Psalms 105:37

KJV

He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and [there was] not one feeble [person] among their tribes.

KJV (with Strong's)

He brought them forth {H3318} also with silver {H3701} and gold {H2091}: and there was not one feeble {H3782} person among their tribes {H7626}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then he led his people out, laden with silver and gold; among his tribes not one stumbled.

Berean Standard Bible

He brought Israel out with silver and gold, and none among His tribes stumbled.

American Standard Version

And he brought them forth with silver and gold; And there was not one feeble person among his tribes.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 105:37 powerfully recounts God's miraculous provision and preservation of the Israelites during their Exodus from Egypt. It highlights two astonishing aspects of their departure: they left not only enriched with the wealth of their former oppressors but also with every individual, from the youngest to the oldest, in perfect health and vigor. This verse stands as a profound testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises and His comprehensive care for His people, defying all natural expectations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 105 is a historical psalm, part of a trilogy (Psalms 104-106) that celebrates God's character and mighty deeds. Specifically, Psalm 105 serves as a national anthem of praise, recounting God's covenant faithfulness from Abraham through the Exodus and the wilderness journey. Verses 23-36 detail the oppression in Egypt and the series of ten plagues, culminating in the death of the firstborn and Pharaoh's desperate command for Israel to leave. Verse 37 immediately follows this climactic moment, describing the physical and material state of the Israelites as they departed, forming a triumphant conclusion to the Egyptian narrative within the psalm and setting the stage for their wilderness journey. It marks the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham in [Genesis 15:14](/genesis/15-14 "Genesis 15:14 - God's Promise to Abraham").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Exodus, as described in the book of Exodus, is the foundational redemptive event in Israelite history. After approximately 430 years of slavery in Egypt, marked by harsh labor and oppressive conditions, the Israelites were a people who, by all human standards, should have been physically depleted and impoverished. The "silver and gold" mentioned refers to the "plundering" of the Egyptians (Exodus 12:35-36), where the Egyptians, eager for the Israelites to leave after the devastating tenth plague, gave them whatever they asked. This was not theft but divine recompense for centuries of forced labor, demonstrating God's justice and sovereignty over nations. The declaration of "not one feeble person" defies the natural consequences of slavery, malnutrition, and the stress of the plagues, highlighting a supernatural act of divine preservation.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several key themes central to Psalm 105 and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates **Divine Provision**, as God not only delivered His people from bondage but also supplied their material needs abundantly. It underscores **Miraculous Preservation**, showcasing God's ability to sustain the physical well-being of an entire nation against all odds, preparing them for the arduous wilderness journey (cf. [Deuteronomy 8:4](/deuteronomy/8-4 "Deuteronomy 8:4 - God Sustains Israel in the Wilderness")). Most profoundly, it highlights **Covenant Faithfulness**, as God remembered and fulfilled His ancient promises to Abraham (e.g., [Genesis 15:14](/genesis/15-14 "Genesis 15:14 - God's Covenant with Abraham")) centuries later. The verse also implicitly speaks to **Divine Justice**, as the wealth taken from Egypt served as a just recompense for Israel's forced labor.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Silver (Hebrew, _kesef'_):** This term, often paired with "gold," signifies wealth, currency, and valuable possessions. In this context, it represents the material recompense and divine provision granted to the Israelites upon their departure from Egypt, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would leave with "great possessions" (Genesis 15:14). It underscores God's ability to turn the tables on oppressors and justly reward His people.
* **Gold (Hebrew, _zahav'_):** Similar to "silver," "gold" denotes precious metal and significant wealth. Its inclusion emphasizes the abundance and value of the possessions the Israelites acquired, not through their own might or cunning, but as a direct result of God's intervention and the Egyptians' desperate desire for their departure (Exodus 12:35-36). This was a sign of God's favor and a means for the future construction of the Tabernacle.
* **Feeble (Hebrew, _chayil'_):** This word is crucial. While _chayil_ often means "strength," "valor," "might," or "wealth" (as in "woman of valor" in Proverbs 31:10), when negated as "not one feeble person" (literally "not one lacking strength/vigor"), it conveys the complete absence of weakness, infirmity, illness, or exhaustion. It implies that every individual, regardless of age or previous condition, was robust, healthy, and physically capable of undertaking the demanding journey through the wilderness. This is a powerful testament to God's comprehensive and miraculous preservation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He brought them forth also with silver and gold:"** This clause attributes the act directly to God ("He brought them forth"), emphasizing His sovereignty and active role in the Exodus. The acquisition of "silver and gold" was not a result of Israelite conquest or theft but a divinely orchestrated transfer of wealth, serving as a just compensation for centuries of forced labor and a fulfillment of God's ancient promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:14). It signifies God's abundant provision and His turning of the tables on the oppressors.
* **"and [there was] not one feeble [person] among their tribes."** This remarkable statement highlights the miraculous physical condition of the entire nation. Despite centuries of harsh slavery, the recent trauma of the plagues, and the immense logistical challenge of moving millions of people, God ensured that every Israelite was strong, healthy, and vigorous. This defies natural expectations and underscores God's complete and supernatural care, preparing His people physically for the arduous journey through the wilderness, demonstrating His power over disease, exhaustion, and the debilitating effects of oppression.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 105:37 employs several literary devices to enhance its message. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, or perhaps more accurately, **Emphasis**, in the declaration "not one feeble person among their tribes." While it might be an exaggeration to suggest literally zero individuals had any minor ailment, the phrase powerfully emphasizes the *totality* and *completeness* of God's miraculous preservation of their health and strength, defying all natural expectations. This serves to magnify God's power. There is also a strong element of **Juxtaposition**, contrasting the material provision ("silver and gold") with the physical preservation ("not one feeble person"). This highlights the comprehensive nature of God's care, extending to both their external needs and their internal well-being. The verse also functions as a **Narrative Summary**, concisely capturing two pivotal and miraculous aspects of the Exodus event, serving as a triumphant concluding statement to the Egyptian phase of the story within the psalm.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 105:37 stands as a profound theological statement about the character of God. It reveals Him as a God of **unwavering faithfulness** to His covenant promises, fulfilling what He had declared centuries earlier to Abraham. He is also a God of **justice**, ensuring that His people were compensated for their long years of oppression. Most strikingly, the verse demonstrates His **omnipotent power** and **comprehensive care**, extending even to the physical vitality of an entire nation. This holistic provision—material wealth and perfect health—is a testament to God's desire and ability to fully equip His people for the journey and purpose He has for them. It establishes a precedent for His relationship with Israel and serves as a foundational truth for believers today: God is able to provide for all our needs, both seen and unseen, and to sustain us even in the most challenging circumstances.

