Psalm 68:27
New International Version
There is the little tribe of Benjamin, leading them, there the great throng of Judah’s princes, and there the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.

New Living Translation
Look, the little tribe of Benjamin leads the way. Then comes a great throng of rulers from Judah and all the rulers of Zebulun and Naphtali.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
There is Benjamin, the youngest, ruling them, the princes of Judah in their company, the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.

King James Bible
There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.

New King James Version
There is little Benjamin, their leader, The princes of Judah and their company, The princes of Zebulun and the princes of Naphtali.

New American Standard Bible
Benjamin, the youngest, is there, ruling them, The leaders of Judah in their company, The leaders of Zebulun, the leaders of Naphtali.

NASB 1995
There is Benjamin, the youngest, ruling them, The princes of Judah in their throng, The princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.

NASB 1977
There is Benjamin, the youngest, ruling them, The princes of Judah in their throng, The princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.

Legacy Standard Bible
There is Benjamin, the youngest, having dominion over them, The princes of Judah in their throng, The princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.

Amplified Bible
The youngest is there, Benjamin, ruling them, The princes of Judah and their company [the southern tribes], The princes of Zebulun and the princes of Naphtali [the northern tribes].

Christian Standard Bible
There is Benjamin, the youngest, leading them, the rulers of Judah in their assembly, the rulers of Zebulun, the rulers of Naphtali.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
There is Benjamin, the youngest, leading them, the rulers of Judah in their assembly, the rulers of Zebulun, the rulers of Naphtali.

American Standard Version
There is little Benjamin their ruler, The princes of Judah and their council, The princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.

Contemporary English Version
The small tribe of Benjamin leads the way, followed by the leaders from Judah. Then come the leaders from Zebulun and Naphtali.

English Revised Version
There is little Benjamin their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Benjamin, the youngest, is leading them, [next] the leaders of Judah with their noisy crowds, [then] the leaders of Zebulun, [then] the leaders of Naphtali.

Good News Translation
First comes Benjamin, the smallest tribe, then the leaders of Judah with their group, followed by the leaders of Zebulun and Naphtali.

International Standard Version
Little Benjamin is there, leading them, and the princes of Judah all together with the princes of Zebulun and the princes of Naphtali.

Majority Standard Bible
There is Benjamin, the youngest, ruling them, the princes of Judah in their company, the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.

NET Bible
There is little Benjamin, their ruler, and the princes of Judah in their robes, along with the princes of Zebulun and the princes of Naphtali.

New Heart English Bible
There is little Benjamin, their ruler, the princes of Judah, their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.

Webster's Bible Translation
There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their counsel, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.

World English Bible
There is little Benjamin, their ruler, the princes of Judah, their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
There [is] little Benjamin, their ruler, "" Heads of Judah their defense, "" Heads of Zebulun—heads of Naphtali.

Young's Literal Translation
There is little Benjamin their ruler, Heads of Judah their defence, Heads of Zebulun -- heads of Naphtali.

Smith's Literal Translation
Then little Benjamin in a deep sleep, the chiefs of Judah their throng, the chiefs of Zebulon, the chiefs of Naphtali.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
There is Benjamin a youth, in ecstasy of mind. The princes of Juda are their leaders: the princes of Zabulon, the princes of Nephthali.

Catholic Public Domain Version
In that place, Benjamin is a youth in ecstasy of mind. The leaders of Judah are their governors: the leaders of Zebulun, the leaders of Naphtali.

New American Bible
In the lead is Benjamin, few in number; there the princes of Judah, a large throng, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali, too.

New Revised Standard Version
There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead, the princes of Judah in a body, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their governors, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
There is little Benjamin in silence, the Princes of Yehuda and their Rulers, the Princes of Zebulon and the Princes of Naphtali.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
There is Benjamin, the youngest, ruling them, The princes of Judah their council, The princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
There is Benjamin the younger one in ecstasy, the princes of Juda their rulers, the princes of Zabulon, the princes of Nephthali.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Enemies Are Scattered
26Bless God in the great congregation; bless the LORD from the fountain of Israel. 27There is Benjamin, the youngest, ruling them, the princes of Judah in their company, the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali. 28Summon Your power, O God; show Your strength, O God, which You have exerted on our behalf.…

Cross References
1 Chronicles 15:16-28
David also told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their relatives as singers to lift up their voices with joy, accompanied by musical instruments—harps, lyres, and cymbals. / So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his brothers, Asaph son of Berechiah; from their brothers the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah; / and with them their brothers next in rank: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel. ...

