Psalms 147:18 — Word Study
WLCיִשְׁלַ֣ח דְּבָר֣וֹ וְיַמְסֵ֑ם יַשֵּׁ֥ב ר֝וּח֗וֹ יִזְּלוּ־ מָֽיִם׃
BSAHe sends forthshâlach▸ [dispatches, releases] His worddâbâr [divine command, decree] and melts themmâçâh▸ [dissolves, liquefies] He unleashesnâshab▸ [sends out, blows] His windsrûwach [a blast of air] and the watersmayim [liquid, flood] flownâzal▸ [run, pour out]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יִשְׁלַ֣ח | he sends | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| דְּבָר֣וֹ | word his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וְיַמְסֵ֑ם | and he melts them | Conjunction, verb hiphil third person masculine singular, suffix |
| יַשֵּׁ֥ב | he makes blow | Verb, Hiphil, jussive third person masculine singular |
| ר֝וּח֗וֹ | wind his | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| יִזְּלוּ־ | they flow | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine plural |
| מָֽיִם׃ | waters | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He sends forth His word and melts them; He unleashes His winds, and the waters flow. |
| KJV | He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. |
| ASV | He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: He causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. |
| YLT | He sendeth forth His word and melteth them, He causeth His wind to blow — the waters flow. |
| WEB | He sends out his word, and melts them. He causes his wind to blow, and the waters flow. |
| BBE | At the outgoing of his word, the ice is turned to water; when he sends out his wind, there is a flowing of waters. |
Where they part company is in the interpretation of וְיַמְסֵ֑ם — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence is structured with a main action followed by two additional actions, illustrating the sequence of God's commands.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectמַיִם
verbשָׁלַח
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 147:18
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Sovereignty Over Naturegenerated
Psalm 147:18 illustrates God's authority over creation, emphasizing how His word can melt ice and send winds, resulting in flowing waters. This verse is part of a larger passage that praises God's power and care for His creation, as seen in the preceding and following verses that describe His control over weather and His special relationship with Israel.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 147:15 | He sends forth His command to the earth; His word runs swiftly. |
| 2 | Job 6:16–17 | darkened because of the ice and the inflow of melting snow, |
| 3 | Job 37:10–17 | By the breath of God the ice is formed and the watery expanses are frozen. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — שָׁלַח, shalachgenerated
The verb שָׁלַח (shalach) is a Qal imperfect form meaning 'to send' or 'to dispatch'. It indicates an action of sending out or letting go, applicable in various contexts, including divine commands.
This word emphasizes God's active role in creation, as He sends forth His word to influence the natural world. The use of the imperfect tense suggests an ongoing action, reflecting God's continuous involvement in the world.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree on the rendering of שָׁלַח as sends forth in this verse, capturing the essence of God's command over nature.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb יִשְׁלַ֣ח (he sends) governs the entire verse, with two clauses following: one describing the action of melting and the other describing the action of blowing. The structure emphasizes God's command as the initiating force.
The arrangement of the Hebrew words places emphasis on the actions of sending and melting, highlighting God's authority over both the elements and their response.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates שָׁלַח as ἀποστελεῖ (apostelei), which conveys a similar meaning of sending forth. This choice aligns with the understanding of God's active engagement in creation.
The translation of וְיַמְסֵ֑ם as αὐτά indicates a direct reference to the objects being melted, maintaining the focus on God's power over nature.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 147:18 tells us that God sends His word to melt ice and sends winds to make waters flow. This shows His power over nature and His ability to command the elements.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies God's authority and power to command and influence creation through His spoken word.
God's word has the power to change physical elements, such as melting ice or moving winds, demonstrating His control over the natural world.
The winds represent God's active involvement in nature, illustrating His ability to direct and influence the environment.
The psalmist highlights God's sovereignty as a way to praise Him and remind the audience of His greatness and care for creation.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see God's power in nature around me?
- How can I recognize God's word in my life and its impact on my circumstances?
- What does it mean for me to trust in God's control over the elements?
- How can I reflect God's authority in my own actions and decisions?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo comments on this verse, using it to illustrate God's power to influence creation and the need for divine intervention in the lives of sinners.
