King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
When they were [but] a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.
Complete Jewish Bible:
When they were but few in number, and not only few, but aliens there too,
Berean Standard Bible:
When they were few in number, few indeed, and strangers in the land,
American Standard Version:
When they were but a few men in number, Yea, very few, and sojourners in it.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
When they were but a few men{H4962} in number{H4557}; yea, very few{H4592}, and strangers{H1481} in it.
Cross-References (KJV):
Deuteronomy 7:7
- The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye [were] the fewest of all people:
Genesis 34:30
- And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I [being] few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
Hebrews 11:9
- By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as [in] a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
Genesis 23:4
- I [am] a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.
Deuteronomy 26:5
- And thou shalt speak and say before the LORD thy God, A Syrian ready to perish [was] my father, and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous:
Acts 7:5
- And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not [so much as] to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when [as yet] he had no child.
Isaiah 51:2
- Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah [that] bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Psalms 105:12
Psalm 105:12 is part of a larger psalm that recounts the history of God's faithfulness to Israel, from the time of the patriarchs through the giving of the law and the conquest of the Promised Land. The verse specifically speaks to a time when the Israelites were a small group, insignificant in number and foreigners in the land they inhabited, likely referring to the period when the family of Jacob first went down to Egypt as recorded in the book of Genesis.
In its historical context, this verse alludes to the early days of the Israelite sojourn in Egypt, where Joseph had risen to a position of power. His family joined him in Egypt to escape a famine in Canaan. Initially, they were welcomed and given the best of the land in Goshen. However, as their numbers grew, the Egyptians began to view them with suspicion and eventually enslaved them, leading to the events that culminated in the Exodus.
The themes of Psalm 105:12 include God's protection and care for His people even when they are small and weak, and the idea of being strangers or sojourners in a land that is not their own. This speaks to the broader biblical theme of faith in God's promises despite difficult circumstances. It also highlights the importance of remembering one's identity as God's chosen people, even when living as a minority in a foreign culture. The verse encourages trust in God's providence and the fulfillment of His covenant, reminding the Israelites (and by extension, believers today) that their security and significance come not from their numbers or power but from their relationship with God.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H4962
There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַת
Transliteration: math
Pronunciation: math
Description: from the same as מָתַי; properly, an adult (as of full length); by implication, a man (only in the plural); [phrase] few, [idiom] friends, men, persons, [idiom] small. - Strong's Number: H4557
There are 129 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִסְפָּר
Transliteration: miçpâr
Pronunciation: mis-pawr'
Description: from סָפַר; a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration; [phrase] abundance, account, [idiom] all, [idiom] few, (in-) finite, (certain) number(-ed), tale, telling, [phrase] time. - Strong's Number: H4592
There are 92 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מְעַט
Transliteration: mᵉʻaṭ
Pronunciation: meh-at'
Description: or מְעָט; from מָעַט; a little or few (often adverbial or compar.); almost (some, very) few(-er, -est), lightly, little (while), (very) small (matter, thing), some, soon, [idiom] very. - Strong's Number: H1481
There are 94 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גּוּר
Transliteration: gûwr
Pronunciation: goor
Description: a primitive root; properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place); also to gather forhostility (as afraid); abide, assemble, be afraid, dwell, fear, gather (together), inhabitant, remain, sojourn, stand in awe, (be) stranger, [idiom] surely.