Psalms 105:18
Psalms 105:18 in Multiple Translations
They bruised his feet with shackles and placed his neck in irons,
Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:
His feet they hurt with fetters: He was laid in chains of iron,
His feet were fixed in chains; his neck was put in iron bands;
They hurt his feet by placing them in shackles, and they put an iron collar around his neck,
They helde his feete in the stockes, and he was laide in yrons,
They have afflicted with fetters his feet, Iron hath entered his soul,
They bruised his feet with shackles. His neck was locked in irons,
Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:
And a fire was kindled in their congregation: the flame burned the wicked.
Later, while Joseph was in prison in Egypt, they put his legs in shackles that bruised his feet, and they put an iron collar around his neck.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 105:18
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 105:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
עִנּ֣וּ
בַ/כֶּ֣בֶל
רגלי/ו
רַגְל֑/וֹ
בַּ֝רְזֶ֗ל
בָּ֣אָה
נַפְשֽׁ/וֹ
עִנּ֣וּ
ʻânâh
H6031
be occupied
V-Piel-Perf-3cp
בַ/כֶּ֣בֶל
kebel
H3525
fetter
Prep | N-ms
רגלי/ו
regel
H7272
foot
N-fd | Suff
רַגְל֑/וֹ
regel
H7272
foot
N-fs | Suff
בַּ֝רְזֶ֗ל
barzel
H1270
iron
N-ms
בָּ֣אָה
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
נַפְשֽׁ/וֹ
nephesh
H5315
soul
N-cs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 105:18
עִנּ֣וּ
ʻânâh
H6031
"be occupied"
V-Piel-Perf-3cp
To afflict or oppress someone, making them feel low or depressed. In the Bible, it can also mean to humble oneself, as seen in Psalm 35:13. It involves being put down or becoming weak.
Definition: (Qal) to be occupied, be busied with
Usage: Occurs in 79 OT verses. KJV: abase self, afflict(-ion, self), answer (by mistake for H6030 (עָנָה)), chasten self, deal hardly with, defile, exercise, force, gentleness, humble (self), hurt, ravish, sing (by mistake for H6030 (עָנָה)), speak (by mistake for H6030 (עָנָה)), submit self, weaken, [idiom] in any wise. See also: Genesis 15:13; 2 Kings 17:20; Psalms 35:13.
בַ/כֶּ֣בֶל
kebel
H3525
"fetter"
Prep | N-ms
A fetter is a type of chain or bond used to restrain someone or something, often translated as fetter in the Bible.
Definition: bond(s), fetter(s)
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: fetter. See also: Psalms 105:18; Psalms 149:8.
רגלי/ו
regel
H7272
"foot"
N-fd | Suff
This word also means a foot, like when God says he will tread on the wicked in Malachi 4:3. It's used to describe human and animal feet, as well as the base of objects like tables or idols.
Definition: 1) foot 1a) foot, leg 1b) of God (anthropomorphic) 1c) of seraphim, cherubim, idols, animals, table 1d) according to the pace of (with prep) 1e) three times (feet, paces) Aramaic equivalent: re.gal (רְגַל "foot" H7271)
Usage: Occurs in 232 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be able to endure, [idiom] according as, [idiom] after, [idiom] coming, [idiom] follow, (broken-)foot(-ed, -stool), [idiom] great toe, [idiom] haunt, [idiom] journey, leg, [phrase] piss, [phrase] possession, time. See also: Genesis 8:9; 2 Samuel 22:39; Psalms 8:7.
רַגְל֑/וֹ
regel
H7272
"foot"
N-fs | Suff
This word also means a foot, like when God says he will tread on the wicked in Malachi 4:3. It's used to describe human and animal feet, as well as the base of objects like tables or idols.
Definition: 1) foot 1a) foot, leg 1b) of God (anthropomorphic) 1c) of seraphim, cherubim, idols, animals, table 1d) according to the pace of (with prep) 1e) three times (feet, paces) Aramaic equivalent: re.gal (רְגַל "foot" H7271)
Usage: Occurs in 232 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be able to endure, [idiom] according as, [idiom] after, [idiom] coming, [idiom] follow, (broken-)foot(-ed, -stool), [idiom] great toe, [idiom] haunt, [idiom] journey, leg, [phrase] piss, [phrase] possession, time. See also: Genesis 8:9; 2 Samuel 22:39; Psalms 8:7.
