Psalms 68:14 — Word Study
WLCבְּפָ֘רֵ֤שׂ שַׁדַּ֓י מְלָ֘כִ֤ים בָּ֗הּ תַּשְׁלֵ֥ג בְּצַלְמֽוֹן׃
BSAifʼim to lie downshâkab betweenbêyn ash heepshâphâth wingkânâph doveyôwnâh to coverchâphâh silverkeçeph pinionʼebrâh greenishyᵉraqraq sharpchărûwts
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| בְּפָ֘רֵ֤שׂ | when scatters | Preposition, verb piel infinitive construct common |
| שַׁדַּ֓י | [the] Almighty | Noun proper |
| מְלָ֘כִ֤ים | kings | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| בָּ֗הּ | in it | Preposition, suffix |
| תַּשְׁלֵ֥ג | let it snow | Verb, Hiphil, jussive third person feminine singular |
| בְּצַלְמֽוֹן׃ | on Zalmon | Preposition, noun proper |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | When the Almighty scattered the kings in the land, it was like the snow falling on Zalmon. |
| KJV | When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon. |
| ASV | When the Almighty scattered kings therein, It was as when it snoweth in Zalmon. |
| YLT | When the Mighty spreadeth kings in it, It doth snow in Salmon. |
| WEB | When the Almighty scattered kings in her, it snowed on Zalmon. |
| BBE | When the Most High put the kings to flight, it was as white as snow in Salmon. |
Where they part company is minimal; all translations agree on the essential meaning.
The sentence consists of a main clause followed by descriptive and comparative phrases, emphasizing God's action and the imagery of snow.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectנ
verbיוֹנָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 6 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
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 68:14
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 — Celebration of God's Powergenerated
Psalms 68:14 illustrates God's might as He scatters kings like snow falling on a mountain. This imagery emphasizes His authority over rulers and nature, reminding the audience of His protective and powerful presence. The psalm continues to celebrate God's dwelling place and His choice of Zion as His eternal home, reinforcing the theme of divine sovereignty.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 21:3–21 | And the LORD heard Israel’s plea and delivered up the Canaanites. Israel devoted them and their cities to destruction; so they named the place Hormah. |
| 2 | Joshua 10:10–43 | And the LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, who defeated them in a great slaughter at Gibeon, pursued them along the ascent to Beth-horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah. |
| 3 | Joshua 12:1–24 | Now these are the kings of the land whom the Israelites struck down and whose lands they took beyond the Jordan to the east, from the Arnon Valley to Mount Hermon, including all the Arabah eastward: |
| 4 | Revelation 19:14–21 | The armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and pure, follow Him on white horses. |
| 5 | Judges 2:7 | And the people served the LORD throughout the days of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him, who had seen all the great works that the LORD had done for Israel. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — פָּרַשׂ, parasgenerated
The verb פָּרַשׂ (paras) means 'to spread out' or 'to scatter.' It conveys the action of breaking apart or dispersing, reflecting both physical and metaphorical meanings in the biblical context. The parsing as a piel infinitive construct indicates an active and intentional action of scattering.
In this verse, the Almighty's scattering of kings illustrates His supreme power over earthly authorities. The use of this verb emphasizes that God actively intervenes in history, shaping events according to His will.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study references the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the word scattered.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb פָּרַשׂ governs the verse, indicating an action performed by the subject שַׁדַּי (the Almighty). The structure includes a prepositional phrase describing the subject's action and another prepositional phrase that introduces the object of the scattering.
The order of the Hebrew words places emphasis on God's action first, followed by the kings and the simile of snow, highlighting the contrast between divine power and earthly rulers.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates the action of scattering with the Greek word κοιμηθῆτε, which suggests a passive sense of being laid down or placed, indicating a different nuance from the active scattering in the Hebrew.
This choice may reflect an interpretative shift, focusing on the result of God's action rather than the action itself.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 68:14 describes how God, referred to as the Almighty, scatters kings like snow falling on a mountain called Zalmon. This imagery highlights God's power and authority over rulers and nature.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies God's control over earthly rulers, demonstrating His supreme authority and ability to intervene in human affairs.
The snow symbolizes purity and transformation, illustrating how God's actions can change the landscape of power and authority.
Zalmon is a mountain that represents a place of shade and refuge, emphasizing God's protective nature over His people.
It showcases His might and sovereignty, reinforcing the belief that He is in control of all creation and the affairs of humanity.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I seen God's power at work in my life or in the world around me?
- How can I trust in God's sovereignty when faced with challenges or uncertainties?
- What does the imagery of snow falling on a mountain teach me about God's provision and care?
