Psalms 105:25 — Word Study
WLCהָפַ֣ךְ לִ֭בָּם לִשְׂנֹ֣א עַמּ֑וֹ לְ֝הִתְנַכֵּ֗ל בַּעֲבָדָֽיו׃
BSAwhose heartslêb [inner being, mind and will] He turnedhâphak■ [completely changed, overturned] to hatesânêʼ [intensely dislike, despise] His peopleʻam [nation, those belonging to Him] to conspirenâkal [plot, deal deceitfully] against His servantsʻebed [those serving, obeying Him]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| הָפַ֣ךְ | he turned | Verb, Qal, perfect third person masculine singular |
| לִ֭בָּם | heart their | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| לִשְׂנֹ֣א | to hate | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common |
| עַמּ֑וֹ | people his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| לְ֝הִתְנַכֵּ֗ל | to deal deceptively | Preposition, verb hithpael infinitive construct common |
| בַּעֲבָדָֽיו׃ | with servants his | Preposition, noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | whose hearts He turned to hate His people, to conspire against His servants. |
| KJV | He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants. |
| ASV | He turned their heart to hate his people, To deal subtly with his servants. |
| YLT | He turned their heart to hate His people, To conspire against His servants. |
| WEB | He turned their heart to hate his people, to conspire against his servants. |
| BBE | Their hearts were turned to hate against his people, so that they made secret designs against them. |
The translations agree in their rendering of the Hebrew terms, emphasizing God's action in turning hearts.
The structure consists of a main clause followed by two infinitive phrases that explain the results of God's action.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbהָפַךְ
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 105:25
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 — The Plagues and Israel's Deliverancegenerated
Psalms 105:25 reflects on how God influenced the hearts of the Egyptians, leading them to despise the Israelites and conspire against them. This is part of a broader narrative that highlights God's sovereignty and His protective relationship with His people. The preceding verses describe the growth of Israel in Egypt and set the stage for their eventual deliverance through Moses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 15:13 | Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. |
| 2 | Exodus 9:16 | But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power to you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth. |
| 3 | Exodus 10:1 | Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials, that I may perform these miraculous signs of Mine among them, |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 2:30 | But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass through, for the LORD your God had made his spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate, that He might deliver him into your hand, as is the case this day. |
| 5 | Romans 9:17–19 | For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — הָפַךְ, ha.Fakhgenerated
The verb הָפַךְ (haphak) means 'to turn' or 'to overturn,' indicating a complete change or transformation. In this context, it shows God's power to radically alter the disposition of the Egyptians toward His people.
This verb is used in the Qal stem, which often denotes simple action. Here, it emphasizes that God actively turned their hearts, suggesting a divine intervention that led to a significant emotional and moral shift.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations agree here, consistently rendering the Hebrew terms in a way that conveys the meaning of God turning hearts to hate His people and plot against His servants.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb הָפַךְ governs the sentence, indicating the action of God. The structure includes a noun phrase describing the object of the verb and several prepositional phrases that elaborate on the nature of the hatred and the subjects involved.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on God's action first, highlighting His sovereignty in the situation before detailing the consequences for His people.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint uses μετέστρεψεν to translate הָפַךְ, which means 'to turn' or 'to change.' This choice suggests a similar sense of transformation but may also imply a broader interpretation of the change in the Egyptians' hearts.
This Greek term indicates a significant alteration, aligning with the Hebrew's emphasis on God's active role in changing the hearts of the Egyptians.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 105:25 tells us that God turned the hearts of the Egyptians to hate His people and plot against His servants. This reflects God's power to influence the emotions and actions of others, even those who oppose His people.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that God actively influenced the Egyptians' feelings and attitudes towards the Israelites, leading them to hostility.
This was part of God's plan to demonstrate His power and ultimately lead to Israel's deliverance from slavery.
This verse foreshadows the conflict between Israel and Egypt, setting the stage for the plagues and the eventual liberation of the Israelites.
We learn that God is in control of human hearts and actions, and He can use even the hostility of others to fulfill His purposes.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How do I see God's hand at work in difficult situations in my life?
- In what ways can I trust God to change the hearts of those who oppose me?
- What does it mean for me to be a servant of God in light of this verse?
