Deuteronomy 32 30

Deuteronomy 32:30 kjv

How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?

Deuteronomy 32:30 nkjv

How could one chase a thousand, And two put ten thousand to flight, Unless their Rock had sold them, And the LORD had surrendered them?

Deuteronomy 32:30 niv

How could one man chase a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up?

Deuteronomy 32:30 esv

How could one have chased a thousand, and two have put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had given them up?

Deuteronomy 32:30 nlt

How could one person chase a thousand of them,
and two people put ten thousand to flight,
unless their Rock had sold them,
unless the LORD had given them up?

Deuteronomy 32 verses

Deuteronomy 32 30 Meaning

This verse is a rhetorical question that expresses astonishment at the profound and abnormal reversal of Israel's military fortunes. It asks how it could be that a single person could put a thousand to flight, and two could put ten thousand to flight – representing extraordinary, divinely enabled victories – unless their protective and mighty God (their "Rock") had Himself delivered them over, or "sold them," into the hands of their enemies, and had confined or "shut them up" to defeat. It highlights that Israel's defeats, despite their God-given strength, were not due to their enemies' power but to God's active judgment due to their unfaithfulness.

Deuteronomy 32 30 Context

Deuteronomy 32:30 is part of "The Song of Moses" (Deut 32:1-43), which Moses delivered to Israel just before his death, as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. This song serves as a prophetic warning and a witness against the people, foretelling their future apostasy from YHWH, their subsequent suffering, and eventual restoration. Moses knew the hearts of the people would turn from God (Deut 31:29).

Specifically, within the song, verses 15-25 describe Israel's future rebellion ("Jeshurun grew fat, and kicked") and God's resultant anger and judgment through various calamities, including sending enemy nations against them. Verse 30 addresses the perplexing situation from an outside observer's or even an enemy's perspective: how could a people, usually supernaturally powerful in battle (as promised in Lev 26:7-8 and demonstrated in Joshua's time), suffer such humiliating defeats? The answer given in the second half of the verse profoundly states that it is not due to enemy strength or Israel's natural weakness, but precisely because YHWH, their "Rock," has Himself turned against them, "sold them" into the hands of their enemies, and "shut them up" in defeat. This underscores divine sovereignty and righteous judgment as the true cause of their plight, countering any notion that pagan gods or sheer military might of adversaries were the true determinants.

Deuteronomy 32 30 Word analysis

• How: This Hebrew word, "איכה" (Eikhah), introduces a rhetorical question expressing profound astonishment and lament. It implies that what is being described should not have happened naturally or logically, demanding a deeper, often supernatural, explanation. It forces the listener to ponder the unexpected cause.
• should one chase a thousand: "One" here refers to a single individual from Israel. "Chase" (רָדַף, radaph) signifies active pursuit and routing. "Thousand" (אֶלֶף, eleph) indicates a multitude. This phrase points to an extraordinary, supernaturally endowed military prowess, a blessing promised for obedience to God, where one person's strength is equivalent to thousands, showcasing overwhelming victory and divine enablement. It alludes to covenant promises (Lev 26:8).
• and two put ten thousand to flight: This builds upon the previous phrase, demonstrating an even greater, exponential divine amplification of strength. "Two" from Israel achieving what ten thousand of the enemy could not suggests a powerful unity in faith under God's blessing, leading to a crushing defeat of foes far superior in numbers. It implies that a slight increase in faithful individuals leads to a disproportionately massive increase in effectiveness through God's power.
• except: The Hebrew "כּי" (ki) here functions to introduce a conditional clause or a strong antithetical statement. It points to the exclusive and only explanation for the surprising turn of events: the subsequent action of God. It implies "unless, only because."
• their Rock: "צוּר" (Tsur). This is a foundational theological term used frequently in Deuteronomy 32 to describe God (vv. 4, 15, 18, 31). It emphasizes God's steadfastness, immutability, faithfulness, strength, and role as Israel's protective refuge and foundation. The shocking implication here is that this very source of their strength and protection has become their adversary, acting against them. This underscores the severity of Israel's unfaithfulness, which can provoke even their faithful God to turn in judgment.
• had sold them: The verb "מכר" (makar) means "to sell" or "to give up into the hand of another." In this context, it describes God actively delivering or handing over His people into the power of their enemies. It is a judicial act, a divine judgment for their covenant infidelity. This is not passive abandonment but a deliberate, sovereign act of retribution (e.g., Judg 2:14; 3:8).
• and the LORD: "יהוה" (YHWH). The sacred covenant name of God, highlighting His personal and active involvement as the covenant God of Israel. It emphasizes that it is this very God who brought them out of Egypt and established them as His people, now orchestrating their defeat.
• had shut them up?: The verb "סגר" (sagar) means "to shut," "to close," or "to deliver." Here, it implies God's decisive act of confining Israel or delivering them over completely into the hand of their adversaries, thereby closing off any avenue of escape or relief. It depicts their helplessness and dire situation as a result of divine will. This reinforces the idea that their defeat is not accidental but a predetermined consequence ordained by YHWH.

Deuteronomy 32 30 Bonus section

• Theological Irony: The core theological irony is that the very source of Israel's promised power (YHWH, their Rock) is portrayed as the cause of their weakness and defeat. This is a severe indictment of their unfaithfulness, as it forces the listener to confront the consequences of alienating the source of their life and blessing. It's not that their Rock is weak; it's that He is righteous in His judgment.
• A Witness: This verse, as part of the Song of Moses, was intended to be a witness against Israel (Deut 31:19), something that would continually remind them of the reasons for their suffering and draw them back to YHWH. It's an internal, divine explanation for national calamity, preempting blame on other gods or fate.
• Polemics: This verse also serves as a polemic against pagan beliefs common in the ancient Near East, which often attributed victory or defeat to the relative strength of opposing deities. Deuteronomy 32:30 asserts that if Israel loses, it's not because Baal or Molech are stronger than YHWH, but because YHWH himself, in His sovereign power, has judged His own people for their covenant disobedience. The enemies' gods are weak (Deut 32:31), thus their apparent victory is entirely a work of the one true God's judgment.

Deuteronomy 32 30 Commentary

Deuteronomy 32:30 is a pivotal verse in the Song of Moses, dismantling the common perception of military strength and explaining Israel's future setbacks. It powerfully posits that neither human prowess nor overwhelming enemy forces are the ultimate determinants of victory or defeat for God's covenant people. Instead, the verse rhetorically questions the seemingly inexplicable military defeats ("How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight...") only to provide the shocking answer: it is a direct act of God. When "their Rock"—their ever-faithful, strong, and protective God—actively "sells them" and "shuts them up," it signals a profound reversal. This signifies God withdrawing His divine favor, protection, and enabling power due to their apostasy and instead deploying His justice against them. The imagery of God selling or shutting them up vividly portrays His sovereign control over their destiny and the active nature of His judgment, proving that security and triumph lie solely in His covenant faithfulness and favor. This verse reminds believers that ultimate power resides in God alone, and turning from Him invites His just and sovereign judgment, even from "their Rock."