Deuteronomy 32:10-14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:7-14

Moses, having in general represented God to them as their great benefactor, whom they were bound in gratitude to observe and obey, in these verses gives particular instances of God's kindness to them and concern for them. 1. Some instances were ancient, and for proof of them he appeals to the records (Deut. 32:7): Remember the days of old; that is, ?Keep in remembrance the history of those days, and of the wonderful providences of God concerning the old world, and concerning your ancestors... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:10

He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness ,.... In Deuteronomy 32:10 instances are given of the goodness of God to the people of Israel, when in the wilderness; by which is meant, either "the wilderness of the land of Egypt", as it is called, Ezekiel 20:36 ; where they were in a most miserable and forlorn condition, in which the Lord found them, and out of which he brought them; or rather the desert of Arabia, a waste place, where no provisions could be had; a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:11

As an eagle stirreth up her nest ,.... Her young ones in it, to get them out of it: Jarchi says the eagle is merciful to its young, and does not go into its nest suddenly, but first makes a noise, and disturbs them with her wings, striking them against a tree or its branches, that so they being awakened may be fitter to receive her: with respect to literal Israel, Egypt was their nest, where they were who were then in their infant state, lay like young birds in a nest; and though it was a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:12

So the Lord alone did lead him ,.... Out of Egypt, through the wilderness, to the land of Canaan, going before them in a pillar of fire and cloud; though this is not to be understood to the exclusion of the ministry of Moses and Aaron, by whom he led them, Psalm 77:20 ; it may be interpreted of the people being alone in the wilderness when led: and there was no strange god with him ; with Israel; so Aben Ezra, no idolatry among them then; to which sense are the Targums of Jerusalem... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:13

He made him to ride on the high places of the earth ,.... Or land, the land of Canaan; by which are meant the towers, castles, and fortified places in it, some of which might be built on hills and mountains; and being made to ride on them may denote the delivery of them into their hands, their conquests and possession of them, and triumph in them; see Isaiah 58:14 ; so the Targum of Jonathan paraphrases, it,"made him to dwell in the towers of the land of Israel,'those high walled and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:14

Butter of kine ,.... Made of milk, which kine or cows give; Jarchi says, this is the fat that is gathered on the top of milk, he means cream, and which indeed was the butter of the ancients, and is here meant: and milk of sheep : which they give, though not in such plenty as the kine, yet what is very wholesome and nourishing: the philosopher F2 Aristot. Problem. sect. 10. qu. 6. observes, that sheep give more milk in proportion to the size of their bodies than cows: and Pliny F3... 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

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