Psalms 21:10

Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men.

Their fruit {H6529} shalt thou destroy {H6} from the earth {H776}, and their seed {H2233} from among the children {H1121} of men {H120}.

You will destroy from the earth their descendants, rid humankind of their posterity;

You will wipe their descendants from the earth, and their offspring from the sons of men.

Their fruit wilt thou destroy from the earth, And their seed from among the children of men.

Commentary

Psalm 21:10, part of a psalm celebrating God's deliverance and the triumph of the king, speaks of the ultimate and complete destruction of those who oppose God and His anointed. This verse highlights the severe consequences awaiting those who persist in wickedness.

Context

Psalm 21 is primarily a psalm of thanksgiving and praise, offered by the king (often identified as David) after a great victory granted by God. The preceding verses (Psalm 21:1-7) recount God's blessings, strength, and favor bestowed upon the king, emphasizing His steadfast love and power. Verses 8-12 then shift focus to the king's (and ultimately, God's) decisive victory over his enemies, detailing the certainty of their downfall. Verse 10, specifically, paints a vivid picture of this divine judgment, promising a thorough eradication of the wicked and their legacy.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Judgment: This verse underscores God's righteous nature and His unwavering commitment to justice. It assures that those who set themselves against Him or His purposes will face certain and comprehensive judgment. The destruction described is not merely a defeat but a complete undoing of their influence and future.
  • Complete Eradication of Evil: The phrases "their fruit" and "their seed" signify more than just the individual's demise. "Fruit" can refer to the results of their actions, their achievements, or their immediate offspring, while "seed" clearly refers to their descendants or future generations. This imagery suggests a total obliteration of their lasting impact and lineage, ensuring that their wickedness does not propagate. This echoes similar themes of generational consequences found elsewhere in scripture, such as in Isaiah 14:20.
  • The Futility of Opposition: The verse serves as a powerful reminder that all attempts to oppose God's sovereign will are ultimately futile. No matter how strong or numerous the adversaries, their end is assured by the Almighty.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words for "fruit" (pฤ•rรฎ, ืคึฐึผืจึดื™) and "seed" (zeraโ€˜, ื–ึถืจึทืข) are significant here. Pฤ•rรฎ often denotes produce, offspring, or the outcome of one's life and actions. Zeraโ€˜ is consistently used for physical descendants or progeny. The parallelism of these terms in the verse emphasizes the complete and utter destruction of the wicked's legacy and future generations. It's a statement about cutting off their very name and memory from the earth, a concept seen in Proverbs 10:7: "The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot."

Practical Application

For believers, Psalm 21:10 offers profound reassurance. It reinforces the truth that God is in control, and He will ultimately bring justice to all who oppose His kingdom. This provides comfort and hope amidst present struggles, knowing that the triumph of righteousness is certain. For those who might be inclined to walk in wickedness, this verse serves as a solemn warning about the severe and lasting consequences of rebellion against God. It calls for introspection and a turning towards God's path, emphasizing the importance of aligning one's life with divine principles rather than pursuing evil.

Ultimately, this verse points to the comprehensive victory of God over all evil, a theme fully realized in the future judgment of Christ at His return, where all unrighteousness will be decisively dealt with.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 37:28

    For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

  • 1 Kings 13:34

    And this thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even to cut [it] off, and to destroy [it] from off the face of the earth.

  • Psalms 109:13

    Let his posterity be cut off; [and] in the generation following let their name be blotted out.

  • Job 20:28

    The increase of his house shall depart, [and his goods] shall flow away in the day of his wrath.

  • Job 18:16

    His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off.

  • Job 18:19

    He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings.

  • Isaiah 14:20

    Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, [and] slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.
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