Deuteronomy 32 37

Deuteronomy 32:37 kjv

And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted,

Deuteronomy 32:37 nkjv

He will say: 'Where are their gods, The rock in which they sought refuge?

Deuteronomy 32:37 niv

He will say: "Now where are their gods, the rock they took refuge in,

Deuteronomy 32:37 esv

Then he will say, 'Where are their gods, the rock in which they took refuge,

Deuteronomy 32:37 nlt

Then he will ask, 'Where are their gods,
the rocks they fled to for refuge?

Deuteronomy 32 verses

Deuteronomy 32 37 Meaning

Deuteronomy 32:37 is part of the Song of Moses, a prophetic address delivered by Moses before Israel's entry into the Promised Land. This verse vividly portrays a future moment of divine judgment where God, witnessing the desolation brought upon His unfaithful people, mockingly questions the efficacy of the false gods they chose to worship. The rhetorical question, "Where are their gods, the rock in whom they took refuge?", underscores the ultimate futility and impotence of idols and reveals that those who trusted in them will find no deliverer in times of distress, thus exposing the deceitful nature of idolatry. It is a powerful declaration of God's unique sovereignty and the worthlessness of any rival "rock" of refuge.

Deuteronomy 32 37 Context

Deuteronomy 32:37 is situated within the Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32:1-43), a profound theological poem Moses taught to Israel before his death. This song serves as a powerful covenant lawsuit and prophetic warning, detailing God's faithfulness despite Israel's inevitable apostasy, His ensuing judgment upon them, and His ultimate vindication and compassion for His people. The broader context of the chapter emphasizes God as the perfect, faithful, and sole Rock (Deut 32:4), contrasted with Israel's tendency to corrupt themselves by worshiping false gods and provoking His jealousy (Deut 32:15-18). The verse specifically emerges in the segment describing the devastating consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness, where their foreign gods prove useless against the judgment brought upon them by the true God. Historically, Israel often succumbed to the idolatrous practices of surrounding Canaanite peoples, particularly the worship of fertility gods, seeking prosperity or security outside of God, Yahweh. This verse serves as a powerful polemic, exposing the emptiness and powerlessness of those false deities who were widely revered in the ancient Near East, stripping them of any claimed protective power and contrasting them sharply with the truly mighty God of Israel.

Deuteronomy 32 37 Word analysis

• And he will say (וַיֹּאמַר, wayyōʼmar): This phrase indicates a direct divine utterance. It is God Himself speaking, not a prophet or observer. This brings significant authority and weight to the rhetorical question that follows. It signifies an active judgment and public declaration by the sovereign Lord, emphasizing His ultimate vindication.
• Where (אַיֵּה, ʾayyēh): This is a rhetorical interrogative pronoun. It is not seeking information, but rather implying a glaring absence and demonstrating the complete failure of the idols. It conveys contempt, sarcasm, and mock wonder, exposing the futility of relying on false gods. The implication is, "They are nowhere; they cannot help."
• Are their gods (אֱלֹהֵיהֶם, ʾĕlōhêhem): "Their gods" refers specifically to the multiple, pagan deities worshiped by Israel when they abandoned Yahweh. This plural term highlights the contrast with the singular, all-powerful God of Israel. These were not abstract philosophical concepts but specific idols like Baal, Asherah, and others, worshipped for prosperity, fertility, or protection.
• The rock (צוּר, tsur): This term is critically significant in Deuteronomy 32, being used throughout the song (Deut 32:4, 15, 18, 30, 31) to describe Yahweh Himself—God as unchangeable, faithful, mighty, and a secure refuge. Here, it is ironically, even sarcastically, applied to the pagan "gods." This is a devastating polemic: if they thought these false gods were a "rock" in whom to trust, their complete inability to provide safety during judgment exposes them as anything but. This reversal of the divine title serves to underscore the idols' complete powerlessness and the profound delusion of their worshipers.
• In whom they took refuge (יֶחֱסָיוּ, yeḥĕsāyu): The Hebrew verb root ḥāsāh (חָסָה) means "to seek refuge," "to trust," "to put one's hope in," or "to shelter." This phrase highlights the misplaced trust and reliance of the idolaters. They placed their deepest confidence and security in these "rocks," believing they would provide protection and salvation. The question implies their desperate need for rescue, and the glaring inability of their false gods to provide it.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And he will say, ‘Where are their gods...": This opening emphasizes divine speech and a direct, pointed challenge to the supposed reality and power of other gods. It positions God as the judge, bringing the worthlessness of idolatry to light. It's a moment of accountability for Israel's choices.
• "...the rock in whom they took refuge?’": This climactic phrase uses a divine attribute (Rock) mockingly. The false "rock" proved to be quicksand. It encapsulates the core delusion of idolatry—trusting in something inherently unable to deliver protection or security, especially when confronted by the true, mighty God. The emphasis is on the profound disappointment and vulnerability of those who placed their faith outside of Yahweh.

Deuteronomy 32 37 Bonus section

This rhetorical question serves a crucial pedagogical function within the Song of Moses. It's designed to be remembered by future generations (Deut 32:46-47), so that when Israel faced the dire consequences of apostasy, they would recall God's words and understand why they were suffering. The question itself points to the absolute dependence of humanity on God, whether acknowledged or not. Any reliance on "other gods" (be they literal idols, wealth, power, human systems, or self-sufficiency) is ultimately self-deceiving and will lead to an equivalent question of "Where is your rock?" when those foundations crumble under pressure. This verse powerfully underscores the first commandment—the exclusive sovereignty and sufficiency of Yahweh—and highlights that trust placed anywhere else is vanity.

Deuteronomy 32 37 Commentary

Deuteronomy 32:37 encapsulates God's ultimate vindication in the face of Israel's unfaithfulness. When His people abandon Him for foreign deities, facing divine judgment as a consequence, God, in a moment of stark rhetorical inquiry, reveals the utter futility of those chosen idols. The verse directly challenges the supposed protective power of false gods, using the term "rock," a title reserved for the faithful, steadfast God of Israel (Deut 32:4). By applying it sarcastically to pagan deities, God exposes their impotency and reveals the disastrous misplaced trust of those who relied on them for refuge. The question itself is a powerful public shaming, proving that when the true crisis hits, the chosen "rocks" are revealed to be non-existent or utterly powerless, unable to offer the deliverance that only the Lord can provide. This passage highlights that all false sources of security inevitably fail, leaving their adherents exposed and without help, confirming God's exclusive claim as the only true Savior and Defender.