Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 105:37
He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and [there was] not one feeble [person] among their tribes.
37. So he brought them forth with silver and gold:
And there was none that stumbled among his tribes.
Israel marched out like a victorious army, with spoils which were virtually the reward of their long compulsory service (Exo 12:35-36); like a host of warriors in which none are faint or weary (Isa 5:27).
his tribes ] Jehovah’s tribes (Psa 122:4) rather than Israel’s (Num 24:2).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
37 45. The Exodus, the miracles of the wilderness, and the settlement in Canaan.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
He brought them forth also with silver and gold – Which they had begged of the Egyptians. In Exo 12:35, it is said, in our translation, that they had borrowed this gold and silver, together with raiment, of the Egyptians. This is an unhappy translation, as our word borrow means to ask anything of another for the purpose of using it for a time, with an implied understanding that it shall be returned, if an article to be used – or that as much money shall be repaid, if it is money that is borrowed – and according to this there would have been dishonesty and fraud on the part of the Israelites in borrowing these things of the Egyptians, when not intending (as they evidently did not) to return them. The Hebrew word, however, in Exo 12:35 – sha’al – means merely to ask, to demand, to require, to request, to perition, to beg. The idea of an obligation to return the things, as in our word borrow, is not attached to the Hebrew word.
And there was not one feeble person … – literally, Not one who was lame; or, who halted, or staggered. This, of course, is not necessarily to be understood literally. It is a general description of the capability of the people for traveling, or for war.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Feeble person; diseased or unable for his journey; which in so vast a body, and in a time of such mortality as it had been in Egypt, and in a people which had been so long and so dreadfully oppressed as the Israelites were, was wonderful; but they all journeyed on foot, Exo 12:37.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
37. with silver and goldpresentedthem by the Egyptians, as an acknowledgment due for their labors intheir bondage (compare Ex 12:35).
one feeble personor,”stumbler,” unfit for the line of march. Compare”harnessed,” that is, accoutred and marshalled as an armyon march (Exo 13:18; Isa 5:27).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
He brought them forth also with silver and gold,…. That is, God brought forth the Israelites out of Egypt by means of the above plagues, laden with great riches, with jewels of gold and of silver, which they borrowed of the Egyptians at the command of the Lord; and so to be justified in what they did; and besides it was but just and equitable that they should be paid for their service and hard labour in Egypt for a long course of time; and this was the method in Providence they were directed to take to do themselves justice; and hereby was accomplished an ancient prophecy concerning them, that they should come out with much substance, Ge 15:14, Besides, in the passages quoted, the words should be rendered of the Israelites that they “asked”, and of the Egyptians that they “gave”; the Jews, some of them, say c that these were given not with the will of the Egyptians, and others say not with the will of the Israelites, but neither of them true. And so in like manner will the people of God, when rescued from the tyranny of the antichristian states, enjoy great riches and honour; see Re 17:16.
And [there was] not one feeble [person] among their tribes; though there were six hundred thousand footmen, Nu 11:21, and though they had been used to hard and rigorous service in order to weaken their strength; and though they came from among a people plagued with diseases and deaths. This confronts a lying story told by some Heathen writers d, that the Israelites were driven out of Egypt because they had the itch, leprosy, and other diseases upon them. Aben Ezra and Kimchi interpret it, there was not a poor or necessitous man among them, for they abounded with gold and silver; compare with this the case of God’s people in the latter day, Zec 12:8.
c T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 9. 2. d Justin. e Trogo, l. 36. c. 2. Tacitus, l. 5. 3. Lysimachus apud Joseph. contr. Apion. l. 1. s. 34.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
37. And he brought them forth with silver and gold (230) The prophet, on the other hand, celebrates the grace of God which preserved the chosen people untouched and safe from all these plagues. If both parties had been indiscriminately afflicted with them, the hand of God would not have been so signally manifest. But now when the Israelites, amidst so many calamities, experienced an entire exemption from harm, this difference exhibits to us, as in a picture, God’s fatherly care about his own people. For this reason, it is stated, Nor was there a feeble person, or one who stumbled; (231) for the verb כשל , kashal, has both these meanings. But I prefer taking it simply in this sense, That whilst Egypt was hastening to destruction, the people of God were vigorous, and free from every malady. When it is said, He brought them forth, and when it is afterwards added, in his tribes, there is a change of the number, which is quite common in the Hebrew language. Some refer the word his to God; but this I am afraid is too forced.
(230) Allusion is made to the Israelites carrying with them in their departure from Egypt, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, which they borrowed of the Egyptians, Exo 12:36.