- How can I reflect God's authority in my own life and interactions with others?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentary on this verse includes Augustine, who reflects on God's power in scattering kings and the imagery of snow.
"While He that is above the heavens distinguishes kings over Her, with snow they shall be made white in Selmon" [Psalms 68:14].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 68 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 68:14 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleWhen the Almighty scattered kings in it,.... His inheritance, his congregation, the church, Psalms 68:9.
Read John Gill on Psalms 68 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it. -God's doings for His people from the time of their entrance into Canaan until the setting up of the sanctuary in Zion. Verse 11.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 68 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleIn it; in Canaan, at the coming of the Israelites thither. The land was as white as Mount Salmon is with the snow, which falls and lies for a long time upon it; which is opposed to the native obscurity of that mountain by the many shady trees which were there, . But because there is nothing certain, either concernirig the great height of this mountain, or concerning its snow, as we do read of snow of Lebanon, , other interpreters, both Hebrew and Christian, and the Chaldee among the rest, take this word Salmon for a common, and not a proper name, signifying darkness or a shadow, as the root from whence it comes unquestionably signifies. Nor is it strange if this word be no where else taken…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 68 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 68:14 When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was [white] as snow in Salmon.Ver. 14. When the Almighty scattered kings in it] i.e. In the wilderness as they passed; or in Canaan which they possessed, according to Psalms 68:1. Or, scattered kings for her, that is, for his Church, or for her that tarrieth at home, Psalms 68:12, a periphrasis of the Church, in the times of primitive persecution especially, till the Almighty scattered those persecuting princes. Some of the Jewish doctors understand it to be Gog and Magog. It was white as snow in Salmon] Or, she was white as snow in Salmon; not only as the wings of a dove, but glorious and glittering as snow on that high hill, Judges…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 68 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(11-14) These verses refer to the conquest of Canaan, the long history of which is, however, here crowded into one supreme and crowning moment: a word from God, and all was done.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 68 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges14. Of this verse, as of Psa 68:13, the meaning is uncertain. Possibly it too is a fragment, significant to those who remembered its original context, but necessarily obscure to us. It is doubtful, too, if the text is sound. In it, R.V. therein, must mean ‘in the land.’ Salmon, R.V. Zalmon, is only known to us as the name of a wooded hill near Shechem, from which Abimelech fetched wood to burn the tower of Shechem (Judges 9:48). But the name, which means ‘dark’ or ‘shady’ (cp. Black Mountain, Black Forest), may have been borne by other mountains. If Zalmon near Shechem is intended, it may be mentioned either as a central point in the land, or from its connexion with some historical incident…
Read Cambridge on Psalms 68 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleWhen the Almighty scattered kings in it - The Hebrew here is, “In the scattering of (that is, by) the Almighty of kings.” The reference is to the act of God in causing kings to abandon their purposes
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 68 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible14. Scattered kings—These kings are enumerated in Joshua 12. In it— That is, in the land. The allusion seems to be specially to the conquest of the nations of Canaan by Joshua. See chapters 10 and 12.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 68 →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
When the Almighty scattered the kings in the land, it was like the snow falling on Zalmon.
When the Almighty scattered kings in her, it snowed on Zalmon.
When the Almighty scattered the kings in the land, it was like the snow falling on Zalmon.
When the sovereign judge scatters kings, let it snow on Zalmon!
Tyndale line
When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon.
When the Almighty scattered kings therein, It was as when it snoweth in Zalmon.
When the Almighty scattered kings therein, it was as when it snoweth in Zalmon.
When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon.
When the Almightie scattered Kings in it, it was white as the snowe in Zalmon.
Strictly literal
When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it became snow-white as Zalmon.
When the Mighty spreadeth kings in it, It doth snow in Salmon.
When the Mighty spreads kings in it, it snows in Salmon.
(68:15) When the Almighty scattered kings in the midst of her, then even in darkness shone light [as pure] as snow.
The Almighty scattered kings there, it was as when it snowed on Mount Zalmon.
From the Latin
But as for me, my prayer is to thee, O Lord; for the time of thy good pleasure, O God. In the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.
Simplified
The Almighty scattered the foreign kings like a snowstorm on Mount Zalmon.
When the Most High put the kings to flight, it was as white as snow in Salmon.
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 presents this verse as it stands, while the Septuagint matches five of the six words, indicating a close alignment. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain fragments that suggest some editorial restoration but do not alter the essential meaning of the verse.
בְּפָ֘רֵ֤שׂ שַׁדַּ֓י מְלָ֘כִ֤ים בָּ֗הּ תַּשְׁלֵ֥ג בְּצַלְמֽוֹן׃
5 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.
[בירקרק] [חרוץ]
2 words of the verse are on this fragment — 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 68:14
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.
פָּרַשׂ (paras) is a Hebrew verb meaning to spread out or scatter. It encompasses actions like breaking apart, dispersing, and stretching forth. The word appears in various forms, including Qal (to spread), Niphal (to be scattered), and Piel (to scatter). The entries collectively highlight its use in contexts of spreading or scattering, but do not provide specific verse references.
פָּרַשׂ vb. spread out, spread
Qal
spread out
spread
Niph. they shall be scattered
Pi.
spread out
= scatter
base
H6566 פָּרַשׂ spread out, spread
6566 paras paw-ras'
a primitive root; to break apart, disperse, etc.:--break,
chop in pieces, lay open, scatter, spread (abroad, forth,
selves, out), stretch (forth, out).
פָּרַשׂ (pa.ra.s) — to spread.
1) to spread, spread out, stretch, break in pieces
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to spread out, display
1a2) to spread over
1b) (Niphal) to be scattered, be spread out
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to spread out
1c1) to scatter
HR/Vpcc — Preposition · verb piel infinitive construct commonHR/Vpcc
שַׁדַּי (Shadday) is a Hebrew word meaning 'Almighty' and is often used to refer to God. It is derived from a root that suggests self-sufficiency. The entries indicate that this term emphasizes God's power and might, and it is recognized as another name for the LORD (יהוה).
שַׁדַּי 48 n.m.dei (etym. dub. (1) (self-)sufficient. (2) = Almighty)
base
H7706 שַׁדַּי (etym. dub. (1) (self-)sufficient. (2) = Almighty)
7706 Shadday shad-dah'-ee
from 7703; the Almighty:--Almighty.
see HEBREW for 07703
שַׁדַּי (shad.day) — Almighty.
Shaddai, the Almighty (God)
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
This name means almighty, most powerful
HNpt — Noun properHNpt
ol-mit'-i:
(1) (shaddai (Ge 17:1)): Found in the Old Testament forty-eight times, most of these in the Book of Job; it occurs either alone or in combination with 'el, "God"). The root meaning is uncertain.
(2) (pantokrator), the exclusive translation of this Greek word in the New Testament, found principally in Re (nine times), once besides (2Co 6:18). Its occurrence in the Apocrypha is frequent. See GOD, NAMES OF.
The Hebrew word מֶ֫לֶךְ (*melek*) means 'king.' It is derived from a root that suggests royalty. The term appears in various contexts, including references to specific kings and locations, such as the 'King's Highway' in Numbers 20:17 and the 'King's Valley' in Genesis 14:17. The lexicons note its Aramaic equivalent and mention its use in the context of individuals like Hammelech in Jeremiah.
מֶ֫לֶךְ 2513 n.m. king
base
H4428 מֶ֫לֶךְ king
4428 melek meh'-lek
from 4427; a king:--king, royal.
see HEBREW for 04427
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — king.
1) king
Aramaic equivalent: me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4430)
הַמֶּלֶךְ (me.lekh) — `the king`.
'the king' or a name, Hammelech in KJV of Jer.36.26; 38.6- a man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
§ A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Highway) (Num.20.17)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
Another name of she.lach (שֶׁ֫לַח "Shelah" H7975A)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — Milcom.
Another name of mo.lekh (מֹ֫לֶךְ "Molech" H4432)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
HNcmpa — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
of Judah and Israel. For the list see table at the end of this volume.
הָ (ha) — her.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person feminine singular
HR/Sp3fs — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3fs
שָׁלַג (shalag) is a verb meaning 'to snow' or 'to be snow-white.' It is a denominative verb derived from the root meaning to be white. The entries indicate its use in the Hiphil form, particularly in Psalm 68:15, where it describes something being as white as snow.
שָׁלַג vb. denom. Hiph. snow;—impers. ψ 68:15
ref
H7949 שָׁלַג vb. denom. Hiph. snow
7949 shalag shaw-lag'
a primitive root; properly, meaning to be white; used only as
denominative from 7950; to be snow-white (with the linen
clothing of the slain):--be as snow.
see HEBREW for 07950
שָׁלַג (sha.lag) — to snow.
(Hiphil) to snow, be as snow
HVhj3fs — Verb · Hiphil · jussive third person feminine singularHVhj3fs
sno (shelegh, telagh (Da 7:9); chion):
(1) Snow is not uncommon in the winter in Jerusalem, but it never reaches any depth and in many winters it is not seen at all. It usually disappears, for the most part, as soon as the sun appears, though it may "hide itself" for a time in the gorge cut by a stream (Job 6:16). On lower levels than Jerusalem there is never sufficient to cover the ground, though often there are some flakes seen in the air. Even at sea-level there is occasionally a sufficient fall of hail to cover the ground. A very exceptional snowfall is related in 1 Macc 13:22 at Adora (near Hebron). It was heavy enough to prevent the movement of troops.
