Psalms 105:24 — Word Study
WLCוַיֶּ֣פֶר אֶת־ עַמּ֣וֹ מְאֹ֑ד וַ֝יַּֽעֲצִמֵהוּ מִצָּרָֽיו׃
BSAAnd the LORD made His peopleʻam [the Supreme God, Yehovah, Amaw, a nation or community] verymᵉʼôd [exceedingly, greatly] fruitfulpârâh▸ [to be fruitful, produce something] more numerousʻâtsam▸ [stronger, increased] than their foestsar [adversaries, enemies, those who oppose]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיֶּ֣פֶר | and he made fruitful | Verb, Hiphil, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| עַמּ֣וֹ | people his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| מְאֹ֑ד | exceedingly | Adv |
| וַ֝יַּֽעֲצִמֵהוּ | and he made strong it | Verb hiphil sequential imperfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
| מִצָּרָֽיו׃ | more than foes its | Preposition, noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | And the LORD made His people very fruitful, more numerous than their foes, |
| KJV | And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies. |
| ASV | And he increased his people greatly, And made them stronger than their adversaries. |
| YLT | And He maketh His people very fruitful, And maketh it mightier than its adversaries. |
| WEB | He increased his people greatly, and made them stronger than their adversaries. |
| BBE | And his people were greatly increased, and became stronger than those who were against them. |
Where they part company is מְאֹ֑ד — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause with additional phrases providing detail about the action and its effects.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbפָּרָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 105:24
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Blessings on His Peoplegenerated
Psalms 105:24 recounts how the LORD increased His people during their time in Egypt, emphasizing His power to bless and multiply them. This verse highlights the contrast between God's people and their adversaries, showing the divine favor upon Israel. The surrounding verses provide context about Israel's entrance into Egypt and the subsequent growth of the nation, leading to their eventual oppression as noted in Psalm 105:25.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 13:16 | I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted. |
| 2 | Genesis 46:3 | “I am God,” He said, “the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. |
| 3 | Exodus 1:7 | but the Israelites were fruitful and increased rapidly; they multiplied and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 26:5 | and you are to declare before the LORD your God, “My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down to Egypt few in number and lived there and became a great nation, mighty and numerous. |
| 5 | Acts 7:17 | As the time drew near for God to fulfill His promise to Abraham, our people in Egypt increased greatly in number. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — וַיֶּ֣פֶר, vai.Ye.fergenerated
The verb פָּרָה (parah) means to be fruitful or produce something. It emphasizes growth and increase, applicable in both literal and figurative contexts, such as God's command to humanity to be fruitful in Genesis 1:28.
Here, it indicates that the LORD actively made His people fruitful, highlighting His role in their multiplication and prosperity.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against. The BSB has made His people very fruitful, which is consistent with the KJV and ASV.
Where translations differ, they vary on the rendering of מְאֹ֑ד — greatly (ASV, KJV) versus exceedingly (GNV).
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is וַיֶּ֣פֶר, and He made fruitful, which governs the object עַמּ֣וֹ, His people. The structure indicates that the action of making fruitful directly affects the people of God.
The adverb מְאֹ֑ד, very, intensifies the verb, while the second verb וַ֝יַּֽעֲצִמֵהוּ, and He made strong, further describes the action, showing the increase in strength compared to their foes.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates וַיֶּ֣פֶר as ηὔχησεν (euchēsen), which suggests a more interpretative approach, focusing on the act of blessing rather than just making fruitful.
This choice indicates a broader understanding of God's actions, emphasizing His intent to bless His people abundantly.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 105:24 tells us that the LORD made His people very fruitful, increasing them beyond their enemies. This verse highlights God's blessing on Israel during their time in Egypt, emphasizing His power to multiply and strengthen them.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies that God actively caused His people to grow and prosper, both in number and strength, reflecting His favor upon them.
This verse illustrates the blessings of God upon Israel during their time in Egypt, setting the stage for their eventual oppression as noted in the following verses.
It highlights God's power to protect and strengthen His people, ensuring they are greater than those who oppose them, which is a recurring theme in the scriptures.
By recognizing the ways in which God provides for us, strengthens us, and helps us grow, similar to how He blessed Israel.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I see God's blessings and growth?
- How can I trust in God's ability to strengthen me against my challenges?
- What does it mean to me that God actively makes His people fruitful?
- How can I encourage others to recognize God's blessings in their lives?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators like Augustine of Hippo reference this verse to discuss God's blessings on His people, noting their increase in strength compared to their enemies.