(231) “ And there was not any one stumbling among his tribes. The LXX. have rendered כושל by ἀσθενης infirm, so that they understood the Psalmist to say, there was no one incapable of following the multitude, — no one was prevented by disease or infirmity from accomplishing the journey.” — Phillips. What a striking contrast between their condition and that of their oppressors! While in every Egyptian dwelling, death had left his victim, not one of all the children of Israel was unable to prosecute his heaven-directed flight from that land of bondage.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(37) Feeble person.Literally, stumbling. (Comp. Isa. 5:27 : None shall be weary or stumble among them, i.e., none unfit for the march and military duty.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
37. With silver and gold God had promised Abraham (Gen 15:14) that his descendants should “come out of Egypt with great substance;” and again to Moses, “When ye go ye shall not go empty.”
Exo 3:21. The words “silver and gold” refer to Exo 11:2; Exo 12:35, where the Hebrew word is not “borrow,” but ask, require; and in Psa 105:36, where the word is rendered lent, the Hiphil form of the verb means, to suffer to ask; literally, to cause to ask, that is, to lend a willing ear to the asker, and to grant his request. “No proof can be brought that the word means to lend, as is commonly supposed. The word occurs again in 1Sa 1:28, and there it means to grant or give.” Keil and Delitzsch.
Psa 105:37 He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and [there was] not one feeble [person] among their tribes.
Ver. 37. He brought them forth also with silver and gold ] Which they had dearly earned in Egypt, but could not get, till God, the right owner of all, set them in a course, Exo 12:35-36 , dispensing with his own law.
There was not one feeble person NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psa 105:37-45
37Then He brought them out with silver and gold,
And among His tribes there was not one who stumbled.
38Egypt was glad when they departed,
For the dread of them had fallen upon them.
39He spread a cloud for a covering,
And fire to illumine by night.
40They asked, and He brought quail,
And satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
41He opened the rock and water flowed out;
It ran in the dry places like a river.
42For He remembered His holy word
With Abraham His servant;
43And He brought forth His people with joy,
His chosen ones with a joyful shout.
44He gave them also the lands of the nations,
That they might take possession of the fruit of the peoples’ labor,
45So that they might keep His statutes
And observe His laws,
Praise the Lord!
Psa 105:37-43 These verses reflect the wilderness wandering period (cf. Numbers 13-36).
Psa 105:37 with silver and gold The Egyptians gave the Israelites much gold and silver (cf. Exo 3:21-22; Exo 11:2; Exo 12:35-36). It was a way of illustrating the humiliating defeat by YHWH (cf. Psa 105:38).
among His tribes This phrase may be related to by their hosts (BDB 838), which is found in Exo 6:26; Exo 12:51; and Josephus, Antiq. 14.6. It means that as the Israelites left Egypt on their Exodus, they camped by tribal groupings.
there was not one who stumbled This shows God’s special miraculous care for the old, sick, and young (cf. Deu 8:4).
Psa 105:39 . . .cloud. . . This was called the Shekinah Cloud of Glory by the rabbis (cf. Exo 13:21-22; Exo 14:19; Exo 14:24; Exo 33:9-10; Psa 78:14; Psa 99:7). It accomplished several things for the Israelites.
1. symbol of YHWH’s personal presence (shekinah means to dwell with)
2. it separated Israel from Pharaoh’s elite troops (cf. Exo 14:19-20)
3. it led Israel (cf. Exo 13:21-22; Num 9:17-23)
4. it covered them and protected them from the heat (cf. Psa 105:39)
5. it lit up the camp by night, even allowed Israel to travel at night (cf. Exo 13:21; Neh 9:12; Neh 9:19)
6. it caused the nations to fear Israel (cf. Exo 23:27; Deu 2:25; Deu 11:25; Jos 2:9)
7. it finally disappeared when Israel crossed the Jordan (cf. Exo 16:35; Jos 5:12), but reappeared at the dedication of Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 8).
Psa 105:40 They asked The MT has he asked. The UBS Text Project (p. 381) gives this a C rating (considerable doubt). The question is who the pronoun refers to.
1. the people as a whole
2. one among them acting as a spokesperson
3. YHWH Himself
quail God provided quail meat twice (cf. Exo 16:13-14 and Num 11:31) as a sign of His love and promise of provisions and care.
bread of heaven This was another name for manna (cf. Exodus 16).
In Deu 8:3, the people called it manna (BDB 577 I, [Exo 16:31] from the question of Exo 16:4, What is it? Moses called it bread from heaven, Exo 16:4). It was God’s special provision of food during the wilderness wandering period. It is described in Exo 16:4; Exo 16:14-15; Exodus 31; Num 11:7-8, but its exact substance is unknown to us (BDB says it was known to Bedouins in the Sinai and that it was strictly a juice from a certain twig, but this does not fit the biblical description). God provided what they needed for each day, not for a long period of time, so the people would learn to trust Him for their daily needs. He does this for new covenant believers also (cf. Mat 6:11).
