Psalms 106:8 — Word Study
WLCוַֽ֭יּוֹשִׁיעֵם לְמַ֣עַן שְׁמ֑וֹ לְ֝הוֹדִ֗יעַ אֶת־ גְּבוּרָתֽוֹ׃
BSAYet He saved themyâshaʻ▸ [rescued, delivered] for the sake ofmaʻan His nameshêm [reputation, character] to make His powergᵉbûwrâh [might, strength] knownyâdaʻ [clearly understood, revealed]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַֽ֭יּוֹשִׁיעֵם | and he saved them | Verb hiphil sequential imperfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
| לְמַ֣עַן | for [the] sake of | Particle |
| שְׁמ֑וֹ | name his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| לְ֝הוֹדִ֗יעַ | to make known | Preposition, verb hiphil infinitive construct common |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| גְּבוּרָתֽוֹ׃ | might his | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Yet He saved them for the sake of His name, to make His power known. |
| KJV | Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known. |
| ASV | Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, That he might make his mighty power to be known. |
| YLT | And He saveth them for His name's sake, To make known His might, |
| WEB | Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power known. |
| BBE | But he was their saviour because of his name, so that men might see his great power. |
Where they part company is יּוֹשִׁיעֵם — see How Translations Differ.
One main action with two phrases explaining purpose and outcome. This structure emphasizes the reason behind God's saving act.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 106:8
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Deliverance of Israelgenerated
Psalm 106:8 reflects on God's faithfulness in saving Israel from Egypt, despite their rebellion. The psalmist highlights God's mercy and power, emphasizing that His actions are not only for the people's benefit but also to uphold His own name and reputation. This theme of divine deliverance is echoed throughout the Psalms and the history of Israel, reminding us of God's commitment to His people.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 143:11 | For the sake of Your name, O LORD, revive me. In Your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble. |
| 2 | Numbers 14:13–16 | But Moses said to the LORD, “The Egyptians will hear of it, for by Your strength You brought this people from among them. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 32:26–27 | I would have said that I would cut them to pieces and blot out their memory from mankind, |
| 4 | Joshua 7:9 | When the Canaanites and all who live in the land hear about this, they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. Then what will You do for Your great name?” |
| 5 | Jeremiah 14:7–21 | Although our iniquities testify against us, O LORD, act for the sake of Your name. Indeed, our rebellions are many; we have sinned against You. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יּוֹשִׁיעֵם, Vai.yo.shi.'emgenerated
The verb יּוֹשִׁיעֵם (yoshi`em) is a hiphil form of the root יָשַׁע (yasha`), meaning 'to save' or 'to deliver.' It conveys the act of rescuing someone from danger or distress, often in the context of divine intervention. In this verse, it emphasizes God's role as a savior who acts for the benefit of His people.
The parsing indicates that this is a sequential imperfect verb, suggesting an ongoing action or a completed action with continuing relevance. The suffix indicates that the action is directed towards 'them,' referring to the Israelites.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main action of the verse is governed by the finite verb יּוֹשִׁיעֵם, He saved them. This verb is followed by a prepositional phrase לְמַ֣עַן שְׁמ֑וֹ (for the sake of His name) that indicates the purpose of the action, and another prepositional phrase לְ֝הוֹדִ֗יעַ (to make known) that describes the outcome of His saving action.
The structure emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship between God's saving action and the revelation of His power, with the object of the saving action being specified by the suffix.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יּוֹשִׁיעֵם as αὐτοὺς, which means 'them.' This choice reflects a direct correspondence to the Hebrew, maintaining the focus on the recipients of God's salvation.
The Greek term γνωρίσαι for לְ֝הוֹדִ֗יעַ indicates a desire to make known or reveal, aligning with the intention of the Hebrew to emphasize the clarity of God's power being made evident.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 106:8 tells us that God saved His people from danger for the purpose of honoring His name and revealing His power. This verse emphasizes God's commitment to His people and His desire to show His might.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that God's actions are motivated by His desire to uphold His reputation and character, demonstrating His faithfulness and power.
This verse shows that God is compassionate and powerful, willing to save His people even when they have rebelled, highlighting His mercy and strength.
Making His power known signifies God's intention to reveal His might and authority, so that people recognize His sovereignty and trust in Him.
This verse connects to the narrative of Israel's deliverance from Egypt, illustrating God's ongoing commitment to His people throughout their history.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced God's saving power in my life?
- How can I better understand and reflect God's character in my actions?
- What does it mean for me to uphold God's name in my daily life?
- How can I share the story of God's deliverance with others?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 106:8 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleNevertheless, he saved them for his name's sake,.... Not for any worth or worthiness in them; not for their righteousness sake, for they were a rebellious and disobedient people; but for his name's
Read John Gill on Psalms 106 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryNevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 106 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleFor his name’ s sake; that he might glorify his name, and vindicate it from the blasphemous reproaches which the Egyptians and others would have cast upon it, if they had been destroyed. This argument was urged by Moses, , &c.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 106 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 106:8 Nevertheless he saved them for his name’ s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known. Ver. 8. Nevertheless he saved them for his name’ s sake] Here he comes, in with a Non-obstante. So Isaiah 57:17. Now, if God will save for his name’ s sake, what people is there whom he may not save? That he might make his miqhly power to be known] The Lord hath other things to look unto than presently to punish his people when they most deserve it.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 106 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 8. He saved them for his name's sake] למען שמו lemaan shemo, "on account of his name;" to manifest his own power, goodness, and perfections. There was nothing which he could draw from them as a reason why he should save them; therefore he drew the reason from himself. There is a singular gloss in the old Psalter on this verse: "Whan thai cam oute of Egypt to the rede Se, whare thai were closed on a syde with a hylle that na man mygt passe: on another side was the rede See: behynde tham was men of Egypt foluand; and for this thai began to gruch, forgetand Gods mygt: bot than he safed tham, depertand the Se in twelfe, to ilk kynde of Isrel a passage." It seems as if this author thought…
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 106 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges8. Their conduct would have justified Jehovah in taking them at their word, and leaving them to return to Egypt, but for His name’s sake, in order to uphold His character as a God of mercy, and to make known His might to the nations of the earth (Psalms 77:14), He delivered them. Cp. Ezekiel 20:9; Ezekiel 20:14, a chapter evidently in the Psalmist’s mind: see Psalms 106:26-27.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 106 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleNevertheless, he saved them for his name’s sake - For the promotion of his own honor and glory; that it might be seen that he is powerful and merciful.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 106 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible8. For his name’s sake—This explains God’s apparent partiality of kindness toward the Hebrew nation.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 106 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Yet He saved them for the sake of His name, to make His power known.
Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power known.
Yet He saved them for the sake of His name, to make His power known.
Yet he delivered them for the sake of his reputation, that he might reveal his power.
Tyndale line
Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.
Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, That he might make his mighty power to be known.
Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.
Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.
Neuerthelesse he saued them for his Names sake, that he might make his power to be knowen.
Strictly literal
Yet he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make known his might.
And He saveth them for His name's sake, To make known His might,
And He saves them for His Name’s sake, || To make His might known,
Nevertheless he saved them for the sake of his name, to make known his might.
Nevertheless, he saved them for his name's sake so that he might reveal his power.
From the Latin
Let the mercies of the Lord give glory to him: and his wonderful works to the children of men.
Simplified
Even so he saved them because of the kind of person he is, and to show his power
But he was their saviour because of his name, so that men might see his great power.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text (MT) of Psalms 106:8 reads, 'וַֽ֭יּוֹשִׁיעֵם לְמַ֣עַן שְׁמ֑וֹ לְ֝הוֹדִ֗יעַ אֶת־ גְּבוּרָתֽוֹ׃', which translates to 'Yet He saved them for the sake of His name, to make His power known.' The Septuagint (LXX) aligns closely with the MT, matching five of the six words, although it presents them in a different order and includes its own articles. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide additional variations for this verse, indicating that the MT and LXX are the primary witnesses for this text, with the MT being the foundational Hebrew source and the LXX offering a Greek translation that largely agrees with it.
וַֽ֭יּוֹשִׁיעֵם לְמַ֣עַן שְׁמ֑וֹ לְ֝הוֹדִ֗יעַ אֶת־ גְּבוּרָתֽוֹ׃
5 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 106:8
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
יָשַׁע (yasha`) is a Hebrew root meaning to save or deliver. It encompasses various forms of salvation, including liberation from physical and moral troubles, victory in battle, and general safety. The word can appear in different grammatical forms, such as Niph. (to be saved) and Hiph. (to save).
[יָשַׁע] vb. Hiph. deliver; Niph. intrans. and pass.
Niph.
be liberated, saved (prop. placed in freedom)
be saved in battle, victorious
Hiph.
deliver, save (prop. give width and breadth to, liberate)
save from moral troubles
give victory to
base
H3467 [יָשַׁע] Hiph. deliver; Niph. intrans. and pass. . . be liberated, saved (prop. placed in freedom)
. be saved in battle, victorious
. . deliver, save (prop. give width and breadth to, liberate)
. save from moral troubles
. give victory to
3467 yasha` yaw-shah'
a primitive root; properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e.
(by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or
succor:--X at all, avenging, defend, deliver(-er), help,
preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation,
save(-iour), get victory.
יָשַׁע (ya.sah) — to save.
1) to save, be saved, be delivered
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to be liberated, be saved, be delivered
1a2) to be saved (in battle), be victorious
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to save, deliver
1b2) to save from moral troubles
1b3) to give victory to
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff — Verb hiphil sequential imperfect third person masculine singular · suffixHc/Vhw3ms/Sp3mp
מַ֫עַן (ma`an) is a preposition and conjunction meaning 'for the sake of' or 'on account of.' It conveys purpose or intent, indicating a motive or aim, and is used adverbially. The word is derived from a root meaning 'heed' or 'purpose' and appears in contexts that express reasons or intentions.