Next is related what happened in Egypt. "And He increased," he says, "His people exceedingly, and made them stronger than their enemies" [Psalms 105:24].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 105 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 105:24 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd he increased his people greatly,.... God increased the people of Israel greatly in the land of Egypt; they went down few, and became a populous nation; only sixty six persons, besides Jacob's
Read John Gill on Psalms 105 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 105 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleNot really, but according to their enemies’ apprehensions and expressions, . Or, more numerous, as this word is elsewhere used. So this latter branch answers to the former. And this was true; for though they were not simply more in number than the Egyptians, yet they multiplied much faster.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 105 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 105:24 And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.Ver. 24. And he increased his people greatly] Against all the power of Egypt set against them. And made them stronger than their enemies] They were not so for present, but the Egyptians conceited and feared they would be so.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 105 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges24. And he made his people exceeding fruitful, And made them mightier than their adversaries. Jehovah is the subject of the sentence. The A.V. fails to bring out the connexion of the verse with Exodus 1:7, “The children of Israel were fruitful … and were exceeding mighty.”
Read Cambridge on Psalms 105 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleAnd he increased his people greatly ... - God caused them to multiply. Exodus 1:7, Exodus 1:9.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 105 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible24. Made them stronger than their enemies—See Exodus 1:7-9, where they are said to be “more and mightier” than the Egyptians; that is, than native born Egyptians; probably, not more than the total population under the government.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 105 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
And the LORD made His people very fruitful, more numerous than their foes,
He increased his people greatly, and made them stronger than their adversaries.
And the LORD made His people very fruitful, more numerous than their foes,
The Lord made his people very fruitful, and made them more numerous than their enemies.
Tyndale line
And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.
And he increased his people greatly, And made them stronger than their adversaries.
And he increased his people greatly, and made them stronger than their adversaries.
And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.
And he increased his people exceedingly, and made them stronger then their oppressours.
Strictly literal
And he made his people exceeding fruitful, and made them mightier than their oppressors.
And He maketh His people very fruitful, And maketh it mightier than its adversaries.
And He makes His people very fruitful, || And makes it mightier than its adversaries.
And he increased his people greatly, and made them stronger than their adversaries.
Yahweh made his people fruitful, and made them stronger than their enemies.
From the Latin
And they set at nought the desirable land. They believed not his word,
Simplified
The Lord made his people more fertile and more powerful than their enemies.
And his people were greatly increased, and became stronger than those who were against them.
Word by word, the decisions they made
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads וַיֶּ֣פֶר אֶת־ עַמּ֣וֹ מְאֹ֑ד וַ֝יַּֽעֲצִמֵהוּ מִצָּרָֽיו׃. The Septuagint matches five of the six words, but its word order and articles differ, reflecting a distinct Greek rendering. The Dead Sea Scrolls show one word on the leather, with five supplied by an editor, indicating a partial preservation of the text.
וַיֶּ֣פֶר אֶת־ עַמּ֣וֹ מְאֹ֑ד וַ֝יַּֽעֲצִמֵהוּ מִצָּרָֽיו׃
5 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
[ויפר] [את] [עמ׳ו] [מאד] [ויעצמ׳הו] מצרי׳ו
1 word on the leather — 5 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 105:24
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
פָּרָה (parah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to bear fruit or be fruitful, applicable to both literal and figurative contexts. It can describe the act of producing fruit, as well as the process of making something fruitful. The verb appears in different forms, including Qal and Hiphil, indicating both the action of bearing fruit and causing fruitfulness.
[פָּרָה] vb. bear fruit, be fruitful
Qal
of men and animals
of vine
Hiph.
cause to bear fruit
make fruitful
shew fruitfulness, bear fruit
base
H6509 פָּרָה bear fruit, be fruitful
6509 parah paw-raw'
a primitive root; to bear fruit (literally or
figuratively):--bear, bring forth (fruit), (be, cause to be,
make) fruitful, grow, increase.
פָּרָה (pa.rah) — be fruitful.
1) to bear fruit, be fruitful, branch off
1a) (Qal) to bear fruit, be fruitful
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to cause to bear fruit
1b2) to make fruitful
1b3) to show fruitfulness, bear fruit
Also means: pa.ra (פָּרָא "be fruitful" H6500)
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vhw3ms
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
עַם (am) primarily means 'people' or 'nation,' referring to a collective group, often in the context of tribes such as those of Israel. It can also denote kinsmen or compatriots. The term appears in various contexts, including military and familial references. There is a mention of a specific individual named Ammi in Song of Solomon 6:12.
