1 Chronicles 16:19
1 Chronicles 16:19 in Multiple Translations
When they were few in number, few indeed, and strangers in the land,
When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it.
When ye were but a few men in number, Yea, very few, and sojourners in it;
When you were still small in number, and strange in the land;
He said this when there were only a few of you, just a small group of foreigners in the land.
When ye were fewe in number, yea, a very fewe, and strangers therein,
When ye are few of number, As a little thing, and sojourners in it.
when you were but a few men in number, yes, very few, and foreigners in it.
When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it.
When they were but a small number: very few and sojourners in it.
He said that to them when there were only a few of them, a tiny group of people who were living in that land ◄like strangers/that belonged to other people►;
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Chronicles 16:19
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Chronicles 16:19 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בִּֽ/הְיֽוֹתְ/כֶם֙
מְתֵ֣י
מִסְפָּ֔ר
כִּ/מְעַ֖ט
וְ/גָרִ֥ים
בָּֽ/הּ
בִּֽ/הְיֽוֹתְ/כֶם֙
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
מְתֵ֣י
math
H4962
man
N-mp
מִסְפָּ֔ר
miçpâr
H4557
number
N-ms
כִּ/מְעַ֖ט
mᵉʻaṭ
H4592
little
Prep | N-ms
וְ/גָרִ֥ים
gûwr
H1481
to sojourn
Conj | V-Qal
בָּֽ/הּ
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Chronicles 16:19
בִּֽ/הְיֽוֹתְ/כֶם֙
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
מְתֵ֣י
math
H4962
"man"
N-mp
This Hebrew word refers to a grown man, as seen in Genesis 14:24 and Numbers 31:28. It can also mean a few men or a small group of people, depending on the context. The word is used to describe adult males in various biblical stories.
Definition: 1) male, man 1a) males, men 1b) few men (in prose) 1b1) less emphasis on sex 1c) men (poetic) 1c1) less emphasis on sex
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] few, [idiom] friends, men, persons, [idiom] small. See also: Genesis 34:30; Job 19:19; Psalms 17:14.
מִסְפָּ֔ר
miçpâr
H4557
"number"
N-ms
This word refers to a number or quantity, whether large or small, and can also mean a narrative or story. It is used in many biblical contexts to describe counting or recounting events. In the Bible, it appears in passages about census and genealogy.
Definition: 1) number, tale 1a) number 1a1) number 1a2) innumerable (with negative) 1a3) few, numerable (alone) 1a4) by count, in number, according to number (with prep) 1b) recounting, relation
Usage: Occurs in 129 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] abundance, account, [idiom] all, [idiom] few, (in-) finite, (certain) number(-ed), tale, telling, [phrase] time. See also: Genesis 34:30; 1 Chronicles 12:24; Psalms 40:13.
כִּ/מְעַ֖ט
mᵉʻaṭ
H4592
"little"
Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word means something is small or little in amount, like a few people or a short time. It appears in various Bible translations as almost, few, or small. In the Bible, it often describes something that is limited or lacking.
Definition: 1) littleness, few, a little, fewness 1a) little, small, littleness, fewness, too little, yet a little 1b) like a little, within a little, almost, just, hardly, shortly, little worth
Usage: Occurs in 92 OT verses. KJV: almost (some, very) few(-er, -est), lightly, little (while), (very) small (matter, thing), some, soon, [idiom] very. See also: Genesis 18:4; Job 15:11; Psalms 2:12.
וְ/גָרִ֥ים
gûwr
H1481
"to sojourn"
Conj | V-Qal
This word means to fear or dread something, like the fear of God. It implies a sense of awe or reverence, like the fear that the disciples felt during the storm on the lake in Matthew 8:24. It can also mean to be a stranger or sojourner in a place.
Definition: 1) to sojourn, abide, dwell in, dwell with, remain, inhabit, be a stranger, be continuing, surely 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sojourn, dwell for a time 1a2) to abide, stay, temporarily dwell 1b) (Hithpolel) 1b1) to seek hospitality with 1b2) to assemble oneself
Usage: Occurs in 94 OT verses. KJV: abide, assemble, be afraid, dwell, fear, gather (together), inhabitant, remain, sojourn, stand in awe, (be) stranger, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 12:10; 1 Kings 17:20; Psalms 5:5.
בָּֽ/הּ
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — 1 Chronicles 16:19
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — David’s Psalms of Thanksgiving
17He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
18‘I will give you the land of Canaan as the portion of your inheritance.’
