The Song of Moses
Deuteronomy 31:30-32:47
Deu.31.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- באזני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,cstr
- כל: DET
- קהל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- השירה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- עד: PREP
- תמם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 32:1 (quotation): Begins the Song of Moses itself — the words that 31:30 announces and that Moses then delivers ('Give ear, O heavens…').
- Deuteronomy 31:22 (verbal): Immediately follows the announcement: the narrative says Moses 'wrote this song' the same day, linking the spoken words in 31:30 to a written composition.
- Exodus 15:1 (structural): Introductory notice for the earlier 'Song of Moses' (the Song of the Sea): like Deut 31:30 it frames a communal song delivered by Moses and the people after a defining national event.
- Deuteronomy 31:11-13 (thematic): Commands the public reading of the law to 'all Israel' so that everyone hears and learns — parallels the public recitation of Moses' song in 31:30.
- Joshua 8:34-35 (structural): Joshua publicly reads the words of the law to all Israel after conquest; mirrors the formal, communal proclamation pattern found in Deut 31:30.
Alternative generated candidates
- Moses spoke in the hearing of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until he had finished.
- Moses spoke in the hearing of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song until they were finished.
Deu.32.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- האזינו: VERB,hiph,imp,2,m,pl
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואדברה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- ותשמע: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אמרי: VERB,qal,impv,2,f,sg
- פי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
Parallels
- Deut.30:19 (verbal): Uses the same covenant-witness formula—'I call heaven and earth to witness'—framing the choices of life and death; closely parallels the invocation of heaven and earth as hearers.
- Deut.31:28 (verbal): Moses earlier announces he will 'call heaven and earth to witness' against Israel; a near-immediate structural/verbal parallel within the same sermonic context.
- Isaiah 1:2 (allusion): 'Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth' echoes Deuteronomic address to the cosmic witnesses and functions as an explicit prophetic allusion to that summons.
- Psalm 50:4 (allusion): Speaks of calling 'to the heavens... and to the earth' so that God may judge his people; parallels the motif of addressing the heavens and earth as participants in divine speech and judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; and let the earth hear the words of my mouth.
- Hear, O heavens, and I will speak; let the earth give ear to the words of my mouth.
Deu.32.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יערף: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,sg
- כמטר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לקחי: VERB,qal,infc
- תזל: VERB,qal,imprf,3,f,sg
- כטל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אמרתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,com,sg
- כשעירם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3p
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- דשא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכרביבים: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- עשב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 55:10-11 (verbal): God’s word compared to rain/snow that falls and accomplishes its purpose — parallels Deut.32:2’s image of teaching/speech dropping like rain and dew.
- Psalm 72:6 (verbal): Uses a near-identical simile — 'like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth' — echoing the rain/grass imagery of Deut.32:2.
- Psalm 133:3 (thematic): Describes blessing as dew of Hermon descending on Zion, echoing the dew/shower motif as a symbol of divine blessing and refreshment.
- Hosea 14:5 (verbal): God promises to be 'like the dew' to Israel, reviving and restoring — closely related to Deut.32:2’s metaphor of teaching/speech distilling like dew on tender plants.
Alternative generated candidates
- May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew; like gentle rain upon grass, like showers upon tender herb.
- May my teaching drop like rain, my speech distill like dew; like gentle showers on grass, like droplets on tender herb.
Deu.32.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- שם: ADV
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אקרא: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- הבו: VERB,qal,imp,2,pl
- גדל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לאלהינו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUFF,1,pl
Parallels
- Psalm 96:3 (verbal): 'Declare his glory among the nations' and related language about proclaiming God's name parallels Deut 32:3's declaration of the LORD's name and call to ascribe greatness to God.
- Isaiah 12:4 (verbal): Explicitly urges people to 'call upon his name' and 'make known his deeds... proclaim his name,' closely echoing Deut 32:3's themes of proclaiming the LORD and extolling his greatness.
- Psalm 105:1 (thematic): Commands to 'give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name' and to recount God's acts align with Deut 32:3's emphasis on proclaiming the name of the LORD and attributing greatness to God.
- Psalm 145:3 (thematic): 'Great is the LORD' and the call to praise his greatness reflect the same theological emphasis as Deut 32:3's injunction to ascribe greatness to our God.
Alternative generated candidates
- For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God.
- For I will proclaim the name of the LORD—give glory to our God.
Deu.32.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הצור: NOUN,m,sg,def
- תמים: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- פעלו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- כי: CONJ
- כל: DET
- דרכיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs,3ms
- משפט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- אמונה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- עול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צדיק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישר: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 18:30 (cf. 2 Samuel 22:31) (verbal): Direct verbal parallel: 'As for God, his way is perfect' echoes Deut 32:4's 'his work is perfect' and 'all his ways are justice.' (2 Sam 22:31 repeats the line.)
- Psalm 145:17 (verbal): Close verbal/thematic parallel: 'The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works' echoes Deut's emphasis on God's perfect ways and righteousness.
- Psalm 25:8 (verbal): Verbal/thematic match: 'Good and upright is the LORD' corresponds to Deut 32:4's 'tzadik v'yashar hu' ('just and right is he').
- Psalm 89:14 (thematic): Thematic parallel: 'Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne' develops the same motif that God's ways are justice and his rule is upright and faithful.
Alternative generated candidates
- The Rock—his work is perfect; for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity; righteous and upright is he.
- The Rock—his work is perfect; for all his ways are just. A God of faithfulness, without injustice; righteous and upright is he.
Deu.32.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- שחת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- בניו: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- מומם: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- דור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עקש: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ופתלתל: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 78:8 (verbal): Echoes the phrase "a perverse generation" ( דור עקש ), warning that Israel became a crooked/stubborn people; Psalm 78 retells Israel’s unfaithfulness and likely alludes to Moses’ song.
- Psalm 53:3 (verbal): Uses similar language of universal corruption and turning aside ("they have all gone aside; together they have become corrupt"), paralleling the charge that the people are defective and perverse.
- Isaiah 53:6 (thematic): Speaks of people turning aside and going their own way ("we have turned everyone to his own way"), reflecting the same theme of moral crookedness and straying from God.
- Jeremiah 17:9 (thematic): Describes the heart as deceitful and desperately sick, paralleling Deut 32:5’s characterization of the people as inwardly perverse and corrupt.
Alternative generated candidates
- They have corrupted themselves; they are not his children— a crooked and perverse generation.
- They have corrupted themselves; they are no longer his children— a perverse, crooked generation.
Deu.32.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ה: PART
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- תגמלו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- זאת: DEM,f,sg
- עם: PREP
- נבל: ADJ,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- חכם: ADJ,m,sg
- הלוא: PART
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- אביך: NOUN,m,sg,suff+2ms
- קנך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- עשך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg+PRON,2,m,sg
- ויכננך: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 100:3 (verbal): Affirms the same creator–people relationship: 'It is he that made us,' echoing Deut 32:6's emphasis that Yahweh made and is father to Israel.
- Isaiah 63:16 (allusion): Directly addresses Yahweh as father and redeemer—paralleling Deut 32:6's rhetorical appeal to God's fatherhood amid Israel's failure.
- Malachi 1:6 (verbal): Uses a similar rebuke about honoring God as father ('If I am a father, where is my honor?'), reflecting Deut 32:6's charge of ingratitude toward the divine father/creator.
- Isaiah 64:8 (thematic): Speaks of the LORD as father and potter ('we are the clay'), resonating with Deut 32:6's language of God as maker who formed and established his people.
- Psalm 103:13 (thematic): Portrays God's fatherly compassion ('As a father shows compassion to his children'), contrasting the care of God with the people's foolishness criticized in Deut 32:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- Is this the recompense for the LORD, you foolish and senseless people? Is he not your Father who bought you, who made you and established you?
- Is this the repayment you give to the LORD, you senseless and foolish people? Is he not your Father, who bought you, who made you and established you?
