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Selected Verse: Psalms 105:12 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Ps 105:12	Strong Concordance	When they were but a few men [04962] in number [04557]; yea, very few [04592], and strangers [01481] in it.
	King James	When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
few . . . in number--alluding to Jacob's words (Gen 34:30), "I being few in number." yea, very few--literally, "as a few," that is, like fewness itself (compare Isa 1:9). strangers--sojourners in the land of their future inheritance, as in a strange country (Heb 11:9).

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

few . . . in number--alluding to Jacob's words (Gen 34:30), "I being few in number."

yea, very few--literally, "as a few," that is, like fewness itself (compare Isa 1:9).

strangers--sojourners in the land of their future inheritance, as in a strange country (Heb 11:9).

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
When they were but a few men in number - literally, "In their being people of number, very little." That is, They could then be easily numbered, and they were so few that they could not take possession of it themselves. This is in contrast with the promise then made to them that they should be in number as the stars, and as the sand on the sea shore. And strangers in it - Foreigners. They were mere sojourners. They did not become incorporated with the people of the land. They did not acquire property there. They were regarded and treated as belonging to a foreign people. See the notes at Heb 11:9.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
The poet now celebrates the divine preservation which had sway over the small beginnings of Israel, when it made the patriarchs proof against harm on their wanderings. "Men of number" are such as can be easily counted, vid., the confessions in Gen 34:30; Deu 26:5; ויּתהלּכוּ places the claim upon the hospitality at one time of this people and at another time of that people in the connection with it of cause and effect. כּמעט, as a small number, only such a small number, signifies, as being virtually an adjective: inconsiderable, insignificant, worthless (Pro 10:20). בּהּ refers to Canaan. In Psa 105:13 the way in which the words גּוי and עם alternate is instructive: the former signifies the nation, bound together by a common origin, language, country, and descent; the latter the people, bound together by unity of government. (Note: For this reason a king says עמּי, not גּויי; and גּוי only occurs twice with a suffix, which refers to Jahve (Psa 106:5; Zep 2:9); for this reason גּוי, frequently side by side with עם, is the nobler word, e.g., in Deu 32:21; Jer 2:11; for this reason עם is frequently added to גּוי as a dignitative predicate, Exo 33:13; Deu 4:6; and for this reason גּוים and עם ה are used antithetically.) The apodosis does not begin until Psa 105:14. It is different in connection with בּהיותכם in the text of the chronicler, and in this passage in the Psalter of the Syriac version, according to which Psa 105:12 ought to be jointed to the preceding group. The variation ומממלכה instead of מממלכה is of no consequence; but לאישׁ (to any one whomsoever) instead of אדם, in connection with הניח, restores the current mode of expression (Ecc 5:11; Sa2 16:11; Hos 4:17) instead of one which is without support elsewhere, but which follows the model of נתן, נטשׁ, Gen 31:28 (cf. supra p. 171); whilst on the other hand ובנביאי instead of ולנביאי substitutes an expression that cannot be supported for the current one (Gen 19:9; Rut 1:21). In Psa 105:14 the poet has the three histories of the preservation of the wives of the patriarchs in his mind, viz., of Sarah in Egypt (Gen. 12), and of Sarah and of Rebekah both in Philistia (Psa 20:1-9, Psa 26:1-12, cf. especially Psa 26:11). In the second instance God declares the patriarch to be a "prophet" (Psa 20:7). The one mention has reference to this and the other to Gen. 17, where Abram is set apart to be the father of peoples and kings, and Sarai to be a princess. They are called משׁיהים (a passive form) as eing God-chosen princes, and נביאים (an intensive active form, from נבא, root נב, to divulge), not as being inspired ones (Hupfeld), but as being God's spokesmen (cf. Exo 7:1. with Exo 4:15.), therefore as being the recipients and mediators of a divine revelation.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]

The poet now celebrates the divine preservation which had sway over the small beginnings of Israel, when it made the patriarchs proof against harm on their wanderings. "Men of number" are such as can be easily counted, vid., the confessions in Gen 34:30; Deu 26:5; ויּתהלּכוּ places the claim upon the hospitality at one time of this people and at another time of that people in the connection with it of cause and effect. כּמעט, as a small number, only such a small number, signifies, as being virtually an adjective: inconsiderable, insignificant, worthless (Pro 10:20). בּהּ refers to Canaan. In Psa 105:13 the way in which the words גּוי and עם alternate is instructive: the former signifies the nation, bound together by a common origin, language, country, and descent; the latter the people, bound together by unity of government.

(Note: For this reason a king says עמּי, not גּויי; and גּוי only occurs twice with a suffix, which refers to Jahve (Psa 106:5; Zep 2:9); for this reason גּוי, frequently side by side with עם, is the nobler word, e.g., in Deu 32:21; Jer 2:11; for this reason עם is frequently added to גּוי as a dignitative predicate, Exo 33:13; Deu 4:6; and for this reason גּוים and עם ה are used antithetically.)

