Deuteronomy 32:21 kjv
They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
Deuteronomy 32:21 nkjv
They have provoked Me to jealousy by what is not God; They have moved Me to anger by their foolish idols. But I will provoke them to jealousy by those who are not a nation; I will move them to anger by a foolish nation.
Deuteronomy 32:21 niv
They made me jealous by what is no god and angered me with their worthless idols. I will make them envious by those who are not a people; I will make them angry by a nation that has no understanding.
Deuteronomy 32:21 esv
They have made me jealous with what is no god; they have provoked me to anger with their idols. So I will make them jealous with those who are no people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
Deuteronomy 32:21 nlt
They have roused my jealousy by worshiping things that are not God;
they have provoked my anger with their useless idols.
Now I will rouse their jealousy through people who are not even a people;
I will provoke their anger through the foolish Gentiles.
Deuteronomy 32 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 10:19 | But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation... | Direct fulfillment: Paul quotes Deut 32:21 regarding Gentiles provoking Israel. |
| Rom 11:11 | So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. | God's purpose for Gentile inclusion: to make Israel jealous for salvation. |
| Rom 11:25-26 | ...a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved... | Gentiles' role is part of God's redemptive plan for Israel's future. |
| Deut 4:24 | For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. | God's character as a jealous God. |
| Deut 6:15 | ...for the LORD your God in your midst is a jealous God—lest the anger of the LORD your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from the face of the earth. | God's jealousy demands exclusive worship, lest anger results. |
| Exod 34:14 | (for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God), | Reinforces God's very name indicating His jealous nature. |
| Josh 24:19 | But Joshua said to the people, “You cannot serve the LORD, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgression or your sins." | God's holiness is tied to His jealousy against unfaithfulness. |
| Ps 78:58 | For they provoked him to anger with their high places; they moved him to jealousy with their idols. | Similar imagery of Israel provoking God's jealousy through idols. |
| 1 Kgs 14:22 | Judah did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins that they committed, more than all that their fathers had done. | Further historical examples of Israel's idolatry provoking God. |
| 1 Cor 10:20-22 | ...the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers with demons. ...Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? | New Testament warning against participating in idolatry, linked to provoking God. |
| Isa 44:9-20 | All who fashion idols are nothing... they make a god, and worship it. | Highlights the absolute futility and worthlessness of idols. |
| Jer 2:5 | ...they went after worthless things and became worthless themselves. | Connects the worship of worthless idols with becoming worthless. |
| Jer 10:3 | ...it is wood from the forest, cut with an axe by the hands of a craftsman... | Depicts the physical, man-made nature of idols as proof of their nullity. |
| Ps 115:4-7 | Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see... | Describes the lifeless and impotent nature of idols. |
| 1 Cor 8:4 | ...we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” | Theological declaration that idols are nothing. |
| Hos 1:9-10 | For you are not My people... Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea... where it was said to them, “You are not My people,” there it shall be said to them, “Sons of the living God.” | Context for "not a people"; Gentile inclusion will lead to Israel's restoration. |
| Hos 2:23 | ...I will have mercy on Not My People, and I will say to Not My People, ‘You are My people’; and they shall say, ‘You are My God.’” | God choosing to call the "not a people" (Gentiles) His own. |
| 1 Pet 2:9-10 | But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession... Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people... | Application of "not a people" to Gentile believers who are now God's people. |
| Ps 14:1 | The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” | Defines "foolish" (naval) as one who denies God. |
| Prov 26:27 | Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling. | Principle of divine reciprocity (sowing and reaping). |
| Gal 3:8 | And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” | The broader context of God's ancient plan to bless all nations through faith. |
Deuteronomy 32 verses
Deuteronomy 32 21 Meaning
Deuteronomy 32:21 profoundly articulates God's just and reciprocal response to Israel's apostasy. Having been provoked to divine jealousy and anger by their worship of non-gods and worthless idols, the Lord declares that He will, in turn, stir Israel to jealousy and anger. He will accomplish this by raising up and using a "not a people" and a "foolish nation," referring to the Gentile nations. This reversal of fortunes signifies a divine judgment where those whom Israel disdained will be elevated, precisely to provoke Israel.
