Deuteronomy 32:3 kjv
Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.
Deuteronomy 32:3 nkjv
For I proclaim the name of the LORD: Ascribe greatness to our God.
Deuteronomy 32:3 niv
I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
Deuteronomy 32:3 esv
For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God!
Deuteronomy 32:3 nlt
I will proclaim the name of the LORD;
how glorious is our God!
Deuteronomy 32 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 96:2-3 | Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings...Tell of His glory among the nations... | Call to proclaim His name and glory. |
| 1 Chr 16:8-9 | Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples. | Similar call to proclaim God's name and deeds. |
| Isa 12:4 | Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name. Make known among the nations His deeds... | Exaltation and making known of God's name. |
| Psa 105:1 | Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples. | Proclaiming deeds connected to His name. |
| Joel 2:32 | whoever calls on the name of the LORD Will be delivered... | Invoking the saving power of His name. |
| Rom 10:13 | for 'WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.' | New Testament echo on calling God's name. |
| Exod 3:13-15 | God reveals His name YHWH to Moses... | Foundation of YHWH's revealed identity. |
| Exod 34:5-7 | ...proclaimed His name, the LORD. And He proclaimed, 'The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious...' | God's character (attributes) revealed through His name. |
| Psa 20:7 | Some boast in chariots...but we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God. | Trust and boasting in God's name/character. |
| Prov 18:10 | The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe. | Security and protection found in His name. |
| John 17:6 | I have manifested Your name to the people whom You gave Me out of the world... | Jesus revealing the Father's character. |
| John 17:26 | and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known... | Jesus' ongoing revelation of God's name. |
| Psa 29:1-2 | Ascribe to the LORD...Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory of His name... | Direct parallel to ascribing greatness/glory. |
| Psa 96:7-8 | Ascribe to the LORD...Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name... | Repetitive call to ascribe glory to God. |
| Psa 145:3 | Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised, And His greatness is unsearchable. | Declaration of God's unsearchable greatness. |
| Rom 1:21 | they did not honor Him as God or give thanks... | The consequence of failing to ascribe glory to God. |
| Rev 4:11 | Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power... | Heavenly beings worshipping and ascribing worth. |
| 1 Chr 29:11 | Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power And the glory... | David's prayer ascribing all greatness to God. |
| Jer 10:6 | There is none like You, LORD; You are great, and great is Your name in might. | Acknowledging God's unique greatness. |
| Psa 95:7 | For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand... | Emphasizes the personal relationship with God. |
| Isa 40:27-28 | ...my God'? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD... | Highlights God as Israel's personal and mighty God. |
| Phil 2:9-11 | Therefore God also highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name... | The name of Jesus exalted, through whom God's glory is seen. |
Deuteronomy 32 verses
Deuteronomy 32 3 Meaning
Deuteronomy 32:3 is an impassioned declaration and call to worship, serving as the thematic introduction to the Song of Moses. It signifies the foundational truth that the very purpose of this profound song, and indeed of Israel's existence, is to publicly proclaim and magnify the unique, inherent character and unparalleled majesty of the Lord, their covenant God. It invites all listeners to join in acknowledging His supreme power and glory.
Deuteronomy 32 3 Context
Deuteronomy chapter 32 is known as the "Song of Moses" (Ha'azinu in Hebrew, meaning "Give Ear" from verse 1). It is a prophetic poem delivered by Moses just before his death, serving as his final exhortation to the Israelite nation before they enter the Promised Land. The song summarizes God's faithful dealings with Israel from the time of their inception, warns of their future apostasy, describes the subsequent divine judgment, and ultimately foretells God's eventual restoration and vindication of His people.
Verse 3 acts as an immediate call to worship and public declaration that frames the entire song. Following the call to "give ear" to his words (Deut 32:1-2), Moses transitions to stating the ultimate purpose of his song: to proclaim and ascribe greatness to YHWH. This declaration sets the tone, emphasizing that the song is not merely a historical recap or prophecy but a profound act of worship and testimony to the Lord's supreme and unique character. It prepares the audience's heart to recognize God's sovereignty and unparalleled power throughout the coming narrative of Israel's journey and God's interaction with them, providing a crucial polemic against the idolatry that Israel would face among the Canaanite nations.