Thus then we see "the snow, the mist, the crystal:" it is good that He blow and thaw them. For if He blow not, if He Himself thaw not the hardness of this ice, "in the face of His cold who shall stand?" He abandons a sinner, behold,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 147 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 147:18 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHe sendeth out his word, and melteth them,.... The snow, the hoar frost, and ice: this he does by a word of his, who can freeze the earth and waters, and thaw them at his pleasure; by ordering the
Read John Gill on Psalms 147 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHe sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow (and) the waters flow - a warm wind, which causes a thaw.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 147 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHis wind; the southern or some other warm wind sent with commission to dissolve the ice. The waters flow; the rivers return to their course which before were bound up by, or tuned into, ice.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 147 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 147:18 He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, [and] the waters flow.Ver. 18. He sendeth out his word, and melteth them] See Psalms 147:15. Of the force of God’ s word of command are given all the former instances, he can as easily melt the hardest heart by his Word, made effectual to such a purpose by his Holy Spirit. If that wind do but blow, the waters of penitent tears will soon flow, as in Josiah, 2 Chronicles 34:27. See Zechariah 12:10.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 147 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 18. He sendeth out his word] He gives a command: the south wind blows; the thaw takes place; and the ice and snow being liquefied, the waters flow, where before they were bound up by the ice.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 147 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges12–20. Zion is summoned to praise Jehovah for the blessings of peace and prosperity. The Lord of Nature is He Who has endowed Israel with unique privileges.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 147 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHe sendeth out his word - He commands: or, he speaks. And melteth them - Melts the snow and the ice. Compare the notes at Job 37:10-12 : “By the breath of God frost is given,” etc.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 147 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
He sends forth His word and melts them; He unleashes His winds, and the waters flow.
He sends out his word, and melts them. He causes his wind to blow, and the waters flow.
He sends forth His word and melts them; He unleashes His winds, and the waters flow.
He then orders it all to melt; he breathes on it, and the water flows.
Tyndale line
He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.
He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: He causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.
He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.
He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.
He sendeth his worde and melteth them: he causeth his winde to blowe, and the waters flowe.
Strictly literal
He sendeth his word, and melteth them; he causeth his wind to blow — the waters flow.
He sendeth forth His word and melteth them, He causeth His wind to blow — the waters flow.
He sends forth His word and melts them, || He causes His wind to blow—the waters flow.
He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and waters run along.
He sends out his command and melts them, he makes the wind to blow and the water to flow.
Simplified
Then he sends out his command and it melts; he blows on it and the water flows.
At the outgoing of his word, the ice is turned to water; when he sends out his wind, there is a flowing of waters.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree on the wording of this verse, with minor variations in structure. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some editorial restorations, but the core message remains consistent across these witnesses.
יִשְׁלַ֣ח דְּבָר֣וֹ וְיַמְסֵ֑ם יַשֵּׁ֥ב ר֝וּח֗וֹ יִזְּלוּ־ מָֽיִם׃
6 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ישלח דבר׳ו [וימס׳ם] [ישב] [רוח׳ו] [יזלו] [מים]
2 words on the leather — 5 supplied entire by an editor.
[ישלח] [דבר׳ו] [וימס׳ם] [ישב] רוח׳ו [יזלו] [מים]
nothing on the leather here — 1 partly restored, 6 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 147:18
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word שָׁלַח (shalach) is a primitive root meaning 'to send' with a wide range of applications. It can refer to sending away, stretching out (especially a hand), or letting go. The entries indicate various forms, including sending off, casting out, and setting free. Notably, it can also imply divorce or being sent away in a marital context.
שָׁלַח 814 vb. send
Qal
send: human subj.
send: subj. י׳ (God)
stretch out, esp. acc. hand
rarely send away: human subj.
let loose
Niph. letters were sent
Pi.
send off, away, human subj.
send away, subj. י׳
give over
cast out
send out, forth
let go, set free
shoot forth branches
let down
shoot
Phrases
Pu. be sent off (started on journey); be put away, divorced, of wife; be impelled(?)
Hiph. and I (י׳) will send
base
H7971 שָׁלַח send .. send: human subj.
. send: subj. י׳ (God)
. stretch out, esp. acc. hand
. rarely send away: human subj.
. let loose
. letters were sent
. . send off, away, human subj.