[מַ֫עַן] subst. purpose, intent, only with לְ, in לְמַ֫עַן 271 prep. and conj. for the sake of, on account of, to the intent or in order that
base
H4616 מַ֫עַן prep. and conj. for the sake of, on account of, to the intent or in order that
4616 ma`an mah'-an
from 6030; properly, heed, i.e. purpose; used only
adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim),
teleologically, in order that:--because of, to the end
(intent) that, for (to,... 's sake), + lest, that, to.
see HEBREW for 06030
מַ֫עַן (ma.an) — because.
1) purpose, intent prep
1a) for the sake of
1b) in view of, on account of
1c) for the purpose of, to the intent that, in order to conj
1d) to the end that
Prep — ParticleHTc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
שֵׁם (shem) means 'name' and encompasses various meanings such as reputation, fame, and glory. It can refer to the designation of God and is often associated with memorials or monuments. The word is built from a primitive root and highlights individuality and honor. There is a mention of its use in relation to false gods, which is forbidden.
שֵׁם 864 n.m. name (√ unknown)
of river, beasts, city, i.e. exact designation of it
usu. of pers.
= reputation
esp. as giving a man a kind of posthumous life, esp. in his sons
name, as designation of God
of false gods, use forbidden
= memorial, monument
base
H8034 שֵׁם name (√ unknown)
8034 shem shame
a primitive word (perhaps rather from 7760 through the idea
of definite and conspicuous position; compare 8064); an
appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by
implication honor, authority, character:--+ base,
(in-)fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
see HEBREW for 07760
see HEBREW for 08064
שֵׁם (shem) — name.
1) name
1a) name
1b) reputation, fame, glory
1c) the Name (as designation of God)
1d) memorial, monument
Aramaic equivalent: shum (שֻׁם "name" H8036)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
יָדַע (yada`) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to know,' encompassing a wide range of senses including perception, recognition, and experience. It can refer to knowing someone intimately or being skilled in a task. The word has various forms, indicating actions such as making known or being made known. Lexicons note its use in both literal and figurative contexts, but there is no significant disagreement among them.
יָדַע 943 vb. know
Qal
know, learn to know
perceive
perceive and see; find out and discern
discriminate, distinguish
know by experience
recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess
consider
not know = not expect
know a person, be acquainted with
know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse
know how, to do a thing, be able to do it
be skilful in
abs. have knowledge, be wise
Niph.
be made known, be or become known, of things
make oneself known of pers.
be perceived
be instructed
Pi. cause to know
Pu. known
Hiph. make known, declare
Hoph. made known
Hithp. make oneself known
base
H3045 יָדַע know .. . know, learn to know
. perceive
. perceive and see; find out and discern
. discriminate, distinguish
. know by experience
. recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess
. consider
. not know = not expect
. know a person, be acquainted with
. know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse
. . know how, to do a thing, be able to do it
. be skilful in
. abs. have knowledge, be wise
. . be made known, be or become known, of things
. make oneself known of pers.
. be perceived
. be instructed
. cause to know
. known
. make known, declare
. made known
. make oneself known
3045 yada` yaw-dah'
a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing);
used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally,
euphemistically and inferentially (including observation,
care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation,
punishment, etc.) (as follow):--acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted
with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware,
(un-)awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, X
could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to)
discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel,
can have, be (ig-)norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause
to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have
(knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, + be
learned, + lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, X
prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man
of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell,
יָדַע (ya.da) — to know.
1) to know
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to know
1a1a) to know, learn to know
1a1b) to perceive
1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern
1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish
1a1e) to know by experience
1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess
1a1g) to consider
1a2) to know, be acquainted with
1a3) to know (a person carnally)
1a4) to know how, be skilful in
1a5) to have knowledge, be wise
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed
1b2) to make oneself known
1b3) to be perceived
1b4) to be instructed
1c) (Piel) to cause to know
1d) (Poal) to cause to know
1e) (Pual)
1e1) to be known
1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle)
1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare
1g) (Hophal) to be made known
1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself
Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a — Preposition · verb hiphil infinitive construct commonHR/Vhcc
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
גְּבוּרָה (gbuwrah) refers to strength or might, encompassing concepts of valor and bravery. It is derived from a root related to force and power, often used in a figurative sense. The term can denote not only human strength but also the might of God, highlighting its significance in both personal and divine contexts.
גְּבוּרָה 61 n.f. strength, might
strength
might, valour
might of God
base
H1369 גְּבוּרָה strength, might
1369 gbuwrah gheb-oo-raw'
feminine passive participle from the same as 1368; force
(literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory:--
force, mastery, might, mighty (act, power), power, strength.
see HEBREW for 01368
גְּבוּרָה (ge.vu.rah) — might.
1) strength, might
1a) strength
1b) might, valour, bravery
1c) might, mighty deeds (of God)
Aramaic equivalent: ge.vu.rah (גְּבוּרָה "might" H1370)
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp3ms