Psalms 21:10 (KJV)

What does Psalms 21:10 mean?

Psalms 21:10 says that God will completely remove the descendants (“fruit” and “seed”) of those who oppose Him from the earth, leaving no trace of them among humanity. The verse uses strong language to show a total and lasting judgment against enemies.

In this psalm, King David is speaking to God, celebrating God’s strength and victories on behalf of the king. The verse comes in a section where David describes how God deals with those who plot evil against His chosen one. The “fruit” and “seed” refer to both the works and the future generations of these enemies, emphasizing that their influence and legacy will be wiped out.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 21:10

• “fruit” (פְּרִי, peri; H6529): This word often means literal fruit, but here it points to the results or offspring of a person’s life. The verse uses it to refer to the enemies’ descendants or what they produce.
• “destroy” (אָבַד, ’avad; H6): This word means to perish or be lost. In this context, it stresses a complete removal, not just a temporary setback.
• “seed” (זֶרַע, zera‘; H2233): This word means offspring or descendants. The verse highlights that not just the current generation but future generations of these enemies will be cut off.
• “children” (בֵּן, ben; H1121) and “men” (אָדָם, adam; H120): These words together underline that the removal will be from among all people, not just a specific group.

Why Psalms 21:10 matters

• Psalms 21:10 clarifies that the judgment described is not only against individuals but also against their ongoing influence and legacy, which is a stronger statement than just personal defeat.
• The verse connects to the larger theme of Psalms 21, where God’s protection of the king includes not just immediate victory but also long-term security from enemies.
• Understanding the original words for “fruit” and “seed” helps show that this is about more than physical destruction—it’s about erasing the future impact of those who oppose God’s purposes.