. . send away, subj. י׳
. give over
. cast out
. send out, forth
. let go, set free
. shoot forth branches
. let down
. shoot
. Phrases
. be sent off (started on journey); be put away, divorced, of wife; be impelled(?)
. and I (י׳) will send
7971 shalach shaw-lakh'
a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great
variety of applications):--X any wise, appoint, bring (on the
way), cast (away, out), conduct, X earnestly, forsake, give
(up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose),
push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send
(away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread,
stretch forth (out).
שָׁלַח (sha.lach) — to send: depart.
: depart/send
1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to send
1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct
1a3) to send away
1a4) to let loose
1b) (Niphal) to be sent
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out
1c2) to let go, set free
1c3) to shoot forth (of branches)
1c4) to let down
1c5) to shoot
1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled
1e) (Hiphil) to send
שָׁלַח (sha.lach) — to send: let go.
: let_go/free
1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to send
1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct
1a3) to send away
1a4) to let loose
1b) (Niphal) to be sent
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out
1c2) to let go, set free
1c3) to shoot forth (of branches)
1c4) to let down
1c5) to shoot
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
דָּבָר (dabar) means 'word' or 'speech' and encompasses a range of meanings including discourse, saying, and matter. It can refer to anything spoken or a topic of discussion, extending to concepts like business or affairs. The entries consistently highlight its use in various contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicographers.
דָּבָר 1439 n.m. speech, word
sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken
sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse
sg. a word, words
sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks
base
H1697 דָּבָר speech, word . sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken
. sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse
. sg. a word, words
. sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks
1697 dabar daw-baw'
from 1696; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or
thing; adverbially, a cause:--act, advice, affair, answer, X
any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case,
cause, certain rate, + chronicles, commandment, X
commune(-ication), + concern(-ing), + confer, counsel, +
dearth, decree, deed, X disease, due, duty, effect, +
eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-)ness, + glory, + harm, hurt,
+ iniquity, + judgment, language, + lying, manner, matter,
message, (no) thing, oracle, X ought, X parts, + pertaining, +
please, portion, + power, promise, provision, purpose,
question, rate, reason, report, request, X (as hast) said,
sake, saying, sentence, + sign, + so, some (uncleanness),
somewhat to say, + song, speech, X spoken, talk, task, + that,
X there done, thing (concerning), thought, + thus, tidings,
what(-soever), + wherewith, which, word, work.
see HEBREW for 01696
דָּבָר (da.var) — word.
: word/speech/command
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: speaking.
: speaking
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: thing.
: thing/matter
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: promised.
: promised/duty
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: deed.
: deed
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
מָסָה (ma.sah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to melt or dissolve. It primarily appears in the Hiphil form, indicating actions like causing something to liquefy or vanish. The entries highlight its usage in both a literal sense, such as melting, and a figurative sense, such as intimidating.
[מָסָה] vb. melt, dissolve, be liquified;—only Hiph.
base
H4529 [מָסָה] melt, dissolve, be liquified
4529 macah maw-saw'
a primitive root; to dissolve:--make to consume away, (make
to) melt, water.
מָסָה (ma.sah) — to liquefy.
1) to melt, dissolve, be liquefied
1a) (Hiphil)
1a1) to melt, cause to dissolve, consume, cause to vanish
1a2) to intimidate (fig)
Conj | V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms | Suff — Conjunction · verb hiphil third person masculine singular · suffixHC/Vhu3ms/Sp3mp
נָשַׁב (nashab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to blow, with implications of dispersing or driving away. It appears in different forms, such as Qal, which refers to the act of blowing, and Hiphil, which means to cause to blow. The entries emphasize its basic meaning and usage in the Old Testament.
[נָשַׁב] vb. blow
Qal the breath of י׳ has blown upon it.
Hiph. he causes his wind to blow
base
H5380 נָשַׁב blow
5380 nashab naw-shab'
a primitive root; to blow; by implication, to
disperse:--(cause to) blow, drive away.
נָשַׁב (na.shav) — to blow.
1) to blow
1a) (Qal) to blow
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to cause to blow
1b2) to disperse, to drive away
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · jussive third person masculine singularHVhj3ms
רוּחַ (ruach) means breath, wind, or spirit. It encompasses various meanings, including the breath of life, emotional disposition, and the spirit of God. The term can refer to both physical phenomena, like wind, and abstract concepts, such as moral character or mental acts. Notably, it is used frequently in the context of divine inspiration and the Holy Spirit.