Deuteronomy 32 21 Context
Deuteronomy 32 is known as "The Song of Moses," a significant prophetic poem delivered by Moses just before his death. It serves as a farewell address, a historical overview, and a solemn warning to the nation of Israel. The song begins by recalling God's faithful provision and tender care for Israel, likening Him to a protective Eagle and a Rock.
From verse 15 onwards, the song shifts to describing Israel's tragic betrayal of this faithful God. After being filled and prospered, Jeshurun (a poetic name for Israel) grew fat, kicked, and abandoned the God who made them. They despised the Rock of their salvation. Verses 16-19 detail their heinous actions: provoking God to jealousy and anger by sacrificing to demons and new gods whom their fathers had not known—foreign, detestable, and worthless idols. This deeply grieved God, causing Him to loathe His sons and daughters. Verse 20 expresses God's decision to hide His face from them, wondering what their end would be.
Within this context of Israel's severe idolatry and God's resultant grief, verse 21 announces God's precise and deliberate response. It describes a reciprocal act of judgment where God will "pay them back in kind." Because Israel turned to "not God" and "worthless idols," God will use "not a people" and a "foolish nation"—terms understood to refer to the despised Gentile nations—to provoke Israel. This divine act highlights God's justice, His unwavering holiness, and His intention to restore Israel ultimately through this period of humbling and jealousy.
Deuteronomy 32 21 Word analysis
- They: Refers to the people of Israel, specifically "Jeshurun" mentioned earlier in the song, highlighting their unfaithfulness despite being God's chosen and cherished nation.
- have stirred Me to jealousy: Hebrew: qin'u (קִנְאוּ), meaning to be zealous, jealous, or provoke to jealousy. This is not human envy but divine jealousy rooted in God's covenant love and exclusive right to worship. As a devoted husband, He demands absolute loyalty from His chosen bride, Israel. Their idolatry is seen as spiritual adultery, provoking His righteous indignation and zeal for His own honor.
- by what is not God: Hebrew: lo-el (לֹא־אֵל). This emphasizes the absolute non-existence, emptiness, and powerlessness of the objects of Israel's worship. These idols are not deities; they have no inherent being or power, utterly contrasted with the One, True, Living God. They are an affront to God's uniqueness and majesty.
- They have provoked Me to anger: Hebrew: ka'asu (כַּעֲסוּ), meaning to vex, provoke, grieve, or infuriate. This indicates a deep, holy displeasure and righteous indignation from God due to their rebellious and offensive actions of worshiping false gods.
- by their worthless idols: Hebrew: havleihem (הֶבְלֵיהֶם). The term hebel means "vapor," "breath," "vanity," "emptiness," "futility." This emphasizes the utter nothingness and ultimate uselessness of these pagan gods. Worshipping them yields no benefit and is an exercise in utter futility, contrary to the life-giving nature of worshipping the true God. It stands in stark contrast to God, the solid "Rock."
- So I will stir them to jealousy: This is a direct reciprocal action. God will apply the same emotional trigger—jealousy—to Israel as they applied to Him. This reflects a divine principle of justice where the punishment often mirrors the crime. God will use a seemingly insignificant entity to elicit this reaction from Israel.
- by what is not a people: Hebrew: lo-am (לֹא־עָם). This refers to the Gentile nations. From Israel's perspective, they were "the people" (am); all others were essentially "not-people" – outsiders, unchosen, without covenant standing, distinct from the privileged and divinely designated nation of Israel. This designation highlights their previously marginalized status.
- I will provoke them to anger: A repetition emphasizing the mirroring of actions. The tables are turned; Israel, who made God angry, will now be angered. This divine reversal serves as both judgment and a means of rousing Israel.
