Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 105:37

Albert Barnes Commentary

Psalms 105:37

1798–1870
Presbyterian
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes Commentary

Psalms 105:37

1798–1870
Presbyterian
SCRIPTURE

"And he brought them forth with silver and gold; And there was not one feeble person among his tribes." — Psalms 105:37 (ASV)

He brought them forth also with silver and gold — which they had begged of the Egyptians. In (Exodus 12:35), it is said, in our translation, that they had “borrowed” this gold and silver, together with clothing, from the Egyptians. This is an unfortunate translation, as our word “borrow” means to ask for something from another for the purpose of using it for a time, with an implied understanding that it will be returned (if it is an item for use) or that an equivalent amount of money will be repaid (if it is money that is borrowed). Consequently, this interpretation would imply dishonesty and fraud on the part of the Israelites in “borrowing” these things from the Egyptians, when they evidently did not intend to return them.

The Hebrew word, however, in (Exodus 12:35) — שׁאל shâ'al — means merely to ask: “to demand, to require, to request, to petition, 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 limped 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.