Deuteronomy 32 43

Deuteronomy 32:43 kjv

Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people.

Deuteronomy 32:43 nkjv

"Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people; For He will avenge the blood of His servants, And render vengeance to His adversaries; He will provide atonement for His land and His people."

Deuteronomy 32:43 niv

Rejoice, you nations, with his people, for he will avenge the blood of his servants; he will take vengeance on his enemies and make atonement for his land and people.

Deuteronomy 32:43 esv

"Rejoice with him, O heavens; bow down to him, all gods, for he avenges the blood of his children and takes vengeance on his adversaries. He repays those who hate him and cleanses his people's land."

Deuteronomy 32:43 nlt

"Rejoice with him, you heavens,
and let all of God's angels worship him.
Rejoice with his people, you Gentiles,
and let all the angels be strengthened in him.
For he will avenge the blood of his children ;
he will take revenge against his enemies.
He will repay those who hate him
and cleanse his people's land."

Deuteronomy 32 verses

Deuteronomy 32 43 Meaning

Deuteronomy 32:43 culminates the prophetic Song of Moses by proclaiming God's ultimate vindication of His people and His righteous judgment against their adversaries. It extends an invitation to all Gentile nations to celebrate with Israel, acknowledging the universal scope of God's redemptive plan and justice. God explicitly promises to avenge the blood of His faithful servants and exact retribution upon those who oppose Him and His chosen. Finally, He will bring about complete atonement and purification for His land and His people, restoring them to full communion and sanctity after their trials and the defilement they have experienced.

Deuteronomy 32 43 Context

Deuteronomy 32:43 serves as the grand finale of the "Song of Moses," delivered by Moses shortly before his death. This comprehensive song recounts Israel's history of rebellion, God's consequent discipline, His faithfulness in sustaining them despite their sin, and His ultimate promise of vindication and restoration. Moses foretold Israel's apostasy, their suffering at the hands of adversaries, and then, strikingly, God's final intervention. The song highlights God's unique sovereignty, righteousness, and power, directly contrasting Him with the impotent deities of the surrounding nations. Verse 43 encapsulates the future hope of divine justice—God bringing retribution upon Israel's enemies and reconciliation/cleansing for His chosen people and the land promised to them. The historical setting is the plains of Moab, with Israel poised to enter the Promised Land, making this song a powerful final warning and prophetic reassurance for their journey and future.

Deuteronomy 32 43 Word analysis

• Rejoice (רָנוּ, rānû): An imperative verb in the plural, commanding active, joyful shouting or singing. It signifies enthusiastic celebration and a public declaration of praise, not mere internal happiness. This verb frequently denotes a response to divine victory or salvation.
• O nations (גּוֹיִם, goyim): The Hebrew term for non-Israelite peoples or Gentiles. This command is highly significant, breaking from an exclusively Israelite focus to include all humanity in witnessing and celebrating God's ultimate justice and redemptive work, foreshadowing a universal recognition of His sovereignty.
• with His people (עַמּוֹ, ‘ammoh): Referring to Israel. The explicit invitation for nations to rejoice with Israel emphasizes a future unity rooted in a shared recognition of God's mighty acts, transcending historical enmity and reflecting a corporate participation in God's redemptive triumph.
• For He will avenge (כִּי יִדָּם, kî yiddām): Literally "For He will require blood" or "avenge blood." The word dām (blood) implies a just retribution for bloodshed and violence inflicted upon the innocent. This is not personal, petty revenge, but God's righteous and deliberate administration of justice to uphold cosmic and moral order.
• the blood (דָּם, dām): Refers to the lives violently taken from His servants. Blood signifies life, and its avenging implies a righteous response to unjust or violent acts against the innocent.
• of His servants (עֲבָדָיו, ‘avādāw): Those who serve God, specifically the faithful among Israel who have suffered persecution, martyrdom, or oppression for their allegiance to Him. It underscores their unique relationship with God and His commitment to their cause.
• And will render vengeance (וְנָקָם יָשִׁיב, vᵉnāqām yāšîv): Literally, "and vengeance He will bring back" or "restore vengeance." The noun nāqām refers to the act of taking vengeance or punishment for an injury. This repetition emphasizes the certainty and comprehensive nature of God's divine retribution. It implies justice being "paid back" to those who are deserving.
• on His adversaries (לְצָרָיו, lᵉtsārāv): Refers to those who oppress, trouble, or act as enemies, specifically those who oppose God and His people. This identifies the recipients of divine judgment as the persecutors of God's covenant nation.
• And will make atonement (וְכִפֶּר, vᵉkhippēr): Derived from the root kāpar (כָּפַר), meaning "to cover, pacify, purge, or atone." Here, it signifies the purification, propitiation, and cleansing of guilt. It's an act of divine reconciliation and renewal.
• for His land (אַרְצוֹ, ’artso): The Promised Land, often described as defiled by idolatry, injustice, and bloodshed committed by its inhabitants (Israel and their enemies). Atonement implies its purification and restoration to holiness, making it fit again as God's dwelling place and a righteous inheritance.
• and His people (וְעַמּוֹ, vᵉ‘ammoh): The people of Israel. Atonement here speaks to their purification from guilt (both their own sin that led to chastisement and the defilement caused by their oppressors' actions), bringing about full reconciliation and renewed fellowship with God after their period of discipline.

Deuteronomy 32 43 Bonus section

• Septuagint/Dead Sea Scrolls Influence: While the Masoretic Text (MT) ends at 32:43 as presented, older manuscripts like the Septuagint (LXX) and some Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS) contain additional lines (e.g., "Rejoice, O heavens, with Him, and let all the angels of God worship Him!"). These additions, cited in the New Testament (Hebrews 1:6, Romans 15:10), extend the call for rejoicing to the celestial realms and elevate God's divine glory, later interpreted messianically. This demonstrates ancient scribal tradition's deep theological reflection on the song's themes.
• Divine Passive and Active Voice: The verb for "avenge" can be understood in an active voice ("He will avenge") but also carries connotations of blood being required. This ambiguity highlights the inevitability of divine justice; God will actively bring it to pass, but it is also inherently demanded by the spilled blood of the righteous.
• Covenant Loyalty: This verse serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering covenant loyalty. Despite Israel's failures, God's promise to vindicate them and restore them stands firm. It assures that suffering under oppression will not be God's final word.

Deuteronomy 32 43 Commentary

Deuteronomy 32:43 culminates Moses' prophetic song with a resounding declaration of divine justice and restoration. This verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty and faithfulness to His covenant promises, even through periods of His people's apostasy and suffering. The command for nations to rejoice with Israel is revolutionary, prophesying a time when God's righteousness will be so undeniable that even the Gentiles will acknowledge His supremacy and join in celebration. This prefigures the universal worship seen in the Messianic era. God’s commitment to avenge His servants and punish His adversaries highlights His active intervention in history; He is not passive concerning injustice. This is a divine, restorative judgment, rectifying moral disorder. Finally, the promise to "make atonement for His land and His people" signifies a comprehensive cleansing and reconciliation, demonstrating His ultimate mercy. The land, defiled by sin, will be purified, and Israel, chastened by divine hand, will be reconciled to their God, their relationship renewed and purified. This portrays God as both the righteous Judge and the merciful Redeemer, ensuring ultimate justice and comprehensive restoration.