Psalm 105 13

Psalm 105:13 kjv

When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people;

Psalm 105:13 nkjv

When they went from one nation to another, From one kingdom to another people,

Psalm 105:13 niv

they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another.

Psalm 105:13 esv

wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people,

Psalm 105:13 nlt

They wandered from nation to nation,
from one kingdom to another.

Psalm 105 verses

Psalm 105 13 Meaning

Psalm 105:13 describes the historical reality of God's chosen people, the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) and their early descendants, as they moved about in various regions. They were few in number and did not possess their own land, often residing as foreigners or sojourners, traveling between different tribal territories, city-states, and established kingdoms before they settled in Egypt or later received the promised land.

Psalm 105 13 Context

Psalm 105 is a historical psalm of thanksgiving, recounting God's faithful dealings with Israel from the time of Abraham to their entry into the promised land. The psalm calls the people to remember God's wondrous works, His judgments, and the wonders He has performed, particularly in relation to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Verse 13 is part of a larger narrative block (Ps 105:8-15) that focuses on the period of the patriarchs. Specifically, verses 11 and 12 describe God's promise of Canaan to Israel even when they were "few in number, of little account, and sojourners." Verse 13 details the extent of their "sojourning," emphasizing their movement among various peoples and kingdoms, while the subsequent verses (14-15) immediately highlight God's protective intervention on their behalf despite their vulnerability. The historical context is primarily the nomadic life of the patriarchs and their clans prior to the Exodus, where they navigated life as foreigners without established political power or territorial claims in the lands they traversed.

Psalm 105 13 Word analysis

• They wandered (וַיִּתְהַלְּכוּ)

  • Transliteration: vayithall'khu
  • Meaning: The Hithpael imperfect form of the Hebrew verb halak (הָלַךְ), which means "to walk" or "to go." The Hithpael stem often conveys a reflexive or reciprocal action, or an intensive, continuous, or repeated movement. Here, it suggests a persistent state of movement, an "always being on the go," or "going back and forth," implying no fixed settlement.
  • Significance: It emphasizes their transient nature and the lack of a permanent home during this period. It was not a single journey, but a continuous series of moves and dislocations.

• from nation to nation (מִגּוֹי אֶל־גּוֹי)

  • Transliteration: mi-goy el-goy
  • Meaning: goy (גּוֹי) refers to a 'nation,' 'people,' or often, 'Gentile' nation. The repetition with the preposition 'from... to' (min... el) indicates movement between distinct geopolitical or ethnic entities.
  • Significance: This highlights the breadth of their travels and encounters. They were not confined to one region or interacting with only one people group, but moved across boundaries encountering diverse cultures and powers.

• from one kingdom to another people (מִמַּמְלָכָה אֶל־עַם אַחֵר)

  • Transliteration: mi-mamlakha el-am akher
  • Meaning: mamlakha (מַמְלָכָה) means 'kingdom' or 'dominion,' referring to an organized political entity. Am akher (עַם אַחֵר) translates to 'another people' or 'different folk.' This phrase forms a poetic parallelism with the preceding one, intensifying the description.
  • Significance: This emphasizes that their wanderings involved passing through established territories ruled by various kings or governing bodies, and interacting with populations distinctly different from themselves. It underscores their status as vulnerable, stateless outsiders, dependent entirely on divine protection. This description subtly contrasts with the surrounding belief systems of territorial deities, demonstrating that the God of Israel transcends all boundaries and offers protection universally.

• Words-group by words-group analysis

  • "They wandered from nation to nation": This phrase sets the scene for a period of mobility and insecurity, implying continuous journeying across tribal and geographical boundaries. It immediately draws attention to the instability and the exposure of the patriarchs to diverse external forces and customs.
  • "from one kingdom to another people": This second phrase powerfully reinforces the first, utilizing poetic parallelism to elaborate on the nature of their travels. By specifying "kingdoms" and "other peoples," it emphasizes encounters with established political structures and distinct ethnic groups. This reiterates their vulnerability as sojourners who lacked their own sovereign territory or a strong national identity at this point in their history. The combination of these phrases paints a picture of constant, wide-ranging movement and reliance on an unseen power for survival amidst potentially hostile environments.

Psalm 105 13 Bonus section

The experience described in Psalm 105:13 later became a foundational principle in Israelite law and social ethics, specifically in the repeated command to treat the ger (resident alien or sojourner) with kindness, for "you were sojourners in the land of Egypt" (e.g., Ex 22:21; Lev 19:33-34; Deut 10:19). This highlights that Israel’s own history of wandering and vulnerability cultivated an expectation of compassion for those in similar circumstances. The constant movement of the patriarchs was not aimless but part of God's strategic plan to test and deepen their faith in His promise, showcasing His unique control over kings and peoples even before His chosen people possessed their own land or became a mighty nation.

Psalm 105 13 Commentary

Psalm 105:13 succinctly describes the transient and vulnerable state of the patriarchs as they navigated the land of Canaan and surrounding regions, living as outsiders among various established nations and kingdoms. This verse is pivotal because it immediately precedes the divine promise of protection in the following verses (105:14-15). It highlights the profound contrast between their apparent weakness—being few, without a homeland, and constantly moving—and the unfailing, sovereign power of God who nonetheless watched over them. God’s commitment to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Ps 105:8-10) ensured their preservation despite their precarious existence as sojourners. This historical reality serves as a powerful testament to God's faithfulness, reminding Israel that their existence and flourishing were never dependent on their strength or status, but solely on His covenant promises and providential care. This verse can also remind believers of their own pilgrimage through this world as spiritual sojourners, confident in God's guiding and protecting hand regardless of external circumstances.