Deuteronomy 32:10 kjv
He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.
Deuteronomy 32:10 nkjv
"He found him in a desert land And in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye.
Deuteronomy 32:10 niv
In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye,
Deuteronomy 32:10 esv
"He found him in a desert land, and in the howling waste of the wilderness; he encircled him, he cared for him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.
Deuteronomy 32:10 nlt
He found them in a desert land,
in an empty, howling wasteland.
He surrounded them and watched over them;
he guarded them as he would guard his own eyes.
Deuteronomy 32 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 13:18 | "But God led the people around... into the wilderness toward the Red Sea." | God's leading through wilderness |
| Exod 16:35 | "And the people of Israel ate manna forty years..." | Divine provision in the desert |
| Num 9:17 | "Whenever the cloud lifted from over the tent, there the people of Israel set out..." | God's guidance through cloud/fire |
| Deut 8:2 | "And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness..." | Reminder of wilderness leading |
| Deut 8:5 | "You know in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you." | God's instruction and discipline |
| Neh 9:19 | "You in your great mercies did not forsake them in the wilderness..." | God's enduring mercy in wilderness |
| Neh 9:20 | "You gave your good Spirit to instruct them..." | God's Spirit teaching |
| Ps 17:8 | "Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings," | God's protection of the precious |
| Ps 23:2-3 | "He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul..." | God's pastoral care and guidance |
| Ps 78:52 | "Then he led out his people like sheep and guided them in the wilderness like a flock." | God's shepherd leadership |
| Ps 105:40 | "They asked, and he brought quail, and gave them bread from heaven in abundance." | Divine provision in desert |
| Prov 7:2 | "Keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye." | "Apple of eye" as valuable, worth preserving |
| Isa 40:11 | "He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms..." | God's tender, shepherding care |
| Isa 41:17 | "When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none... I the Lord will answer them..." | God provides in desolate places |
| Isa 43:2 | "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you..." | God's presence and protection in trials |
| Jer 2:6 | "They did not say, 'Where is the Lord who brought us up from the land of Egypt and led us through the wilderness...'" | Israel's forgetting God's wilderness care |
| Hos 13:5 | "I knew you in the wilderness, in the land of drought;" | God's prior relationship and care for Israel |
| Zech 2:8 | "...for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye." | Harm to God's people is harm to God's own self |
| Jn 10:11 | "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." | Jesus as the ultimate Good Shepherd |
| Rom 11:29 | "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." | God's continuing covenant faithfulness |
| Heb 1:1-2 | "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets..." | God's past instruction to His people |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession..." | New Testament people as God's own |
Deuteronomy 32 verses
Deuteronomy 32 10 Meaning
Deuteronomy 32:10 portrays God's compassionate and meticulous care for Israel during their wilderness journey after the exodus from Egypt. It describes how God discovered His people in a desolate, dangerous, and chaotic environment, then actively guided, educated, and protected them with utmost tenderness, as one would safeguard the most delicate part of the eye. This verse highlights God's unwavering love, provision, and faithfulness amidst challenging circumstances.
Deuteronomy 32 10 Context
Deuteronomy 32:10 is a key line in the "Song of Moses," spanning Deuteronomy 32:1-43. This song serves as Moses' farewell message and prophetic summary of Israel's past, present, and future with God before his death. It recounts God's gracious acts toward Israel, contrasts His faithfulness with Israel's potential unfaithfulness, and predicts future consequences and restoration. Verse 10 specifically describes the initial stage of Israel's relationship with God after their exodus from Egyptian slavery. It places emphasis on the challenging environment of the wilderness as the backdrop for God's providential care. Historically, this song served as a covenant document, to be sung and remembered, instructing Israel about the character of God and their responsibilities as His chosen people in the promised land, contrasting Yahweh's protective nature with the cruel, unyielding deities of the surrounding pagan cultures.
