Psalms 106:26

26 So he lifted up his hand and promised with an oath that he would make them die in the desert.

Psalms 106:26 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 106:26

Therefore he lifted up his hand against them
A gesture used in swearing, ( Genesis 14:22 Genesis 14:23 ) ( Revelation 10:5 Revelation 10:6 ) . So the Targum understands it here,

``and he lifted up his hand with an oath, because of them:''

and so it is interpreted by Aben Ezra, Jarchi, Kimchi, and Ben Melech; and agrees with ( Numbers 14:28-30 ) . The same gesture was used by the Heathens in swearing, as by Latinus ^F19. Or he lifted up his hand, in a way of judgment, to strike the blow; and which, when it lights on man with the indignation of his anger, falls heavy; see ( Isaiah 26:11 ) ( 30:30 ) . To overthrow them in the wilderness; as he did all the murmuring generation that came out of Egypt, all but Caleb and Joshua; all from twenty years and upwards, their carcasses fell in the wilderness; there they were wasted, consumed, and died, ( Numbers 14:32 Numbers 14:33 Numbers 14:35 ) ( 1 Corinthians 10:5 ) ( Hebrews 3:17 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F19 "----Tenditque ad sidera dextram--Terram, mare, sidera juro", Virg. Aeneid. 12.

Psalms 106:26 In-Context

24 Later on, they refused to enter the pleasant land of Canaan. They didn't believe God's promise.

25 In their tents they told the LORD how unhappy they were. They didn't obey him.

26 So he lifted up his hand and promised with an oath that he would make them die in the desert.

27 He promised he would scatter their children's children among the nations. He would make them die in other lands.

28 They joined in worshiping the Baal that was worshiped at Peor. They ate food that had been offered to gods that aren't even alive.