For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.

PSALMS 107:16KJV
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Psalms 107:16 (KJV)

What does Psalms 107:16 mean?

Psalms 107:16 says that God has broken through strong barriers—described as gates of brass and bars of iron—to set people free. The verse uses the image of breaking metal gates and cutting iron bars to show God’s power to rescue from situations that seem impossible to escape.

This verse is part of a psalm where the writer, speaking to the gathered people of Israel, describes how God delivers those who are in trouble or captivity. The language points to God’s ability to overcome the strongest obstacles, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, and highlights God’s role as a rescuer throughout Israel’s history.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 107:16

  • "broken" (שָׁבַר, shavar): This word often means to shatter or smash, emphasizing a complete destruction of the gates, not just opening them.
  • "gates" (דֶּלֶת, delet): Refers to large, fortified doors, usually of a city or prison, suggesting strong defenses that keep people trapped.
  • "brass" (נְחוּשָׁה, nechosha): This word can mean bronze or copper, both used for strong, protective barriers in ancient times.
  • "bars" (בְּרִיחַ, beriach): These are the crossbars that secure gates or doors, making escape impossible unless they are removed.
  • "iron" (בַּרְזֶל, barzel): Iron was the strongest metal known to the ancient world, so cutting through iron bars shows overcoming the toughest resistance.
  • "cut" and "sunder" (גָּדַע, gada): This word means to cut off or hew down, stressing the forceful removal of obstacles.

Why Psalms 107:16 matters

  • The verse clears up the idea that no barrier—no matter how strong—can keep God from rescuing those in need, which would have been especially meaningful to people who had experienced captivity or oppression.
  • The strong imagery connects to earlier stories in Israel’s history, such as the Exodus or the return from exile, where God’s intervention broke through literal and figurative prisons.
  • This line is part of a pattern in Psalm 107, where each section describes a desperate situation and then God’s powerful deliverance, helping readers see a repeated theme of hope and rescue.

Where else these words appear

“cut” Hebrew H1438 · used in 23 verses

  • Deuteronomy 7:5 But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:7 And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.
  • Isaiah 45:2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

“bars” Hebrew H1280 · used in 37 verses

  • Exodus 26:26 And thou shalt make bars of shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle,
  • Numbers 4:31 And this is the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation; the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and sockets thereof,
  • Job 38:10 And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,

“iron” Hebrew H1270 · used in 70 verses

  • Genesis 4:22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
  • 2 Samuel 23:7 But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.
  • Psalms 107:10 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;

“gates” Hebrew H1817 · used in 78 verses

  • Genesis 19:6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,
  • 2 Kings 4:4 And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.
  • Nehemiah 7:3 And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house.