Deuteronomy 32 10 Word analysis
- He found him: The Hebrew word for "found" is matsa (מָצָא). This is not an accidental discovery, but implies a purposeful divine initiative. God actively sought out and acquired Israel, much like a precious object. It speaks of election and relationship initiation.
- in a desert land: The Hebrew eretz midbar (אֶרֶץ מִדְבָּר) denotes a desolate, uncultivated region, signifying lack of sustenance, danger, and isolation. It sets the scene of absolute vulnerability for Israel.
- and in the waste howling wilderness: This phrase employs vivid, almost poetic Hebrew imagery. Tohu (תֹּהוּ) means "waste" or "emptiness," echoing the "formless and void" (Gen 1:2) state of primeval chaos, suggesting a dangerous, uninviting, and untamed environment. Y'lel (יְלֵל) for "howling" refers to the sound of wild animals or the wind, emphasizing the eeriness and peril of the wilderness. Yeshimono (יְשִׁימֹן) signifies desolation, loneliness. This entire phrase magnifies the precarious state in which God encountered Israel. It might also indirectly critique pagan gods who often required specific places or elaborate temples for worship, whereas Yahweh could reveal Himself even in utter desolation.
- he led him about: The Hebrew yesov'vehu (יְסוֹבְבֵהוּ) implies encircling, surrounding, and leading carefully, not aimless wandering. It denotes protective guidance, navigating the dangerous wilderness in a circuitous but divinely ordained path. This verb signifies a shepherd-like attentiveness and continuous movement with the flock.
- he instructed him: The verb y'von'nehu (יְבוֹנְנֵהוּ) is derived from bin (בִּין), meaning "to understand," "to discern," or "to instruct." God actively educated Israel, providing them with understanding, wisdom, and the Torah – His divine instruction that transformed them from a group of slaves into a nation set apart. This emphasizes God's role as a divine teacher and covenant-maker.
- he kept him: The Hebrew verb yits'rehu (יִצְּרֵהוּ) means "to guard," "to protect," or "to watch over." It indicates active vigilance and constant protection from all the perils of the wilderness, including natural dangers, hunger, thirst, and enemies.
- as the apple of his eye: The Hebrew phrase ishon eyno (אִישׁוֹן עֵינוֹ) literally translates to "the little man of his eye," referring to the pupil. This metaphor is universal for something incredibly precious, guarded with the utmost care, due to its delicate and vital nature. It profoundly expresses God's tender affection, intimate concern, and vigilant safeguarding of Israel.
Deuteronomy 32 10 Bonus section
- The progression of verbs ("found," "led," "instructed," "kept") shows a development in God's care from initial discovery to continuous, comprehensive relationship and protection.
- The use of tohu (waste/chaos) connects Israel's early history directly to God's primordial creative act in Gen 1:2, implying that God's power over chaos in the wilderness parallels His power in creation. He transforms chaotic existence into order and purpose for His people.
- This verse paints an anthropomorphic picture of God, engaging human senses (finding, leading, eye) to convey His active and relational presence, making abstract theology tangible for the original audience.
Deuteronomy 32 10 Commentary
Deuteronomy 32:10 stands as a poignant reminder of God's profound, initiating love and unwavering commitment to Israel, specifically demonstrated during their formative wilderness years. From a state of utter vulnerability in a chaotic and dangerous landscape, God personally engaged with His people. He didn't just passively observe; He "found," "led," "instructed," and "kept" them. The imagery moves from the external wilderness, full of menace, to the most delicate part of the eye, conveying an unparalleled intimacy and protective tenderness. This verse illustrates God's comprehensive providence, spanning physical sustenance, intellectual enlightenment (Torah), and personal safeguarding. It underscores that even in the harshest environments, God's covenant loyalty and care transform desolation into a proving ground for His faithfulness, shaping His people into His cherished possession. For instance, the forty years in the wilderness, often perceived as punishment, were also a period of intense divine training and purification, essential for their identity as a holy nation.