Deu.32.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- זכר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ימות: VERB,qal,juss,3,m,sg
- עולם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בינו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- שנות: NOUN,f,pl,cs
- דור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ודור: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שאל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אביך: NOUN,m,sg,suff+2ms
- ויגדך: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg,pr,2,m,sg
- זקניך: NOUN,m,pl,abs,2ms
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 46:9 (verbal): Commands to 'remember the former things' echo Deut 32:7's call to recall the days of old — a similar appeal to historical memory as theological grounding.
- Psalm 78:5-7 (structural): An extended parallel theme: instructing and recounting God's deeds to the next generation so they may know and trust God, mirroring Deut 32:7's command to ask fathers and elders.
- Psalm 145:4 (thematic): Declares that 'one generation shall praise thy works to another,' resonating with Deut 32:7's focus on transmitting memory and teaching across generations.
- 1 Chronicles 16:12 (verbal): 'Remember his marvelous works' and 'inquire of his...ancient days' closely parallel Deut 32:7's injunction to recall past deeds and consult elders about former generations.
Alternative generated candidates
- Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations. Ask your father, and he will tell you; your elders, and they will say to you.
- Remember the days of old; consider the years long past. Ask your father, and he will tell you; your elders, and they will say to you.
Deu.32.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בהנחל: PREP+VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- עליון: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- גוים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בהפרידו: PREP+VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יצב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- גבלת: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- עמים: NOUN,pl,m,abs
- למספר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Acts 17:26 (verbal): Paul echoes the idea that God determined the origins and territorial boundaries of the nations—'made from one blood' and 'appointed the times and boundaries of their habitation'—paralleling Deut 32:8's language about setting the limits of peoples.
- Genesis 10:5 (thematic): The 'Table of Nations' describes the division and settlement of peoples after the flood—assigning coastlands and families to nations—closely paralleling Deut 32:8's concern with how peoples were apportioned and bounded.
- Genesis 11:1–9 (thematic): The Tower of Babel story explains the scattering and differentiation of languages and nations by divine action, a related account of how humanity was divided and given distinct territories as in Deut 32:8.
- Psalm 82:1,6 (allusion): Psalm 82 depicts God presiding over a divine council of 'gods'/'sons of the Most High.' This resonates with readings of Deut 32:8 that invoke a divine assembly (and helps illuminate the 'number' language in some textual traditions).
- Deut 32:8 (LXX / 4QDeut variant) (verbal): The Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls read 'sons/angels of God' (or 'sons of the Most High') instead of 'sons of Israel,' a variant that directly affects interpretation by linking the verse to the divine council motif and to other 'sons of God' texts.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the Most High gave the nations their inheritances, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel.
- When the Most High apportioned the nations, when he divided humankind, he fixed the bounds of the peoples according to the number of the children of Israel.
Deu.32.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- חלק: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- חבל: NOUN,m,sg,cstr
- נחלתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs,suff:3,m
Parallels
- Deut.32.8 (structural): Immediate context in the Song of Moses: verse 8 sets up God’s distribution of nations, leading into v.9’s declaration that Israel (Jacob) is the LORD’s special portion.
- Psalm 135:4 (verbal): Uses nearly identical language: God has chosen Jacob/Israel as his special possession or 'peculiar treasure,' echoing Deut 32:9’s idea of Israel as the LORD’s portion.
- Psalm 33:12 (verbal): Speaks of the nation whose God is the LORD and 'the people whom he has chosen for his own inheritance,' closely paralleling the wording and theme of divine election in Deut 32:9.
- Deut.7.6 (thematic): Declares Israel a holy people chosen by the LORD to be his special people above all nations—same theological motif of Israel as God's allotted possession.
- Rom.11:28-29 (allusion): Paul’s discussion of Israel’s election and the irrevocability of God’s gifts echoes the Old Testament conviction that Israel occupies a unique, divinely appointed place as God’s people (the same notion expressed in Deut 32:9).
Alternative generated candidates
- For the LORD’s portion is his people; Jacob is the allotment of his inheritance.
- For the LORD’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.
Deu.32.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ימצאהו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,sg
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- מדבר: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- ובתהו: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ילל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ישמן: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,sg
- יסבבנהו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,sg
- יבוננהו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,sg
- יצרנהו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,sg
- כאישון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עינו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 17:8 (verbal): Uses the same phrase/imagery—'Keep me as the apple of your eye'—a direct verbal parallel emphasizing God’s protective, watchful care.
- Zechariah 2:8 (verbal): Explicitly applies the expression 'apple of his eye' to Israel ('whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye'), echoing Deut 32:10’s motif of Israel as the object of God’s special protection.
- Exodus 19:4 (thematic): God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt described with protective, transportive imagery ('I carried you on eagles' wings'), paralleling the wilderness-rescue and tender care motif in Deut 32:10–11.
- Hosea 11:3-4 (thematic): Portrays God’s parental, tender leading of Israel in the wilderness ('I taught Ephraim to walk... I led them with cords of kindness'), thematically parallel to 'He found him in a desert... He encircled him... kept him as the apple of his eye.'
Alternative generated candidates
- He found him in a desert land, in a howling waste; he encircled him, cared for him, guarded him like the pupil of his eye.
- He found him in a desert land, in a howling wilderness; he encircled him, cared for him, guarded him as the pupil of his eye.
Deu.32.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כנשר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יעיר: VERB,hiph,impf,3,m,sg
- קנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- גוזליו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ירחף: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יפרש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- כנפיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- יקחהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg+PRON,3,m,sg
- ישאהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg+PRON,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- אברתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 19:4 (verbal): Uses the same eagle imagery — 'I bore you on eagles' wings' — closely paralleling Deut 32:11's language of an eagle lifting and carrying its young.
- Isaiah 31:5 (verbal): Employs the motif of a hovering bird to describe God's protective action ('like birds hovering'), echoing the verb and image of hovering and spreading wings in Deut 32:11.
- Isaiah 40:11 (thematic): Portrays God as a tender caretaker who gathers and carries his flock ('gathers the lambs in his arms, carries them in his bosom'), thematically parallel to the eagle's protective carrying in Deut 32:11.
- Psalm 91:4 (thematic): Speaks of God's protection under 'his feathers' and 'under his wings,' employing wing/feather imagery of refuge that parallels the sheltering aspect of the eagle in Deut 32:11.
- Matthew 23:37 (allusion): Jesus' lament uses the image of gathering under wings ('how often would I have gathered thy children... as a hen gathers her brood'), an NT allusion to the OT protective-parent-bird motif exemplified in Deut 32:11.
Alternative generated candidates
- Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that hovers over its young, he spread his wings, took them, bore them on his pinions.
- Like an eagle rousing its nest, hovering over its young, spreading its wings, taking them up, bearing them on its pinions.
Deu.32.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בדד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ינחנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- נכר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 15:13 (thematic): Both affirm Yahweh as Israel’s sole guide and deliverer — God led the redeemed people by his steadfast power (cf. 'the LORD alone led him').
- Psalm 77:20 (verbal): Speaks of God leading his people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron, echoing the image of Yahweh personally guiding Israel in the wilderness.
- Hosea 13:4 (thematic): Declares Yahweh alone as Israel’s God and savior ('I am the LORD your God; you know no God but me'), paralleling Deut 32:12’s claim that no foreign god was with them.
- Judges 2:11-13 (thematic): Provides a contrasting narrative: Israel forsook Yahweh to serve Baals and other gods — highlighting the significance of Deut 32:12’s assertion that no strange god accompanied Israel when God alone led them.
Alternative generated candidates
- The LORD alone guided him, and there was no foreign god with him.
- The LORD alone guided him; there was no foreign god with him.
Deu.32.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ירכבהו: VERB,hiph,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- במתי: PREP
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויאכל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- תנובת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- שדי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וינקהו: VERB,hiph,impf,3,m,sg
- דבש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מסלע: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושמן: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מחלמיש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deut.8:7-8 (thematic): Both passages portray Canaan as richly productive—wheat, barley, vines, figs, and especially olive oil and honey—emphasizing God’s provision of agricultural abundance for Israel.
- Psalm 81:16 (verbal): Uses nearly identical wording (“honey out of the rock”) to describe God satisfying and nourishing Israel, a close verbal echo of Deut 32:13’s imagery.