- How can I respond to hostility with faith, knowing that God is sovereign?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo references this verse to discuss God's influence over the hearts of people, highlighting the theme of divine sovereignty in human affairs.
"And He turned their heart so, that they hated His people, and dealt untruly with His servants" [Psalms 105:25].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 105 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 105:25 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHe turned their heart to hate his people,.... Whom before they loved and esteemed: when Pharaoh and his servants heard of Joseph's father and brethren, they were greatly pleased, and invited them
Read John Gill on Psalms 105 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHe turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants. He turned their heart to hate his people.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 105 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHe turned their heart to hate his people; not by putting this wicked hatred into them, which is not consistent either with the holiness of God’ s nature, or with the truth of his word, and which was altogether unnecessary, because they had that and all other wickedness in them by nature; but partly, by withdrawing the common gifts and operations of his Spirit, and all other restraints and hinderances to it, and wholly leaving them to their own mistakes, and passions, and corrupt affections, which of their own accord were ready to take that course; partly, by ordering the affairs of his people in such manner as might give them occasion of hatred; and partly, by directing and governing that…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 105 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 105:25 He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.Ver. 25. He turned their heart to hate] Men’ s hearts are in God’ s hands, and he formeth and fashioneth their opinions of and affections to others at his pleasure, yet without sin. To deal subtilly with his servants] Seeking to imbase and enervate their spirits by base drudgeries imposed upon them. So afterwards dealt the Persian tyrant with Hormisaus, and the Great Turk with the Christians.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 105 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(25) Turned their heart.—So the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart is throughout the historical narrative ascribed to Jehovah. (Comp. Isaiah 6:9-10; Mark 4:12, &c.) Deal subtilly.—The reference is to the murdering of the male children (Exodus 1:10 : “Come and let us deal wisely with them”).
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 105 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 25. He turned their heart] "Their heart was turned." So the Syriac and Arabic. After befriending the Hebrews on Joseph's account, to whom they were so deeply indebted, finding them to multiply greatly in the land, and at last to become more powerful than the Egyptians themselves, they turned their attention to the adoption of measures, in order to prevent the Hebrews from possessing themselves of the government of the whole land; they curtailed them of their privileges, and endeavoured to depress them by all possible means, and by a variety of legal enactments. This appears to be the sole meaning of the phrase, "He turned their heart;" or, "their heart was turned."
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 105 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges25–36. The enmity of the Egyptians to Israel, and the display of Jehovah’s power which prepared the way for the Exodus.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 105 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHe turned their heart to hate his people - God turned their heart. That is, He so ordered things that they became the enemies of his people, and made it necessary that they should be removed into another land.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 105 →The verse in English, compared — 17 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
whose hearts He turned to hate His people, to conspire against His servants.
He turned their heart to hate his people, to conspire against his servants.
whose hearts He turned to hate His people, to conspire against His servants.
He caused them to hate his people, and to mistreat his servants.
Tyndale line
He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.
He turned their heart to hate his people, To deal subtly with his servants.
He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.
He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.
He turned their heart to hate his people, and to deale craftily with his seruants.
Strictly literal
He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.
He turned their heart to hate His people, To conspire against His servants.
He turned their heart to hate His people, || To conspire against His servants.
He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilely with his servants.
He caused their enemies to hate his people, to mistreat his servants.
From the Latin
And they murmured in their tents: they hearkened not to the voice of the Lord.
Simplified
He made the Egyptians change their minds and hate his people and act deceptively towards them.
Their hearts were turned to hate against his people, so that they made secret designs against them.
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 agree closely in wording, indicating that the core message of God's action is preserved across these texts. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some variations, with certain words supplied by editors, but the essential meaning remains intact.
הָפַ֣ךְ לִ֭בָּם לִשְׂנֹ֣א עַמּ֑וֹ לְ֝הִתְנַכֵּ֗ל בַּעֲבָדָֽיו׃
6 of the 6 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.
[הפך] לב׳ם לשנוא [עמ׳ו] [להתנכל] [בעבדי׳ו]
2 words on the leather — 4 supplied entire by an editor.
הפך [לב׳ם] [לשנא]
3 words of the verse are on this fragment — 1 partly restored, 2 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 105:25
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.
הָפַךְ (haphak) is a Hebrew verb meaning to turn or overturn, with implications of change and transformation. It can describe actions like turning back, being reversed, or even being perverse. The entries highlight various grammatical forms, including reflexive and passive uses, indicating a wide range of applications in the Old Testament.
הָפַךְ vb. turn, overturn
Qal
trans.
turn, turn about, turn over
overturn, overthrow
turn = change, transform
intrans.
turn, turn back
turn = change, change into
Niph.
reflex. & intrans.
turn oneself, turn, turn back
turn = change (oneself)
be perverse
pass.
be turned, turn over to
be reversed
be turned, changed
be overturned, overthrown
be upturned, of subterran. work of miners
Hithp.
turn this way & that, every way
transform oneself
Hoph. there have been turned upon me terrors
base
H2015 הָפַךְ turn, overturn .. trans. . turn, turn about, turn over
. overturn, overthrow
. turn = change, transform
. intrans. . turn, turn back
. turn = change, change into
. . reflex. & intrans. . turn oneself, turn, turn back
. turn = change (oneself)
. be perverse
. pass. . be turned, turn over to
. be reversed
. be turned, changed
. be overturned, overthrown
. be upturned, of subterran. work of miners
. . turn this way & that, every way
. transform oneself
. there have been turned upon me terrors
2015 haphak haw-fak'
a primitive root; to turn about or over; by implication, to
change, overturn, return, pervert:--X become, change, come, be
converted, give, make (a bed), overthrow (-turn), perverse,
retire, tumble, turn (again, aside, back, to the contrary,
every way).
הָפַךְ (ha.phakh) — to overturn.
1) to turn, overthrow, overturn
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to overturn, overthrow
1a2) to turn, turn about, turn over, turn around
1a3) to change, transform
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to turn oneself, turn, turn back
1b2) to change oneself
1b3) to be perverse
1b4) to be turned, be turned over, be changed, be turned against
1b5) to be reversed
1b6) to be overturned, be overthrown
1b7) to be upturned
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to transform oneself
1c2) to turn this way and that, turn every way
1d) (Hophal) to turn on someone
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singularHVqp3ms
The Hebrew word לֵב (lev) means 'heart' and encompasses the inner man, mind, will, and emotions. It refers to the center of feelings, intellect, and moral character, as well as the seat of appetites and courage. The entries suggest a broad range of meanings related to human experience and thought, with a specific mention of its use in Jeremiah 51:1.
לֵב 599 n.m. (f.) inner man, mind, will, heart
seldom of things in the midst of the sea
elsewhere of men
the inner man in contrast with the outer
the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will
specific reference to mind
spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will
spec. ref. to conscience
[various]
for the man himself
as seat of appetites
as seat of emotions and passions
seat of courage
base
לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash Je 51:1.
ref
H3820a לֵב inner man, mind, will, heart . seldom of things in the midst of the sea
. elsewhere of men . the inner man in contrast with the outer
. the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will
. specific reference to mind
. spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will
. spec. ref. to conscience
. [various]
. for the man himself
. as seat of appetites
. as seat of emotions and passions
. seat of courage
H3820b לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash
3820 leb labe
a form of 3824; the heart; also used (figuratively) very
widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect;
likewise for the centre of anything:--+ care for, comfortably,
consent, X considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-),
(hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart((-ed)), X
heed, X I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), X regard((-ed)), X
themselves, X unawares, understanding, X well, willingly,
wisdom.
see HEBREW for 03824
לֵב (lev) — heart.
1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding
1a) inner part, midst
1a1) midst (of things)
1a2) heart (of man)
1a3) soul, heart (of man)
1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory
1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will)
1a6) conscience
1a7) heart (of moral character)
1a8) as seat of appetites
1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
לֵב (lev) — Leb.
§ Leb- = "heart of"
(probably a cryptic name for Babylon by Atbash)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3mp
שָׂנֵא (sane') is a primitive root meaning 'to hate.' It covers various forms of hatred, including personal animosity and enmity, and can refer to both humans and God. The word appears in different grammatical forms, with uses in Qal, Niphal, and Piel, indicating actions of hating or being hated. Its Aramaic equivalent is שְׂנָא.
