And the LORD made his people very fruitful and made them stronger than their foes.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights God's power not just in making His people numerous, but also actively making them stronger than those who opposed them. This isn't just about them outnumbering their enemies, but about an inherent, God-given strength that made them formidable, a fact even their oppressors had to acknowledge.
And the LORD made his people very fruitful and made them stronger than their foes.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of a psalm recounting God's faithfulness to Israel, focusing on the period of their sojourn and eventual enslavement in Egypt. It highlights God's powerful intervention to protect and multiply the Israelites, even as their Egyptian oppressors grew fearful of their burgeoning strength. The psalm emphasizes God's sovereign hand in every detail, from Joseph's rise to power to the miraculous growth of the people, setting the stage for their eventual deliverance.
Ever felt like you're growing despite the challenges life throws at you? This verse speaks to God's power to make His people flourish, even when surrounded by threats.
God's Unstoppable Growth Plan
This verse highlights a powerful pattern in God's dealings with His people: multiplication and strength, even in the face of adversity.
When you face giants, do you feel like a mouse? This psalm reminds us that our strength isn't measured by our own capabilities, but by God's.
God's Strength: A Surprising Reality
The psalm doesn't just say God's people strong; it says God them stronger than their enemies. This points to a strength that defies natural explanation.
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Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Israel. It denotes His self-existence, eternal nature, and faithful relationship with His people.
parah · Hebrew Verb
To be productive, to multiply, and to increase in numbers. It is often used to describe the blessing of God upon His people or creation.
tsar · Hebrew Noun
An enemy or adversary who opposes or manifests hostility. The term is used broadly to describe anyone standing against the people of God.
This psalm's praise of God making His people fruitful and strong directly recalls the Israelites' miraculous multiplication in Egypt, even as they faced oppression and enslavement. It highlights God's power to bless and strengthen His people, defying the very efforts of their enemies to suppress them.
c. 1876 BC
Jacob and family move to Egypt
Following Joseph's rise to power, Jacob and his entire household relocate to Egypt during a severe famine, settling in the land of Goshen.
c. 1876 BC - 1446 BC— this verse
Israelites multiply in Egypt
During their sojourn, the descendants of Jacob, known as Israelites, experience a remarkable population explosion, becoming a numerous and strong people.
c. 1446 BC
Israelites' population concerns Egyptians
The rapid growth of the Israelites leads to fear and anxiety among the Egyptians, who feel threatened by their sheer numbers and strength.
c. 1446 BC
Israelites enslaved by Egyptians
In response to their perceived threat, the Egyptians enslave the Israelites, forcing them into brutal labor with the aim of controlling their population and diminishing their strength.
This passage directly parallels Psalm 105:24, showing God's people becoming very fruitful and numerous in Egypt, even as the context shifts to their later oppression.
Exodus 1:9Here, the Egyptian rulers express their fear that the Israelites are becoming too numerous and strong, directly reflecting the outcome described in Psalm 105:24 from the perspective of their adversaries.
Genesis 41:52This verse describes Joseph naming his sons, one of whom means 'God made me fruitful in the land of my affliction,' echoing the theme of God's people multiplying greatly even in difficult circumstances, as mentioned in Psalm 105:24.
Romans 8:37This New Testament passage speaks of believers being 'more than conquerors' through Christ, reflecting the spiritual strength and ultimate victory over adversaries that God grants His people, a concept seen in Psalm 105:24.
Deuteronomy 7:1-2This passage shows God choosing Israel and making them great and strong, not because of their own might, but because of His promises, directly linking His blessing and power to their growth and superiority over their enemies as stated in Psalm 105:24.
pulpitPsalms 105:24: "And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies."
Verse 24. - And he increased his people greatly (comp. Exodus 1:7, 12, 20). And made them stronger than their enemies. So the Pharaoh who introduced the hard bondage, "The people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we" (Exodus 1:9).
calvinPsalms 105:20-24: "The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free."
- The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and set him free. 21. He made him lord over his house; and ruler over all his substance: 22. To bind his princes [215] at his pleasure; and to teach his elders wisdom. 23. And Israel came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. [216] 24. And he greatly increased his people, and multiplied [217] them above their oppressor…
This verse highlights God's power not just in making His people numerous, but also actively making them stronger than those who opposed them. This isn't just about them outnumbering their enemies, but about an inherent, God-given strength that made them formidable, a fact even their oppressors had to acknowledge.
This verse is part of a psalm recounting God's faithfulness to Israel, focusing on the period of their sojourn and eventual enslavement in Egypt. It highlights God's powerful intervention to protect and multiply the Israelites, even as their Egyptian oppressors grew fearful of their burgeoning strength. The psalm emphasizes God's sovereign hand in every detail, from Joseph's rise to power to the miraculous growth of the people, setting the stage for their eventual deliverance.
This verse is part of a psalm recounting God's faithfulness to Israel, focusing on the period of their sojourn and eventual enslavement in Egypt. It highlights God's powerful intervention to protect and multiply the Israelites, even as their Egyptian oppressors grew fearful of their burgeoning strength. The psalm emphasizes God's sovereign hand in every detail, from Joseph's rise to power to the miraculous growth of the people, setting the stage for their eventual deliverance.
"And the LORD made his people very fruitful and made them stronger than their foes." — This verse highlights God's power not just in making His people numerous, but also actively making them stronger than those who opposed them. This isn't just about them outnumbering their enemies,…
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Last reviewed October 2026