- Exodus 3:8 (thematic): God’s promise to bring Israel into “a land flowing with milk and honey” parallels Deut 32:13’s motif of divine provision and the fertility of the promised land.
- 1 Corinthians 10:4 (allusion): Refers to the ‘spiritual rock’ that accompanied Israel in the wilderness—an NT typological use of rock-imagery as a source of divine sustenance that echoes Deut 32:13’s ‘honey out of the rock.’
Alternative generated candidates
- He made him ride on the high places of the earth; he fed him with the produce of the fields; he nourished him with honey from the rock and oil from the crag.
- He made him ride on the high places of the earth; he fed him with the produce of the fields. He made him suck honey from the rock, and oil from the flinty rock.
Deu.32.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- חמאת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- בקר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וחלב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צאן: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עם: PREP
- חלב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ואילים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- בשן: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ועתודים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עם: PREP
- חלב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כליות: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- חטה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ודם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ענב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תשתה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- חמר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deut 8:7-8 (verbal): A near-verbal parallel in Deuteronomy describing the land's bounty—wheat, vines, olive oil and honey—echoing the list of desirable foodstuffs in 32:14.
- Ps 104:14-15 (verbal): Speaks of God providing produce and 'wine that gladdens the heart,' echoing the foaming wine and agricultural provision imagery of Deut 32:14.
- Ps 78:24-25 (thematic): Recalls God's miraculous provision of food for Israel in the wilderness ('bread of angels'/'meat')—the same theme of divine feeding found in Deut 32:13–14.
- Joel 2:19 (thematic): Promises restoration of grain, wine and oil so that threshing floors are full and vats overflow—parallels Deut 32:14's emphasis on abundant grain, oil and wine.
- Amos 9:13 (thematic): Uses vivid agricultural imagery ('mountains shall drip sweet wine') to portray overflowing abundance, resonant with the overflowing/foaming wine of Deut 32:14.
Alternative generated candidates
- Butter of cows and milk of sheep, with the fat of lambs, rams of Bashan and goats; with the choicest wheat—you drank the foaming wine.
- With the curds of cattle and the milk of sheep, with the fat of lambs and the rams of Bashan, with the finest of wheat—you drank the blood of the grape, the wine.
Deu.32.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישמן: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ישרון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויבעט: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שמנת: NUM,f,sg,cons
- עבית: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- כשית: ADV
- ויטש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אלוה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עשהו: VERB,qal,ptc,ms,sg+3,m,sg
- וינבל: VERB,niphal,impf,3,m,sg
- צור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישעתו: NOUN,f,sg,cstr+3,m,sg
Parallels
- Amos 6:1-7 (thematic): Condemns those 'at ease' in Zion who are complacent, prosperous and indulgent—parallel to Jeshurun growing fat and rebelling against God.
- Hosea 13:6 (verbal): Speaks of Israel being fed and becoming proud/forgetful of God—closely echoes the imagery of becoming 'fat' and forsaking the Maker.
- Jeremiah 2:13 (thematic): Accuses Israel of forsaking the 'fountain of living waters' for broken cisterns—parallels the charge that Israel abandoned the God who made and saved them.
- Psalm 106:21-23 (verbal): Recalls Israel 'forgetting God their Savior' after his mighty deeds—echoes Deut 32:15's claim that they forsook the Rock of their salvation.
- Isaiah 1:3-4 (thematic): Laments Israel's willful ignorance and sinful, degenerate state despite God's care—parallels the song's rebuke of ingratitude and apostasy.
Alternative generated candidates
- But he grew fat, he became gross; he forsook the God who made him and spurned the Rock of his salvation.
- But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked; you grew fat, you thickened, you forsook the God who made you and scorned the Rock of your salvation.
Deu.32.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יקנאהו: VERB,hiph,impf,3,m,pl
- בזרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בתועבת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יכעיסהו: VERB,hiph,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 34:14 (verbal): God called a 'jealous God' who forbids worship of other gods—directly parallels Deut 32:16's language of provoking God to jealousy with strange gods.
- Psalm 78:58 (verbal): Accuses Israel of provoking God to anger/jealousy with their carved images and high places; echoes the same charge and wording as Deut 32:16.
- Psalm 106:36-37 (thematic): Describes Israel sacrificing to foreign gods and provoking God's anger—thematically parallels the charge that strange gods provoked the Lord in Deut 32:16.
- Judges 2:11-15 (structural): Narrative pattern: Israel serves foreign gods, the LORD's anger is kindled and he delivers them to enemies—illustrates the cause-and-effect expressed in Deut 32:16.
- 1 Kings 11:9-10 (thematic): God's anger against Solomon because his foreign wives turned him to other gods—an example of provocation to divine jealousy like that in Deut 32:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods— with abominations they provoked him to anger.
- They provoked him to jealousy with foreign gods; with abominations they provoked him to anger.
Deu.32.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יזבחו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לשדים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- אלה: DEM,pl,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- ידעום: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,pl,OBJ=3,m,pl
- חדשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מקרב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- באו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לא: PART_NEG
- שערום: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אבתיכם: NOUN,m,pl,cons+PRON,2,pl
Parallels
- Psalm 106:37-38 (verbal): Speaks of sacrificing sons and daughters to demons/foreign gods and polluting the land—closely echoes Deut 32:17’s charge that the people sacrificed to demons and to gods they did not know.
- 1 Corinthians 10:20 (quotation): Paul explicitly states that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons, not to God, echoing Deut 32:17’s language and using it to warn Christians about participation in idol feasts.
- Jeremiah 32:35 (thematic): Condemns making children pass through fire to Molech and building high places for foreign gods—addresses the same practice of sacrificing to other gods criticized in Deut 32:17.
- Amos 5:26-27 (allusion): Denounces carrying off the tabernacle of foreign deities (e.g., Moloch/Remphan) and consequent exile; thematically linked to Israel’s worship of new/foreign gods mentioned in Deut 32:17.
Alternative generated candidates
- They sacrificed to demons, not to God; to gods they had not known, new ones that came up lately, which your fathers did not dread.
- They offered sacrifices to demons, not to God—gods they had not known, new gods that had come recently, which your fathers did not fear.
Deu.32.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- צור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ילדך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- תשי: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- ותשכח: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- מחללך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
Parallels
- Psalm 78:35 (verbal): Explicitly recalls God as 'their rock'—directly contrasts Deut 32:18's charge that Israel 'forgot the Rock who begot you.'
- Deuteronomy 32:6 (structural): Within the same Song of Moses; both verses rebuke Israel for failing to acknowledge the LORD as their benefactor/father (Deut 32:6 questions Israel's repayment to God).
- Jeremiah 2:27 (thematic): Condemns Israel's idolatry and inverted parentage—people treat idols as 'fathers' while abandoning the true God, echoing the forgetfulness charged in Deut 32:18.
- Romans 1:21 (thematic): New Testament parallel: though people 'knew God' they did not honor or thank him—a later theological summary of the same phenomenon of forgetting or rejecting the true God.
Alternative generated candidates
- You forgot the Rock that bore you, and forgot the God who gave you birth.
- You forgot the Rock who bore you and forgot the God who gave you birth.
Deu.32.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וינאץ: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- מכעס: PREP
- בניו: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- ובנתיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3ms
Parallels
- Isaiah 63:10 (thematic): Both passages depict Israel's rebellion provoking God to anger—Isaiah says they 'rebelled and grieved' the Spirit, so God turned against them, paralleling Deut.32:19's divine provocation at his 'sons and daughters.'
- Psalm 78:59-61 (verbal): Psalm 78 recounts that when God heard Israel's sins he was 'full of wrath' and 'rejected' them and handed them over to enemies—language and outcome that echo Deut.32:19's description of God seeing and spurning his children.
- Romans 1:24 (allusion): Paul's statement that God 'gave them up' because of idolatry echoes Deut.32:19–20 where God, provoked by Israel's unfaithfulness, hides his face and abandons them; both portray divine abandonment as judgment for idolatry.
- Hosea 13:11 (thematic): Hosea speaks of God giving Israel a king 'in my anger' and taking him away in wrath—another example of God's punitive response to Israel's sin that parallels Deut.32:19's motive (sons and daughters causing divine anger) and consequence.
