Deuteronomy 32 39

Deuteronomy 32:39 kjv

See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.

Deuteronomy 32:39 nkjv

'Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.

Deuteronomy 32:39 niv

"See now that I myself am he! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand.

Deuteronomy 32:39 esv

"'See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.

Deuteronomy 32:39 nlt

Look now; I myself am he!
There is no other god but me!
I am the one who kills and gives life;
I am the one who wounds and heals;
no one can be rescued from my powerful hand!

Deuteronomy 32 verses

Deuteronomy 32 39 Meaning

Deuteronomy 32:39 is a profound declaration of God's absolute sovereignty and exclusive deity. It asserts His unique identity as the sole ruler and sustainer of all existence. He claims ultimate power over life and death, the capacity to bring both judgment and healing, and the final authority from which no one can escape or deliver themselves. This verse establishes that God is the only true source of all things, His power is unparalleled, and His will is irresistible.

Deuteronomy 32 39 Context

Deuteronomy 32 is the "Song of Moses," delivered just before his death, serving as a prophetic summary of Israel's covenant relationship with God. It recounts God's faithfulness despite Israel's persistent rebellion, warning of impending judgment if they deviate, yet promising eventual restoration. Verse 39 stands as a pivotal declaration within the song, forcefully stating God's absolute uniqueness and unparalleled power. It is presented against the backdrop of Israel's future apostasy and the worship of impotent pagan deities (Deu 32:21, 31). This emphatic statement serves to underscore the folly of turning away from the Almighty LORD to foreign gods who possess no true power or authority. It prepares the listeners for understanding that both national calamity and eventual restoration come solely from the hand of the one true God.

Deuteronomy 32 39 Word analysis

• See now: Heb. רְאוּ עַתָּה (Re'u 'attah). This is a strong, urgent imperative, a plural command to "look!" or "perceive!" It demands the utmost attention and serious consideration from the audience, signaling that what follows is a fundamental and weighty truth.

• that I, even I, am he: Heb. אֲנִי אֲנִי הוּא (Aniy 'aniy Hu). This is one of the Bible's most emphatic declarations of divine self-identification and absolute uniqueness. The double "I" (אֲנִי אֲנִי) stresses God's individuality and distinctness. "He" (הוּא) further points to His ultimate self-existence, often referred to as His aseity – God exists inherently, depending on no one. This mirrors the "I AM WHO I AM" (Exo 3:14) and "I am He" found in Isaiah (e.g., Isa 43:10, 46:4), emphasizing God's singular, incomparable being and His unchanging nature.

• and there is no god beside me: Heb. וְאֵין אֱלֹהִים עִמָּדִי (v'ein 'Elohim 'immadi). This is a stark monotheistic assertion. It translates to "and no gods with me" or "no other god in My presence/by My side." This directly refutes all forms of polytheism and syncretism prevalent in ancient Near Eastern religions, where deities existed in pantheons or were limited in their dominion. It asserts God's exclusive claim to deity and absolute power.

• I kill and I make alive: Heb. אָמִית... וַאֲחַיֶּה ('amit... va'akhayyeh). God declares His sovereign dominion over life and death itself. This encompasses not only physical life and death but also spiritual. It refers to both bringing about physical demise and resurrection, as well as the power to bring spiritual death and subsequent new life (spiritual regeneration). This demonstrates His ultimate control over the destiny of individuals and nations.

• I wound and I heal: Heb. מָחַצְתִּי... וַאֲנִי אֶרְפָּא (makhatzti... va'aniy 'erpa'). This forms an antithetical parallelism with the previous phrase, covering the full spectrum of human experience. "Wound" implies infliction of pain, judgment, or disaster, whether through disease, defeat, or other afflictions. "Heal" signifies restoration, deliverance from suffering, and complete recovery. This reveals that God is the source of both hardship and blessing, operating both as the righteous Judge and the compassionate Redeemer, with a sovereign purpose in all.

• and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: Heb. וְאֵין מִיָּדִי מַצִּיל (v'ein miyyadi matztzil). This concluding declaration emphasizes God's irresistible power and the inevitability of His decrees. "Deliver out of my hand" signifies rescuing, snatching away, or thwarting His actions. This affirms that no human power, no opposing force, and no other deity can successfully resist, overturn, or prevent God from accomplishing His will or carrying out His judgments. His ultimate control is absolute and unchallenged.

• "I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me": This phrase constitutes the ultimate claim of exclusive monotheism. It underscores God's singular existence, absolute identity, and His role as the only true God worthy of worship and obedience, contrasting starkly with all human-made deities.

• "I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal": This parallel structure vividly illustrates God's comprehensive sovereignty over all aspects of existence. It conveys that He is the active agent behind both hardship and deliverance, wielding power over all outcomes. This implies that even affliction is by His hand, often for a higher redemptive or disciplinary purpose, and His healing power is absolute.

• "and there is none that can deliver out of my hand": This powerful statement emphasizes God's uncontestable authority and the absolute certainty of His plans. No one can thwart His will, rescue a recipient of His judgment, or snatch away a recipient of His grace. It highlights the security found in His sovereign protection and the utter hopelessness of opposing Him.

Deuteronomy 32 39 Bonus section

• Aseity and Self-Existence: The declaration "I, even I, am he" strongly emphasizes God's attribute of aseity, meaning He is self-existent and does not derive His being from any other source. He is the ultimate ground of all reality.
• Polemics against Fate and Chance: This verse not only counters polytheism but also subtly stands against any notion that human destiny or natural events are governed by blind fate, random chance, or independent impersonal forces. Every outcome is ultimately under the sovereign control of the living God.
• Christological Foreshadowing: In the New Testament, Jesus Christ displays the very powers declared in this verse: He brings the dead to life (Jn 5:21), heals all manner of sickness, and states that no one can snatch His sheep from His hand or the Father's hand (Jn 10:28-29). This points to His divine nature and shared sovereignty with the Father.
• Context for Divine Judgment and Salvation: The preceding and succeeding verses in Deuteronomy 32 illustrate how this absolute power manifests in both judgment upon unfaithful Israel and their enemies, and ultimate salvation and vengeance on behalf of His people. God’s comprehensive power enables Him to bring full retribution and full restoration.

Deuteronomy 32 39 Commentary

Deuteronomy 32:39 is a core declaration of YHWH's absolute and exclusive divinity. Moses emphasizes to Israel, on the brink of entering the Promised Land, that there is no other god, no rival, and no co-equal being. The repetition "I, even I, am He" asserts God's singular identity, self-existence, and eternal unchanging nature. His dominion extends over every facet of life and death, blessing and curse; He initiates both affliction ("kill," "wound") as part of His righteous judgment or corrective discipline, and He brings forth life and healing as part of His ultimate restorative purposes and grace. The final clause, "and there is none that can deliver out of my hand," underscores the absolute irresistibility of His will and power. It assures that nothing can escape His determined decree—whether it be judgment upon the unrepentant or secure keeping for His chosen people. This truth serves as both a comfort to the faithful and a severe warning to those who would defy His sovereignty.