19When they were few in number, few indeed, and strangers in the land,
20they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another. 21He let no man oppress them; He rebuked kings on their behalf:Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 34:30 | Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble upon me by making me a stench to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people of this land. We are few in number; if they unite against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.” |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 7:7 | The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. |
| 3 | Acts 7:5 | He gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. But God promised to give possession of the land to Abraham and his descendants, even though he did not yet have a child. |
| 4 | Hebrews 11:13 | All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. |
1 Chronicles 16:19 Summary
This verse reminds us that the Israelites were once a small group of people living in a foreign land, but God had big plans for them, as seen in 1 Chronicles 16:17-18. Even when we feel like outsiders or strangers, God is with us and has a purpose for our lives, just like He did for the Israelites (Joshua 1:2-4). We can trust in His power and faithfulness, even when things seem impossible, and look forward to the promises He has made to us (Hebrews 11:13-16). By trusting in God, we can find hope and comfort, even in difficult circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be a stranger in the land?
To be a stranger in the land, as mentioned in 1 Chronicles 16:19, means to be a foreigner or an outsider, not belonging to the place where you are currently residing, much like the Israelites were in the land of Canaan before it was given to them as an inheritance, as promised in Deuteronomy 1:8 and Joshua 1:2-4.
Why is it significant that the Israelites were few in number?
The fact that the Israelites were few in number highlights God's power and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, despite their small size, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:7-8, where God reminds them that He chose them not because of their large numbers, but because of His love for them.
How does this verse relate to the concept of God's covenant with Israel?
This verse is part of a larger passage that describes God's covenant with Israel, as seen in 1 Chronicles 16:17-18, where God confirms His everlasting covenant with them, promising to give them the land of Canaan as their inheritance, a promise that is also repeated in Genesis 17:8 and Leviticus 26:42.
What can we learn from the Israelites' experience as strangers in a foreign land?
The Israelites' experience teaches us to trust in God's sovereignty and providence, even when we feel like outsiders or foreigners in a place, as seen in Hebrews 11:13-16, where the patriarchs are described as strangers and pilgrims on the earth, looking forward to a heavenly city.
Reflection Questions
- How do I feel like a stranger in my current circumstances, and how can I trust God to provide for me in those situations?
- In what ways can I, like the Israelites, trust in God's power and faithfulness despite feeling small or insignificant?
- What are some promises that God has made to me, and how can I hold onto them, even when I feel like an outsider or a stranger?
- How can I, like the patriarchs in Hebrews 11, look forward to a heavenly city, and live my life in light of that hope?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Chronicles 16:19
[See comments on 1 Chronicles 16:7]
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Chronicles 16:19
Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 16:19
(19) The fourth strophe of Psalms 105 begins here. When ye were but few.—The psalm has “when they [that is, your fathers] were but few; “and so LXX. here. Few.—Literally, men of number = easily counted. (Comp. Genesis 34:30.) Strangers in it.—Sojourners, μέτοικοι (Genesis 23:4).
Cambridge Bible on 1 Chronicles 16:19
19. when ye were] Psalms 105:12 when they were. strangers] R.V. sojourners. The patriarchs were not simply strangers, but strangers who made a long sojourn in Canaan.
Sermons on 1 Chronicles 16:19
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Genesis) Genesis 35 Introduction by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Jacob and the tragic events that took place in his life. Jacob, despite being a spiritual giant, was not prepared for the challe |
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Going Back to the Altar by John Hames | John Hames preaches on the importance of returning to our spiritual 'Bethel' when we find ourselves straying away from God's path. Using Jacob's experience as an example, he highli |
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Humility and the Fear of the Lord by Bob Hoekstra | Bob Hoekstra preaches on the importance of humility and the fear of the Lord, emphasizing that these qualities lead to riches, honor, life, and wisdom. Humility is acknowledging ou |
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Continue by H.J. Vine | H.J. Vine preaches on the importance of abiding in the love of Christ, emphasizing that continuing in His love is different from focusing on our love for Him. The Spirit encourages |
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Abraham: The Life of Faith - Part 3 by Roy Hession | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Lot from the Bible and the choices he made. Lot's decision was based solely on personal advantage and he judged it by what he s |
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(1 Peter - Part 21): As Strangers & Pilgrims, Abstain From Fleshly Lusts by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that as Christians, we are pilgrims journeying home and our only real enemies are within us. God has changed the external world and protecte |
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Holy Ground by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a vision of Christ rather than just having ideas. He criticizes the preaching in the country today, stating that it |