Deuteronomy 32

Deuteronomy 32

The big picture

Deuteronomy 32 opens in verse 1 with “Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 26 with “I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease…”, and closes in verse 52 with “Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land…” Repeated or prominent terms include people, Rock, children, LORD, land. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.

Scripture beside the summary

Deuteronomy · King James Version · 52

Deuteronomy 32:1-8

1–8: Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words…

Deuteronomy 32:1–8 opens with “Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.” and reaches “When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by children, father, LORD.

Context that brings the passage to life

This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.

“Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.” Naming Give keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Because I will publish the name of the LORD : ascribe ye greatness unto our God.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

Deuteronomy 32:1-8

King James Version

1Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.

2My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:

3Because I will publish the name of the LORD : ascribe ye greatness unto our God.

4He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

5They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation.

6Do ye thus requite the LORD , O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?

7Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.

8When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.

Deuteronomy 32:9-16

9–16: For the LORD’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his…

Deuteronomy 32:9–16 opens with “For the LORD’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.” and reaches “They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by rock, provoked, strange.

Context that brings the passage to life

“For the LORD’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on…” The line’s distinctive content terms include wings, abroad, beareth. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.

“He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to…” The line’s distinctive content terms include rock, earth, fields. Its relationship to verses 12 and 14 shows what work it does in this passage.

Deuteronomy 32:9-16

King James Version

9For the LORD’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.

10He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.

11As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:

12So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.

13He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock;

14Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape.

15But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.

16They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.

Deuteronomy 32:17-24

17–24: They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to…

Deuteronomy 32:17–24 opens with “They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly…” and reaches “They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by anger, fire, gods.

Context that brings the passage to life

“They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters.” The line’s distinctive content terms include abhorred, daughters, LORD. Its relationship to verses 18 and 20 shows what work it does in this passage.

“They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

Deuteronomy 32:17-24

King James Version

17They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.

18Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.

19And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters.

20And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.

21They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

22For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.

23I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them.

24They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.

Deuteronomy 32:25-32

25–32: The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man…

Deuteronomy 32:25–32 opens with “The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the…” and reaches “For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by Rock, grapes, lest.

Context that brings the passage to life

This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.

“The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, and lest…” Naming Our and Were keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

Deuteronomy 32:25-32

King James Version

25The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs.

26I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men:

27Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, and lest they should say, Our hand is high, and the LORD hath not done all this.

28For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them.

29O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!

30How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?

31For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.

32For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter:

Deuteronomy 32:33-40

33–40: Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.

Deuteronomy 32:33–40 opens with “Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.” and reaches “For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by hand, wine, alive.

Context that brings the passage to life

This block contains 2 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.

“Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.” Naming Their keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

Deuteronomy 32:33-40

King James Version

33Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.

34Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures?

35To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.

36For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left.

37And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted,

38Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help you, and be your protection.

39See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.

40For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.

Deuteronomy 32:41-48

41–48: If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I…

Deuteronomy 32:41–48 opens with “If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to…” and reaches “And the LORD spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying,” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by words, blood, Moses.

Context that brings the passage to life

“If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will…” The line’s distinctive content terms include enemies, glittering, hand. Its relationship to verses 42 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his…” Naming Rejoice keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel:” Naming Israel and Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

Deuteronomy 32:41-48

King James Version

41If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.

42I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy.

43Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people.

44And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Hoshea the son of Nun.

45And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel:

46And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.

47For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

48And the LORD spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying,

Deuteronomy 32:49-52

49–52: Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the…

Deuteronomy 32:49–52 opens with “Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is…” and reaches “Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by children, Israel, land.

Context that brings the passage to life

“Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho…” Naming Abarim and Canaan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

Deuteronomy 32:49-52

King James Version

49Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession:

50And die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered unto his people:

51Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel.

52Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel.

Details worth noticing

52verses in this reading
7major movements
5verses with speech
4questions in the KJV text

The opening image

Deuteronomy 32:1 begins with “Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.”

Where the chapter turns

Deuteronomy 32:30 forms a natural hinge: “How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?”

The final note

Deuteronomy 32:52 leaves the reader with “Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel.”

A word trail through the chapter

The words people, Rock, children, LORD, land, Israel help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.

How does Jacob's prayer differ from self-confidence?

He admits fear and unworthiness, appeals to God's words and asks to be rescued.

What accompanies the blessing?

A wound and a limp. The narrative joins dependence with the new identity.

KJV words made clear

behold
look, or pay close attention
begat
became the father of
unto
to
thee
you
thou
you

Text first

Where readers differ

The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.

The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.

Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.