בַּ֝רְזֶ֗ל
barzel
H1270
"iron"
N-ms
Iron refers to a strong metal used for tools and furniture, symbolizing strength or harshness, as seen in the Bible's descriptions of iron implements.
Definition: 1) iron 1a) iron 1a1) iron ore 1a2) as material of furniture, utensils, implements 2) tool of iron 3) harshness, strength, oppression (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: par.zel (פַּרְזֶל "iron" H6523)
Usage: Occurs in 70 OT verses. KJV: (ax) head, iron. See also: Genesis 4:22; 2 Chronicles 2:6; Psalms 2:9.
בָּ֣אָה
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
נַפְשֽׁ/וֹ
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
N-cs | Suff
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
Study Notes — Psalms 105:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 105:18 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 105:18
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 105:18
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 105:18
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 105:18
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 105:18
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 105:18
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 105:18
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 105:18
- Sermons on Psalms 105:18
Context — Tell of His Wonders
16He called down famine on the land and cut off all their supplies of food.
17He sent a man before them— Joseph, sold as a slave.
18They bruised his feet with shackles and placed his neck in irons,
19until his prediction came true and the word of the LORD proved him right. 20The king sent and released him; the ruler of peoples set him free.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acts 16:24 | On receiving this order, he placed them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. |
| 2 | Genesis 39:20 | So Joseph’s master took him and had him thrown into the prison where the king’s prisoners were confined. While Joseph was there in the prison, |
| 3 | Genesis 40:15 | For I was kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing for which they should have put me in this dungeon.” |
| 4 | Psalms 107:10 | Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and chains, |
Psalms 105:18 Summary
[This verse describes the harsh treatment that Joseph received at the hands of his captors, with his feet bruised by shackles and his neck placed in irons. Despite this difficult situation, Joseph remained faithful to God, as seen in Genesis 39:21, where it is written that the Lord was with him. Just as Joseph trusted in God's sovereignty and faithfulness, we can also trust in His goodness and love, even when we face difficult circumstances, as promised in Psalm 23:4 and Romans 8:28.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were Joseph's feet bruised with shackles and his neck placed in irons?
This was a result of his brothers' jealousy and the Egyptians' enslavement of him, as seen in the book of Genesis, specifically Genesis 37:28 and Genesis 39:20, where Joseph was thrown into prison.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the Psalm?
This verse is part of a larger narrative in Psalm 105 that recounts the history of the Israelites, including their time in Egypt and the role of Joseph, which is also described in the book of Exodus, particularly in Exodus 1:8-14.
What can we learn from Joseph's experience in prison?
We can learn about God's sovereignty and faithfulness, even in difficult circumstances, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11, where God promises to prosper His people, and in Romans 8:28, where it is written that all things work together for good for those who love Him.
How does this verse point to Jesus Christ?
Joseph's suffering and imprisonment can be seen as a type of Christ, who also suffered and was imprisoned, as described in Isaiah 53:3-5 and Luke 23:32-34, and whose ultimate triumph and exaltation are a testament to God's power and redemption.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I have experienced 'shackles' or 'irons' in my own life, and how can I trust God to set me free?
- How can I, like Joseph, remain faithful and trusting in God even when I am faced with difficult circumstances?
- What are some ways that God has used difficult experiences in my life to prepare me for future ministry or service, just as He did with Joseph?