Snow
Common in Palestine in winter (Ps. 147:16). The snow on the tops of the Lebanon range is almost always within view throughout the whole year. The word is frequently used figuratively by the sacred writers (Job 24:19; Ps. 51:7; 68:14; Isa. 1:18). It is mentioned only once in the historical books (2 Sam. 23:20). It was “carried to Tyre, Sidon, and Damascus as a luxury, and labourers sweltering in the hot harvest-fields used it for the purpose of cooling the water which they drank (Prov. 25:13; Jer. 18:14).…
This historical books of the Bible contain only two notices of snow actually falling -- (2 Samuel 23:20) 1Macc 13:22; but the allusions in the poetical books are so numerous that there can be no doubt as to its being an ordinary occurrence in the winter months. (Psalms 147:16; 148:8) The snow lies deep in the ravines of the highest ridge of Lebanon until the summer is far advanced and indeed never wholly disappears; the summit of Hermon also perpetually glistens with frozen snow. From these sources probably the Jews obtained their supplies of ice for the purpose of cooling their beverages in summer. (Proverbs 25:13) The liability to snow must of course vary considerably in a country of such varying altitude as Palestine. At…
Is often alluded to in Scripture, for its whiteness, Ex 4:6; Nu 12:10; 2Ki 5:27; Ps 51:7; Isa 1:18, and for its cleansing qualities, Job 9:30. The expression in Pr 25:13, "as the cold of snow in the time of harvest," alludes to its use in preparing cool drinks for the reapers; while on the other hand, in Pr 26:1, "snow in summer," that is, a fall of snow, being unseasonable and unnatural, is compared to honors inappropriately lavished on a fool. Snow from…
צַלְמוֹן (Tsalmown) refers to both a mountain and a person in biblical texts. The mountain, likely located near Shechem, is described as shady and possibly snow-capped. The name also belongs to a hero of David, mentioned in 2 Samuel 23:28, who is identified as an Ahohite and also referred to as Ilai in 1 Chronicles.
צַלְמוֹן n.pr.mont.
near Shechem, not identif.
snow-capped mt., prob. E. of Jordan
base
צַלְמוֹן n.pr.m. a hero of David 2 S 23:28
ref
H6756a צַלְמוֹן n. pr. mont. . near Shechem, not identif.
. snow-capped mt., prob. E. of Jordan
H6756b צַלְמוֹן a hero of David
6756 Tsalmown tsal-mone'
from 6754; shady; Tsalmon, the name of a place in Palestine
and of an Israelite:--Zalmon.
see HEBREW for 06754
צַלְמוֹן (tsal.mon) — (Mount) Zalmon.
Zalmon = "shady"
a wooded hill in Samaria near Shechem
Another name of e.val (עֵיבָל "(Mount )Ebal" H5858C)
צַלְמוֹן (tsal.mon) — Zalmon.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.23.28; also called Ilai at 1Ch.11.29;
Also named: i.lay (עִילַי "Ilai" H5866)
§ Zalmon = "shady"
an Ahohite, one of David's mighty warriors
HR/Npl — Preposition · noun properHR/Npl
zal'-mon (tsalmon; Selmon, oros Ermon; the King James Version Salmon (Ps 68:14)):
(1) From the slopes of Mt. Zalmon, Abimelech and his followers gathered the wood with which they burned down "the stronghold of the house of El-berith," which may have been the citadel of Shechem (Jud 9:46). The mountain therefore was not far from the city; but no name resembling this has yet been recovered in Mt. Ephraim. It is just possible that in the modern Arabic name of Mt. Ebal, es-Sulemiyeh, there may be an echo of Zalmon. It is precisely to this mountain, especially to the western slopes, that one would expect Abimelech and his people to go for the purpose in view. The name occurs again in Ps 68:14, a passage of admitted difficulty. Snow…
Zalmon
Shady. (1.) One of David’s warriors, called the Ahohite (2 Sam. 23:28); called also Ilai (1 Chr. 11:29).
(2.) A wood near Shechem, from which Abimelech and his party brought boughs and “put them to the hold” of Shechem, “and set the hold on fire” (Judg. 9:48). Probably the southern peak of Gerizim, now called Jebel Sulman. (See SALMON.)
(shady), an Ahohite one of David’s guard. (2 Samuel 23:28)
his shade; his image