Alternative generated candidates
- The LORD saw and spurned them because of the provocation of his sons and his daughters.
- When the LORD saw it, he spurned them in his anger at his sons and his daughters.
Deu.32.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אסתירה: VERB,qal,imperf,1,m,sg
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- מהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- אראה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- אחריתם: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- דור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תהפכת: VERB,niphal,ptcp,3,m,sg
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- בנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- אמן: INTJ
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Deut.31:17-18 (verbal): Uses the same wording and motif — God declares he will ‘hide his face’/withdraw his presence from the people as judgment.
- Psalm 78:8 (thematic): Speaks of a ‘stubborn/rebellious generation’ and children whose spirit is not faithful, echoing Deut 32:20’s charge of a perverse generation and untrustworthy children.
- Hosea 5:6 (thematic): Describes people seeking the Lord and not finding him because he has withdrawn himself — parallels the motif of God hiding his face and testing the people’s end.
- Romans 1:24 (allusion): Paul’s statement that God ‘gave them up’ (paredōken) to their sins parallels the Deuteronomic theme of God handing people over/withdrawing presence as judgment for persistent unfaithfulness.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said, “I will hide my face from them; I will see what their end will be, for they are a perverse generation, children in whom is no faith.”
- He said, “I will hide my face from them; I will see what their end will be, for they are a perverse generation, children in whom there is no faithfulness.”
Deu.32.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- קנאוני: VERB,hif,perf,3,m,pl
- בלא: PREP
- אל: NEG
- כעסוני: VERB,hif,perf,3,m,pl
- בהבליהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
- ואני: PRON,1,sg
- אקניאם: VERB,hif,impf,1,sg
- בלא: PREP
- עם: PREP
- בגוי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נבל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אכעיסם: VERB,hif,impf,1,sg
Parallels
- Romans 10:19 (quotation): Paul directly quotes Deut. 32:21 to argue that God will 'provoke you to jealousy' by giving place to Gentiles—an explicit New Testament citation of the verse.
- Isaiah 65:1-2 (allusion): Isaiah's language about God being found by those who did not seek him is paired with Deut. 32:21 in Romans 10:20–21; both passages relate to God turning to 'those who are not a people.'
- Jeremiah 2:11 (verbal): Jeremiah asks, 'Has a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods?'—a close verbal/thematic parallel to Deut. 32:21's charge that Israel made God jealous with 'what is no god.'
- Psalm 78:58 (verbal): Psalm 78 recalls the people's provocation of God 'and moved him to jealousy with their graven images,' echoing Deut. 32:21's language of provoking God to jealousy with false gods.
- Hosea 2:23 (thematic): Hosea's promise about turning 'those who were not my people' into 'my people' uses the same 'not my people' motif that Deut. 32:21 employs in describing foreign/insulting nations—related motifs of nations, identity, and God's response.
Alternative generated candidates
- They have made me jealous with what is no god; they have provoked me with their idols. I will make them jealous with a nation that is no people; I will provoke them with a foolish nation.
- They made me jealous with what is no god; they provoked me with their idols. So I will make them jealous with a people that is no people; I will provoke them with a foolish nation.
Deu.32.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- אש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- קדחה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- באפי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,suf,1,sg
- ותיקד: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- עד: PREP
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תחתית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ותאכל: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויבלה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- ותלהט: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- מוסדי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- הרים: NOUN,m,pl,cons
Parallels
- Psalm 18:8 (verbal): Smoke and devouring fire proceed from God, with earth and mountains shaken—directly echoes the image of God’s anger kindling consuming fire.
- Nahum 1:6 (thematic): Describes who can stand before God’s burning anger and its consuming effect on the earth and mountains, paralleling Deut. 32:22’s wrath-as-fire motif.
- Psalm 97:3 (thematic): ‘A fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries’—similar portrayal of divine judgment enacted as fire.
- Isaiah 30:27 (verbal): ‘Behold, the name of the LORD comes… burning with his anger’ — uses the same language of God’s anger manifesting as burning judgment.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:8 (allusion): New Testament portrayal of Christ’s coming wrath executing punishment (by fire/manifest judgment) echoes OT images of divine consuming fire in Deut. 32:22.
Alternative generated candidates
- For a fire is kindled in my anger, and shall burn to the depths of Sheol; it shall devour the earth and its increase and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.
- For a fire is kindled in my anger, and it shall burn to the depths of Sheol; it shall devour the earth and its increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.
Deu.32.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אספה: VERB,qal,impf,1,?,sg
- עלימו: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- רעות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- חצי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אכלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Deut.32:35 (structural): Same Song of Moses — continues the theme of divine retribution and God executing judgment on the wicked (’Vengeance is mine’), closely tied to the threats of calamity in v.23.
- Ps.18:14–15 (verbal): Describes God sending out his arrows and scattering enemies; uses the image of divine arrows/weaponry as instruments of God's wrath, paralleling the language of v.23.
- Ps.38:2 (verbal): Lament that 'Thine arrows stick fast in me' — employs the motif of God's arrows causing affliction, echoing Deut 32:23’s depiction of evils/arrows sent upon the people.
- Nahum 1:2–3 (thematic): Portrays the LORD as jealous, avenging and bringing powerful judgment against the wicked; thematically parallels Deut 32:23’s announcement of divine punishment and retributive justice.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will heap evils upon them; I will spend what I have prepared against them.
- I will heap disasters on them; I will spend my arrows on them.
Deu.32.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מזי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רעב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולחמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss,1,com
- רשף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וקטב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מרירי: ADJ,m,sg
- ושן: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בהמות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אשלח: VERB,qal,imperf,1,_,sg
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- עם: PREP
- חמת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- זחלי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- עפר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Leviticus 26:22 (verbal): In the covenant curses God says, “I will also send wild beasts among you,” directly paralleling Deut 32:24’s sending of beasts as divine punishment.
- Numbers 21:6 (quotation): Narrative instance where Yahweh “sent fiery serpents among the people,” a concrete fulfillment/allusion to punishment by serpents mentioned in Deut 32:24.
- Ezekiel 14:21 (verbal): Lists the same cluster of divine judgments—sword, famine, wild beasts, pestilence—echoing Deut 32:24’s combination of famine, beasts, and venomous creatures.
- Deuteronomy 28:21-22 (structural): Part of Deuteronomy’s covenant curse section that promises pestilence, wasting disease, and other afflictions—structurally parallel to the punitive disasters proclaimed in Deut 32:24.
- Psalm 78:49 (thematic): Describes God unleashing his anger in the form of plagues/destructive forces against the people, thematically echoing Deut 32:24’s portrayal of calamities sent as judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will send against them the teeth of beasts, with the poison of serpents of the dust. Their bread shall be scarcity, and famine and bitter pestilence; I will send the teeth of beasts against them with the venom of creeping things of the dust.
- I will send the teeth of beasts on them and the venom of serpents that creep; I will bring famine and scorching drought, pestilence and bitter destruction—wild beasts and the venom of earth-crawlers.
Deu.32.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מחוץ: PREP
- תשכל: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- חרב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ומחדרים: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אימה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- גם: ADV
- בחור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גם: ADV
- בתולה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יונק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שיבה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deut.28:29 (thematic): Both passages appear in covenant‑curse contexts and depict widespread calamity and terror that reaches into households and affects all ages as part of divine judgment.
- Isaiah 13:16 (verbal): Enumerates victims—infants, youths, virgins—similar to Deut.32:25’s catalog of ages and social statuses suffering violence in the time of judgment.
- Lamentations 2:11 (thematic): Conveys the same image of communal devastation and the suffering of infants and children in the streets and city—an anguished lament over nationwide disaster that mirrors Deut.32:25’s portrayal of universal fear.
- Ezekiel 7:16-18 (thematic): Speaks of sudden slaughter, panic in houses, and no escape for young and old; echoes Deut.32:25’s contrast of danger outside (sword) and terror within (chambers), affecting every generation.
