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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 74:14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You fed him to the creatures of the desert.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/74-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/19_Psa_074_014.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 74:14 - Why Have You Rejected Us Forever?" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You fed him to the creatures of the desert." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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you gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/74.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You fed him to the creatures of the desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/74.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, <i>and</i> gavest him <i>to be</i> meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/74.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />You broke the heads of Leviathan in pieces, <i>And</i> gave him <i>as</i> food to the people inhabiting the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/74.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/74.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/74.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Thou didst crush the heads of Leviathan; Thou didst give him as food for the creatures of the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/74.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You gave him as food for the creatures of the desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/74.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />You crushed the heads of Leviathan (Egypt); You gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/74.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />you crushed the heads of Leviathan; you fed him to the creatures of the desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/74.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You fed him to the creatures of the desert. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/74.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces; Thou gavest him to be food to the people inhabiting the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/74.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You crushed the heads of the monster Leviathan, then fed him to wild creatures in the desert. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/74.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, thou gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/74.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />You crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave them to the creatures of the desert for food. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/74.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />you crushed the heads of the monster Leviathan and fed his body to desert animals. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/74.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You crushed the heads of Leviathan. You set it as food for desert creatures. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/74.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You fed him to the creatures of the desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/74.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You crushed the heads of Leviathan; you fed him to the people who live along the coast. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/74.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You broke the heads of Leviathan in pieces. You gave him as food to people and desert creatures.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/74.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Thou didst break the head of leviathan in pieces, and didst give him to be food to the people inhabiting the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/74.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You broke the heads of Leviathan in pieces. You gave him as food to people and desert creatures. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/74.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You have broken the heads of leviathan, "" You make him food for the people of desert-dwellers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/74.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Thou hast broken the heads of leviathan, Thou makest him food, For the people of the dry places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/74.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thou didst break the heads of the sea monster, thou wilt give him for food to the people, to the inhabitants of the desert.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/74.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thou hast broken the heads of the dragon: thou hast given him to be meat for the people of the Ethiopians. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/74.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 73:14>You have broken the heads of the serpent. You have given him as food for the people of the Ethiopians.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/74.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You crushed the heads of Leviathan, gave him as food to the sharks. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/74.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You crushed the heads of Leviathan; you gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/74.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Thou didst break the heads of Leviathan in pieces, and thou gavest him as food to a strong people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/74.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />You broke the heads of Leviathan and you have given food to the mighty people.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/74.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Thou didst crush the heads of leviathan, Thou gavest him to be food to the folk inhabiting the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/74.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Thou didst break to pieces the heads of the dragon; thou didst give him <i>for</i> meat to the Ethiopian nations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/74-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=9081" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/74.htm">Why Have You Rejected Us Forever?</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">13</span>You divided the sea by Your strength; You smashed the heads of the dragons of the sea; <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">You</a> <a href="/hebrew/7533.htm" title="7533: riṣ·ṣaṣ·tā (V-Piel-Perf-2ms) -- To crush. A primitive root; to crack in pieces, literally or figuratively.">crushed</a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: rā·šê (N-mpc) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">the heads</a> <a href="/hebrew/3882.htm" title="3882: liw·yā·ṯān (N-ms) -- From lavah; a wreathed animal, i.e. A serpent; figuratively, the constellation of the dragon; also as a symbol of Bab.">of Leviathan;</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: tit·tə·nen·nū (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms:: 3mse) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">You fed him</a> <a href="/hebrew/3978.htm" title="3978: ma·’ă·ḵāl (N-ms) -- Food. From 'akal; an eatable."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: lə·‘ām (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">to the creatures</a> <a href="/hebrew/6728.htm" title="6728: lə·ṣî·yîm (Prep-l:: N-mp) -- From the same as tsiyah; a desert-dweller, i.e. Nomad or wild beast.">of the desert.</a> </span><span class="reftext">15</span>You broke open the fountain and the flood; You dried up the ever-flowing rivers.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/27-1.htm">Isaiah 27:1</a></span><br />In that day the LORD will take His sharp, great, and mighty sword, and bring judgment on Leviathan the fleeing serpent—Leviathan the coiling serpent—and He will slay the dragon of the sea.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/41-1.htm">Job 41:1</a></span><br />“Can you pull in Leviathan with a hook or tie down his tongue with a rope?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/29-3.htm">Ezekiel 29:3</a></span><br />Speak to him and tell him that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Pharaoh king of Egypt, O great monster who lies among his rivers, who says, ‘The Nile is mine; I made it myself.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/12-9.htm">Revelation 12:9</a></span><br />And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/20-2.htm">Revelation 20:2</a></span><br />He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/51-9.htm">Isaiah 51:9</a></span><br />Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD. Wake up as in days past, as in generations of old. Was it not You who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced through the dragon?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/3-8.htm">Job 3:8</a></span><br />May it be cursed by those who curse the day—those prepared to rouse Leviathan.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/13-1.htm">Revelation 13:1</a></span><br />Then I saw a beast with ten horns and seven heads rising out of the sea. There were ten royal crowns on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/17-3.htm">Revelation 17:3</a></span><br />And the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, where I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/17-9.htm">Revelation 17:9-14</a></span><br />This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. / There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. But when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. / The beast that was, and now is not, is an eighth king, who belongs to the other seven and is going into destruction. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/19-20.htm">Revelation 19:20</a></span><br />But the beast was captured along with the false prophet, who on its behalf had performed signs deceiving those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/21-1.htm">Revelation 21:1</a></span><br />Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/3-1.htm">Genesis 3:1</a></span><br />Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/7-12.htm">Exodus 7:12</a></span><br />Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up the other staffs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/21-6.htm">Numbers 21:6</a></span><br />So the LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and many of the Israelites were bitten and died.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">You brake the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gave him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.</p><p class="hdg">leviathan</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/104-25.htm">Psalm 104:25,26</a></b></br> <i>So is</i> this great and wide sea, wherein <i>are</i> things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/3-8.htm">Job 3:8</a></b></br> Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their mourning.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/41-1.htm">Job 41:1</a></b></br> Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord <i>which</i> thou lettest down?</p><p class="hdg">meat</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/72-9.htm">Psalm 72:9</a></b></br> They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/12-35.htm">Exodus 12:35,36</a></b></br> And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/14-30.htm">Exodus 14:30</a></b></br> Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/74-13.htm">Brakest</a> <a href="/psalms/74-13.htm">Break</a> <a href="/psalms/74-13.htm">Broke</a> <a href="/psalms/74-13.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/psalms/68-10.htm">Creatures</a> <a href="/psalms/74-8.htm">Crush</a> <a href="/psalms/72-4.htm">Crushed</a> <a href="/psalms/72-9.