Psalms 105:24

KJV

And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he increased {H6509} his people {H5971} greatly {H3966}; and made them stronger {H6105} than their enemies {H6862}.

Complete Jewish Bible

There God made his people very fruitful, made them too numerous for their foes,

Berean Standard Bible

And the LORD made His people very fruitful, more numerous than their foes,

American Standard Version

And he increased his people greatly, And made them stronger than their adversaries.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 105:24 serves as a profound testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and sovereign power in fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel. This verse highlights the period of their sojourn in Egypt, where, despite growing oppression and enslavement, God miraculously multiplied their numbers and divinely strengthened them, ensuring their growth and resilience even in the face of their adversaries. It underscores God's active hand in preserving and prospering His chosen people against all odds, setting the stage for their eventual miraculous deliverance from bondage.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 105 is a historical psalm, functioning as a liturgical hymn that recounts God's covenant faithfulness to Israel from the time of Abraham through the Exodus and their wilderness journey. It serves as a national epic, designed to remind the worshipping community of God's mighty acts on behalf of His people, thereby encouraging trust, gratitude, and worship. Verse 24 is strategically situated within the narrative of Israel's descent into Egypt and their subsequent miraculous multiplication, immediately preceding the dramatic events of the plagues and the Exodus. This verse establishes the burgeoning population of Israel as a direct fulfillment of God's ancient promises and a crucial precursor to their eventual liberation, highlighting God's providential care even in a foreign and increasingly hostile land. The psalm's overarching purpose is to celebrate God's steadfast love, His remembrance of His covenant, and His unwavering commitment to His chosen people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This verse refers to the period when the descendants of Jacob (Israel) had settled in Egypt, initially welcomed during Joseph's time, but later subjected to severe oppression and forced labor by a new pharaoh "who did not know Joseph" (see [Exodus 1:8](/exodus/1-8 "Exodus 1:8 - A New King in Egypt")). The Egyptian pharaohs, fearing the rapidly increasing numbers of the Israelites, implemented increasingly harsh policies designed to suppress their population, including forced labor, infanticide, and the murder of male infants (as detailed in [Exodus 1:11-16](/exodus/1-11-16 "Exodus 1:11-16 - Pharaoh's Oppression and Infanticide")). In this context, God's act of "increasing his people greatly" and "making them stronger than their enemies" is a direct counter-narrative to Pharaoh's oppressive agenda. It powerfully demonstrates God's sovereignty over human rulers and His ability to work against the most powerful empires to preserve and prosper His chosen people, defying all human attempts to thwart His divine plan.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 105:24 contributes significantly to several foundational themes within Psalm 105 and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates God's **Covenant Faithfulness**, as the miraculous multiplication of Israel in Egypt directly fulfills the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that their descendants would be as numerous as the stars (as seen in [Genesis 15:5](/genesis/15-5 "Genesis 15:5 - God's Promise of Numerous Descendants to Abraham")) and would become a great nation (promised in [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - God's Promise to Abraham")). It also highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**, showcasing God's active control over history and His ability to protect and strengthen His people even under severe oppression. The "strength" mentioned is not merely military but a divinely enabled resilience and numerical superiority that defied human attempts at suppression, as noted in [Exodus 1:12](/exodus/1-12 "Exodus 1:12 - The More They Were Oppressed, The More They Multiplied"). This verse underscores that God's plan for His people will ultimately prevail, regardless of external opposition.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **increased (Hebrew, _pârâh'_):** From the root H6509, this word means "to bear fruit (literally or figuratively); bear, bring forth (fruit), (be, cause to be, make) fruitful, grow, increase." Its use here emphasizes that Israel's rapid population growth in Egypt was not a natural demographic phenomenon but a miraculous, divinely orchestrated act of blessing. This directly counters Pharaoh's attempts to diminish them and signifies the fulfillment of God's creation mandate (e.g., [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "The Command to Be Fruitful")) and the Abrahamic covenant promises of numerous descendants.
* **greatly (Hebrew, _mᵉʼôd'_):** From the root H3966, this adverb denotes "vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or superlative; especially when repeated); diligently, especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), [idiom] louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so) sore, utterly, very ([phrase] much, sore), well." When applied to the increase of God's people, it underscores the extraordinary, overwhelming, and supernatural nature of their multiplication, far exceeding normal demographic growth, making it a clear sign of divine intervention.
* **stronger (Hebrew, _ʻâtsam'_):** From the root H6105, this verb means "to bind fast, i.e. close (the eyes); intransitively, to be (causatively, make) powerful or numerous; to crunch the bones; break the bones, close, be great, be increased, be (wax) mighty(-ier), be more, shut, be(-come, make) strong(-er)." While it can refer to physical strength, in this context, given the preceding clause about increase, it primarily denotes numerical strength or a formidable presence that instilled fear in their oppressors. It signifies that God imparted a resilience and a numerical advantage that made Israel a force to be reckoned with, even as enslaved people. This strength was not inherent to them but was divinely bestowed, making them more powerful than their adversaries in a providential sense.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he increased his people greatly":** This clause directly attributes the miraculous and exponential population growth of Israel to God's active and intentional intervention. The phrase "his people" emphasizes the special, covenantal relationship between God and Israel, underscoring that His actions are for the benefit of His chosen ones. The adverb "greatly" highlights the extraordinary nature of this multiplication, which defied the oppressive conditions of slavery and fulfilled the ancient promises made to their patriarchs, thereby laying the foundational demographic strength for their national identity and future.
* **"and made them stronger than their enemies":** This second clause describes the profound consequence and parallel outcome of God's increasing His people. The "strength" here is primarily numerical and a divinely protected resilience, rather than military might, as Israel was an enslaved and unarmed people. This divine strengthening meant that despite Pharaoh's attempts to suppress them, Israel became a formidable and even feared presence in Egypt, demonstrating God's sovereign power to reverse the power dynamics and elevate His people above their oppressors, preparing them for their eventual miraculous liberation.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 105:24 employs several significant literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Synthetic Parallelism** is evident, where the second clause ("and made them stronger than their enemies") expands upon and completes the thought introduced in the first clause ("And he increased his people greatly"). The increase in numbers directly contributes to, or is synonymous with, their strength relative to their adversaries, highlighting the cause-and-effect relationship of God's sovereign action. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like actions such as "increased" and "made stronger" to God. This device emphasizes His direct, personal, and active involvement in the historical events of His people, making His providence tangible and immediate. There is also an element of **Divine Exaggeration** or hyperbole in the terms "greatly" and "stronger than their enemies," which serves to underscore the miraculous and overwhelming nature of God's intervention against seemingly insurmountable odds, emphasizing His omnipotence over human oppression and the futility of human resistance to His divine will.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 105:24 powerfully articulates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises and His sovereign power over human history. It demonstrates that God's plan for His people will prevail, regardless of external opposition or oppressive circumstances. This verse is a profound testament to divine providence, illustrating that God actively works to preserve, multiply, and strengthen His chosen ones, even when they are in a position of weakness or subjugation. It underscores the theme that Israel's identity and flourishing are not dependent on their own strength or political power, but solely on God's faithfulness and miraculous intervention. This serves as a foundational truth for understanding God's relationship with His people throughout salvation history, affirming His active participation in their lives and His ultimate triumph over all adversaries.