Psa 105:41 He opened the rock This divine provision of water was repeated several times (cf. Exo 17:1-6; Num 20:11; Deu 8:15; Psa 78:20; Psa 114:8). It becomes a Messianic symbol in 1Co 10:4.
Psa 105:42 He remembered His holy word This refers to God’s initial covenant with Abraham (cf. Psa 105:5-6; Genesis 12-15, especially Gen 15:16).
Psa 105:44-45 These verses reflect the Conquest of Canaan under Joshua.
Psa 105:45 keep His statutes,
And obey His laws Obedience to the revealed word of God is crucial. Obedience reveals the heart. The covenant has two aspects.
1. the sovereignty and faithfulness of YHWH (cf. Deu 4:39)
2. the faith and obedience of His people (cf. Deu 4:40; Psa 25:10; Psa 103:18)
3. YHWH is faithful (cf. Deu 7:9), so His followers must be also!
Praise the Lord This is literally praise Yah (BDB 237 II, KB 248, Piel imperative with Yah, BDB 219). In English it is transliterated hallelujah. This phrase is a common refrain in the last section of the Psalter (i.e., Psa 104:35; Psa 105:45; Psa 106:1; Psa 106:48; Psa 111:1; Psa 112:1; Psa 113:1; Psa 113:9; Psa 116:19; Psa 117:2; Psa 135:1; Psa 135:21; Psa 146:1; Psa 146:10; Psa 147:1; Psa 148:1; Psa 148:14; Psa 149:1; Psa 149:9; Psa 150:1; Psa 150:6). How appropriate!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. Why does the Bible encourage us to participate in public, corporate worship?
2. What are the implications of monotheism?
3. Does God send famine? (Psa 105:16)
4. Why are God’s acts of love and deliverance on behalf of Israel so significant?
5. Are God’s covenants conditional or unconditional?
6. Why is the Psalm called salvation history?
their = his: i.e. Israel’s (or Jehovah’s).
Psa 105:37-38
Psa 105:37-38
ISRAEL LEAVES EGYPT; EGYPT GLAD OF IT
“And he brought them forth with silver and gold;
And there was not one feeble person among his tribes.
Egypt was glad when they departed;
For the fear of them had fallen upon them.”
“He brought them forth with silver and gold” (Psa 105:37). See Exo 12:35 for the Pentateuchal record of this. Also see Gen 15:14 for God’s promise of that very thing.
E.M. Zerr:
Psa 105:37. The pronouns in this verse refer to the children of Israel. The silver and gold was given them by the Egyptians, and the account is in Exo 11:2-3; Exo 12:35-36.
Psa 105:38. Egypt was glad when they departed. This clause will be better understood and appreciated if the student will read Exo 12:31-33 and the entire connection. The readiness of Pharaoh to let the Israelites go was not from conviction that he was wrong and they were right. It was purely a selfish move on his part and was prompted by his desire to get rid of a troublous element that he could not manage.
brought: Gen 15:14, Exo 3:22, Exo 12:35, Exo 12:36, Act 13:17
and there: Considering the immense number of men, women, children, and cattle, it must certainly have appeared extraordinary, that there was none among them weak or feeble, none unable to perform the journey. The order was that “not a hoof should be left behind;” and He who commanded gave strength to obey.
Reciprocal: Exo 11:2 – borrow Deu 7:15 – will put none Psa 68:13 – the wings Psa 78:52 – But Psa 136:11 – brought out Jer 31:2 – found Jer 32:21 – brought
Psa 105:37-39. He brought them forth also with silver and gold Laden with the spoils of their enemies, which God, who is the absolute lord of all property, empowered them to ask and receive of them, and thereby, as a righteous judge, awarded them the wages due to their great labours, the Egyptians being now willing and ready to furnish them with any thing required in order to dismiss them, Exo 12:33. There was not one feeble person among them Diseased or unable for his journey, although it was to be performed on foot; which, in so vast a body, and in a time of such mortality as it had been in Egypt, and among a people which had been so long and so dreadfully oppressed as the Israelites had been, was wonderful. Egypt was glad when they departed For God had so wonderfully owned them, and pleaded their cause, that the fear of Israel fell upon them, and they owned themselves baffled and overcome. He spread a cloud for a covering To protect them from the heat of the sun, which, in that hot and open country, would otherwise have been intolerable to them, especially in so long a journey: see on Psa 88:14.
105:37 He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and [there was] {s} not one feeble [person] among their tribes.
(s) When their enemies felt God’s plagues his children by his providence were exempted.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes