Psalm 107:16
New International Version
for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.

New Living Translation
For he broke down their prison gates of bronze; he cut apart their bars of iron.

English Standard Version
For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron.

Berean Standard Bible
For He has broken down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron.

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

New King James Version
For He has broken the gates of bronze, And cut the bars of iron in two.

New American Standard Bible
For He has shattered gates of bronze And cut off bars of iron.

NASB 1995
For He has shattered gates of bronze And cut bars of iron asunder.

NASB 1977
For He has shattered gates of bronze, And cut bars of iron asunder.

Legacy Standard Bible
For He has shattered the doors of bronze And cut through the bars of iron.

Amplified Bible
For He has shattered the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron apart.

Christian Standard Bible
For he has broken down the bronze gates and cut through the iron bars.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For He has broken down the bronze gates and cut through the iron bars.

American Standard Version
For he hath broken the gates of brass, And cut the bars of iron in sunder.

Contemporary English Version
He breaks down bronze gates and shatters iron locks.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He shattered bronze gates and cut iron bars in two.

Good News Translation
He breaks down doors of bronze and smashes iron bars.

International Standard Version
For he shattered bronze gates and cut through iron bars.

Majority Standard Bible
For He has broken down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron.

NET Bible
For he shattered the bronze gates, and hacked through the iron bars.

New Heart English Bible
For he has broken the gates of bronze, and cut through bars of iron.

Webster's Bible Translation
For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron asunder.

World English Bible
For he has broken the gates of bronze, and cut through bars of iron.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For He has broken doors of bronze, "" And He has cut bars of iron.

Young's Literal Translation
For He hath broken doors of brass, And bars of iron He hath cut.

Smith's Literal Translation
For he broke the brazen doors, and cut off the bars of iron.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Because he hath broken gates of brass, and burst the iron bars.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For he has crushed the gates of brass and broken the iron bars.

New American Bible
For he broke down the gates of bronze and snapped the bars of iron.

New Revised Standard Version
For he shatters the doors of bronze, and cuts in two the bars of iron.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For he has broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron asunder.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because he shattered the gates of brass and has cut down the bars of iron.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For He hath broken the gates of brass, And cut the bars of iron in sunder.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For he broke to pieces the brazen gates, and crushed the iron bars.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Give Thanks to the LORD, for He is Good
15Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men. 16For He has broken down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron. 17Fools, in their rebellious ways, and through their iniquities, suffered affliction.…

Cross References
Isaiah 45:2
“I will go before you and level the mountains; I will break down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron.

Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,

Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed,

Acts 12:7
Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists.

Job 12:14
What He tears down cannot be rebuilt; the man He imprisons cannot be released.

Isaiah 42:7
to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out of the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house.

Jeremiah 28:13-14
“Go and tell Hananiah that this is what the LORD says: ‘You have broken a yoke of wood, but in its place you have fashioned a yoke of iron.’ / For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘I have put a yoke of iron on the neck of all these nations to make them serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and they will serve him. I have even given him control of the beasts of the field.’”

Matthew 16:19
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Revelation 3:7
To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open.

Acts 16:26
Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose.

Isaiah 45:1
This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut:

Jeremiah 50:33-34
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “The sons of Israel are oppressed, and the sons of Judah as well. All their captors hold them fast, refusing to release them. / Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of Hosts is His name. He will fervently plead their case so that He may bring rest to the earth, but turmoil to those who live in Babylon.

Zechariah 9:11
As for you, because of the blood of My covenant, I will release your prisoners from the waterless pit.

John 8:36
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Romans 6:18
You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.


Treasury of Scripture

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

Judges 16:3
And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of an hill that is before Hebron.

Isaiah 45:1,2
Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; …

Micah 2:13
The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them.

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Psalm 107
1. The psalmist exhorts the redeemed in praising God to observe his manifold providence
4. Over travelers
10. Over captives
17. Over sick men
23. Over sailors
33. And in diverse varieties of life.














For He has broken
The phrase "For He has broken" emphasizes the divine action and power of God. The Hebrew root for "broken" is "shabar," which conveys the idea of shattering or breaking into pieces. This action signifies God's ability to dismantle barriers and obstacles that stand in the way of His people. Historically, this reflects God's intervention in the lives of the Israelites, delivering them from bondage and oppression. It is a reminder of God's sovereignty and His active role in the lives of believers, breaking the chains of sin and spiritual captivity.

the gates of bronze
The "gates of bronze" symbolize strong, seemingly impenetrable barriers. In ancient times, bronze was a symbol of strength and durability, often used in fortifications and city gates. The imagery here suggests that no matter how formidable the obstacle, God's power is sufficient to overcome it. This can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual and emotional barriers that people face, which God can break through to bring freedom and deliverance. The historical context may also allude to the liberation of the Israelites from their enemies, showcasing God's might in overcoming humanly insurmountable challenges.

and cut through
The phrase "and cut through" further illustrates the decisive and effective action of God. The Hebrew word "gazar" is used here, meaning to cut or divide. This action implies precision and intentionality, highlighting God's ability to make a way where there seems to be none. It reflects the idea that God not only breaks down barriers but also clears a path for His people, ensuring their safe passage and deliverance. This can be seen as an assurance to believers that God is actively working to remove obstacles in their lives.

bars of iron
"Bars of iron" represent another layer of strong, unyielding barriers. Iron, like bronze, was a material associated with strength and resilience in ancient times. The use of "iron" here underscores the formidable nature of the obstacles that God can overcome. In a spiritual sense, it signifies the breaking of chains and the liberation from bondage, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. This imagery reassures believers of God's unparalleled power to free them from the most entrenched forms of captivity, offering hope and encouragement that no situation is beyond His ability to transform.

-16Isaiah 45:2 was present to the poet's mind.

Virgil's picture of the shrine of war ('n. vii. 607) has been compared to this.

Verse 16. - For he hath broken the gates of brass. God completely liberates the un happy ones who turn to him; removes every restraint that confines and galls them; breaks on their behalf, as it were, "gates of brass." And cut the bars of iron in sunder. Snaps fetters and prison bars.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
כִּֽי־ (kî·ši-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

He has broken down
שִׁ֭בַּר (bar)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7665: To break, break in pieces

the gates
דַּלְת֣וֹת (dal·ṯō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 1817: Something swinging, the valve of a, door

of bronze
נְחֹ֑שֶׁת (nə·ḥō·šeṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5178: Copper, something made of that metal, coin, a fetter, base

and cut through
גִּדֵּֽעַ׃ (gid·dê·a‘)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1438: To fell a, tree, to destroy anything

the bars
וּבְרִיחֵ֖י (ū·ḇə·rî·ḥê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1280: A bolt

of iron.
בַרְזֶ֣ל (ḇar·zel)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1270: Iron, an iron implement


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OT Poetry: Psalm 107:16 For he has broken the gates (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 107:15
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