* [Genesis 46:3](/genesis/46-3 "God's Promise to Jacob to Make Him a Great Nation")
* [Exodus 1:7](/exodus/1-7 "Israel's Multiplication in Egypt")
* [Deuteronomy 7:7](/deuteronomy/7-7 "God's Choice of Israel Not Based on Numbers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers profound encouragement for believers navigating challenges in their own lives and for the church in its ongoing mission. Just as God supernaturally multiplied and strengthened Israel in the midst of Egyptian oppression, so too does He continue to work providentially for His people today. When we feel overwhelmed, outnumbered by adversaries (whether spiritual, emotional, or circumstantial), or seemingly weak in the face of daunting tasks, Psalms 105:24 powerfully reminds us that our true strength and growth come from God alone. It calls us to trust in His active involvement in our lives, His unwavering faithfulness to His promises, and His ability to make us resilient and effective even when human resources seem insufficient. This truth fosters a deep sense of security and empowers us to face opposition with confidence, knowing that God is actively working to ensure the flourishing of His kingdom and His people, transforming weakness into strength and adversity into opportunity for divine display.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life or ministry do you feel outnumbered, oppressed, or weakened by "enemies" or overwhelming circumstances?**
* **How does the truth that God "increased his people greatly" and "made them stronger than their enemies" encourage your faith and perspective in those situations?**
* **What practical steps can you take to lean more fully on God's sovereign power and provision when facing adversity, rather than relying on your own strength or ingenuity?**

