Deuteronomy 32:15-17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:15-18

We have here a description of the apostasy of Israel from God, which would shortly come to pass, and to which already they had a disposition. One would have thought that a people under so many obligations to their God, in duty, gratitude, and interest, would never have turned from him; but, alas! they turned aside quickly. Here are two great instances of their wickedness, and each of them amounted to an apostasy from God:? I. Security and sensuality, pride and insolence, and the other common... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:15

But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked ,.... This is undoubtedly a name of the people of Israel; it is to be met with only in three places more, in Deuteronomy 33:5 ; it is generally thought to come from a word F4 ישר "rectum esse". which signifies upright and righteous, such these people ought to have been, and some among them were; and they generally professed themselves, and outwardly appeared to be upright, just, and righteous persons, and were desirous of being reckoned so; which... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:16

They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods ,.... Or "with others" F8 בזרים "per alios", Cocceius. ; the word "gods" is not in the text, nor were the Jews guilty of worshipping strange gods or idols in the times of Christ, nor had they been from the time of their coming out of the Babylonish captivity; but the word, as Cocceius observes, is used for "another", as in Job 19:27 ; and signifies other saviours, other messiahs, whom the Jews set up when they rejected Christ, the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:17

They sacrificed to devils, not to God ,.... Their sacrifices being continued, when it was the will of God they should cease, were reckoned by him not as, offered to him, but to demons, and to such that were not God; they being therein under the instigation of Satan, and doing his lusts, John 8:44 ; just as Pagans and Papists, worshipping idols under the influence and direction of Satan, are said to worship devils, and sacrifice to them, 1 Corinthians 10:20 ; and indeed setting up their... 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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:17

They sacrificed unto devils - The original word שדים shedim has been variously understood. The Syriac, Chaldee, Targums of Jerusalem and Jonathan, and the Samaritan, retain the original word: the Vulgate, Septuagint, Arabic, Persic, Coptic, and Anglo-Saxon, have devils or demons. The Septuagint has εθυσαν δαιμονιοις , they sacrificed to demons: the Vulgate copies the Septuagint: the Arabic has sheeateen , the plural of Sheetan , Satan, by which the rebellious angels appear to be... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:15

Verse 15 15But Jeshurun (264) waxed fat. Moses here severely censures the ingratitude of the people, because when filled with delicacies, they began to wax wanton against God; for, according to the vulgar proverb, satiety breeds violence; but this arises from men’s detestable depravity, who ought rather to be inclined to humility and gentleness by the loving-kindness of God, since the more abundantly He supplies us with food, the more does He invite us to show forth the affection that becomes... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:16

Verse 16 16They provoked him to jealousy. It is only figuratively that jealousy is attributed to God, who is free from all passions; but, since men never sufficiently reflect how great pollution they contract by their idolatries, it is necessary that the grossness of the sin should be expressed in such terms as this, implying that men do no less injury to God, when they transfer to others the honor due to Him, and that the offense is no lighter than as if a licentious woman should provoke her... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:15

Jeshurun . This name, formed from יָשַׂר , righteous, designates Israel as chosen to be a righteous nation; and in the use of it here lies the keenest reproach of apostate Israel, as fallen into a state the opposite of that to which it was destined. "By using the name righteous in place of Israel , Moses ironically censures those who had swerved from rectitude; by recalling to memory with what dignity they had been endowed, he the more sharply rebukes the perfidy which was their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:15-18

Israel's ungrateful return for the Lord's benefits. read more

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