Deuteronomy 32:41-42

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:36-43

The final revelation of God's supremacy. In this inspired song—an epitome of the Bible—Moses looks adown the long vista of history, and discerns what will be the outcome of the whole, viz. to establish on a safe basis the acknowledged supremacy of Jehovah. Truth shall eventually conquer, whatever be her present fortunes; and the supreme authority of Jehovah is a fundamental truth, which must in duo time effectually shine forth. I. HUMAN EXPERIENCE WILL ULTIMATELY CONFIRM THE... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:40-41

These verses should be read continuously: For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, As I live forever, if I whet my glittering sword, and if my hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, etc. Lifting up the hand to heaven was a gesture intended to express that the person taking an oath appealed to God as a witness of his oath, and who would perish for falsehood (cf. Genesis 14:22 ); and "as the Lord liveth" was a common formula in taking an oath (cf. Numbers... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:42

My sword shall devour flesh; literally, shall eat flesh; "the edge of the sword is called its mouth, because, like a mouth, it is said to eat and devour" (Gesenius). From the beginning of revenges upon the enemy. Different renderings of this have been given: LXX ; ἀπὸ κεφαλῆς ἀρχόντων ἐχθρῶν , "from the head of the hostile princes;" "from the head of the chiefs of the enemy" (Geseuius, Furst, Rosenmüller); "from the hairy head of the foe" (Keil, Herxheimer, Knobel). פְרַעוֹת ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 32:1-42

Song of MosesIf Deuteronomy 32:1-3 be regarded as the introduction, and Deuteronomy 32:43 as the conclusion, the main contents of the song may be grouped under three heads, namely,(1) Deuteronomy 32:4-18, the faithfulness of God, the faithlessness of Israel;(2) Deuteronomy 32:19-33, the chastisement and the need of its infliction by God;(3) Deuteronomy 32:34-42, God’s compassion upon the low and humbled state of His people.The Song differs signally in diction and idiom from the preceding... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 32:40-42

Deuteronomy 32:40-42. I lift up my hand to heaven I solemnly swear I will do what here follows. It was the custom to stretch out the hand in swearing, Genesis 14:22. And say, I live for ever As surely as I live for ever, I will whet my sword, &c. If I whet If once I begin to prepare for war, and for the execution of my sentence. Mine hand take hold on judgment The instruments of judgments, the weapons of war. A metaphor from warriors that take their weapons into their hands when... read more

Donald C. Fleming

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 32:41

sword. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 . Compare Revelation 19:15 . judgment = justice, or retribution. Compare Isaiah 1:24 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Deuteronomy 32:42

arrows. Figure of speech Prosopopatheia. App-6 . drunk = devour. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia. App-6 . From the beginning = from [the flesh] of the chief leader of. Note the alternation: "I will make Mine arrows drunk with blood, And My sword shall devour much flesh; With the blood of the slain and of the captives, With [the flesh] of the chief leader of the enemy. "Compare Revelation 19:17-21 , to which this refers. See also Ezekiel 39:17-20 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Deuteronomy 32:42

Ver. 42. I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, &c.— Houbigant very justly observes, that the order is here transposed. He translates it, my sword shall devour flesh: I will make mine arrows drunk with blood; with the blood of the slain and of the captives, with the flesh of the impious and the enemy. I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, is a strong poetical figure, implying the abundance of blood which should be shed. Le Clerc translates it thus, they shall be captives from the... 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

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