King James Version

What Does Psalms 106:23 Mean?

Psalms 106:23 in the King James Version says “Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his ...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 106 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.”

Psalms 106:23 · KJV

Context

21

They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt;

22

Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea.

23

Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.

24

Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word: the pleasant: Heb. a land of desire

25

But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD.

Read Psalms 106 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse describes Moses's intercessory role during the golden calf crisis. 'Therefore he said that he would destroy them' shows God's righteous intention to judge the idolatrous nation. 'Had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach' uses military imagery—Moses stood in the gap like a defender in a breached wall. 'Stood before him' indicates priestly intercession (Deuteronomy 10:8). 'To turn away his wrath' shows Moses's prayer averted deserved judgment. This prefigures Christ's intercessory work—standing between God's wrath and sinful humanity (1 Timothy 2:5). Moses's intercession (Exodus 32:11-14, 30-34) demonstrates covenant mediator principles: an appointed representative pleads for mercy on behalf of guilty people.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Exodus 32:7-14 records God's anger and intention to destroy Israel and start over with Moses. Moses interceded, appealing to God's glory among nations, His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and His covenant faithfulness. God 'repented of the evil' He said He would do—anthropomorphic language showing Moses's intercession was effective. This established the pattern of prophetic intercession seen throughout Israel's history (cf. Abraham for Sodom, Samuel for Israel, Jeremiah for Judah).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Moses's intercession prefigure Christ's mediatorial work?
  2. What does 'standing in the breach' teach about the role of intercessory prayer?
  3. How should God's willingness to hear intercession affect our prayer life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר1 of 11

“Therefore he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לְֽהַשְׁמִ֫ידָ֥ם2 of 11

“that he would destroy”

H8045

to desolate

לוּלֵ֡י3 of 11

“them had not”

H3884

if not

מֹ֘שֶׁ֤ה4 of 11

“Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

בְחִיר֗וֹ5 of 11

“his chosen”

H972

select

עָמַ֣ד6 of 11

“stood”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

בַּפֶּ֣רֶץ7 of 11

“him in the breach”

H6556

a break (literally or figuratively)

לְפָנָ֑יו8 of 11

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

לְהָשִׁ֥יב9 of 11

“to turn away”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

חֲ֝מָת֗וֹ10 of 11

“his wrath”

H2534

heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)

מֵֽהַשְׁחִֽית׃11 of 11

“lest he should destroy”

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 106:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 106:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 9:13-14Deuteronomy 9:25Ezekiel 22:30James 5:16Ezekiel 20:8Numbers 16:5

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