Bible Strands
2 Samuel 22:41
You have made my enemies retreat before me; I destroyed those who hated me.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David addresses God, recounting his military deliverance immediately after describing how the Lord armed him for battle and subdued his foes.
The words — The Hebrew תַּ֥תָּה (Ta.tah) meaning "you have given" paired with עֹ֑רֶף ('O.ref) meaning "a neck" forms the literal idiom "you have given a neck." This phrasing describes the forced submission of those who hate the speaker.
The thread — This motif of forced retreat appears in Exodus 23:27 where God sends terror ahead, Joshua 10:24 where commanders stand over conquered kings, and Genesis 49:8 where brothers bow to Judah.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that military victory originates from divine intervention rather than human strategy. It requires the reader to attribute survival and triumph solely to the speaker's God.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.
Cross-references
- Exodus 23:27 I will send My terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn and run.
- Joshua 10:24 When they had brought the kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had accompanied him, “Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So the commanders came forward and put their feet on their necks.
- Genesis 49:8 Judah, your brothers shall praise you. Your hand shall be on the necks of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down to you.
- Psalms 18:40 You have made my enemies retreat before me; I destroyed those who hated me.
- Psalms 21:8 Your hand will apprehend all Your enemies; Your right hand will seize those who hate You.
- Luke 19:14 But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We do not want this man to rule over us.’
- Luke 19:27 And these enemies of mine who were unwilling for me to rule over them, bring them here and slay them in front of me.’”
- 2 Thessalonians 1:8 in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.