2 Samuel 6:14-15
And David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD, / while he and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and the sounding of the ram’s horn.

1 Chronicles 13:8
David and all the Israelites were celebrating before God with all their might, with songs and on harps and lyres, with tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.

1 Chronicles 16:42
Heman and Jeduthun had with them trumpets and cymbals for the music and instruments for the songs of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were stationed at the gate.

2 Chronicles 5:12-13
all the Levitical singers—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and relatives—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps, and lyres, accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. / The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thank the LORD with one voice. They lifted up their voices, accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments, in praise to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.” And the temple, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud

Nehemiah 12:27-43
At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from all their homes and brought to Jerusalem to celebrate the joyous dedication with thanksgiving and singing, accompanied by cymbals, harps, and lyres. / The singers were also assembled from the region around Jerusalem, from the villages of the Netophathites, / from Beth-gilgal, and from the fields of Geba and Azmaveth, for they had built villages for themselves around Jerusalem. ...

Exodus 15:20-21
Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing. / And Miriam sang back to them: “Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.”

Judges 5:1-2
On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song: / “When the princes take the lead in Israel, when the people volunteer, bless the LORD.

Judges 5:12
‘Awake, awake, O Deborah! Awake, awake, sing a song! Arise, O Barak, and take hold of your captives, O son of Abinoam!’

1 Samuel 18:6-7
As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other instruments. / And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”

2 Samuel 6:5
David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of wood instruments, harps, stringed instruments, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals.

1 Chronicles 25:1-7
Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service: / From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. These sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. / From the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah—six in all—under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the harp, giving thanks and praise to the LORD. ...

Psalm 81:1-2
For the choirmaster. According to Gittith. Of Asaph. Sing for joy to God our strength; make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob. / Lift up a song, strike the tambourine, play the sweet-sounding harp and lyre.

Psalm 150:3-5
Praise Him with the sound of the horn; praise Him with the harp and lyre. / Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; praise Him with strings and flute. / Praise Him with clashing cymbals; praise Him with resounding cymbals.

Isaiah 30:29
You will sing as on the night of a holy festival, and your heart will rejoice like one who walks to the music of a flute, going up to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel.


Treasury of Scripture

There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.

little

Genesis 42:32
We be twelve brethren, sons of our father; one is not, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.

Judges 20:35
And the LORD smote Benjamin before Israel: and the children of Israel destroyed of the Benjamites that day twenty and five thousand and an hundred men: all these drew the sword.

Judges 21:6
And the children of Israel repented them for Benjamin their brother, and said, There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day.

princes

Psalm 47:9
The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.

Psalm 60:7
Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;

Isaiah 11:13
The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.

and their council.

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Army Benjamin Chiefs Company Council Counsel Defence Great Heads Judah Judah's Leading Little Naphtali Naph'tali Princes Ruler Ruling Throng Tribe Youngest Zebulun Zeb'ulun
Jump to Next
Army Benjamin Chiefs Company Council Counsel Defence Great Heads Judah Judah's Leading Little Naphtali Naph'tali Princes Ruler Ruling Throng Tribe Youngest Zebulun Zeb'ulun
Psalm 68
1. A prayer at the removing of the ark
4. An exhortation to praise God for his mercies
7. for his care of the church
19. for his great works














There is Benjamin, the youngest, ruling them
Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob, holds a significant place in Israel's history. Despite being the smallest tribe, Benjamin's role in leadership is highlighted here, possibly alluding to King Saul, Israel's first king, who was from the tribe of Benjamin. This phrase may also symbolize the unexpected ways God chooses leaders, emphasizing that divine selection is not based on human standards of power or size. The tribe's location, near Jerusalem, gave it strategic importance. Benjamin's leadership can be seen as a type of Christ, who, though humble and seemingly insignificant, rules with divine authority.

the princes of Judah in their company
Judah, the tribe from which King David and ultimately Jesus Christ descended, is often associated with leadership and kingship. The mention of Judah's princes signifies the tribe's prominence and its role in unifying the nation. Judah's presence alongside Benjamin suggests a harmonious leadership, reflecting the unity desired among God's people. This unity prefigures the coming of Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, who unites all believers under His reign.

the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali
Zebulun and Naphtali were tribes located in the northern part of Israel. Their inclusion here highlights the participation of all Israel in worship and leadership, not just the southern tribes. This reflects the broader unity and diversity within the nation. In a prophetic sense, these tribes are significant in Isaiah 9:1-2, which speaks of a great light shining in Galilee, fulfilled in Jesus' ministry. Their mention underscores the theme of God's salvation reaching all corners of Israel, foreshadowing the gospel's spread to all nations.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Benjamin
The youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, representing the tribe of Benjamin. Known for its warriors and strategic location in Israel.