* [Deuteronomy 29:5](/deuteronomy/29-5 "Deuteronomy 29:5 - God's Sustaining Power in the Wilderness")
* [Isaiah 40:29-31](/isaiah/40-29 "Isaiah 40:29-31 - God Gives Strength to the Weary")
* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Supplies All Needs")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 105:37 offers profound encouragement and a powerful call to trust in God's holistic provision. Just as God miraculously provided for Israel's material needs and supernaturally preserved their health, He remains faithful to provide for us today, whether our needs are financial, physical, emotional, or spiritual. This verse reminds us that God's care is comprehensive, extending to every aspect of our lives. When we face daunting challenges, financial strain, or physical weakness, we can draw strength from the historical truth that God is capable of defying natural limitations to sustain His people. His past faithfulness is a guarantee of His present and future commitment to those who are His. It challenges us to surrender our anxieties and rely on His strength, knowing that He desires to equip us fully for the journey He has set before us, enabling us to serve Him with vigor and without hindrance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's comprehensive provision for Israel in the Exodus encourage your trust in Him for your own needs today, whether material or physical?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to believe God for supernatural strength or provision, defying natural expectations, just as He did for the Israelites?**
* **How does the historical faithfulness of God, as seen in Psalms 105:37, strengthen your hope for His future promises in your personal life or for His church?**

### FAQ
**Question: Did the Israelites truly leave Egypt with "silver and gold," and how was this justified?**

Answer: Yes, the biblical account in [Exodus 12:35-36](/exodus/12-35 "Exodus 12:35-36 - Israelites Plunder Egyptians") confirms that the Israelites did leave with significant wealth. As they departed, the Egyptians, desperate for them to leave after the devastating tenth plague, were eager to give them whatever they asked for, including articles of silver and gold and clothing. This was not theft but a divinely orchestrated act of recompense. For centuries, the Israelites had endured forced labor without pay, and this wealth represented a just compensation for their unpaid toil and suffering. Furthermore, it was a direct fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham in [Genesis 15:14](/genesis/15-14 "Genesis 15:14 - God's Promise to Abraham"), where He declared that Abraham's descendants would come out of their affliction with "great possessions."

**Question: How could "not one feeble person" be true after centuries of slavery and the recent plagues?**

Answer: The statement "not one feeble person among their tribes" highlights the miraculous nature of God's intervention and preservation. By all natural human standards, a population subjected to centuries of harsh slavery, likely enduring malnutrition, grueling labor, and the recent trauma of the ten plagues, should have been physically weakened, diseased, and exhausted. The fact that every individual, from the youngest to the oldest, was strong and healthy speaks to a supernatural act of divine care. It demonstrates God's complete power over disease and physical debilitation, ensuring His people were perfectly prepared and equipped for the arduous journey through the wilderness. It underscores God's comprehensive provision, extending to their physical well-being as much as their material needs.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 105:37, with its depiction of God's comprehensive provision and preservation during the Exodus, powerfully foreshadows the greater deliverance and holistic sustenance offered through Jesus Christ. The Exodus itself is a profound type of salvation, and Christ is the ultimate antitype. Just as God brought Israel out of the slavery of Egypt with material wealth and physical vigor, so Christ delivers humanity from the far more oppressive slavery of sin and death, bestowing upon believers spiritual riches beyond measure and true spiritual vitality. Through His atoning work, Christ provides the ultimate "silver and gold" – the unsearchable riches of His grace and glory (cf. [Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through Christ's Blood"), [2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")). Moreover, the miraculous health of the Israelites points to Christ as the great Physician who heals not only physical infirmities but also the deeper sickness of the soul (cf. [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His Wounds We Are Healed"), [Matthew 8:16-17](/matthew/8-16 "Matthew 8:16-17 - Jesus Heals Many")). In Him, believers are made spiritually strong, no longer "feeble" in their walk with God, but empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a life of purpose and vigor (cf. [Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - I Can Do All Things Through Christ"), [2 Corinthians 12:9-10](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - God's Grace is Sufficient")). The Exodus was a journey to a promised land; Christ leads His people to an eternal inheritance, fully equipped and eternally vitalized by His redemptive work.

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

Exodus 12:35

And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:

Exodus 12:36

And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them [such things as they required]. And they spoiled the Egyptians.

Acts 13:17

The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.

Exodus 3:22

But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put [them] upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.

Genesis 15:14

And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.