The apodosis does not begin until Psa 105:14. It is different in connection with בּהיותכם in the text of the chronicler, and in this passage in the Psalter of the Syriac version, according to which Psa 105:12 ought to be jointed to the preceding group. The variation ומממלכה instead of מממלכה is of no consequence; but לאישׁ (to any one whomsoever) instead of אדם, in connection with הניח, restores the current mode of expression (Ecc 5:11; Sa2 16:11; Hos 4:17) instead of one which is without support elsewhere, but which follows the model of נתן, נטשׁ, Gen 31:28 (cf. supra p. 171); whilst on the other hand ובנביאי instead of ולנביאי substitutes an expression that cannot be supported for the current one (Gen 19:9; Rut 1:21). In Psa 105:14 the poet has the three histories of the preservation of the wives of the patriarchs in his mind, viz., of Sarah in Egypt (Gen. 12), and of Sarah and of Rebekah both in Philistia (Psa 20:1-9, Psa 26:1-12, cf. especially Psa 26:11). In the second instance God declares the patriarch to be a "prophet" (Psa 20:7). The one mention has reference to this and the other to Gen. 17, where Abram is set apart to be the father of peoples and kings, and Sarai to be a princess. They are called משׁיהים (a passive form) as eing God-chosen princes, and נביאים (an intensive active form, from נבא, root נב, to divulge), not as being inspired ones (Hupfeld), but as being God's spokesmen (cf. Exo 7:1. with Exo 4:15.), therefore as being the recipients and mediators of a divine revelation.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
But a few men - When all appearances were against them, and nothing but the arm of God could have brought them through their difficulties, and given them a settlement in the promised land.

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⁹ By faith [4102] he sojourned [3939] in [1519] the land [1093] of promise [1860], as [5613] in a strange country [245], dwelling [2730] in [1722] tabernacles [4633] with [3326] Isaac [2464] and [2532] Jacob [2384], the heirs with him [4789] of the same [846] promise [1860]:

⁹ Except [03884] the LORD [03068] of hosts [06635] had left [03498] unto us a very small [04592] remnant [08300], we should have been [01961] as Sodom [05467], and we should have been like [01819] unto Gomorrah [06017].

³⁰ And Jacob [03290] said [0559] to Simeon [08095] and Levi [03878], Ye have troubled [05916] me to make me to stink [0887] among the inhabitants [03427] of the land [0776], among the Canaanites [03669] and the Perizzites [06522]: and I being few [04962] in number [04557], they shall gather themselves together [0622] against me, and slay me [05221]; and I shall be destroyed [08045], I and my house [01004].

¹⁵ And thou shalt speak [01696] unto him, and put [07760] words [01697] in his mouth [06310]: and I will be with thy mouth [06310], and with his mouth [06310], and will teach [03384] you what ye shall do [06213].

¹ And the LORD [03068] said [0559] unto Moses [04872], See [07200], I have made [05414] thee a god [0430] to Pharaoh [06547]: and Aaron [0175] thy brother [0251] shall be thy prophet [05030].

⁷ Some trust in chariots [07393], and some in horses [05483]: but we will remember [02142] the name [08034] of the LORD [03068] our God [0430].

¹¹ But as for me, I will walk [03212] in mine integrity [08537]: redeem [06299] me, and be merciful [02603] unto me.

¹ A Psalm of David [01732]. Judge [08199] me, O LORD [03068]; for I have walked [01980] in mine integrity [08537]: I have trusted [0982] also in the LORD [03068]; therefore I shall not slide [04571].
² Examine [0974] me, O LORD [03068], and prove [05254] me; try [06884] my reins [03629] and my heart [03820].
³ For thy lovingkindness [02617] is before mine eyes [05869]: and I have walked [01980] in thy truth [0571].
⁴ I have not sat [03427] with vain [07723] persons [04962], neither will I go in [0935] with dissemblers [05956].
⁵ I have hated [08130] the congregation [06951] of evil doers [07489]; and will not sit [03427] with the wicked [07563].
⁶ I will wash [07364] mine hands [03709] in innocency [05356]: so will I compass [05437] thine altar [04196], O LORD [03068]:
⁷ That I may publish [08085] with the voice [06963] of thanksgiving [08426], and tell [05608] of all thy wondrous works [06381].
⁸ LORD [03068], I have loved [0157] the habitation [04583] of thy house [01004], and the place [04725] where thine honour [03519] dwelleth [04908].
⁹ Gather [0622] not my soul [05315] with sinners [02400], nor my life [02416] with bloody [01818] men [0582]:
¹⁰ In whose hands [03027] is mischief [02154], and their right hand [03225] is full [04390] of bribes [07810].
¹¹ But as for me, I will walk [03212] in mine integrity [08537]: redeem [06299] me, and be merciful [02603] unto me.
¹² My foot [07272] standeth [05975] in an even place [04334]: in the congregations [04721] will I bless [01288] the LORD [03068].

