Deuteronomy 32:39-41

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:39-43

This conclusion of the song speaks three things: I. Glory to God, Deut. 32:39. ?See now upon the whole matter, that I, even I, am he. Learn this from the destruction of idolaters, and the inability of their idols to help them.? The great God here demands the glory, 1. Of a self-existence: I, even I, am he. Thus Moses concludes with that name of God by which he was first made to know him (Exod. 3:14), ?I am that I am. I am he that I have been, that I will be, that I have promised to be, that I... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:39

See now that I, even I, am he ,.... Which words are directed to the people of God in their low estate, to look to Christ, and expect deliverance and salvation from him; or to their enemies that insult them, to the despisers, to look, and wonder, and perish, as they will, when the witnesses slain by them shall arise, and go up to heaven in their sight, Revelation 11:11 ; they are spoken by the Word and Son of God, to whom the Father has committed all judgment, and who will now rise up... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:40

For I lift up my hand to heaven ,.... Which is a gesture used in swearing, Genesis 14:22 , and is ascribed to a divine Person, Ezekiel 20:5 ; and particularly to Christ the angel, that is so wonderfully described, Revelation 10:1 ; though sometimes it is used, as Aben Ezra observes, to excite the attention of hearers, but here it signifies swearing; and so the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem paraphrase it,"I have lift up my hands with an oath to heaven;'and to the same sense is the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:41

If I whet my glittering sword ,.... That is, I will do it as sure as I live, if I do not, be it so and so; what that is is not said, but left to be concluded. A glittering sword is a sword drawn, the blade of it drawn out of the scabbard, cleaned and polished, whetted and made sharp, that it may more easily penetrate and pierce; and this, being brandished, glitters like lightning, as the word used signifies. Whetting the sword is a preparation for doing execution with it; and is a warning, a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:39

See now that I-am he - Be convinced that God alone can save, and God alone can destroy, and that your idols can neither hurt nor help you. I kill, and I make alive, etc. - My mercy is as great as my justice, for I am as ready to save the penitent as I was to punish the rebellious. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:40

For I lift up my hand to heaven - See concerning oaths and appeals to God in the note on Deuteronomy 6:13 ; (note). read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:39

Verse 39 39See now that 1, even I, am he. Those who attribute the preceding verses to the unbelievers, now introduce God speaking, as it were, abruptly, and asserting His glory, in rebuke of their blasphemies. But it is rather a confirmation of that holy boasting which He has just dictated to the believers, when God not only bids His people lift up their voices against the idols, but Himself comes forward to condemn the senselessness of the Gentiles; although the context clearly shows that He... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:40

Verse 40 40.For (293) I lift up my, hand to heaven. Others render it, “When I shall have lifted up my hand,” and read it connectedly with the foregoing verse, that God’s power in destroying and preserving will be manifest, if He raises up His hand to heaven. I do not doubt, however, but that it is the beginning of a new sentence, and that God thus commences, in order to affirm more strongly what He immediately adds respecting the future destruction of their enemies. If, however, any prefer the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 32:41

Verse 41 41If I whet my glittering sword. The conditional particle does not leave the matter doubtful, or in suspense, but must be resolved into an adverb of time; as though He had said, As soon as He should take up arms, the destruction of the enemies would be certain; not indeed that God wants arms for the overthrow of His enemies; just as when He adds directly afterwards, “When my hand shall have taken hold of judgment,” He does not mean that it ever is taken away from Him, or escapes Him,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 32:19-47

Vengeance and recompense. The reasonableness of the Divine jealousy being shown already, we can have little difficulty in recognizing the further reasonableness of the Divine vengeance. Paul's treatment of the question is concise and conclusive. "Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man). God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?" ( Romans 3:5 , Romans 3:6 ). Vengeance is recognized, therefore, as belonging to God's justice, which shall be called into play... read more

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