Psalms 68:27
There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead, the princes of Judah in their throng, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse highlights the tribe of Benjamin, usually considered "little" due to its size and history, leading the procession. This emphasizes how God often elevates the unexpected and least likely, and how even those who might have once been rivals, like Benjamin with its kingship history, can be brought into a place of honor and unity.
This passage describes a grand procession, likely celebrating the transfer of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem or a military victory. The text lists specific tribes—Benjamin, Judah, Zebulun, and Naphtali—as representatives participating in this event, with Benjamin surprisingly mentioned first despite being a smaller tribe. This selection highlights not just the tribes present but also carries symbolic weight, possibly alluding to historical figures like King Saul from Benjamin and King David from Judah, and even hinting at the unity of the northern and southern tribes in God's service.
Why would the smallest, youngest tribe lead a grand procession carrying the Ark of God? This verse turns our expectations upside down.
Benjamin's Prominence
This verse highlights the tribe of Benjamin, described as "little" and "least" – likely due to its smaller size and perhaps its troubled history (Judges 19-21). Yet, here it is, "in the lead."
This isn't a mistake; it's a theological statement.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Psalms 68:27 is available in the Sola app.
Only four tribes are named, yet the psalm suggests this was a gathering of all of Israel. How can naming a few represent the many?
A Symbolic Gathering
The explicit mention of Benjamin, Judah, Zebulun, and Naphtali doesn't mean other tribes were absent. Instead, it uses key tribes to represent the entirety of God's people.
Understand the original words
sar · Hebrew Noun
The term for a ruler, leader, or official of a tribe or clan. In the context of Israel, it denotes those who have authority under God to lead the people in battle or governance.
The mention of both northern and southern tribes in this psalm, particularly Benjamin and Judah alongside Zebulun and Naphtali, likely reflects a hope for national unity. It could point to David's reign uniting the tribes, or perhaps a prophetic vision of future reunification after the exiles, celebrating God's gathering of His people.
c. 1020 BC
Saul Anointed King
The tribe of Benjamin, though small, provided Israel with its first king, Saul. This historical fact is likely alluded to when Benjamin is mentioned first and called 'their ruler' in the psalm.
c. 1000 BC
David Captures Jerusalem
David, from the tribe of Judah, captures Jerusalem and establishes it as his capital. This event sets the stage for bringing the Ark of the Covenant to the city.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
Ark of the Covenant Brought to Jerusalem
David leads a grand procession to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. This psalm is widely believed to celebrate this significant religious and national event.
c. 950 BC
Solomon's Temple Built
The Ark is placed in the First Temple in Jerusalem, solidifying the city as the religious center of Israel and Judah. This later event might also be alluded to in the psalm's celebration of Jerusalem.
c. 730 BC
Assyrian Captivity of Northern Tribes
The Assyrian Empire begins deporting populations from the northern tribes of Israel, including Zebulun and Naphtali. This context offers a potential reason for the later hope of reunification.
586 BC
Babylonian Exile of Judah
The southern kingdom of Judah is conquered by Babylon, and many are exiled. This event leads to a longing for restoration and reunification of all Israel.
This passage from the Song of Deborah celebrates the bravery of Zebulun and Naphtali in battle, highlighting their historical significance and willingness to fight for God's people, mirroring their presence in the psalm's procession.
1 Samuel 9:21This verse describes Benjamin as 'the smallest of the tribes of Israel,' directly connecting to the description of 'little Benjamin' in Psalm 68:27 and emphasizing the significance of God choosing the seemingly insignificant.
2 Samuel 6:15This verse describes the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, the event that Psalm 68 is often understood to celebrate, showing how the procession involved many tribes, not just those explicitly named.
Jeremiah 3:17-18This prophecy speaks of the future reunification of Israel and Judah, suggesting that the inclusion of tribes from both the north (Zebulun, Naphtali) and the south (Judah, Benjamin) in Psalm 68 might foreshadow this ultimate restoration.
Romans 11:1The Apostle Paul identifies himself as being 'of the tribe of Benjamin,' providing a New Testament connection that shows the tribe's continued significance and its part in God's unfolding plan.
pulpitPsalms 68:27: "There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali."
Verse 27. - There is little Benjamin with their ruler. "With" is wrongly supplied by our translators. "Little Benjamin" the "smallest of the tribes of Israel" (1 Samuel 9:21) - is called "their ruler," as having furnished the first king, and the one who began the conquests celebrated in vers. 11-23. If the psalm is to be accounted as David's, we…
poolePsalms 68:27: "There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali."
There is present in this solemn pomp of carrying the ark to Zion, under the conduct of David their king, little Benjamin. That tribe is called little , partly because it was the youngest, as being descended from Jacob’s youngest son Benjamin; and principally because it was exceedingly diminished, and almost extinguished, under the judges, Judges…
The verse highlights the tribe of Benjamin, usually considered "little" due to its size and history, leading the procession. This emphasizes how God often elevates the unexpected and least likely, and how even those who might have once been rivals, like Benjamin with its kingship history, can be brought into a place of honor and unity.
This passage describes a grand procession, likely celebrating the transfer of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem or a military victory. The text lists specific tribes—Benjamin, Judah, Zebulun, and Naphtali—as representatives participating in this event, with Benjamin surprisingly mentioned first despite being a smaller tribe. This selection highlights not just the tribes present but also carries symbolic weight, possibly alluding to historical figures like King Saul from Benjamin and King David from Judah, and even hinting at the unity of the northern and southern tribes in God's service.
This passage describes a grand procession, likely celebrating the transfer of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem or a military victory. The text lists specific tribes—Benjamin, Judah, Zebulun, and Naphtali—as representatives participating in this event, with Benjamin surprisingly mentioned first despite being a smaller tribe. This selection highlights not just the tribes present but also carries symbolic weight, possibly alluding to historical figures like King Saul from Benjamin and King David from Judah, and even hinting at the unity of the northern and southern tribes in God's service.
"There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead, the princes of Judah in their throng, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali." — The verse highlights the tribe of Benjamin, usually considered "little" due to its size and history, leading the procession. This emphasizes how God often elevates the unexpected and least likely, an…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