¹ To the chief Musician [05329], A Psalm [04210] of David [01732]. The LORD [03068] hear [06030] thee in the day [03117] of trouble [06869]; the name [08034] of the God [0430] of Jacob [03290] defend [07682] thee;
² Send [07971] thee help [05828] from the sanctuary [06944], and strengthen [05582] thee out of Zion [06726];
³ Remember [02142] all thy offerings [04503], and accept [01878] thy burnt sacrifice [05930]; Selah [05542].
⁴ Grant [05414] thee according to thine own heart [03824], and fulfil [04390] all thy counsel [06098].
⁵ We will rejoice [07442] in thy salvation [03444], and in the name [08034] of our God [0430] we will set up our banners [01713]: the LORD [03068] fulfil [04390] all thy petitions [04862].
⁶ Now know [03045] I that the LORD [03068] saveth [03467] his anointed [04899]; he will hear [06030] him from his holy [06944] heaven [08064] with the saving [03468] strength [01369] of his right hand [03225].
⁷ Some trust in chariots [07393], and some in horses [05483]: but we will remember [02142] the name [08034] of the LORD [03068] our God [0430].
⁸ They are brought down [03766] and fallen [05307]: but we are risen [06965], and stand upright [05749].
⁹ Save [03467], LORD [03068]: let the king [04428] hear [06030] us when [03117] we call [07121].

¹⁴ He suffered [03240] no man [0120] to do them wrong [06231]: yea, he reproved [03198] kings [04428] for their sakes;

²¹ I went out [01980] full [04392], and the LORD [03068] hath brought me home again [07725] empty [07387]: why then call [07121] ye me Naomi [05281], seeing the LORD [03068] hath testified [06030] against me, and the Almighty [07706] hath afflicted [07489] me?

⁹ And they said [0559], Stand [05066] back [01973]. And they said [0559] again, This one [0259] fellow came in [0935] to sojourn [01481], and he will needs [08199] be a judge [08199]: now will we deal worse [07489] with thee, than with them. And they pressed [06484] sore [03966] upon the man [0376], even Lot [03876], and came near [05066] to break [07665] the door [01817].

²⁸ And hast not suffered [05203] me to kiss [05401] my sons [01121] and my daughters [01323]? thou hast now done foolishly [05528] in so doing [06213].

¹⁷ Ephraim [0669] is joined [02266] to idols [06091]: let him alone [03240].

¹¹ And David [01732] said [0559] to Abishai [052], and to all his servants [05650], Behold, my son [01121], which came forth [03318] of my bowels [04578], seeketh [01245] my life [05315]: how much more now may this Benjamite [01145] do it? let him alone [03240], and let him curse [07043]; for the LORD [03068] hath bidden [0559] him.

¹¹ When goods [02896] increase [07235], they are increased [07231] that eat [0398] them: and what good [03788] is there to the owners [01167] thereof, saving [0518] the beholding [07207] [07212] of them with their eyes [05869]?

¹² When they were but a few men [04962] in number [04557]; yea, very few [04592], and strangers [01481] in it.

¹⁴ He suffered [03240] no man [0120] to do them wrong [06231]: yea, he reproved [03198] kings [04428] for their sakes;

⁶ Keep [08104] therefore and do [06213] them; for this is your wisdom [02451] and your understanding [0998] in the sight [05869] of the nations [05971], which shall hear [08085] all these statutes [02706], and say [0559], Surely this great [01419] nation [01471] is a wise [02450] and understanding [0995] people [05971].

¹³ Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found [04672] grace [02580] in thy sight [05869], shew [03045] me now thy way [01870], that I may know [03045] thee, that I may find [04672] grace [02580] in thy sight [05869]: and consider [07200] that this nation [01471] is thy people [05971].

¹¹ Hath a nation [01471] changed [03235] their gods [0430], which are yet no gods [0430]? but my people [05971] have changed [04171] their glory [03519] for that which doth not profit [03276].

²¹ They have moved me to jealousy [07065] with that which is not [03808] God [0410]; they have provoked me to anger [03707] with their vanities [01892]: and I will move them to jealousy [07065] with those which are not a people [05971]; I will provoke them to anger [03707] with a foolish [05036] nation [01471].

⁹ Therefore as I live [02416], saith [05002] the LORD [03068] of hosts [06635], the God [0430] of Israel [03478], Surely Moab [04124] shall be as Sodom [05467], and the children [01121] of Ammon [05983] as Gomorrah [06017], even the breeding [04476] of nettles [02738], and saltpits [04379] [04417], and a perpetual [05704] [05769] desolation [08077]: the residue [07611] of my people [05971] shall spoil [0962] them, and the remnant [03499] of my people [01471] shall possess [05157] them.

⁵ That I may see [07200] the good [02896] of thy chosen [0972], that I may rejoice [08055] in the gladness [08057] of thy nation [01471], that I may glory [01984] with thine inheritance [05159].

¹³ When they went [01980] from one nation [01471] to another, from one kingdom [04467] to another [0312] people [05971];

²⁰ The tongue [03956] of the just [06662] is as choice [0977] silver [03701]: the heart [03820] of the wicked [07563] is little worth [04592].

⁵ And thou shalt speak [06030] and say [0559] before [06440] the LORD [03068] thy God [0430], A Syrian [0761] ready to perish [06] was my father [01], and he went down [03381] into Egypt [04714], and sojourned [01481] there with [04962] a few [04592], and became there a nation [01471], great [01419], mighty [06099], and populous [07227]: