Psalms 147:4 — Word Study
WLCמוֹנֶ֣ה מִ֭סְפָּר לַכּוֹכָבִ֑ים לְ֝כֻלָּ֗ם שֵׁמ֥וֹת יִקְרָֽא׃
BSAHe determinesmânâh [counts, appoints, knows] the numbermiçpâr [quantity, total] of the starskôwkâb [celestial bodies, heavenly hosts] He calls themqârâʼ▸ [telleth, summons] eachkôl [all, every one] ◂by nameshêm [their identity, designation]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מוֹנֶ֣ה | [he is] counting | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| מִ֭סְפָּר | [the] number | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לַכּוֹכָבִ֑ים | of the stars | Preposition, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| לְ֝כֻלָּ֗ם | to all of them | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| שֵׁמ֥וֹת | names | Noun common, feminine plural absolute |
| יִקְרָֽא׃ | he calls | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He determines the number of the stars; He calls them each by name. |
| KJV | He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. |
| ASV | He counteth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names. |
| YLT | Appointing the number of the stars, To all them He giveth names. |
| WEB | He counts the number of the stars. He calls them all by their names. |
| BBE | He sees the number of the stars; he gives them all their names. |
The translations agree on the meaning of מוֹנֶ֣ה — see How Translations Differ.
One main verb governs the sentence, with additional phrases providing context and detail about the action.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbמָנָה
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 147:4
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 Care for Creationgenerated
Psalm 147:4 is part of a psalm that praises God for His power and compassion. The verses surrounding it highlight His ability to heal the brokenhearted and sustain the humble, showing a God who is both mighty and caring. This particular verse emphasizes His authority over the stars, showcasing His omniscience and the personal nature of His relationship with creation.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 8:3 | When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place— |
| 2 | Psalm 148:3 | Praise Him, O sun and moon; praise Him, all you shining stars. |
| 3 | Genesis 15:5 | And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.” |
| 4 | Isaiah 40:26 | Lift up your eyes on high: Who created all these? He leads forth the starry host by number; He calls each one by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מוֹנֶ֣ה, mo.Nehgenerated
The word מוֹנֶ֣ה (mo.Neh) is a participle from the verb מָנָה (manah), which means to count or number. It indicates an active role in the process of enumeration, suggesting that God actively assigns value and significance to each star.
This term encompasses a range of meanings, including appointing and knowing, which reflects God's intimate involvement with the cosmos. The parsing as a masculine singular participle emphasizes that it is God who is performing the action of counting.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is presented in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses determines to convey God's authority over the stars.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is מוֹנֶ֣ה, He determines, which governs the entire clause. The structure includes a noun phrase indicating what is being counted, a prepositional phrase specifying the subject (the stars), and a second clause that elaborates on the action of naming.
This structure emphasizes God's sovereignty and personal engagement with creation, as the verb precedes the object, highlighting the act of counting as the focal point.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates מִסְפָּר as πλήθη (plēthē), meaning 'multitude' or 'number'. This choice broadens the concept from a simple count to a sense of abundance, reflecting God's vast creation.
The use of καλῶν (kalōn) for יִקְרָֽא indicates the act of summoning or calling, which aligns with the idea of God personally addressing each star.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 147:4 tells us that God counts the stars and knows each one by name. This shows His power and personal care for creation. The surrounding verses highlight His ability to heal and sustain, emphasizing His greatness.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies God's omniscience and authority over the universe, showing that He knows and values every part of His creation.
Naming implies a personal relationship and care; it shows that each star has significance to God.
Just as God knows the stars by name, He also knows and cares for each person, highlighting His intimate involvement in creation.
The vast number of stars reflects God's greatness and the idea that His creation is abundant and beyond human comprehension.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see God's hand in the details of my life, similar to how He counts the stars?
- How can I cultivate a deeper understanding of God's care for creation?
- What does it mean to me that God knows me by name?
- How can I reflect God's care and attention to detail in my interactions with others?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers have commented on this verse to illustrate God's omnipotence and care for creation. Their insights reflect on the majesty of God's creation and His intimate knowledge of it.