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/psalms/72-9.htm">Dry</a> <a href="/psalms/8-8.htm">Fishes</a> <a href="/genesis/33-15.htm">Folk</a> <a href="/psalms/69-21.htm">Food</a> <a href="/psalms/21-4.htm">Gavest</a> <a href="/psalms/74-13.htm">Great</a> <a href="/psalms/69-15.htm">Head</a> <a href="/psalms/74-13.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/psalms/9-11.htm">Inhabiting</a> <a href="/job/41-1.htm">Leviathan</a> <a href="/psalms/65-10.htm">Makest</a> <a href="/psalms/69-21.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/psalms/74-13.htm">Pieces</a> <a href="/psalms/74-8.htm">Places</a> <a href="/psalms/74-13.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/psalms/58-4.htm">Snake</a> <a href="/psalms/72-9.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/29-7.htm">Brakest</a> <a href="/psalms/89-31.htm">Break</a> <a href="/psalms/74-15.htm">Broke</a> <a href="/psalms/76-3.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/psalms/80-13.htm">Creatures</a> <a href="/psalms/89-10.htm">Crush</a> <a href="/psalms/74-21.htm">Crushed</a> <a href="/psalms/75-6.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/psalms/74-15.htm">Dry</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-12.htm">Fishes</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-26.htm">Folk</a> <a href="/psalms/78-18.htm">Food</a> <a href="/jeremiah/32-22.htm">Gavest</a> <a href="/psalms/76-1.htm">Great</a> <a href="/psalms/83-2.htm">Head</a> <a href="/psalms/82-7.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/psalms/84-4.htm">Inhabiting</a> <a href="/psalms/104-26.htm">Leviathan</a> <a href="/psalms/80-6.htm">Makest</a> <a href="/psalms/78-18.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/psalms/89-10.htm">Pieces</a> <a href="/psalms/74-20.htm">Places</a> <a href="/psalms/77-19.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/psalms/91-13.htm">Snake</a> <a href="/psalms/75-6.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 74</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/74-1.htm">The prophet complains of the desolation of the sanctuary</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/74-10.htm">He moves God to help in consideration of his power</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/74-18.htm">Of his reproachful enemies, or his children and of his covenant.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In ancient Near Eastern mythology, Leviathan represents chaos and opposition to divine order. The imagery of crushing its heads signifies a decisive victory over chaos and evil forces. This act of God is reminiscent of His deliverance of Israel from Egypt, where He demonstrated His power over the chaotic waters of the Red Sea. The crushing of Leviathan's heads can also be seen as a foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate victory over Satan and evil, as described in <a href="/revelation/12-9.htm">Revelation 12:9</a>, where the dragon, another symbol of chaos and evil, is defeated.<p><b>You fed him to the creatures of the desert.</b><br>This phrase suggests the complete and utter defeat of Leviathan, as its remains are given as food to the creatures of the desert. In the ancient world, the desert was often seen as a place of desolation and death, inhabited by wild animals and unclean spirits. By feeding Leviathan to these creatures, the text emphasizes the totality of God's victory and the humiliation of His enemies. This act can be compared to the prophetic imagery in <a href="/isaiah/34-11.htm">Isaiah 34:11-15</a>, where the desolation of Edom is described, and its land becomes a dwelling place for desert creatures. The feeding of Leviathan to the desert creatures also prefigures the ultimate judgment and destruction of evil, as seen in <a href="/revelation/19-17.htm">Revelation 19:17-18</a>, where the birds are invited to feast on the flesh of the defeated enemies of God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/l/leviathan.htm">Leviathan</a></b><br>A mythical sea creature often symbolizing chaos and opposition to God. In the context of <a href="/bsb/psalms/74.htm">Psalm 74</a>, Leviathan represents the forces of evil and chaos that God has power over.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_creatures_of_the_desert.htm">The Creatures of the Desert</a></b><br>These are the beings or animals that God provided for by feeding them with the defeated Leviathan. This imagery emphasizes God's provision and sovereignty over creation.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_psalmist.htm">The Psalmist</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/74.htm">Psalm 74</a>, traditionally attributed to Asaph, who is lamenting the destruction of the temple and calling upon God to remember His covenant and deliver His people.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_exodus.htm">The Exodus</a></b><br>While not directly mentioned in this verse, the imagery of God defeating a great sea creature can be connected to the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, where God demonstrated His power over the chaotic waters of the Red Sea.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_babylonian_exile.htm">The Babylonian Exile</a></b><br>The historical context of <a href="/bsb/psalms/74.htm">Psalm 74</a>, where the destruction of the temple and the exile of the Israelites serve as a backdrop for the psalmist's plea for divine intervention.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_chaos.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Chaos</a></b><br>The imagery of God crushing Leviathan's heads illustrates His ultimate authority over chaos and evil. Believers can trust in God's power to bring order and peace in their lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/provision_in_unexpected_ways.htm">Provision in Unexpected Ways</a></b><br>Feeding the creatures of the desert with Leviathan highlights God's provision. Even in desolate places, God provides for His creation, reminding us to trust in His provision in our own deserts.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_amidst_destruction.htm">Hope Amidst Destruction</a></b><br>The psalmist's lament amidst the destruction of the temple encourages believers to hold onto hope and faith in God's deliverance, even when circumstances seem dire.