Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

Psalms 74:14

Next

Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, [and] gavest him [to be] meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.

Thou brakest {H7533}{H8765)} the heads {H7218} of leviathan {H3882} in pieces, and gavest {H5414}{H8799)} him to be meat {H3978} to the people {H5971} inhabiting the wilderness {H6728}.

you crushed the heads of Livyatan and gave it as food to the creatures of the desert.

You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You fed him to the creatures of the desert.

Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces; Thou gavest him to be food to the people inhabiting the wilderness.

Commentary

Commentary on Psalm 74:14 (KJV)

This verse is part of a communal lament (Psalm 74) written during a time of national devastation, likely the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem. The psalmist appeals to God's mighty deeds in the past to plead for intervention in the present crisis.

Historical and Cultural Context

The imagery in this verse draws on ancient Near Eastern motifs where divine warriors defeat primeval monsters representing chaos to establish order. "Leviathan" is a powerful, often chaotic, sea creature mentioned elsewhere in the Bible (Job 41, Isaiah 27:1), symbolizing forces opposed to God's rule. The psalmist uses this powerful imagery to describe God's past victory over immense, chaotic power.

Key Themes

  • God's Supreme Power: The verse emphatically declares God's absolute power over even the most formidable and chaotic forces ("brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces").
  • Deliverance and Provision: God's defeat of this great power was linked to providing for "the people inhabiting the wilderness." This is widely interpreted as an allusion to the Exodus event, where God defeated the ultimate earthly "Leviathan" (Pharaoh/Egypt) at the Red Sea, leading His people through the wilderness and providing for them miraculously (manna, quail, water).

Linguistic Insights

The term "Leviathan" (Hebrew: לִוְיָתָן - livyatan) refers to a powerful, often serpentine or dragon-like, creature. The use of the plural "heads" (רָאשֵׁי - rashei) emphasizes the creature's monstrous nature or possibly signifies the complete and utter destruction of its power.

Interpretation

The verse functions as a powerful reminder to God and the people of Israel of God's ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable enemies and bring about deliverance and sustenance. In the context of Psalm 74's lament over destruction, remembering God's past triumph over "Leviathan" (symbolizing powerful enemies like Egypt) offers hope that God can and will act again against the current oppressors.

Practical Application

This verse reminds believers today that no power, no matter how great or chaotic it appears, is beyond God's control. He has demonstrated His ability to defeat the forces of evil and chaos and to provide for His people even in the most desolate circumstances ("the wilderness"). When facing overwhelming difficulties or powerful opposition, we can look to God's past actions as a basis for faith and hope in His continued power to deliver and sustain us.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 27:1 (6 votes)

    ¶ In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that [is] in the sea.

  • Psalms 104:25 (4 votes)

    [So is] this great and wide sea, wherein [are] things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.

  • Psalms 104:26 (4 votes)

    There go the ships: [there is] that leviathan, [whom] thou hast made to play therein.

  • Exodus 14:30 (3 votes)

    Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.

  • Exodus 12:35 (3 votes)

    And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:

  • Exodus 12:36 (3 votes)

    And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them [such things as they required]. And they spoiled the Egyptians.

  • Psalms 72:9 (3 votes)

    They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.