If anyone undertakes to speak of the attributes of God, let him first describe the bounds of the earth. Though you dwell on the earth, you do not know the limit of your dwelling place;Early Church Fathers on Psalms 147 →
"Who tells the number of the stars, and calls them all by their names" [Psalms 147:4].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 147 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 147:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHe telleth the number of the stars,.... Which no man can do exactly; see Genesis 15:5; the ancient astronomers pretended to tell them, as Aratus and Eudoxus (o), and fixed their number at a thousand
Read John Gill on Psalms 147 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHe telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. He telleth (or, literally, determines) the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 147 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHe telleth the number of the stars, which no man can do, . For those thousand and twenty-five which astrononers number, are only such as are most distinctly visible to the eye, and most considerable for their influences. He calleth them all by their names: this signifies, 1. That He exactly knows them as we do those whom we can call by name; he is able to give distinct names to each of them, because he accurately understands their several natures and operations. 2. That he hath a sovereign power over them, as men have over their children, or servants, or soldiers, whom they can call by name; that he appointeth and governeth all their motions and influences to the fulfilling of his own…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 147 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 147:4 He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by [their] names.Ver. 4. He telleth the number of the stars] Which to man is impossible, as Aristotle maintaineth against those astronomers, that tell us they are a thousand and some hundreds. But Abraham was a great astronomer; yet he could never do it, Genesis 15:5, and the wiser sort of astrologers have rightly distinguished the stars into numerable and innumerable as to men. He calleth them all by their names] As knowing exactly their nature; and authoritatively commanding every of them to do his pleasure. How much more can God call together his outcasts, and cause them to return; especially since he calleth those…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 147 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(4) Stars.—This proof of God’s power to help, by reference to the stars of heaven, which are beyond man’s power to count, much more to name, but which the Almighty both numbers and names, seems rather abruptly introduced, but the train of thought is clear. To assemble the dispersed of Israel, however numerous and scattered, was easy to the ruler of the hosts of heaven. The original promise to Abraham was, of course, in the poet’s mind, but still more Isaiah 40:26-28, from which the expression may have been taken. The dramatic “Lift your eyes on high and behold” supplies the link needed in the abrupt entrance of the thought of the psalm.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 147 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 4. He telleth the number of the stars] He whose knowledge is so exact as to tell every star in heaven, can be under no difficulty to find out and collect all the scattered exiles of Israel.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 147 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1–6. Praise Jehovah, the restorer of Israel, the sovereign ruler of the world.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 147 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHe telleth the number of the stars - He counts them all. God only can do this.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 147 →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
He determines the number of the stars; He calls them each by name.
He counts the number of the stars. He calls them all by their names.
He determines the number of the stars; He calls them each by name.
He counts the number of the stars; he names all of them.
Tyndale line
He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
He counteth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names.
He telleth the number of the stars; he giveth them all their names.
He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
He counteth the nomber of the starres, and calleth them all by their names.
Strictly literal
He counteth the number of the stars; he giveth names to them all.
Appointing the number of the stars, To all them He giveth names.
Appointing the number of the stars, || He gives names to all of them.
Who counteth the number of the stars; who calleth them all by [their] names.
He counts the stars, he gives names to all of them.
From the Latin
Who sendeth forth his speech to the earth: his word runneth swiftly.
Simplified
He knows how many stars he made, and commands all of them by name.
He sees the number of the stars; he gives them all their names.
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 and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording, with five out of six words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain some restorations, but the core message remains consistent across these witnesses.
מוֹנֶ֣ה מִ֭סְפָּר לַכּוֹכָבִ֑ים לְ֝כֻלָּ֗ם שֵׁמ֥וֹת יִקְרָֽא׃
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.
[מונה] [מספר] [לכוכבים] לכל׳ם [שמות] [יקרא]
nothing on the leather here — 1 partly restored, 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 147:4
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.
מָנָה (manah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to count, number, or reckon. It encompasses various forms, including appointing and assigning, and can indicate both active and passive senses, such as being counted or appointed. The entries suggest a range of uses in contexts of enumeration and official designation, but do not provide specific verse references.
