Deuteronomy 32:1-15 NIV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:4

He is the Rock - The word צור tsur is rendered Creator by some eminent critics; and khalyk is the reading in the Arabic Version. Rab. Moses ben Maimon, in his valuable work, Moreh Nebochim, observes that the word צור tsur , which is ordinarily translated rock, signifies origin, fountain, first cause, etc., and in this way it should be translated here: "He is the first principle, his work is perfect." As he is the cause of all things, he must be infinitely perfect; and consequently... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:5

Their spot is not the spot of his children - This verse is variously translated and variously understood. They are corrupted, not his, children of pollution - Kennicott. They are corrupt, they are not his children, they are blotted - Houbigant. This is according to the Samaritan. The interpretation commonly given to these words is as unfounded as it is exceptionable: "God's children have their spots, i. e., their sins, but sin in them is not like sin in others; in others sin is exceedingly... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:8

When the Most High divided to the nations, etc. - Deuteronomy 32:8 ; and Deuteronomy 32:9 , says Dr. Kennicott, give us express authority for believing that the earth was very early divided in consequence of a Divine command, and probably by lot, (see Acts 17:26 ;); and as Africa is called the land of Ham, ( Psalm 78:51 ; Psalm 105:23 , Psalm 105:27 ; Psalm 106:22 ;), probably that country fell to him and to his descendants, at the same time that Europe fell to Japheth, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:9

The Lord's portion is his people - What an astonishing saying! As holy souls take God for their portion, so God takes them for his portion. He represents himself as happy in his followers; and they are infinitely happy in, and satisfied with, God as their portion. This is what is implied in being a saint. He who is seeking for an earthly portion, has little commerce with the Most High. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:10

He - the Lord, found him - Jacob, in his descendants, in a desert land - the wilderness. He led him about forty years in this wilderness, Deuteronomy 8:2 , or יסבבנהו yesobebenhu , he compassed him about, i. e., God defended them on all hands, and in all places. He instructed him - taught them that astonishing law through which we have now almost passed, giving them statutes and judgments which, for depth of wisdom, and correct political adaptation to times, places, and circumstances,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:11

As an eagle stirreth up her nest - Flutters over her brood to excite them to fly; or, as some think, disturbs her nest to oblige the young ones to leave it; so God by his plagues in Egypt obliged the Israelites, otherwise very reluctant, to leave a place which he appeared by his judgments to have devoted to destruction. Fluttereth over her young - ירחף yeracheph , broodeth over them, communicating to them a portion of her own vital warmth: so did God, by the influences of his Spirit,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:12

So the Lord alone did lead him - By his power, and by his only, were they brought out of Egypt, and supported in the wilderness. And there was no strange god - They had help from no other quarter. The Egyptian idols were not able to save their own votaries; but God not only saved his people, but destroyed the Egyptians. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:13

He made him ride - ירכבהו yarkibehu , he will cause him to ride. All the verbs here are in the future tense, because this is a prophecy of the prosperity they should possess in the promised land. The Israelites were to ride - exult, on the high places, the mountains and hills of their land, in which they are promised the highest degrees of prosperity; as even the rocky part of the country should be rendered fertile by the peculiar benediction of God. Suck honey out of the rock, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:14

Fat of kidneys of wheat - Almost every person knows that the kidney is enveloped in a coat of the purest fat in the body of the animal, for which several anatomical reasons might be given. As the kidney itself is to the abundantly surrounding fat, so is the germ of the grain to the lobes or farinaceous parts. The expression here may be considered as a very strong and peculiarly happy figure to point out the finest wheat, containing the healthiest and most vigorous germ, growing in a very... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:15

Jeshurun - ישרון the upright. This appellative is here put for Israel, and as it comes from ישר yashar , he was right, straight, may be intended to show that the people who once not only promised fair, but were really upright, walking in the paths of righteousness, should, in the time signified by the prophet, not only revolt from God, but actually fight against him; like a full fed horse, who not only will not bear the harness, but breaks away from his master, and endeavors to kick... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:14

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:15

Group of Brands