Deuteronomy 32:8

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:1-47

The song of Moses (31:30-32:47)Being aware of the people’s tendency to rebellion against God (see v. 29), Moses left with them a song that he wanted everyone to take notice of (30). The song reminded the people of God’s loving care for them and of the need for faithfulness on their part towards him. It dealt with the future as well as the past, and reminded the people that in justice God would punish them and in mercy he would forgive them.As rain benefits young grass, so Moses’ words should... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Deuteronomy 32:8

When, &c. i.e. He foreknew His purposes concerning Israel. See Genesis 10:32 . This was 200 years before Abraham. MOST HIGH = 'eley o n . See App-4 . divided. As an inheritance. Compare Deuteronomy 32:9 . Hebrew. nah al = to possess. See note on Deuteronomy 32:9 . Not Hebrew. palag (Genesis 10:25 ), which = to cleave by disruption, or parur (Genesis 10:5 , Genesis 10:32 ), which = to divide by breaking off. (See note App-50 .) People = Peoples. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Deuteronomy 32:8-9

Ver. 8, 9. When the Most High divided, &c.— Bochart gives the words this simple meaning: "God so distributed the bounds and settlements of the several people and nations, as to reserve in his counsel such a part of the earth for the Israelites, as he knew would be a sufficient inheritance, a commodious habitation for so numerous a race;" which sense cannot be better expressed than in the words of St. Paul, Acts 17:26. God hath made of one blood all nations of men, to dwell on all the face... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 32:8

8, 9. When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance—In the division of the earth, which Noah is believed to have made by divine direction (Genesis 10:5; Deuteronomy 2:5-9; Acts 17:26; Acts 17:27), Palestine was reserved by the wisdom and goodness of Heaven for the possession of His peculiar people and the display of the most stupendous wonders. The theater was small, but admirably suited for the convenient observation of the human race—at the junction of the two great continents... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Deuteronomy 32:1-43

2. The song itself 32:1-43One Old Testament scholar called the Song of Moses "one of the most impressive religious poems in the entire Old Testament." [Note: W. F. Albright, "Some Remarks on the Song of Moses in Deuteronomy XXXII," Vetus Testamentum 9 (1959):339-46.] It contrasts the faithfulness and loyal love of God with the unfaithfulness and perversity of His people. As other important poems in the Pentateuch (e.g., Genesis 49; Exodus 15; Numbers 24), it also teaches major themes."The song... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Deuteronomy 32:7-14

The writer graphically described God’s choice and care of Israel in these verses. [Note: See David E. Stevens, "Does Deuteronomy 32:8 Refer to ’Sons of God’ or ’Sons of Israel’?" Bibliotheca Sacra 154:614 (April-June 1997):131-41, for a discussion of this textual problem. He concluded that "sons of Israel" is the preferred reading. Michael S. Heiser argued for "Sons of God" in "Deuteronomy 32:8 and the Sons of God," Bibliotheca Sacra 158:629 (January-March 2001):52-74. I prefer the "Sons of... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:1-52

The Song of MosesThe theme of this noble Song is the goodness of Jehovah in choosing Israel and bringing them into a rich land. When they provoke Him with their forgetfulness and unfaithfulness, He disciplines them. But He does not utterly reject them; when they repent He takes part with them against their enemies and delivers them. It will be observed that the exodus begins and concludes with a Song of Moses: see Exodus 15:1-18. Psalms 90 is also attributed to him.1-6. Heaven and earth are... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Deuteronomy 32:8-9

(8, 9) Comp. Deuteronomy 21:16.“when the Most High made nations to inherit,When He parted the sons of Adam,He set the bounds of the peoples,According to the number of the sons of Israel.For the portion of Jehovah is His people,Jacob the cord [7] of His inheritance”[7] i.e., limit.The allusion is to the dispersion from Babel (Genesis 10:11). The Jews were accustomed to reckon seventy nations and languages in that dispersion. Seventy members of Jacob’s household went down into Egypt. And... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:1-52

THE SONG AND BLESSING OF MOSES(A) THE SONG OF MOSESDeuteronomy 32:1-52CRITICS have debated the date, authorship, and history of this song. For the present purpose it is sufficient, perhaps, to refer to the statement on these points in the note below.But in discussing the meaning and contents of the song the differences referred to cause no difficulties. On any supposition the time and circumstances, whether assumed as present, or actually and really present to the prophet’s mind, can clearly be... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Deuteronomy 32:1-43

2. The Song of Moses CHAPTER 32:1-43 1. The introduction and the theme (Deuteronomy 32:1-4 ) 2. The foolish people (Deuteronomy 32:5-6 ) 3. How Jehovah loved them (Deuteronomy 32:7-14 ) 4. Their apostasy (Deuteronomy 32:15-18 ) 5. The results of the apostasy (Deuteronomy 32:19-33 ) 6. Jehovah’s final dealing with Israel (Deuteronomy 32:34-42 ) 7. The glorious consummation (Deuteronomy 32:43 ) The song of Moses is a great prophecy. The first great prophetic utterance is found in... read more

Group of Brands