עַם, עָם 1810 n.m. people
a people, nation
= smaller units
= common people
people in gen., persons
phrases
base
[עַם] n.[m.] kinsman (on father's side)
base
H5971a עַם, עָם people H5971b עַם kinsman (on father's side)
5971 `am am
from 6004; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a
tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or
attendants; figuratively, a flock:--folk, men, nation,
people.
see HEBREW for 06004
עַם (am) — people.
: people/nation
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — kinsman.
kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Ammi.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at Sng.6.12
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — People's (Gate).
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — (Ibleam)-am.
Combined with yiv.le.am (יִבְלְעָם "Ibleam" H2991)
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Amaw.
This name means nation, people
עַם (am) — people: soldiers.
: soldiers/army
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — people: creatures.
: creatures
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
מְאֹד (m`od) refers to concepts of muchness, force, and abundance. It serves as an adverb meaning exceedingly or greatly, often used to intensify other words. The entries highlight its use in various idioms to express magnitude or degree, with a focus on might and intensity.
מְאֹד n.m. muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly
force, might
in diff. idioms (298 t.) to express the idea of exceedingly, greatly, very (whether of magnitude or degree)
base
H3966 מְאֹד muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly . force, might
. in diff. idiomns (298 t.) to express the idea of exceedingly, greatly, very (whether of magnitude or degree)
3966 m`od meh-ode'
from the same as 181; properly, 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), X
louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so)
sore, utterly, very (+ much, sore), well.
see HEBREW for 0181
מְאֹד (me.od) — much.
adv
1) exceedingly, much
subst
2) might, force, abundance
n m
3) muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly
3a) force, might
3b) exceedingly, greatly, very (idioms showing magnitude or degree)
3b1) exceedingly
3b2) up to abundance, to a great degree, exceedingly
3b3) with muchness, muchness
Adv — AdvHAcmsa
עָצֹם (atsam) has two main meanings: to be vast, mighty, or numerous, and to shut the eyes. The word can describe strength or abundance in the Qal form, while the Hiphil form indicates making something strong. Additionally, it can refer to the act of closing the eyes, with variations in intensity noted in the entries.
[עָצֹם], עָצַם vb. be vast, mighty, numerous
Qal
be mighty
be numerous
Hiph. make strong
base
[עָצַם] vb. shut the eyes
Qal shutteth his eyes from seeing
Pi. he hath tightly shut your eyes
base
H6105a עָצֹם, עָצַם be vast, mighty, numerous .. be mighty
. be numerous
. make strong
H6105b עָצַם shut the eyes
6105 `atsam aw-tsam'
a primitive root; to bind fast, i.e. close (the eyes);
intransitively, to be (causatively, make) powerful or
numerous; denominatively (from 6106) to crunch the
bones:--break the bones, close, be great, be increased, be
(wax) mighty(-ier), be more, shut, be(-come, make)
strong(-er).
see HEBREW for 06106
עָצֹם (a.tsom) — be vast.
1) to be vast, be numerous, be mighty
1a)(Qal)
1a1) to be mighty
1a2) to be numerous
1b) (Hiphil) to make strong, make mighty
עָצַם (a.tsam) — to shut eyes.
1) to shut (the eyes), close (the eyes)
1a) (Qal) to shut (the eyes)
1b) (Piel) to shut tightly (the eyes)
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff — Verb hiphil sequential imperfect third person masculine singular · suffixHc/Vhw3ms/Sp3ms
The Hebrew word צַר (tsar) is built from the root meaning 'narrow' or 'tight.' It encompasses a range of meanings including 'distress,' 'adversary,' and 'hard pebble' or 'flint.' The term can refer to physical tightness or metaphorical trouble, as well as an enemy or foe. It appears in contexts of anguish and tribulation, with a specific verse reference in Isaiah 5:28.
צַר adj. narrow, tight
base
צַר n.[m.] straits, distress
base
צַר 68 n.m. adversary, foe
base
צַר n.[m.] hard pebble, flint;—Is 5:28
ref
H6862a צַר narrow, tight H6862b צַר straits, distress H6862c צַר adversary, foe H6862d צַר hard pebble, flint
6862 tsar tsar
or tsar {tsawr}; from 6887; narrow; (as a noun) a tight place
(usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble (as in
6864); (transitive) an opponent (as crowding):--adversary,
afflicted(-tion), anguish, close, distress, enemy, flint, foe,
narrow, small, sorrow, strait, tribulation, trouble.
see HEBREW for 06887
see HEBREW for 06864
צַר (tsar) — narrow.
narrow, tight
צַר (tsar) — distress.
straits, distress
צַר (tsar) — enemy.
adversary, foe, enemy, oppressor
צַר (tsar) — hard.
hard pebble, flint
Prep | N-mp | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHR/Ncmpc/Sp3ms