רוּחַ 378 n.f. (less oft. m.) breath, wind, spirit
breath of mouth or nostrils (33 t.)
wind (117 t.)
spirit, as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation = temper, disposition (76 t.)
spirit of the living, breathing being
spirit as seat of emotion
occasionally (and late) = seat or organ of mental acts
rarely of the will
רוּחַ esp. of moral character
spirit of God (94 t.)
base
H7307 רוּחַ breath, wind, spirit . breath of mouth or nostrils (33 t.)
. wind (117 t.)
. spirit, as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation = temper, disposition (76 t.)
. spirit of the living, breathing being
. spirit as seat of emotion
. occasionally (and late) = seat or organ of mental acts
. rarely of the will
. רוּחַ esp. of moral character
. spirit of God (94 t.)
7307 ruwach roo'-akh
from 7306; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or
even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger,
unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by
resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including
its expression and functions):--air, anger, blast, breath, X
cool, courage, mind, X quarter, X side, spirit((-ual)),
tempest, X vain, ((whirl-))wind(-y).
see HEBREW for 07306
רוּחַ (ru.ach) — spirit.
: spirit
1) wind, breath, mind, spirit
1a) breath
1b) wind
1b1) of heaven
1b2) quarter (of wind), side
1b3) breath of air
1b4) air, gas
1b5) vain, empty thing
1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation)
1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour
1c2) courage
1c3) temper, anger
1c4) impatience, patience
1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented)
1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse
1c7) prophetic spirit
1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals)
1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being
1e) spirit (as seat of emotion)
1e1) desire
1e2) sorrow, trouble
1f) spirit
1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts
1f2) rarely of the will
1f3) as seat especially of moral character
N-cs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp3ms
נָזַל (nazal) is a Hebrew verb meaning to flow or trickle. It encompasses various forms of flowing, including distilling and shedding liquid. The term appears in both the Qal and Hiphil stems, indicating both a simple action of flowing and causing something to flow. The poetic usage suggests a rich imagery associated with water and movement.
[נָזַל] vb. flow, trickle, drop, distil (poet.)
Qal
flow
distil
Hiph. cause to flow
base
H5140 [נָזַל] flow, trickle, drop, distil (poet.)
5140 nazal naw-zal'
a primitive root; to drip, or shed by trickling:--distil,
drop, flood, (cause to) flow(-ing), gush out, melt, pour
(down), running water, stream.
נָזַל (na.zal) — to flow.
1) to flow, distil, flow forth or down, trickle, drop
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to flow
1a1a) streams, floods (participle)
1a2) to distil
1b) (Hiphil) to cause to flow
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVqi3mp
מַי (mayim) is a Hebrew word meaning 'water' and is used in the plural form. It encompasses various meanings, including literal water, urine, and metaphorical uses related to refreshment or danger. The entries indicate it is derived from a primitive noun and is primarily referenced in contexts involving water.
[מַי] 580 n.m. only pl. מַ֫יִם waters, water
base
H4325 מַי only pl. מַ֫יִם waters, water
4325 mayim mah'-yim
dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense);
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen:--+
piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)).
מַי (ma.yim) — water.
1) water, waters
1a) water
1b) water of the feet, urine
1c) of danger, violence, transitory things, refreshment (fig.)
מַי (ma.yim) — Water (Gate).
This name means water, refreshment
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
wo'-terz (mayim, plural of may, "water"; in the New Testament hudor, "water"; kindunois potamon (2Co 11:26), the King James Version "perils of waters," is in the Revised Version (British and American) "perils of rivers"): In the New Testament there is frequent reference to the water of baptism. Pilate washes his hands with water to signify his guiltlessness. Jesus tells the Samaritan woman of the living water. The Lamb shall guide the redeemed unto fountains of waters of life.
The uses of mayim are well classified in BDB, especially the figurative references, as follows: a symbol of distress, "when thou passest through the waters" (Isa 43:2); of force, "like the breach of waters" (2Sa 5:20); of that which is overwhelming, "a…