Alternative generated candidates
- Outside the sword bereaves, and at home terror— both the young man and the maiden, the nursing babe with the gray-haired man.
- Outside the sword will bereave, and within terror; both the young man and the maiden, the nursing infant with the gray-haired man.
Deu.32.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אמרתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,com,sg
- אפאיהם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,pl
- אשביתה: VERB,hif,impf,1,com,sg+PRON,3,fs
- מאנוש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זכרם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 32:10 (thematic): God tells Moses he will consume/annihilate the people for their sin — a parallel threat of destroying Israel that echoes Deut 32:26's intention to blot out their remembrance.
- Psalm 106:23 (allusion): In the historical summary the psalmist recounts that God would have destroyed Israel had Moses not interceded, echoing the same thought of planned destruction but divine restraint found in Deut 32:26.
- Psalm 78:38–39 (thematic): These verses contrast God's anger and punitive intent with his compassion and forgiveness — reflecting Deut 32:26's motif of threatened annihilation followed by mercy.
- Jonah 3:10 (thematic): God relents from planned destruction when the city repents; parallels the pattern in Deut 32 of divine intention to destroy being withheld or reversed.
Alternative generated candidates
- I said, ‘I will scatter them and cut off their memory from among mankind,’
- I said, ‘I will scatter them; I will wipe out their remembrance from mankind.’
Deu.32.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לולי: CONJ
- כעס: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אויב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אגור: VERB,qal,impf,1,m,sg
- פן: CONJ
- ינכרו: VERB,nif,impf,3,m,pl
- צרימו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- פן: CONJ
- יאמרו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- ידינו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1cp
- רמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- פעל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- זאת: DEM,f,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 10:12-13 (verbal): The Assyrian king boasts, 'By my hand I have done it,' claiming credit for conquest — similar to the fear here that enemies will claim 'Our hand has prevailed' rather than acknowledging the LORD.
- Psalm 79:10 (thematic): The psalmists lament enemies mocking Israel and asking 'Where is their God?' — a parallel concern that foes will deny God's role in Israel's victories or restoration.
- Ezekiel 36:22-23 (structural): God declares he will act 'that the nations may know that I am the LORD,' reversing the situation in Deut.32:27 where God restrains punishment to prevent nations from claiming credit — both passages focus on preventing nations from misattributing events.
- Habakkuk 1:11 (thematic): The Chaldeans/ Babylonians are described as proud and treating their power as their god (their strength is their god), reflecting the motif of peoples attributing success to their own hands rather than to Yahweh.
Alternative generated candidates
- had I not feared the provocation of the enemy, lest their adversaries should misunderstand and say, ‘Our hand has triumphed; the LORD did not do all this.’”
- Had I not feared the provocation of the enemy, lest their adversaries should misunderstand and say, ‘Our hand has prevailed; it was not the LORD who did all this,’
Deu.32.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- גוי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבד: VERB,qal,infabs
- עצות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- תבונה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Hosea 4:6 (verbal): Declares that the people are 'destroyed for lack of knowledge,' closely echoing Deut.32:28's charge that the nation has no counsel or understanding.
- Isaiah 5:13 (verbal): Speaks of people going into exile 'for lack of knowledge,' paralleling the theme of national ruin caused by absence of wisdom and understanding.
- Jeremiah 4:22 (thematic): Accuses the people of being foolish and not knowing God—a thematic parallel to Deut.32:28's depiction of a nation without counsel or understanding.
- Proverbs 1:7 (thematic): States that fools despise wisdom and instruction, linking to Deut.32:28's portrayal of a people lacking counsel and understanding (the moral/epistemic failure leading to disaster).
Alternative generated candidates
- For they are a nation devoid of counsel, and there is no sense in them.
- for they are a nation devoid of counsel, there is no wisdom in them.
Deu.32.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- חכמו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ישכילו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- זאת: DEM,f,sg
- יבינו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לאחריתם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Psalm 73:16–17 (verbal): Very close verbal and thematic parallel — the psalmist says that upon entering God’s sanctuary he understood “their end” (אבין אחריתם), echoing Deut 32:29’s wish that they be wise and perceive their latter end.
- Proverbs 19:20 (verbal): Commands heeding counsel and instruction “that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end,” directly paralleling Deut 32:29’s concern for wisdom that apprehends one’s end.
- Isaiah 5:21 (thematic): Condemns those “wise in their own eyes,” thematically related to Deut 32:29’s plea that people truly be wise and understand rather than presume wisdom.
- Hosea 7:10 (thematic): Accuses Israel of appearing wise yet lacking true understanding; parallels Deut 32:29’s contrast between (true) wisdom/understanding and the people’s failure to grasp their end.
Alternative generated candidates
- Oh that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!
- Would that they were wise and would consider this and would understand their latter end!
Deu.32.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- איכה: INTJ
- ירדף: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- ושנים: CONJ+NUM,m,pl,abs
- יניסו: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- רבבה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אם: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- כי: CONJ
- צורם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,pl
- מכרם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg+3,pl
- ויהוה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הסגירם: VERB,hifil,perf,3,m,sg+3,pl
Parallels
- Judges 7:7,19-22 (thematic): Gideon's victory with a vastly smaller force illustrates the Deut.32:30 theme: God brings routs and victory for a few against many—deliverance depends on the LORD rather than numbers.
- 1 Samuel 14:6 (thematic): Jonathan's remark that 'there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few' echoes the idea that numerical strength does not determine outcome when God acts, paralleling the sense of Deut.32:30.
- Psalm 18:29 (18:30 MT) (verbal): The psalmist says, 'By you I can run against a troop,' language close to the imagery of one pursuing a thousand and two putting ten thousand to flight—God-enabled triumph over greater forces.
- Isaiah 40:29-31 (thematic): These verses portray God as the source of strength for the weak—those who wait on the LORD gain power, run without fainting, and overcome obstacles—resonating with Deut.32:30's theme of divine empowerment against overwhelming odds.
Alternative generated candidates
- How could one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them and the LORD had given them up?
- How can one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them and the LORD had delivered them up?
Deu.32.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- כצורנו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,pl
- צורם: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,pl
- ואיבינו: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs,1,pl
- פלילים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Deut.32.30 (structural): Immediate context in Moses' song: vv.30–31 form a unit contrasting the impotence of other 'rocks' with Yahweh's power; vv.30–31 explain the military reversals by reference to whose 'rock' is at work.
- 1 Samuel 2:2 (verbal): Hannah's song: 'there is no rock like our God' (or 'there is none holy as the LORD... neither is there any rock like our God'), a near-quotation/phrase echoing Deut 32:31's claim of the uniqueness of Israel's Rock.
- Psalm 18:31 (18:30 LXX) (verbal): Psalmist uses the same motif and wording—'For who is God, but the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?'—explicitly affirming Yahweh's singularity as the true Rock.
- Psalm 62:2,6 (thematic): Speaks of God as 'my rock and my salvation' and refuge; thematically parallels Deut. 32:31's contrast between the security found in Yahweh versus any other 'rock.'
- 1 Corinthians 10:4 (allusion): Paul identifies the OT 'rock' that followed Israel as Christ ('and that Rock was Christ'), an interpretive continuation of the 'Rock' motif that underscores the uniqueness and superiority of Israel's God compared with 'their rock.'
Alternative generated candidates
- For their rock is not like our Rock; even our enemies themselves are judges.
- For their Rock is not like our Rock; even their enemies themselves are judges.
Deu.32.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- מגפן: PREP,NOUN,f,sg,abs
- סדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גפנם: NOUN,f,sg,abs+3,pl
- ומשדמת: CONJ,PREP,NOUN,f,pl,abs
- עמרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ענבמו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,pl
- ענבי: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- רוש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשכלת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מררת: NOUN,f,sg,abs+3,pl
- למו: PREP,PRON,3,pl
Parallels
- Isaiah 5:1-7 (verbal): Vineyard imagery applied to Israel; God expected good fruit but finds 'wild grapes'—a close verbal and thematic parallel to Israel's fruit being like the grapes of Sodom (worthless/bitter).
- Jeremiah 2:21 (verbal): God describes Israel as a vine he planted that has become degenerate or a 'strange vine,' echoing Deuteronomy's condemnation of Israel's corrupted vine/fruit.
