypt is a recurring motif in the biblical narrative, signifying God's power to instill dread in the hearts of His enemies, paving the way for His people's deliverance and the fulfillment of His promises. This divine terror serves as a stark reminder that no earthly power can ultimately thwart God's will.

* [Exodus 12:33](/exodus/12-33 "Exodus 12:33 - Egypt's Urgency for Israel's Departure")
* [Exodus 15:16](/exodus/15-16 "Exodus 15:16 - Dread and Fear on Surrounding Nations")
* [Deuteronomy 2:25](/deuteronomy/2-25 "Deuteronomy 2:25 - God Instilling Dread in Nations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 105:38 offers profound encouragement and a powerful lesson for believers today. It reminds us that God is actively involved in human history, capable of turning the most dire and oppressive situations around for the good of His people. When we face seemingly insurmountable obstacles, or when we feel trapped by circumstances, this verse assures us that God possesses the ultimate power to break chains of oppression, humble the proud, and instill His will. It calls us to trust in God's unwavering sovereignty and His faithfulness to His covenant promises, knowing that His purposes will ultimately prevail. Furthermore, it serves as a solemn warning that opposing God's divine plan will inevitably lead to His judgment and the triumph of His righteous purposes, urging us to align our lives with His will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel oppressed or constrained, and how does this verse encourage you to trust in God's power to deliver?**
* **How does the reversal of fortunes in this verse challenge your understanding of power and weakness in God's economy?**
* **What "fears" or obstacles might God be working to overcome in your life or in the world, even if His methods are unexpected?**

### FAQ

**What does "Egypt was glad when they departed" truly mean, given their prior resistance?**

Answer: This phrase highlights the profound relief and desperation of the Egyptians, not a benevolent joy. After enduring ten devastating plagues, culminating in the death of their firstborn, the Egyptians were utterly broken. Their "gladness" was a desperate desire for the cessation of divine judgment and terror. It signifies that the plagues had achieved their purpose: to compel Pharaoh and his people to release Israel, even at the cost of losing their slave labor. This "gladness" underscores the complete reversal of power dynamics, where the former oppressors were now eager to see their slaves leave. This is corroborated in [Exodus 12:33](/exodus/12-33 "Exodus 12:33 - Egypt's Urgency for Israel's Departure"), which states, "And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men."

**What kind of "fear" is described as falling upon the Egyptians?**

Answer: The "fear" (Hebrew: _pachad_) described here is not mere apprehension but a deep, overwhelming, and divinely induced terror or dread. It was a supernatural fear instilled by God's manifest power through the plagues. This fear paralyzed the Egyptians, broke their will, and compelled them to hasten Israel's departure. It was a judgment from God that demonstrated His absolute supremacy over Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt, ensuring that His people would be released. This concept of God instilling fear in the hearts of enemies is a recurring theme, seen also in [Exodus 15:16](/exodus/15-16 "Exodus 15:16 - Dread and Fear on Surrounding Nations") and [Deuteronomy 2:25](/deuteronomy/2-25 "Deuteronomy 2:25 - God Instilling Dread in Nations").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 105:38 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the greater Exodus accomplished by Jesus Christ. Just as God delivered Israel from the bondage of Egypt through a display of overwhelming power that instilled fear in their oppressors, so too has Christ delivered humanity from the bondage of sin, death, and the power of the devil. The "fear" that fell upon Egypt foreshadows the decisive victory of Christ over spiritual adversaries. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus disarmed the powers and authorities, making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross, as described in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers"). The spiritual oppressors, like Egypt, are "glad" to see their captives released, not out of benevolence, but because their power has been broken, and their domain shattered. Christ's victory instills a holy "fear" in the spiritual realm, demonstrating His ultimate authority (see [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrew/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Defeat of Death and the Devil")). He is the true Lamb of God, whose sacrifice secures our freedom, leading us out of spiritual slavery into the promised land of eternal life, fulfilling the promise of a greater deliverance that causes the defeated enemy to release its grip, as Jesus declared, "Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out" in [John 12:31](/john/12-31 "John 12:31 - Jesus Foretells the Casting Out of the Ruler of This World").

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

Exodus 12:33

And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We [be] all dead [men].

Exodus 15:16

Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be [as] still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.

Joshua 2:9

And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.

Genesis 35:5

And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that [were] round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.

Exodus 10:7

And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?