Psalm 105 17

Psalm 105:17 kjv

He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:

Psalm 105:17 nkjv

He sent a man before them? Joseph?who was sold as a slave.

Psalm 105:17 niv

and he sent a man before them? Joseph, sold as a slave.

Psalm 105:17 esv

he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave.

Psalm 105:17 nlt

Then he sent someone to Egypt ahead of them ?
Joseph, who was sold as a slave.

Psalm 105 verses

Psalm 105 17 Meaning

Psalm 105:17 describes a pivotal moment in God's plan for Israel: the deliberate divine action of sending Joseph ahead of his family to Egypt. Though humanly Joseph was sold into slavery through the malice of his brothers, the verse emphasizes that it was God who "sent" him. This pre-emptive dispatch of Joseph, despite the hardship involved, served as a providentially orchestrated means to preserve the covenant people from famine and to position them for their future growth into a nation within Egypt before the Exodus. It reveals God's sovereignty over both human actions and natural circumstances, turning apparent misfortune into a path for His redemptive purposes.

Psalm 105 17 Context

Psalm 105 is a hymn recounting God's covenant faithfulness and wondrous works throughout Israel's early history, from Abraham to the settlement in Canaan. The psalm encourages the people to "remember" God's deeds (v. 5) and His covenant (v. 8). Verses 8-15 recall the covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and God's protection of the patriarchs. Verse 16 describes a famine that God "called forth upon the land." Verse 17 then immediately introduces Joseph as the key to God's solution for this famine, positioning his suffering and subsequent exaltation as divinely orchestrated steps towards preserving the covenant people and bringing them to Egypt, a necessary stage before their dramatic Exodus, which is narrated in the latter part of the psalm. This sets Joseph's experience not as a mere human tragedy, but as a central part of God's overarching redemptive plan for His chosen nation, illustrating that God's plan is not thwarted but furthered by human wickedness and adversity. The historical context reflects a nomadic family group experiencing the threat of widespread famine, common in the ancient Near East, which often necessitated movement to fertile regions like Egypt.

Psalm 105 17 Word analysis

• He sent (יַפַס - yaftes; from שָׁלַח - shalach): The Hiphil imperfect form of shalach signifies active, causative sending. This immediately establishes God as the prime mover and active agent. It's not a passive allowance but an intentional act. The divine initiative is central.
• a man (אִ֖ישׁ - ʾîš): A simple term for "man" or "male person." Here, it points to Joseph as an individual human instrument. God works through specific people.
• before them (לִפְנֵיהֶ֑ם - lifnêhem): Literally "to their face" or "in their presence," but contextually "ahead of them" or "in advance of them." This spatial and temporal phrase is crucial, highlighting God's providential forethought and preparedness. Joseph's going ahead was preemptive, setting the stage for the family's later arrival and survival.
• Joseph (יוֹסֵ֑ף - Yôsēf): The specific individual. The inclusion of his name personalizes God's historical intervention. His personal story is inextricably linked to the national history and God's covenant purposes.
• who was sold (נִמְכַּר - nimkar): The Niphal perfect form of makhar, indicating a passive action: "he was sold" or "was given over." This highlights that the act of selling was done to him by others (his brothers). Yet, within the context of God "sending" him, this human act of malice is seen as paradoxically serving God's higher will. This dual perspective (human responsibility vs. divine sovereignty) is a recurring biblical theme.
• as a slave (לְעֶ֑בֶד - leʿeḇeḏ): The preposition le- signifies "as" or "for the purpose of becoming." Eḇeḏ (slave, servant) indicates his position. This identifies the initial low and suffering state Joseph was placed in, a state of humiliation and loss of freedom, directly following his brothers' betrayal. This low point was paradoxically part of God's pathway to his elevation and Israel's deliverance.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "He sent a man before them": This phrase underlines God's intentionality and foresight. It conveys that the movement of Joseph was not accidental or merely a result of his brothers' jealousy, but a strategic act of divine providence. God was directing the course of events to fulfill His promises to the patriarchs, preparing a way for the sustenance of His covenant people. It is a proactive, sovereign initiative.
• "Joseph, who was sold as a slave": This part contrasts the divine sending with the human method of Joseph's relocation and his immediate circumstances. The cruel act of being sold into slavery by his own family, leading to humiliation and bondage, was simultaneously the very means God used to place Joseph precisely where he needed to be for the family's salvation. This stark juxtaposition powerfully illustrates God's ability to repurpose human sin and suffering for His righteous and benevolent ends, turning evil intentions into ultimate good. It sets the stage for a typological understanding where Joseph's experience mirrors Christ's rejection and suffering for the salvation of many.

Psalm 105 17 Bonus section

This verse is integral to understanding the Psalm's broader message: God is faithful to His covenant and actively intervenes in history to preserve His people. The human perspective might focus on the injustice Joseph suffered, but the divine perspective, as presented here, highlights God's strategic genius in using what was meant for evil as a vital step in His redemptive timeline. It reinforces that God's purposes are immutable and will be achieved despite or even through human opposition and trials. The "sending" of Joseph highlights a pattern of divine preparation: just as a path is cleared before a king, so God prepares the way for His people's journey and future. This demonstrates God's long-term planning and care for His chosen ones, orchestrating events decades in advance to ensure their survival and the eventual fulfillment of His promises.

Psalm 105 17 Commentary

Psalm 105:17 stands as a powerful testament to God's sovereign control over human events, even the darkest of them. The verse encapsulates the paradox of Joseph's journey: human evil intended harm, but God's overarching purpose ordained good. By stating "He sent a man before them," the psalm reinterprets Joseph's betrayal and enslavement not as a tragedy, but as a deliberate act of divine providence. Joseph's suffering was a divinely permitted test (Ps 105:19) that paved the way for his later exaltation, positioning him to save his family from famine and secure their future in Egypt, thus fulfilling the covenant promises. This pattern—suffering leading to exaltation and salvation for many—foreshadows the ultimate divine "sending" of Jesus Christ, who, though "sold" and put to death, was doing God's will to bring salvation to humanity (e.g., Acts 2:23; Rom 8:28). This verse teaches believers to see God's hand in life's difficulties, trusting that even through betrayal and hardship, His perfect plan is unfolding for ultimate good and the advancement of His kingdom purposes.