- Genesis 19:24-25 (allusion): The fate of Sodom and Gomorrah (destruction by fire) is the background for Deut.32.32's image of the 'vine of Sodom'—an explicit allusion to those cities as exemplars of ruin and judgment.
- Psalm 80:8-16 (structural): The psalm uses the export of a vine from Egypt and its subsequent failure/assault as a national-vineyard metaphor for Israel's condition, structurally paralleling Deuteronomy's vineyard/fruit imagery.
- Revelation 14:18-20 (thematic): The imagery of harvesting/trampling grapes into the winepress as divine judgment echoes Deut.32.32's association of corrupt fruit (grapes of Sodom) with coming judgment—grapes as objects/signs of wrath.
Alternative generated candidates
- For their vine is of Sodom and of Gomorrah; their grapes are grapes of gall; their clusters are bitter.
- For their vine is the vine of Sodom, and of Gomorrah; their grapes are grapes of poison, their clusters bitter.
Deu.32.33 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- חמת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- תנינם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3,pl
- יינם: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,pl
- וראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פתנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אכזר: ADJ,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 140:3 (verbal): Uses almost the same imagery—'their tongue is sharp as a serpent; under their lips is the poison of asps'—paralleling serpent-venom as a metaphor for malicious speech and harmful influence.
- Psalm 58:4 (verbal): Describes the wicked's words as venom like that of a serpent, closely echoing Deut 32:33's depiction of wine as serpent-poison.
- Proverbs 23:31-32 (thematic): Warns against wine by likening its end to a serpent's bite and an adder's sting—paralleling Deut 32:33's image of wine as venomous and deadly.
- Jeremiah 9:15 (thematic): God's judgment pictured as giving the people bitter food and 'poisoned water' to drink—echoing the theme of drink as a vehicle of poison and divine punishment.
Alternative generated candidates
- Their wine is the venom of serpents and the cruel poison of vipers.
- Their wine is the venom of serpents, and the cruel poison of cobras.
Deu.32.34 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הלא: PART
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- כמס: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- עמדי: PREP+1cs
- חתם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- באוצרתי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cs+PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 45:3 (thematic): God speaks of giving 'treasures of darkness' and 'hidden riches'—similar imagery of divine, hidden/kept treasures that echo 'sealed up among my treasures.'
- Colossians 2:3 (verbal): Paul says in Christ 'are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,' using the same motif of divine 'treasures' hidden/kept by God.
- Job 38:22-23 (verbal): God asks about the storehouses of snow and hail reserved for a time of trouble—language of things 'laid up' or 'reserved' in God's storehouse parallels Deut. 32:34's store/treasure imagery.
- Romans 11:33-34 (thematic): Paul marvels at the depth and unsearchable riches of God's wisdom and judgments—themes of hidden, inscrutable divine riches/counsels related to the idea of treasures kept by God.
Alternative generated candidates
- Is it not stored up with me, sealed up among my treasures?
- Is this not laid up with me, sealed up among my treasures?
Deu.32.35 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- נקם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושלם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- תמוט: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- רגלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- קרוב: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- יום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אידם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- וחש: CONJ+VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- עתדת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- למו: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Romans 12:19 (quotation): Directly quotes Deut 32:35 ('Vengeance is mine; I will repay'), using it to instruct believers not to take personal revenge.
- Hebrews 10:30 (quotation): Cites the divine declaration 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay,' applying the Deuteronomic claim of God's retributive justice to Christ-believers.
- Psalm 73:18-19 (thematic): Speaks of the wicked being placed in 'slippery places' and suddenly destroyed—echoing Deut 32:35's imagery of a foot slipping and sudden calamity.
- Psalm 94:1-2 (verbal): Begins with 'O Lord, to whom vengeance belongs,' invoking the same motif of divine vengeance and vindication found in Deut 32:35.
- Obadiah 15 (thematic): Declares 'the day of the Lord is near' and that judgment will return on the guilty—paralleling Deut 32:35's imminent day of calamity and retributive justice.
Alternative generated candidates
- Vengeance is mine, and recompense; their foot shall slip in due time, for the day of their calamity is at hand and the things that are coming hasten upon them.
- Vengeance is mine, and recompense; their foot shall slip in due time; for the day of their calamity is near, and their doom hastens.
Deu.32.36 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- ידין: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- עבדיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- יתנחם: VERB,hitp,impf,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- יראה: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- כי: CONJ
- אזלת: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואפס: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עצור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועזוב: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 135:14 (quotation): Nearly identical language — God will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants; Psalm echoes Deut.32:36 almost verbatim.
- Exodus 3:7–8 (thematic): God observes the distress of his people and resolves to act on their behalf — 'I have surely seen... I have heard' parallels the motif of God judging and then showing compassion when his people's power is gone.
- Psalm 106:44–45 (thematic): Reports the pattern of divine relenting and deliverance: God remembers his covenant, pities his servants and rescues them after suffering, echoing Deut.32:36’s movement from judgment to compassion.
- Isaiah 54:7–8 (allusion): Promises of restoration after a moment of anger — 'for a brief moment I hid my face... with great compassion I will gather you' reflect the theme of temporary judgment followed by God’s mercy found in Deut.32:36.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the LORD will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants, when he sees that their power is gone and there is no one remaining, no firm one, no helper.
- For the LORD will judge his people and have compassion on his servants when he sees that their power is gone and there is no one left, and no helper.
Deu.32.37 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אי: PRON,interrog
- אלהימו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- צור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חסיו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 18:31-33 (verbal): Uses the imagery and language of God as 'rock' and the rhetorical elevation of Yahweh ('Who is God, save the LORD? ... who is a rock, save our God?'), echoing Deut 32:37's challenge about 'their rock in whom they trusted.'
- 1 Samuel 2:2 (verbal): Declares 'there is none holy as the LORD... neither is there any rock like our God,' a concise formulaic use of 'rock' as a divine epithet that parallels Deut's reference to 'the rock in whom they trusted.'
- Psalm 78:35 (thematic): Describes Israel remembering 'that God was their rock,' providing a thematic counterpoint to Deut 32:37's taunt ('Where is their rock?') about people's failure to remain faithful to the true God.
- Psalm 115:4-8 (thematic): Mocks the impotence of idols ('their idols are silver and gold... they have mouths but cannot speak'), resonating with Deut 32:37's rhetorical question about the whereabouts and power of 'their gods.'
- Habakkuk 2:18-19 (thematic): Ridicules idols and asks rhetorically about their usefulness ('To what purpose is an idol?... Woe to him who says to wood, “Awake!”'), paralleling Deut's taunting inquiry after the false gods and the 'rock' in whom people trusted.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then he will say, ‘Where are their gods, the rock in which they sought refuge?’
- He will say, ‘Where are their gods—the rock in whom they took refuge?’
Deu.32.38 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אשר: PRON,rel
- חלב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זבחימו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,mp
- יאכלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ישתו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- יין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נסיכם: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,mp
- יקומו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ויעזרכם: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg,obj:2,mp
- יהי: VERB,qal,juss,3,m,sg
- עליכם: PREP+PRON,2mp
- סתרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deut.32:36-37 (structural): Immediate context of the Song of Moses: the nations are permitted to profane Israel’s worship and the taunt 'Where is their God?'—part of the same prophetic scene in which enemies consume what belonged to Israel’s cult.
- Psalm 74:7-8 (thematic): Describes hostile nations violating the sanctuary and seizing/desecrating sacred things—parallels the motif of enemies profaning and taking what belonged to Israel’s offerings.
- Psalm 78:58-61 (thematic): Narrates Israel’s misguided worship and the subsequent divine judgment in which God hands them over to plunderers who strip and destroy their sacred sites—echoes the loss and consumption of what was holy.
- Isaiah 10:6-7 (allusion): Assyria depicted as an instrument that devours nations ('eating' nations like bread)—uses consumption imagery for hostile powers similar to enemies eating Israel’s sacrifices.
- Ezekiel 39:17-20 (verbal): After the judgment of the nations Ezekiel depicts birds and beasts feeding on the slain and describes these as a kind of sacrificial feast—parallels the stark sacrificial/consumptive language (eat/drink) applied to the fate of Israel’s cultic goods.
Alternative generated candidates
- Who ate the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their drink-offerings; let them rise up and help you— let them be your protection.
- Who ate the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their drink offerings—let them rise up and be your help; let them be your protection.
Deu.32.39 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ראו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- עתה: ADV
- כי: CONJ
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עמדי: PREP+1cs
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- אמית: VERB,qal,impf,1,c,sg
- ואחיה: CONJ+VERB,hiphil,impf,1,c,sg
- מחצתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,sg
- ואני: PRON,1,sg
- ארפא: VERB,qal,impf,1,c,sg
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- מידי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- מציל: VERB,qal,part,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Deut.4:35 (verbal): Same declaration of YHWH's unique divinity—’the LORD is God; there is none else’—repeated earlier in Deuteronomy (verbal and theological parallel).
- 1 Sam.2:6 (verbal): ’The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to the grave and raises up’ — closely parallels the paired verbs ‘I kill and make alive; I wound and I heal’ in Deut 32:39.
- Isa.43:10-11 (verbal): ’I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no savior’ — echoes the first-person self-identification and exclusive deity language of Deut 32:39.
- Isa.45:5-7 (thematic): Emphasizes God’s sovereign control over opposites (light/darkness, peace/evil) and the claim ‘I the LORD do all these things,’ paralleling Deut 32:39’s assertion of divine sovereignty over life/death and healing/wounding.
- Rom.9:15-18 (thematic): Paul’s reflection on divine sovereignty (‘I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy… who is able to resist his will?’) resonates with Deut 32:39’s stress that none can deliver out of God’s hand—both affirm God’s decisive power over human fate.
Alternative generated candidates
- See 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; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.
- See now that I—I am he, and there is no god with me. I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is no one who can deliver out of my hand.
Deu.32.40 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- אשא: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- אל: NEG
- שמים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ידי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- ואמרתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- חי: ADJ,m,sg
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- לעלם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deut.32:39 (structural): Immediate context in the Song of Moses: both verses assert Yahweh’s unique being and power; v.40 continues the speaker’s solemn self-affirmation and action.
- Isaiah 45:23 (verbal): Uses solemn self-affirmation/oath language ('as I live'/'by myself I have sworn') to assert divine authority and universal lordship, echoing Deut 32:40’s oath formula.
- Genesis 22:16 (allusion): God’s oath to Abraham ('By myself I have sworn') parallels the motif of Yahweh swearing by his life/authority as a binding divine promise.
- Hebrews 6:13-14 (thematic): NT reflection on God’s swearing by himself (citing Gen 22:16) treats divine oaths as guarantees—parallels Deut 32:40’s use of an oath to affirm God’s eternal, binding word.
- Romans 14:11 (quotation): Paul cites Isaiah’s oath-formula ('As I live, says the Lord...') in a Christological/New Testament setting; it shows how OT oath-language like Deut 32:40 is employed as authoritative divine speech.
Alternative generated candidates
- For I lift up my hand to the heavens and say, ‘As I live forever,’
- For I lift up my hand to heaven and swear: As I live forever,
Deu.32.41 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אם: CONJ
- שנותי: VERB,qal,perf,1,comm,sg
- ברק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חרבי: NOUN,f,sg,poss1s
- ותאחז: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- במשפט: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ידי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- אשיב: VERB,hiphil,impf,1,sg
- נקם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לצרי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,poss1s
- ולמשנאי: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,poss1s
- אשלם: VERB,qal,impf,1,comm,sg
Parallels
- Deut.32:35 (verbal): Same Song of Moses language—‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay’—expressing divine retribution and judgment.
- Romans 12:19 (quotation): Paul directly cites the Deuteronomic assertion ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord’ to argue that believers should not seek personal vengeance.
- Hebrews 10:30 (quotation): The author of Hebrews quotes the same divine declaration of vengeance (‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay’) to affirm God's role as judge.
- Isaiah 63:4 (thematic): Speaks of the LORD’s determination to execute vengeance and recompense, echoing the theme of God as avenger and judge present in Deut. 32:41.
- Psalm 94:1 (thematic): Calls on the LORD ‘to whom vengeance belongs’ to act; thematically parallels Deut. 32:41’s emphasis on God’s vindictive justice on enemies.
Alternative generated candidates
- if I sharpen my flashing sword and my hand takes hold on judgment, I will take vengeance on my adversaries and will repay those who hate me.
- if I sharpen my flashing sword, and my hand take hold on judgment, I will take vengeance on my adversaries and repay those who hate me.
Deu.32.42 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אשכיר: VERB,hiph,impf,1,_,sg
- חצי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- מדם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וחרבי: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs+poss,1,sg
- תאכל: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- בשר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מדם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חלל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושביה: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- מראש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פרעות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אויב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deut 32:35 (structural): Same Song of Moses theme of divine vengeance and recompense—'Vengeance is mine; I will repay' provides the theological basis for v.42's violent imagery.
- Isaiah 63:3 (verbal): Uses winepress/blood imagery and the figure of the Lord as avenger ('I have trodden the winepress alone...their blood is sprinkled on my garments'), closely paralleling the 'drinking blood' and punitive motif.
- Isaiah 34:5-6 (verbal): Describes the LORD's day of vengeance when 'the sword of the LORD is filled with blood' and the slain are left—language very similar to 'my sword shall devour flesh' and blood of the slain.
- Joel 3:13 (thematic): Calls for treading the winepress of the nations, imagery of overflowing blood in divine judgment—echoes Deut.32:42's 'drinking blood' and judgment on enemies.
- Nahum 1:2-3 (thematic): Portrays Yahweh as jealous and avenging, slow to anger and powerful in retribution—parallels the verse's emphasis on God's direct, violent punishment of foes.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will make my arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh— the blood of the slain and the captives, the heads of the enemy chiefs.
- I will make my arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh—the blood of the slain and the heads of the enemy.
Deu.32.43 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הרנינו: VERB,hiphil,perf,1,-,pl
- גוים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- דם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עבדיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- יקום: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ונקם: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ישיב: VERB,hifil,imperfect,3,m,sg
- לצריו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- וכפר: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אדמתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Romans 15:10 (quotation): Paul directly cites Deut 32:43 (LXX) — “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people” — using it to show Gentile inclusion in God’s praise.
- Psalm 149:7-9 (thematic): Like Deut 32:43, these verses pair the people’s praise with God’s execution of vengeance on the nations and punishment of their leaders.
- Psalm 79:10 (verbal): Prayer asking God to show vengeance for the blood of his servants so the nations may know — language and theme closely parallel Deut 32:43’s vow to avenge his servants’ blood.
- Joel 3:2 (allusion): God summons the nations to judgment for scattering and shedding the blood of his people — a prophetic development of the vengeance motif in Deut 32:43.
Alternative generated candidates
- Rejoice, O nations, with his people, for he will avenge the blood of his servants; he will render vengeance to his adversaries and atone for the land of his people.
- Rejoice, O nations, with his people! For he will avenge the blood of his servants; he will render vengeance to his foes and will atone for the land of his people.
Deu.32.44 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- השירה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- באזני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,cstr
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- והושע: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deut 31:30 (verbal): Very close wording: Moses speaks 'in the hearing of all Israel' the words of the song — the immediate parallel description of recitation to the assembly.
- Deut 31:22 (structural): Reports that Moses wrote the song the same day — provides the compositional/background context for Moses' public recitation in 32:44.
- Exod 15:1-18 (thematic): An earlier 'Song of Moses' (the song at the Red Sea); thematically related as a poetic/commemorative recital of God's saving acts attributed to Moses.
- Josh 1:1-9 (allusion): Joshua son of Nun is prominent here as in Deut 32:44; Joshua's commissioning and role as successor allude to leadership continuity established when he stands with Moses.
- Neh 8:2-8 (thematic): Public reading and explanation of sacred instruction to the assembled people — parallels the practice of proclaiming important religious text publicly in Deut 32:44.