מָנָה vb. count, number, reckon, assign
Qal
count, number
reckon, assign, appoint
Niph.
be counted, numbered
be reckoned, assigned
Pi. appoint, ordain
Pu. appointed
base
H4487 מָנָה count, number, reckon, assign .. count, number
. reckon, assign, appoint
. . be counted, numbered
. be reckoned, assigned
. appoint, ordain
. appointed
4487 manah maw-naw'
a primitive root; properly, to weigh out; by implication, to
allot or constitute officially; also to enumerate or
enroll:--appoint, count, number, prepare, set, tell.
מָנָה (ma.nah) — to count.
1) to count, reckon, number, assign, tell, appoint, prepare
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to count, number
1a2) reckon, assign, appoint
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be counted, be numbered
1b2) to be reckoned, be assigned
1c) (Piel) to appoint, ordain
1d) (Pual) appointed (participle)
Aramaic equivalent: me.nah (מְנָה "to reckon/appoint" H4483)
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
מִסְפָּר (mispar) means 'number' or 'tale.' It can refer to definite or indefinite quantities, ranging from large to small. The word also encompasses concepts of narration and recounting. The entries consistently highlight its numerical and narrative aspects without significant disagreement.
מִסְפָּר 133 n.m. number, tale
base
H4557 מִסְפָּר number, tale
4557 micpar mis-pawr'
from 5608; a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite
(large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly)
narration:--+ abundance, account, X all, X few, (in-)finite,
(certain) number(-ed), tale, telling, + time.
see HEBREW for 05608
מִסְפָּר (mis.par) — number.
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
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
num'-ber:
I. NUMBER AND ARITHMETIC
II. NOTATION OF NUMBERS
1. By Words
2. By Signs
3. By Letters
III. NUMBERS IN OLD TESTAMENT HISTORY
IV. ROUND NUMBERS
V. SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS
1. Seven and Its Multiples
(1) Ritual Use of Seven
(2) Historical Use of Seven
(3) Didactic or Literary Use of Seven
(4) Apocalyptic Use of Seven
2. The Number Three
3. The Number Four
4. The Number Ten
5. The Number Twelve
6. Other Significant Numbers
VI. GEMATRIA
LITERATURE
I. Number and Arithmetic.
The system of counting followed by the Hebrews and the Semites generally was the decimal system, which seems to have been suggested by the use of the ten fingers. Hebrew had separate words only for the first nine units and for ten and its multiples. Of the sexagesimal system, which seems to have been introduced into Babylonia by the Sumerians and which, through its development there, has influenced the measurement of time and space in the…
Like most Oriental nations, it is probable that the Hebrews in their written calculations made use of the letters of the alphabet. That they did so in post-Babylonian times we have conclusive evidence in the Maccabaean coins; and it is highly probable that this was the ease also in earlier times. But though, on the one hand, it is certain that in all existing MSS of the Hebrew text of the Old Testament the numerical expressions are written at length, yet, on the other, the variations in the several versions between themselves and from the Hebrew text, added to the evident inconsistencies in numerical statement between certain passages of that text itself seems to prove that some shorter mode of writing was originally in vogue, liable to be misunderstood, and in fact misunderstood by copyists and translators. These variations appear to have proceeded from the alphabetic method of writing…
Isa 65:11. See GAD 3.
כּוֹכָב (kowkab) means 'star' and is likely derived from a root related to rolling or blazing. It can refer to a literal star or figuratively to a prince or significant figure, including associations with the Messiah and God's omniscience.
כּוֹכָב n.m. star
base
H3556 כּוֹכָב star
3556 kowkab ko-kawb'
probably from the same as 3522 (in the sense of rolling) or
3554 (in the sense of blazing); a star (as round or as
shining); figuratively, a prince:--star((-gazer)).
see HEBREW for 03522
see HEBREW for 03554
כּוֹכָב (ko.khav) — star.
1) star
1a) of Messiah, brothers, youth, numerous progeny, personification, God's omniscience (fig.)
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absoluteHRd/Ncmpa
Stars
The eleven stars (Gen. 37:9); the seven (Amos 5:8); wandering (Jude 1:13); seen in the east at the birth of Christ, probably some luminous meteors miraculously formed for this specific purpose (Matt. 2:2-10); stars worshipped (Deut. 4:19; 2 Kings 17:16; 21:3; Jer. 19:13); spoken of symbolically (Num. 24:17; Rev. 1:16, 20; 12:1). (See ASTROLOGERS.)
כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.
כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all
with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
Absolutely:
without the art., all things, all
with the art. הַכֹּל
where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
base
H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all
. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
3605 kol kole
or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;
hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a
plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any
(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as
many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,
whoso(-ever).
see HEBREW for 03634
כֹּל (kol) — all.
1) all, the whole
1a) all, the whole of
1b) any, each, every, anything
1c) totality, everything
Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp3mp
שֵׁם (shem) means 'name' and encompasses various meanings such as reputation, fame, and glory. It can refer to the designation of God and is often associated with memorials or monuments. The word is built from a primitive root and highlights individuality and honor. There is a mention of its use in relation to false gods, which is forbidden.
שֵׁם 864 n.m. name (√ unknown)
of river, beasts, city, i.e. exact designation of it
usu. of pers.
= reputation
esp. as giving a man a kind of posthumous life, esp. in his sons
name, as designation of God
of false gods, use forbidden
= memorial, monument
base
H8034 שֵׁם name (√ unknown)
8034 shem shame
a primitive word (perhaps rather from 7760 through the idea
of definite and conspicuous position; compare 8064); an
appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by
implication honor, authority, character:--+ base,
(in-)fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
see HEBREW for 07760
see HEBREW for 08064
שֵׁם (shem) — name.
1) name
1a) name
1b) reputation, fame, glory
1c) the Name (as designation of God)
1d) memorial, monument
Aramaic equivalent: shum (שֻׁם "name" H8036)
N-mp — Noun common · feminine plural absoluteHNcfpa
Names of places . --These may be divided into two general classes --descriptive and historical. The former are such as mark some peculiarity of the locality, usually a natural one, e.g. Sharon, "plain" Gibeah, "hill;" Pisgah. "height." Of the second class of local names, some were given in honor of individual men, e.g. the city Enoch (Genesis 4:17) etc. More commonly, however, such names were given to perpetuate that memory of some important historic occurrence. Bethel perpetuated through all Jewish history the early revelations of God to Jacob. (Genesis 28:19; 35:15) So Jehovah-jireh, (Genesis 22:14) Mahanaim, (Genesis 32:2) Peniel etc. In forming compounds to serve as…
Among the Hebrews were frequently significant; sometimes of a family trait, and sometimes of circumstances attending the birth of a child; often too they were assumed afterwards to commemorate some striking occurrence in one’s history. Compare the cases of Ishmael, Esau, and Jacob, Moses, Ichabod, etc., Ge 16:16 25:25,26 Ex 2:10 1Sa 4:21.
Compound names were frequent; and often a part of the name of God, JAH EL, JEHO, etc., was employed as in Eliezer, Ex 18:4, Amuel, Josiah, Adonijah. Sometimes a whole phrase was formed into a name; as Elioneai, to Jehovah are mine eyes, 1Ch 4:36. The New Testament names are chiefly…
The Hebrew word קָרָא (qara') is a primitive root meaning to call, proclaim, or read. It encompasses a range of actions including calling out, crying for help, reading aloud, and summoning. The word can also imply being called or named in various contexts. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
קָרָא 724 vb. call, proclaim, read
Qal
call, cry, utter a loud sound
call, cry
call unto some one
cry for help
proclaim
read aloud
read to oneself
summon
call = name
Niph.
reflex.
pass. be called
Pu. be called
base
H7121 קָרָא call, proclaim, read .. . call, cry, utter a loud sound
. call, cry
. . call unto some one
. cry for help
. proclaim
. . read aloud
. read to oneself
. summon
. call = name
. . reflex.
. pass. be called
. be called
7121 qara' kaw-raw'
a primitive root (rather identical with 7122 through the idea
of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly,
address by name, but used in a wide variety of
applications):--bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for,
forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite,
mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(- ation),
pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
see HEBREW for 07122
קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call to.
: call_to/invite/entreat
1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound
1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)
1a3) to proclaim
1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read
1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow
1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to call oneself
1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named
1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen
קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call by.
: call_by/name
1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound
1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)
1a3) to proclaim
1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms