King James Version

What Does Psalms 147:14 Mean?

Psalms 147:14 in the King James Version says “He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat. He: Heb. Who maketh thy border peace fine...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 147 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat. He: Heb. Who maketh thy border peace finest: Heb. fat of wheat”

Psalms 147:14 · KJV

Peace

Context

12

Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.

13

For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.

14

He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat. He: Heb. Who maketh thy border peace finest: Heb. fat of wheat

15

He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.

16

He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat. The Hebrew hassam gevulek shalom (הַשָּׂם גְּבוּלֵךְ שָׁלוֹם) uses shalom (שָׁלוֹם), a rich term meaning peace, wholeness, completeness, and well-being. God establishes (hassam) this comprehensive peace within Israel's "borders" (gevulek, גְּבוּלֵךְ)—not merely absence of war, but positive flourishing, right relationships, and covenant harmony.

The agricultural imagery completes the picture: "filleth thee with the finest of the wheat" (chelev chittim yasbi'ek, חֵלֶב חִטִּים יַשְׂבִּיעֵךְ). The word chelev (חֵלֶב) literally means "fat" or "richest part," signifying the best quality grain. God doesn't merely provide subsistence but abundance—the choicest wheat that satisfies (yasbi'ek, from sava, to be satisfied or filled). This echoes Deuteronomy 32:13-14, where God fed Israel "with honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock... and fat of kidneys of wheat."

Spiritually, Jesus declares Himself "the bread of life" (John 6:35, 48), the ultimate "finest wheat" that satisfies humanity's deepest hunger. The Eucharistic imagery is unmistakable—Christ's body, broken bread, becomes spiritual nourishment for God's people. The peace He establishes is not geopolitical but reconciliation with God (Romans 5:1) and inner wholeness (Philippians 4:7).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's agricultural economy made wheat the staple grain, ground into flour for daily bread. Quality wheat meant survival and prosperity; poor harvests meant famine. The covenant promised agricultural blessing for obedience (Deuteronomy 28:4-5) and crop failure for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:38-40). Post-exilic Judah struggled economically (Haggai 1:6; Nehemiah 5:1-5), making God's promise of finest wheat particularly precious—pointing to future restoration.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's provision of 'shalom' (comprehensive well-being) differ from the world's definition of peace?
  2. In what ways does Jesus, as 'the bread of life,' fulfill God's promise to fill His people with the finest wheat?
  3. Where in your life do you need to move from barely surviving to experiencing God's abundant satisfaction?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
הַשָּׂם1 of 6

“He maketh”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

גְּבוּלֵ֥ךְ2 of 6

“in thy borders”

H1366

properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed

שָׁל֑וֹם3 of 6

“peace”

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

חֵ֥לֶב4 of 6

“thee with the finest”

H2459

fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part

חִ֝טִּ֗ים5 of 6

“of the wheat”

H2406

wheat, whether the grain or the plant

יַשְׂבִּיעֵֽךְ׃6 of 6

“and filleth”

H7646

to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (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 147:14 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 147:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 29:11Isaiah 60:17-18Psalms 81:16Psalms 132:15Deuteronomy 32:14Psalms 122:6

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