Psalms 105:17

He sent a man before them, [even] Joseph, [who] was sold for a servant:

He sent {H7971} a man {H376} before {H6440} them, even Joseph {H3130}, who was sold {H4376} for a servant {H5650}:

but sent a man ahead of them -Yosef, who was sold as a slave.

He sent a man before them— Joseph, sold as a slave.

He sent a man before them; Joseph was sold for a servant:

Commentary

Context

Psalm 105 is a powerful historical psalm, recounting God's faithfulness and covenant relationship with Israel from the time of Abraham through the Exodus. It highlights God's miraculous interventions and His unwavering commitment to His people. Verse 17 specifically focuses on a crucial moment in this divine narrative: God's foresight in sending Joseph ahead of the Israelites to Egypt. This verse sets the stage for the detailed account of Joseph's life, which is central to understanding how God preserved Jacob's family and prepared them for their eventual growth into a nation during their time in Egypt. It underscores the psalm's overarching theme of God's sovereign control over history, even through seemingly adverse circumstances.

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence and Foresight: The phrase "He sent a man before them" powerfully emphasizes God's active and intentional involvement in human history. Long before the famine struck Canaan, God had a plan to preserve His chosen people. Joseph's journey, though marked by betrayal and hardship, was orchestrated by divine hands to prepare a place for Israel's survival and growth. This highlights God's perfect timing and wisdom, working all things for good.
  • Joseph as a Forerunner: Joseph was not merely a victim of circumstance but a divinely appointed agent. His being "sold for a servant" was a painful but necessary step in God's larger scheme. He was sent ahead to secure provisions and a safe haven for his family, demonstrating how God uses individuals, even through their trials, to fulfill His purposes. This resonates with Joseph's own later understanding in Genesis 50:20, where he tells his brothers that what they intended for evil, God intended for good.
  • Redemptive Suffering: The suffering Joseph endured—betrayal by his brothers (Genesis 37:28) and unjust imprisonment—was not wasted. God transformed his trials into a means of salvation for his entire family and, by extension, the nascent nation of Israel. This theme foreshadows the ultimate redemptive suffering of Christ, who also endured betrayal and death to bring salvation.

Theological Significance & Application

This verse offers profound insights into God's character and His interaction with humanity. It reassures believers that God is always at work, even when circumstances seem chaotic or unjust. Joseph's life, beginning with his dreams (Genesis 37:5) and continuing through his enslavement and eventual rise to power (Genesis 41:40), exemplifies God's ability to turn human evil into divine good. For us today, this verse encourages:

  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: Even when we face betrayal, hardship, or unforeseen challenges, like Joseph being "sold for a servant," we can rest assured that God has a greater purpose. Nothing is outside of His providential care.
  • Patience Through Trials: Joseph's journey was long and arduous, but God was with him every step of the way. This reminds us that God's timing is perfect, and our present difficulties may be His way of preparing us or others for future blessings.
  • Recognizing God's Hand: We are called to look beyond immediate circumstances and seek to recognize God's guiding hand in our lives. Often, what appears to be a setback is, in fact, a divinely orchestrated step towards fulfilling His will, much like Joseph's role in saving his family from famine (Genesis 45:7).

Psalms 105:17 stands as a testament to God's unfailing love and His meticulous planning for His people, inviting us to trust Him with our own journeys, knowing that He "sent" us into our circumstances for a purpose.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 7:9 (8 votes)

    And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,

  • Genesis 37:36 (7 votes)

    And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, [and] captain of the guard.

  • Genesis 45:4 (5 votes)

    And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I [am] Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.

  • Genesis 45:5 (5 votes)

    Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

  • Genesis 50:20 (5 votes)

    But as for you, ye thought evil against me; [but] God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as [it is] this day, to save much people alive.

  • Genesis 39:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.

  • Genesis 45:7 (4 votes)

    And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.