Alternative generated candidates
- Moses came and recited all the words of this song in the hearing of the people— he and Joshua the son of Nun.
- Moses came and spoke all the words of this song in the hearing of the people—he and Joshua the son of Nun.
Deu.32.45 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויכל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לדבר: INF,qal
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- הדברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- אל: NEG
- כל: DET
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deut.31:30 (verbal): Same narrative moment: Moses speaks the words of the song to all Israel ‘until they were ended’—a near-verbatim parallel to the completion formula.
- Exod.24:3 (thematic): Moses reports ‘all the words of the LORD’ and the statutes to the whole assembly—similar language and function of conveying divine instruction to all Israel.
- Deut.5:1 (structural): Moses summons ‘all Israel’ and publicly delivers the law—parallels the formal address to the entire community as in 32:45.
- Deut.34:10 (thematic): Passage marking the culmination of Moses’ prophetic ministry; 32:45 functions as one of his final addresses before the narrative moves to Moses’ death and the assessment of his unique role.
Alternative generated candidates
- When Moses had finished speaking all these words to all Israel,
- When Moses had finished speaking all these words to all Israel,
Deu.32.46 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- שימו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- לבבכם: NOUN,m,sg,poss
- לכל: PREP
- הדברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- מעיד: VERB,qal,part,masc,sg
- בכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- תצום: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- בניכם: NOUN,m,pl,const+2mp
- לשמר: VERB,qal,inf
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- התורה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (verbal): Directly parallels the injunction to keep God’s words in the heart and to teach them to one’s children — same pedagogical/parental command as Deut 32:46.
- Deuteronomy 11:18-19 (verbal): Repeats the language of laying up the words and teaching them to children and speaking of them at home and on the road — a closely related Deuteronomic formulation.
- Deuteronomy 4:9-10 (thematic): Warns Israel to guard their hearts and to teach the next generation about God’s works and covenant — similar concern for internalizing and transmitting the law.
- Psalm 78:5-7 (thematic): Emphasizes instructing children in God’s statutes so that the next generation knows and trusts God — echoes the covenantal teaching motif of Deut 32:46.
- Joshua 1:7-8 (allusion): Command to be strong, meditate on the Book of the Law, and do all that is written parallels Moses’ call to set the heart and observe all the words of the law.
Alternative generated candidates
- he said to them, “Set your hearts to all the words which I testify among you this day, which you shall command your children to keep, to observe to do all the words of this law.
- he said to them, “Set your hearts to all the words with which I testify against you today; command your children to observe to do all the words of this law.
Deu.32.47 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רק: PRT
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- מכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- חייכם: NOUN,m,pl+PRON,2,pl
- ובדבר: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- תאריכו: VERB,hiph,impf,2,m,pl
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- על: PREP
- האדמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- עברים: PART,qal,ptc,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הירדן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שמה: ADV
- לרשתה: INF,qal,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Deut.30.20 (verbal): Almost identical wording and idea: loving and obeying God ‘for he is your life and the length of your days,’ tying obedience to life and long life in the land.
- Deut.8.3 (verbal): Declares that humans live not by bread alone but by every word from God—same basic claim that God’s word is the source and sustenance of life.
- Joshua 1.8 (thematic): Commands constant meditation on the law and links obedience to prosperity and success in the land—parallels the promise that holding to God’s word brings life and longevity.
- Proverbs 4.22 (verbal): Speaks of God’s commandments/words as ‘life to those who find them,’ using nearly the same metaphor of divine instruction as life and healing.
- Psalm 119.93 (thematic): The psalmist ties God’s precepts to personal restoration and quickening (‘with them thou hast quickened me’), reflecting the theme that God’s word gives and sustains life.
Alternative generated candidates
- For this is not a worthless thing for you, because it is your life; and by this word you shall prolong your days upon the land, which you are passing over the Jordan to possess.”
- For this is not a thing of nought to you—it is your life. By this word you shall lengthen your days in the land which you are about to possess beyond the Jordan.”
Moses spoke the words of this song in the hearing of the whole assembly of Israel until they were complete.
Listen, O heavens, and I will speak; let the earth hear the words of my mouth.
Let my teaching drop like rain, my speech distill like dew, like gentle rain on new grass, like showers on tender herbs.
For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God.
He is the Rock—his work is perfect; for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without wrong; righteous and upright is he.
They are corrupt, not his children—a perverse and crooked generation.
Is this the recompense of the LORD—this people, a foolish and senseless folk? Is he not your Father who acquired you, who made you and established you?
Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations. Ask your father, and he will tell you; your elders, and they will say to you.
When the Most High apportioned the nations, when he divided humankind, he set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the children of Israel.
For the LORD's portion was his people; Jacob was the lot of his inheritance.
He found him in a wilderness land, in a howling waste; he encircled him, cared for him, guarded him like the pupil of his eye.
Like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, he spread his wings, took them, and bore them on his pinions.
The LORD alone was his guide; no foreign god was with him.
He caused him to ride on the high places of the earth; he fed him on the produce of the field, and nourished him with honey from the rock and oil from the flinty rock.
With curds of cows and milk of sheep, with the richness of lambs and rams of Bashan and goats, with choice wheat—and the wine of the grapes you drank. But he grew fat and kicked; he abandoned the God who made him and scorned the Rock of his salvation.
They provoked him to jealousy by foreign gods; with abominations they enflamed his anger.
They offered sacrifices to demons, not to God—gods they had not known, new arrivals, whom your fathers did not fear.
You forgot the Rock who fathered you; you forgot the God who gave you birth.
When the LORD saw it, he spurned them because of the contempt of his sons and daughters.
He said, "I will hide my face from them; I will see what their end shall be, for they are a perverse generation, children in whom is no faith."
They provoked me to jealousy by what is no god; by their vanities they angered me. So I will make them jealous by a people that is no people; I will anger them by a foolish nation.
For a fire is kindled in my anger; it shall blaze to Sheol's depth. It shall consume the earth and its increase and set ablaze the foundations of the mountains.
I will heap misfortunes upon them; I will spend my arrows against them.
I will send on them the teeth of beasts and the poison of crawling things of the dust—the sword, famine, and pestilence shall ravage them.
Outside the sword bereaves; within the chambers there is terror— both the young and the virgin, the nursing infant and the man of gray hairs.
I said, "I will erase them; I will make their name cease from human memory."
Had I not feared the wrath of the foe—lest their adversaries should say, 'Our hand has prevailed; the LORD did not do all this'—
for they are a nation lacking counsel; there is no understanding in them.
O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would discern their latter end!
How could one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight—unless their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had given them up?
For their rock is not like our Rock—indeed, their enemies themselves acknowledge it.
For their vine is the vine of Sodom and of Gomorrah; their grapes are grapes of poison, their clusters are bitter.
Their wine is the venom of serpents, the deadly poison of vipers.
Is it not stored up with me, sealed in my treasuries?
Vengeance is mine, and recompense; their foot shall slip in due time— for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.
For the LORD will judge his people and have compassion on his servants, when he sees that their power is gone and there is none left, slave or free.
Then he will say, 'Where are their gods—the rock in which they sought refuge?'
Those which ate the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their drink offerings—'Rise up and help yourselves; be a protection for you!'
See now that I, even I, am he; there is no god besides me. I bring death and I give life; I wound and I heal—and there is none who can deliver out of my hand.
I will lift up my hand to the heavens and swear, 'As I live forever,'
if I whet my glittering sword and my hand takes hold in judgment, I will bring vengeance on my foes and will repay those who hate me.
I will make my arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh—the blood of the slain and the captives, from the head of the enemy.
Rejoice, O nations, with his people; for he will avenge the blood of his servants and will render vengeance to his adversaries and will atone for the land of his people.
Moses came and recited all the words of this song in the hearing of the people—he and Joshua son of Nun.
When Moses finished speaking all these words to all Israel,
he said to them, "Set your hearts to all the words with which I testify against you today, that you may charge your children to keep and do all the words of this law.
For this is not a thing without effect for you; it is your life, and by this word you shall prolong your days on the land which you pass over the Jordan to possess."