- In what ways can I identify with Joseph's feelings of isolation and loneliness, and how can I reach out to others who may be experiencing similar emotions?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 105:18
Whose feet they hurt with fetters,.... For it seems Joseph was not only cast into prison, upon the calumny of his mistress; but had fetters put upon him, and his feet were made fast with them; and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 105:18
Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread. -The circumstances leading to the bringing of the heirs of the promise into Egypt.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 105:18
Heb. his soul came into iron; which seems to be added emphatically to aggravate his imprisonment, and to show how grievous it was to his very soul, which must needs sympathize with his body, and moreover was greatly vexed to consider both the great injury which was done to him, and yet the foul and public scandal which lay upon him.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 105:18
Psalms 105:18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:Ver. 18. Whose feet they hurt with fetters] God hereby fitting him for that great service; as he did afterwards Moses, by forty years’ banishment in Midian, and David, by Saul’ s persecution, till his soul was even as a weaned child, Psalms 131:2. He was laid in iron] Heb. His soul came into iron; or, the iron entered into his soul; but sin entered not into his conscience. See a like phrase Luke 2:35.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 105:18
(18) He was laid in iron.—The Prayer Book Version, “the iron entered into his soul,” has established itself so firmly among expressive proverbial sayings, that the mind almost resents the Authorised Version. The grammar of the clause does not decide its sense with certainty; for its syntax is rather in favour of the Prayer Book Version, though the feminine form of the verb makes in favour of the marginal rendering. Symmachus has, “his soul came into iron;” the LXX., “his soul passed through iron.” The Vulg., however, has the other Version, “the iron passed through his soul”—first found in the Targum. The parallelism is in favour of the Authorised Version.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 105:18
18. Whose feet] R.V. His feet. This verse is merely a poetical description of imprisonment. The narrative in Gen. does not hint that Joseph was severely treated. he was laid in iron] I.e. as R.V., he was laid in (chains of) iron. But the Heb. literally means, (into) iron entered his soul; and his soul is not a mere equivalent for he, but denotes (though we have no word by which it could be rendered here) Joseph’s whole sensitive personality. He keenly felt the degradation and suffering of his unjust imprisonment. Thus the sense is substantially the same as that of the picturesque rendering of the P.B.V. which has passed into a proverbial phrase, “the iron entered into his soul[58].” This rendering, which is that of the Targ. and Vulg.[59], is defended by Delitzsch and others, but is questionable for grammatical reasons. [58] Coverdale’s original rendering (1535) was, the yron pearsed his herte. The alteration in the Great Bible (1539) was no doubt suggested by Mόnster’s ferreum (vinculum) intravit usque ad animam eius. [59] According to the present text, which has ferrum pertransiit animam eius. But as all the mss. of the LXX have σίδηρονδιῆλθενἡψυχὴαὐτοῦ, it seems probable that animam is a corruption for anima.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 105:18
Whose feet they hurt with fetters - In Genesis 40:3; it is said of Joseph that he was “bound” in prison. It is not improbable that his “feet” were bound, as this is the usual way of confining prisoners.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 105:18
18. Hurt with fetters—The Egyptian laws were very severe against the crime of which Joseph was wickedly charged. “An attempt at adultery was to be punished with one thousand blows.”—Delitzsch.
Sermons on Psalms 105:18
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Iron Saints by Charles E. Cowman | Charles E. Cowman preaches about the transformative power of suffering and hardship, drawing inspiration from Psalms 105:18 where 'Iron entered his soul' is interpreted as a metaph |
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(Genesis) Genesis 39:11-40:23 by Joe Focht | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the sorrows and challenges of life, particularly for boys who bring sorrow to their mothers. However, the speaker believes that there is ano |
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Judah's Plea by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith takes us through the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. He emphasizes the importance of confessing our sins and not allowing unconfessed sin |
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Difficulties Are Proof Contexts by Elisabeth Elliot | Elisabeth Elliot emphasizes the intertwined nature of loneliness, sadness, and comfort in the Christian journey, highlighting that experiencing moments of despair allows us to full |
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Numbered With the Transgressors by Henry Law | Henry Law preaches on the story of Joseph being wrongfully imprisoned, drawing parallels to Jesus being arrested and crucified despite His innocence. He emphasizes how Jesus, thoug |
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Joy in Prison by Charles E. Cowman | Charles E. Cowman preaches on the story of Joseph, highlighting how even in difficult circumstances like being in prison, God's presence can bring blessings and prosperity. Joseph' |
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Free Through Suffering by Charles E. Cowman | Charles E. Cowman preaches on the profound testimony in Psalms 4:1, highlighting how God's moral government works through distress to bring about enlargement in our lives. Using Jo |