- by a foolish nation: Hebrew: naval (נָבָל). This word denotes someone who is morally perverse, despicable, senseless, or ungodly. It doesn't primarily mean intellectually unintelligent, but morally and spiritually bankrupt or wicked, lacking discernment regarding God. This description further highlights the lowly status and perceived inferiority of the Gentile nations in Israel's eyes. It suggests a nation ignorant of the true God and His ways, yet one God will powerfully use.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "They have stirred Me to jealousy by what is not God; They have provoked Me to anger by their worthless idols.": This phrase establishes the crime of Israel: covenant infidelity. Their worship of idols, which are "not God" and are inherently "worthless," is an direct affront to the character and covenant of the One True God, leading to His righteous indignation and jealousy. The pairing of "not God" and "worthless idols" strongly condemns the futility and offense of their idolatry.
- "So I will stir them to jealousy by what is not a people; I will provoke them to anger by a foolish nation.": This phrase presents God's reciprocal divine judgment. The very categories Israel scorned—the Gentiles, described as "not a people" and "foolish"—will be raised by God to bring Israel to a state of jealousy and anger. This profound reversal not only judges Israel but also serves a deeper redemptive purpose, as explicitly expounded in the New Testament. The deliberate parallel structure underscores God's precise and just retribution.
Deuteronomy 32 21 Bonus section
- Divine Lex Talionis: This verse embodies a form of divine reciprocity or lex talionis (law of retaliation), where God's response mirrors the nature of Israel's transgression. They pursued non-gods and nothingness, so God would use those considered as "no-people" and nothing by Israel. This demonstrates God's consistent justice and sovereign hand in history, using even the least likely instruments for His purposes.
- A Foundation for Pauline Theology: The prophetic utterance in Deut 32:21 is a cornerstone for understanding Paul's robust theology concerning God's plan for both Israel and the Gentiles in the book of Romans, especially chapters 9-11. It demonstrates that the inclusion of Gentiles was not an afterthought but a pre-ordained, sovereign act of God hinted at centuries earlier, integral to His grand narrative of salvation history.
- Reversal of Perceived Status: The prophecy announces a significant reversal. Those who were despised and seen as inferior by Israel—the Gentile nations—would be elevated by God to a position that would elicit a strong emotional reaction from Israel. This challenged Israel's ethnocentric worldview and their assumption of exclusive divine favor.
Deuteronomy 32 21 Commentary
Deuteronomy 32:21 stands as a powerful declaration of God's just sovereignty and His profound response to human unfaithfulness. When Israel, God's chosen covenant people, abandoned Him for empty idols that were "no-gods," they ignited His righteous jealousy. This jealousy is not an emotion of pettiness, but a fierce devotion stemming from His covenant love and holiness, which demands exclusive worship. The "worthless idols" were deemed hebel, signifying their utter emptiness and futility—they provided no sustenance, salvation, or genuine power, making Israel's idolatry particularly grievous as they exchanged their true Rock for a lie.
In divine retribution, God determined to mirror Israel's actions. Just as they turned to that which was "not God," He would turn to that which was "not a people" (the Gentiles) to stir them to jealousy. Similarly, their "worthless idols" were answered with a "foolish nation"—the pagan world, considered by Israel as beneath them and ignorant of the true God. This judgment served as a harsh wake-up call, designed to humble Israel and provoke them.
Crucially, this prophecy finds a profound echo and fulfillment in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 10 and 11, directly quotes and elaborates on this verse, revealing God's overarching redemptive strategy. The inclusion of Gentiles into the covenant community of God, once outsiders and deemed "not a people," was not merely a replacement of Israel. Instead, it was a deliberate act by God to provoke Israel to jealousy—a jealousy not of envy but perhaps of repentance and a desire to return to their rightful place with God through Christ. God's judgment through the Gentiles, therefore, serves a redemptive purpose, aimed at Israel's ultimate salvation.