### FAQ
**Was Israel literally stronger than the Egyptians militarily at this point?**

Answer: No, at this stage, Israel was an enslaved people, not a military force. The "strength" mentioned in Psalms 105:24 was primarily numerical and a divinely protected resilience that allowed them to thrive despite oppressive conditions. Pharaoh's fear of their numbers, as recorded in [Exodus 1:9-10](/exodus/1-9-10 "Exodus 1:9-10 - Pharaoh's Fear of Israel's Numbers"), indicates that their strength was in their burgeoning population and God's blessing upon them, which made them a formidable presence. Their ultimate liberation from Egypt was not achieved through their own military might but through God's miraculous intervention and mighty acts, demonstrating that their true strength lay in His power, not their own.

**How does this verse relate to God's covenant with Abraham?**

Answer: This verse is a direct and powerful fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Abraham. God had promised Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars ([Genesis 15:5](/genesis/15-5 "Genesis 15:5 - God's Promise of Numerous Descendants to Abraham")) and would become a great nation ([Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - God's Promise to Abraham")). Despite the challenges of famine leading them to Egypt and subsequent enslavement, God actively ensured the rapid multiplication of Abraham's seed. Psalms 105:24 highlights God's unwavering faithfulness to His word, demonstrating His ability to bring His promises to fruition even in the most adverse circumstances, thereby laying the groundwork for Israel's emergence as a distinct nation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 105:24, while rooted in the historical experience of ancient Israel, finds its ultimate spiritual and Christ-centered fulfillment in the growth and empowerment of God's spiritual people, the Church, through Jesus Christ. Just as God supernaturally multiplied and strengthened the physical descendants of Abraham against their earthly oppressors, so too does He continually increase and empower the body of Christ against spiritual adversaries. The "enemies" of God's New Covenant people are not merely flesh and blood, but "rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (as described in [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Our Struggle Against Spiritual Forces")). Yet, through Christ's decisive victory on the cross and His glorious resurrection, believers are made "more than conquerors" ([Romans 8:37](/romans/8-37 "Romans 8:37 - More Than Conquerors Through Christ")) and are endowed with divine strength to overcome sin, death, and the devil. The ongoing expansion of the gospel and the growth of the Church, often in the face of intense persecution and opposition, is a living testament to God's continued promise to build His kingdom, a promise secured by Christ's resurrection and empowered by the Holy Spirit, leading to daily additions of those being saved ([Acts 2:47](/acts/2-47 "Acts 2:47 - Growth of the Early Church")). The strength of the New Covenant people is not in their numerical superiority or human might, but in the indwelling power of Christ, enabling them to fulfill the Great Commission and spread His transforming message to the ends of the earth ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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 7:17

¶ But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,

Exodus 12:37

¶ And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot [that were] men, beside children.

Genesis 46:3

And he said, I [am] God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:

Exodus 1:7

And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.

Exodus 1:9

And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel [are] more and mightier than we:

Genesis 13:16

And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, [then] shall thy seed also be numbered.