שָׂנֵא 145 vb. hate
Qal 128 hate
Niph. is hated
Pi. enemy
base
H8130 שָׂנֵא hate
8130 sane' saw-nay'
a primitive root; to hate (personally):--enemy, foe, (be)
hate(-ful, -r), odious, X utterly.
שָׂנֵא (sa.ne) — to hate.
1) to hate, be hateful
1a) (Qal) to hate
1a1) of man
1a2) of God
1a3) hater, one hating, enemy (participle) (subst)
1b) (Niphal) to be hated
1c) (Piel) hater (participle)
1c1) of persons, nations, God, wisdom
Aramaic equivalent: se.ne (שְׂנָא "to hate" H8131)
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct commonHR/Vqcc
עַם (am) primarily means 'people' or 'nation,' referring to a collective group, often in the context of tribes such as those of Israel. It can also denote kinsmen or compatriots. The term appears in various contexts, including military and familial references. There is a mention of a specific individual named Ammi in Song of Solomon 6:12.
עַם, עָם 1810 n.m. people
a people, nation
= smaller units
= common people
people in gen., persons
phrases
base
[עַם] n.[m.] kinsman (on father's side)
base
H5971a עַם, עָם people H5971b עַם kinsman (on father's side)
5971 `am am
from 6004; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a
tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or
attendants; figuratively, a flock:--folk, men, nation,
people.
see HEBREW for 06004
עַם (am) — people.
: people/nation
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — kinsman.
kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Ammi.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at Sng.6.12
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — People's (Gate).
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — (Ibleam)-am.
Combined with yiv.le.am (יִבְלְעָם "Ibleam" H2991)
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Amaw.
This name means nation, people
עַם (am) — people: soldiers.
: soldiers/army
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — people: creatures.
: creatures
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
נָכַל (nakal) means to be crafty or deceitful, with implications of plotting and treachery. It encompasses various forms, including being a deceiver or acting knavishly. The entries highlight its use in contexts of deceit and cunning, but do not provide specific verse references.
[נָכַל] vb. be crafty, deceitful, knavish
Qal Pt. knave
Pi. their wiles with which they beguiled you
Hithp. they knavishly planned against him; to deal knavishly with
base
H5230 [נָכַל] be crafty, deceitful, knavish .Pt. knave
. their wiles with which they beguiled you
. they knavishly planned against him; to deal knavishly with
5230 nakal naw-kal'
a prim root; to defraud, i.e. act treacherously:--beguile,
conspire, deceiver, deal subtilly.
נָכַל (na.khal) — to plot.
1) to be deceitful, be crafty, be knavish
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be knavish
1a2) deceiver (participle)
1b) (Piel) to beguile
1c) (Hithpael) to act craftily, act knavishly, deal knavishly
Prep | V-Hithpael-Inf-a — Preposition · verb hithpael infinitive construct commonHR/Vtcc
The Hebrew word עֶ֫בֶד (*ebed*) means 'slave' or 'servant' and encompasses various roles, including household servants, subjects, and worshippers of God. It can also refer to Israel as a collective servant of God and is used in polite address among equals. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to work' or 'to serve'.
עֶ֫בֶד 799 n.m. slave, servant
slave, servant of household
Subjects, of chief
Servants, worshippers of God
Servant of י׳, in a special sense
Israel as a people is servant of י׳
In polite address of equals or superiors the Hebrews used עַבְדְּךָ thy servant = 1 pers. sing., I
Phrases
base
H5650 עֶ֫בֶד slave, servant . slave, servant of household
. Subjects, of chief
. Servants, worshippers of God
. Servant of י׳, in a special sense
. Israel as a people is servant of י׳
. In polite address of equals or superiors the Hebrews used עַבְדְּךָ thy servant = 1 pers. sing., I
. Phrases
5650 `ebed eh'-bed
from 5647; a servant:--X bondage, bondman, (bond-)servant,
(man-)servant.
see HEBREW for 05647
עֶ֫בֶד (e.ved) — servant/slave.
1) slave, servant
1a) slave, servant, man-servant
1b) subjects
1c) servants, worshippers (of God)
1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc)
1e) servant (of Israel)
1f) servant (as form of address between equals)
Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)
Prep | N-mp | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHR/Ncmpc/Sp3ms