Deuteronomy 32:26-27 -

Israel's desert was to be utterly destroyed, but God refrained from this for his own Name's sake. I said, I would scatter them into corners ; rather, I should say , I trill blow them away , i . e . disperse them as by a mighty wind. The verb here is the Hiph, of פָאָה , to breathe, to blow, and is found only here. The rabbins make it a denominative from פֵאָה , a corner, and this the Authorized Version follows; others trace it to an Arabic root, פאא , amputavit, excidit , and render, "will cut them off." The idea intended to be conveyed is obviously that of entire destruction, and this is not satisfied by the representation of their being scared or driven into corners. Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy. Various renderings and interpretations of this passage have been given.

1. Were it not that I feared the provocation of the enemy , i . e . that I should be provoked to wrath by the enemy ascribing the destruction of Israel to their own prowess.

2. Were it not that I feared a wrath upon the enemy , with much the same meaning.

3. Were it not that I feared the fury of the enemy , i . e . against Israel—feared lest the enemy should be encouraged to rise up against Israel and ascribe their destruction to their own valor. Of these that most generally approved is the first. (On this reason for sparing Israel, see Deuteronomy 9:28 ; Exodus 32:12 ; Numbers 14:13 , etc.; Isaiah 10:5 , etc.; Ezekiel 20:13 , Ezekiel 20:14 .) Should behave themselves strangely; rather, should mistake or falsely pretend . The verb is the Piel of נָכַר , to look upon, to mark, and conveys the idea of looking on askance or prejudicially, hence being ignorant of, mistaking, feigning, or falsely pretending. Our hand is high; rather, was high , i . e . was mighty in power.