they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The profound depth of "soul abhorreth" here isn't just about a lack of appetite; it highlights how sickness can utterly consume a person's whole being, reaching beyond the physical body to the very core of their existence. This total loss of desire, even for life-giving food, paints a stark picture of how completely the forces of decay can grip someone, bringing them literally to the brink of the grave.
they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse describes people who, through their foolishness and iniquities, have fallen so desperately ill that they've lost all appetite and are on the brink of death. It highlights a profound physical breakdown that signifies a state of near-total despair and imminent demise.
Ever felt so sick you couldn't stand the sight of food? This verse paints a picture of that physical despair, but it speaks to something even deeper.
The phrase 'their soul abhorreth all manner of meat' isn't just about physical sickness. In the ancient Hebrew way of thinking, the 'soul' was deeply connected to one's deepest desires and appetites. When their soul loathed food, it meant every fiber of their being was revolted, signaling a complete breakdown of physical sustenance. It’s a powerful image of utter depletion and a life hanging by a thread.
Imagine being so close to the end that you can see the entrance. This verse uses a vivid metaphor to describe the brink of disaster.
'They draw near unto the gates of death' is a striking metaphor. Death wasn't just an event, but a place or a realm, often pictured as a fortified city with gates. To be 'near the gates' meant they were on the very precipice of the underworld, perilously close to the point of no return. It conveys a profound sense of hopelessness and impending doom, where life's grip is loosening fast.
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This passage describes a person so sick that their appetite vanishes, a vivid parallel to the extreme loss of desire for food mentioned in Psalms 107:18, highlighting the physical ravages of severe affliction.
Psalms 88:3This psalm powerfully echoes the sentiment of being brought to the brink of death, describing a soul overwhelmed with trouble and close to the grave, mirroring the desperation found in Psalms 107:18.
Proverbs 5:11-12This proverb speaks to the consequence of reckless living, where one might later lament their physical state and the 'wasting away' of their body, which connects to the severe affliction and near-death experience in Psalms 107:18.
Isaiah 38:10King Hezekiah's own words vividly describe his near-death experience, where he felt his life cut short and was delivered to the gates of Sheol, resonating with the profound sense of approaching death in Psalms 107:18.
clarkePsalms 107:18: "Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death."
Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat - A natural description of a sick man: appetite is gone, and all desire for food fails; nutriment is no longer necessary, for death has seized upon the whole frame. See a similar image, Job 33:20 (note).
ellicottPsalms 107:18: "Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death."
(18) Soul. —The Hebrew word for soul is very commonly used for strong appetite (see Psalm 107:9 ), so that we might paraphrase,” their appetite is turned to loathing.” Comp. this verse with Job 33:20 .
The profound depth of "soul abhorreth" here isn't just about a lack of appetite; it highlights how sickness can utterly consume a person's whole being, reaching beyond the physical body to the very core of their existence. This total loss of desire, even for life-giving food, paints a stark picture of how completely the forces of decay can grip someone, bringing them literally to the brink of the grave.
This verse describes people who, through their foolishness and iniquities, have fallen so desperately ill that they've lost all appetite and are on the brink of death. It highlights a profound physical breakdown that signifies a state of near-total despair and imminent demise.
This verse describes people who, through their foolishness and iniquities, have fallen so desperately ill that they've lost all appetite and are on the brink of death. It highlights a profound physical breakdown that signifies a state of near-total despair and imminent demise.
"they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death." — The profound depth of "soul abhorreth" here isn't just about a lack of appetite; it highlights how sickness can utterly consume a person's whole being, reaching beyond the physical body to the very c…
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Last reviewed October 2026