Deuteronomy 32

4 the Rock. Suggesting unchangeableness and security.

6 bought, made, established. Heb., “produced,” “made,” “established” or “confirmed.” The Author and Preserver of their national life.

8 to the nations. In all God’s arrangements for developing and settling the nations, He kept in view the wants and interests of His chosen people.

10 apple. i.e., “pupil”; an often-recurring metaphor, expressing constant and tender care.

11. As an eagle stirreth up her nest, etc. This figure finely illustrates both the training of the Hebrews in the desert, and the methods by which God prepares His people for their heavenly inheritance. The eagle arouses her brood, inciting and teaching them to fly, and afterwards guarding the weak from harm. The R.V. reads the latter part of the verse, “He spread abroad His wings, took them,” etc., omitting the italicised So at the beginning of ver. 12.

13 honey . . . oil. In the holes of the rocks the bees build their combs, whilst the olive-tree strikes its roots into the crevices.

14 kidneys of wheat. This expression is used for fine, plump, full grains.

15. Jeshurun. A poetical name for Israel as “the upright” or “holy” nation (see Numb. xxiii. 21, and note), here represented under the figure of a high-fed mettlesome animal, a graphic description of the degeneracy of the chosen people, when led away by prosperity into pride and apostasy from God.

17 devils. Rather, “idols,”

came newly up. Heb., “new [gods] which came from near.”

20 froward. “Perverse."—in whom is no faith. That is, in whom no confidence can be placed.

21 a foolish nation. That is, a people whom they despise. This passage is quoted in Rom. x. 19, to show that the Jews might have known that, if they forsook God, He would transfer their privileges to the despised Gentiles, and that the Gentile nations should be the instruments of their punishment.

22 hell. Heb., “Sheol,” i.e., the under-world, the grave (from verb meaning “to be quiet,” “to be at rest”). The Greek equivalent is “Hades,” the unseen world.

24 burnt. Rather, “wasted” (R.V.). Burning heat means a burning fever.

27. Lest their adversaries, etc. Or, “Lest their adversaries should boast, lest they should say, Our high hand, and not Jehovah, hath done this.” In this punishment of His rebellious people God will take care to cut off all occasion of boasting from the heathen instruments of His displeasure.

28 they. i.e., God’s rebellious people (ver. 20).

31 their rock. i.e., the idols of the heathen. See vers. 4, 37.

33 dragons. “Serpents.”

34 sealed up. That is, this wickedness shall not be forgotten.

35. Their foot shall slide in due time. Or, “at the time when their foot shall slide” (R.V.).

that shall come upon them. Rather, “that are ready for them”; so that their punishment is both certain and near.

36 judge. In Heb. x. 30, this is quoted as meaning, “The Lord will chastise His people.” The verse should therefore be rendered, “For (or, when) the Lord will chastise His people, but (or, then) He will repent Himself,” etc. God here shows that His tender mercy may be exercised in connexion with His sharpest discipline. It is to be observed that when the Apostle Paul quotes from this song, he uses the Septuagint version.

shut up, or left. A frequent proverbial expression for the bond and free, and including all classes of men.

42. And that. These italicised words are better omitted, as obscuring the sense. (So R.V.)

the beginning of revenges, etc. “From the head of the leaders of the enemy”: see Judges v. 2.

43. Rejoice, etc. These words are quoted by the Apostle Paul (Rom. xv. 10) as pointing to the grand consummation of all God’s dealings with Israel, whether in the way of mercy or of judgement—the final incorporation of Jews and Gentiles in one happy Christian community.