2. Judah
One of the twelve tribes of Israel, from which King David and ultimately Jesus Christ descended. Known for leadership and strength.

3. Zebulun
A tribe of Israel, traditionally associated with maritime trade and dwelling by the sea.

4. Naphtali
Another tribe of Israel, known for its swiftness and agility, often associated with the northern region of Israel.

5. Princes
Leaders or chiefs of the tribes, indicating a gathering of Israel's leaders in unity and purpose.
Teaching Points
Unity in Diversity
The gathering of different tribes with unique characteristics and roles illustrates the beauty of unity in diversity within the body of Christ. Each member has a distinct role, yet all work together for God's glory.

Leadership and Responsibility
The mention of princes highlights the importance of godly leadership. Leaders are called to guide with wisdom and integrity, serving as examples to those they lead.

Heritage and Identity
Understanding the historical and spiritual heritage of the tribes can deepen our appreciation for our own spiritual identity and heritage in Christ.

God's Sovereign Plan
The inclusion of specific tribes in this verse reminds us of God's sovereign plan and purpose for each of His people, both individually and collectively.

Celebration of God's Victories
This verse is part of a larger psalm celebrating God's triumphs. We are encouraged to remember and celebrate God's victories in our lives and communities.(27) There is . . .--The procession is apparently a representative one. and the conjecture is probable which refers the selection of Zebulun and Naphtali to their prominence in Deborah's song. Benjamin may owe its position to the fact that it gave the nation its first king, and Judah would naturally figure in the pomp as the tribe of David. But other considerations besides may have had weight. The selection may have been made as representative of the two kingdoms.

Their ruler.--The Hebrew word has always a sense of a high-handed conqueror's rule, with the possible exception of Jeremiah 5:31. There is probably still a reference to Saul and his conquests--"little Benjamin who conquered for thee," or, possibly, here Benjamin takes the victor's place as leader of the procession.

Their council.--The reading must certainly be changed in accordance with Psalm 55:14. Their crowd, or company.

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 may note it as a graceful act on his part that he places Saul's tribe first. The princes of Judah and their council. Again "and" is wrongly supplied. "The princes of Judah" are called "their council," or "their bulwark" (Kay), as holding the most important position in Israel at the time. The reading, however, is doubtful. The princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali. Four tribes only are mentioned, not because no more than four took part in the processions, but as representatives of the whole number. The tribes selected for mention are from the two ends of the land - the extreme south and the extreme north. Zebulun and Naphtali were the most important of the northern tribes (see Judges 4:6, 10; Judges 5:18), as Judah and Benjamin were of the southern ones.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
There [is]
שָׁ֤ם (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

Benjamin,
בִּנְיָמִ֨ן ׀ (bin·yā·min)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1144: Benjamin -- 'son of the right hand', youngest son of Jacob, also the name of two other Israelites

the youngest,
צָעִ֡יר (ṣā·‘îr)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6810: Little, insignificant, young

ruling them,
רֹדֵ֗ם (rō·ḏêm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7287: To tread down, subjugate, to crumble off

the princes
שָׂרֵ֣י (śā·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

of Judah
יְ֭הוּדָה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

[in] their company,
רִגְמָתָ֑ם (riḡ·mā·ṯām)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7277: A heap (of stones), crowd (of people)

the princes
שָׂרֵ֥י (śā·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

of Zebulun
זְ֝בֻל֗וּן (zə·ḇu·lūn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2074: Zebulun -- a son of Jacob, also his descendants and their territory

[and]
שָׂרֵ֥י (śā·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

of Naphtali.
נַפְתָּלִֽי׃ (nap̄·tā·lî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5321: Naphtali -- a son of Jacob, also his descendants and the district settled by them


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OT Poetry: Psalm 68:27 There is little Benjamin their ruler (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 68:26
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