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_to_his_covenant.htm">God's Faithfulness to His Covenant</a></b><br>The plea for God to remember His covenant underscores His faithfulness. Believers are reminded of God's unchanging promises and His commitment to His people.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/v/victory_over_evil.htm">Victory Over Evil</a></b><br>The defeat of Leviathan symbolizes God's ultimate victory over evil. Christians are encouraged to live in the assurance of Christ's victory over sin and death.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_74.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 74</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_psalm_74_14_reflect_myth_or_science.htm">In Psalm 74:14, does the mention of crushing Leviathan’s heads reflect borrowed ancient mythological concepts, and how does this align with modern scientific views of sea creatures? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_term_'leviathan'_mean.htm">What does the term "leviathan" mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_leviathan_so_realistic_in_job_41.htm">If Leviathan is a metaphorical creature, why does Job 41 depict it with such realistic physical traits and capabilities? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_leviathan_in_isaiah_27_1_explained.htm">How can Isaiah 27:1 be reconciled with scientific knowledge in describing Leviathan as a literal sea monster? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/74.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(14) <span class= "bld">Leviathan.</span>--See last note.<p><span class= "bld">And gavest</span> <span class= "bld">him . . .</span>--The crocodile was eaten by the people of Elephantine (Herod. ii. 69), but there is no allusion here to that custom, nor to the <span class= "ital">Ichthyophagi </span>mentioned by Agatharchides, nor to the 'thiopians (as in the LXX.). It is the Egyptian corpses thrown up by the Red Sea that are to be devoured (comp. <a href="/context/ezekiel/29-3.htm" title="Speak, and say, Thus said the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lies in the middle of his rivers, which has said, My river is my own, and I have made it for myself.">Ezekiel 29:3-5</a>) by the "wild beasts," called here "people," as the ants and conies are (<a href="/context/proverbs/30-25.htm" title="The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;">Proverbs 30:25-26</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/74.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 14.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces.</span> Here the metaphor is only slightly varied, leviathan, "the crocodile," being substituted for <span class="accented">tannim</span>, "the dragon," or "sea monster," as the representative of the might of Egypt. <span class="cmt_word">And gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.</span> The corpses of the Egyptians thrown up upon the Red Sea shores (<a href="/exodus/14-30.htm">Exodus 14:30</a>) are certainly the "meat" intended. Whether the "people of dwellers in the wilderness" are cannibal tribes, or jackals and hyenas, is perhaps doubtful. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/74-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">You</span><br /><span class="heb">אַתָּ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(’at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">crushed</span><br /><span class="heb">רִ֭צַּצְתָּ</span> <span class="translit">(riṣ·ṣaṣ·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7533.htm">Strong's 7533: </a> </span><span class="str2">To crack in pieces</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the heads</span><br /><span class="heb">רָאשֵׁ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(rā·šê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> </span><span class="str2">The head</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Leviathan;</span><br /><span class="heb">לִוְיָתָ֑ן</span> <span class="translit">(liw·yā·ṯān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3882.htm">Strong's 3882: </a> </span><span class="str2">A wreathed animal, a serpent, dragon, Babylon</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You fed him</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּתְּנֶ֥נּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(tit·tə·nen·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the creatures</span><br /><span class="heb">לְעָ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(lə·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the desert.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְצִיִּֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ṣî·yîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6728.htm">Strong's 6728: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wild beast of the desert, that dwell in inhabiting the wilderness </span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/74-14.htm">Psalm 74:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/74-14.htm">Psalm 74:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/74-14.htm">Psalm 74:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/74-14.htm">Psalm 74:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/74-14.htm">Psalm 74:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/74-14.htm">Psalm 74:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/74-14.htm">Psalm 74:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/74-14.htm">Psalm 74:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/74-14.htm">Psalm 74:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/74-14.htm">Psalm 74:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/74-14.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 74:14 You broke the heads of Leviathan (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/74-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 74:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 74:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/74-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 74:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 74:15" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>