Deuteronomy 32 3 Word analysis
- For: (כִּי - ki) This conjunction serves as a logical connection to the preceding verses (Deut 32:1-2) where Moses calls heaven and earth to witness his words. It explains the reason why he calls them to listen: because he is about to speak of the great name of the LORD. It signals that what follows is profoundly significant and foundational.
- I will proclaim: (אֶקְרָא - 'eqra') From the root קרא (qara), meaning "to call," "to cry out," "to proclaim," "to read aloud." This is a forceful and public declaration. Moses isn't simply stating a fact privately; he is committing to making God's identity known openly and powerfully, serving as the mouthpiece for a message meant to be widely heard and understood. It indicates a deliberate act of testifying and teaching.
- the name: (שֵׁם - shem) In biblical thought, "name" goes beyond a mere label. It encapsulates the essence, character, reputation, authority, and presence of an individual. Here, "the name" of God refers to His revealed nature—all that He is, His attributes, His works, and His relationship with His creation and covenant people. Proclaiming His name is proclaiming His person.
- of the LORD: (יְהוָה - YHWH, The Tetragrammaton) This is the incommunicable, covenantal name of God, often translated "LORD" (in all caps) in English Bibles. It signifies God's self-existence, eternal being ("I AM WHO I AM," Exod 3:14), and His active, faithful presence and relationship with His people. Proclaiming this specific name differentiates Him absolutely from all false gods.
- Ascribe greatness: (הָבוּ גֹדֶל - habu godel) An imperative command meaning "give greatness," "attribute majesty," "render honor," "declare Him to be great." Habu is an imperative plural, implying a command to the entire congregation. Godel (גֹדֶל) refers to greatness, majesty, might, magnitude. It is a summons to acknowledge and actively express God's incomparable power, dignity, and supremacy. This isn't merely thinking He is great, but publicly declaring it.
- to our God: (לֵאֱלֹהֵינוּ - le'eloheinu) Eloheinu (אֱלֹהֵינוּ) is "our God," from Elohim (אֱלֹהִים), the generic term for God or a deity, combined with the possessive suffix "our." While Elohim speaks to God's power and divine nature as Creator, the "our" emphasizes His personal, covenantal relationship with Israel. He is not just a god, but their mighty God, who has chosen and redeemed them, standing in contrast to the numerous idols and deities of the surrounding pagan nations. This is a strong polemic, highlighting exclusive devotion.
Deuteronomy 32 3 Bonus section
The structure of the Song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32, starting with this verse, parallels ancient Near Eastern suzerainty treaties, where the sovereign would introduce himself before detailing his beneficent acts and subsequent expectations or judgments. By calling heaven and earth to witness (Deut 32:1) and immediately calling for the proclamation of His name (Deut 32:3), YHWH establishes His supreme authority as the ultimate "Suzerain" or sovereign King over all creation and His covenant people. This declaration of His greatness is crucial as a theological anchor for the entire song, which goes on to describe both His wonderful works and Israel's tragic rebellion. The very act of singing and listening to this song becomes a repeated opportunity to fulfill the command to "proclaim the name of the LORD; Ascribe greatness to our God." This imperative is timeless, urging every generation to honor God's unique identity and unmatched power in the face of all rival claims.
Deuteronomy 32 3 Commentary
Deuteronomy 32:3 is a majestic call to worship and a powerful summary of true reverence. Moses begins the profound "Song of Moses" by instructing the Israelites to acknowledge and glorify the one true God, YHWH. The verse implies that all knowledge and experience of God should lead to the public proclamation of His "name"— His entire character, His nature, His covenant faithfulness, and His sovereign acts. It moves beyond mere acknowledgment to active, open praise. To "ascribe greatness" is to render to God the honor due His incomparable majesty and omnipotence. This collective act of recognition affirms His unique position as "our God," the singular and supreme deity who stands in intimate relationship with His people, distinctly set apart from all false gods of the nations. It frames the entire Song of Moses not just as a historical narrative, but as a doxology and an eternal call for Israel, and indeed for all creation, to respond with awe and reverence to the manifest glory of the Lord.