Psalms 105:12
When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.
Original Language Analysis
בִּֽ֭הְיוֹתָם
H1961
בִּֽ֭הְיוֹתָם
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 6
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מְתֵ֣י
When they were but a few men
H4962
מְתֵ֣י
When they were but a few men
Strong's:
H4962
Word #:
2 of 6
properly, an adult (as of full length); by implication, a man (only in the plural)
מִסְפָּ֑ר
in number
H4557
מִסְפָּ֑ר
in number
Strong's:
H4557
Word #:
3 of 6
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
כִּ֝מְעַ֗ט
yea very few
H4592
כִּ֝מְעַ֗ט
yea very few
Strong's:
H4592
Word #:
4 of 6
a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)
Cross References
Hebrews 11:9By 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 34:30And 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.Deuteronomy 7:7The 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 23:4I 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.
Historical Context
The patriarchal period featured Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jacob's twelve sons—a tiny clan among Canaan's nations. Their vulnerability made God's promise of possessing the land humanly impossible.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's building a nation from few people encourage you when facing overwhelming odds?
- What does God's choosing the weak and few teach about His methods and values?
Analysis & Commentary
When Israel was 'but a few men in number,' 'very few and strangers' in Canaan, God's promises seemed impossible. Small numbers made the covenant promise of land and nationhood appear absurd. Yet God's promises don't depend on favorable circumstances. Abraham started with zero descendants; God promised innumerable offspring. 'Strangers' (ger) emphasizes their vulnerable, foreign status. This prefigures the church starting small but growing globally. Christ began with twelve disciples. The Reformed understanding of divine election recognizes God chooses the weak and few (1 Cor 1:27-29).