Deuteronomy 32:1

KJV

¶ Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.

KJV (with Strong's)

Give ear {H238}, O ye heavens {H8064}, and I will speak {H1696}; and hear {H8085}, O earth {H776}, the words {H561} of my mouth {H6310}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Hear, oh heavens, as I speak! Listen, earth, to the words from my mouth!

Berean Standard Bible

Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.

American Standard Version

Give ear, ye heavens, and I will speak; And let the earth hear the words of my mouth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse dramatically initiates Moses' final, prophetic song, a profound testament delivered to the Israelites just before his death. It sets a cosmic stage, summoning the entirety of creation—heaven and earth—to bear solemn witness to the weighty, covenantal words of God. This powerful invocation underscores the universal authority and enduring significance of the divine message, establishing a foundational premise for the song's themes of Israel's future rebellion, God's righteous judgment, and His ultimate, unwavering faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 32:1 marks the beginning of "The Song of Moses" (Deuteronomy 32:1-43), a pivotal prophetic poem. It follows Moses' final instructions and warnings to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. This song is not merely a historical recounting but a divinely inspired covenantal lawsuit, intended to serve as a perpetual witness against Israel's anticipated future apostasy. It is strategically placed as a capstone to Moses' farewell discourse, encapsulating the essence of the covenant relationship and God's enduring character, even in the face of human unfaithfulness. The song's structure moves from God's goodness to Israel's rebellion, culminating in divine judgment and ultimate restoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Historically, this song is delivered at a critical juncture: the end of the wilderness wandering and the cusp of entering Canaan. Moses, at 120 years old, is about to die, and this song is his final, authoritative word to the nation. Culturally, invoking heaven and earth as witnesses was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern suzerainty treaties, where cosmic elements were called upon to attest to the solemnity and binding nature of agreements between a great king (suzerain) and his vassal. This practice highlights the covenant between Yahweh (the divine Suzerain) and Israel (His vassal), emphasizing the gravity of their obligations and the universal scope of their covenantal relationship. The setting is the plains of Moab, a geographically significant location from which Israel would launch its conquest.
* **Key Themes:** This opening verse immediately introduces several key themes that permeate the Song of Moses and the book of Deuteronomy. First, it establishes the theme of **Divine Witness and Authority**, where the entire cosmos is summoned to validate the divine word, asserting God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His covenant. Second, it underscores the **Solemnity and Gravity of God's Word**, indicating that the message to follow is of immense, eternal consequence, demanding universal attention. Third, it foreshadows the theme of **Israel's Covenantal Responsibility and Future Apostasy**, as the song will detail their rebellion and the subsequent divine judgment, yet also God's ultimate faithfulness and restoration. This cosmic invocation reinforces the enduring nature of God's truth, much like the stability of His word established in the heavens, as declared in [Psalm 119:89](/psalm/119-89 "Psalm 119:89 - God's Word Endures Forever"). The prophetic nature of the song, foretelling future events, also aligns with the broader Deuteronomic emphasis on obedience leading to blessing and disobedience leading to curses, as seen throughout [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **"Give ear" (Hebrew, _ʼâzan'_):** This imperative verb, derived from a root meaning "to broaden out the ear (with the hand)," signifies an active, deliberate act of listening. It is not a passive hearing but a command for intense, focused attention, conveying the utmost importance and urgency of the message to follow. It demands a readiness to perceive, internalize, and respond to the divine words.
* **"heavens" (Hebrew, _shâmayim'_):** From a root meaning "to be lofty," this term refers to the sky and the celestial realm, encompassing both the visible atmosphere and the higher ether where celestial bodies revolve. As a summoned witness, the heavens represent the transcendent, eternal, and unchanging aspect of creation, signifying that God's words are eternally established and witnessed from above.
* **"earth" (Hebrew, _ʼerets'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be firm," "earth" denotes the terrestrial realm, the physical world, and its inhabitants. As a co-witness with the heavens, it represents the immanent, tangible, and enduring foundation of creation. Together, "heavens" and "earth" form a merism, encompassing the entirety of the created order, signifying that God's covenantal dealings are openly declared and witnessed by the whole universe He created.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Give ear, O ye heavens":** This opening command is a dramatic invocation, personifying the celestial realm and calling it to listen. It sets a tone of cosmic significance, indicating that the message about to be delivered is not merely for human ears but is of such profound importance that even the heavens are summoned as silent, eternal witnesses. This emphasizes the divine origin and universal scope of the words.
* **"and I will speak":** This declaration establishes the speaker as Moses, acting as God's prophet and mouthpiece. It is Moses who will deliver the words, but the authority behind them is divine. This phrase transitions from the call for attention to the imminent act of proclamation, signaling the commencement of the prophetic song.
* **"and hear, O earth":** Parallel to the opening clause, this command personifies the terrestrial realm, calling it to listen. The repetition reinforces the universal scope of the message and the solemnity of the occasion. It underscores that God's dealings with His people are openly declared and witnessed by all creation, from the highest heavens to the deepest parts of the earth.
* **"the words of my mouth":** This concluding phrase emphasizes the direct, authoritative, and personal nature of the message. While delivered by Moses, these are ultimately "the words of my mouth"—God's words, conveyed through His chosen servant. This highlights the divine inspiration and inerrancy of the song, making it a binding and eternal testimony.

#### Literary Devices
The opening verse of the Song of Moses employs several powerful **literary devices** to amplify its message. **Personification** is prominently used as Moses addresses "heavens" and "earth" as if they are sentient beings capable of hearing and bearing witness. This imbues the inanimate creation with agency, underscoring the solemnity and universal significance of the divine pronouncement. The phrase "Give ear, O ye heavens, and hear, O earth" exemplifies **parallelism**, specifically **synonymous parallelism**, where the second clause reiterates and reinforces the meaning of the first, intensifying the call for universal attention. This pairing of "heavens" and "earth" also functions as a **merism**, a rhetorical device where two contrasting parts represent the whole, thereby encompassing the entirety of creation as a witness. Furthermore, the dramatic invocation can be seen as a form of **apostrophe**, a direct address to an absent or personified entity, which serves to elevate the discourse and create a sense of awe and gravity. The overall effect is to establish a cosmic courtroom, with creation summoned to testify to the enduring truth and unwavering justice of God's covenantal dealings with Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The theological weight of Deuteronomy 32:1 lies in its profound declaration of God's universal sovereignty and the enduring nature of His word. By summoning the heavens and the earth as witnesses, Moses establishes a cosmic courtroom, emphasizing that God's covenant with Israel is not a private affair but a matter of universal significance, observed by all creation. This highlights God's transcendence and immanence—He is above all, yet intimately involved in human history. The invocation serves as a powerful reminder that God's truth is immutable and His justice inescapable, whether in judgment or in faithfulness. It sets the stage for the song's subsequent themes of divine judgment on Israel's apostasy, yet also God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, ultimately leading to restoration. This cosmic witness motif underscores the ultimate accountability of humanity before a God whose decrees are witnessed by the very fabric of the universe.

* [Isaiah 1:2](/isaiah/1-2 "Isaiah 1:2 - Heavens and Earth as Witnesses to Israel's Rebellion")
* [Psalm 50:4](/psalm/50-4 "Psalm 50:4 - God Calls Heaven and Earth to Judge His People")
* [Micah 6:1-2](/micah/6-1-2 "Micah 6:1-2 - God's Controversy with His People, Calling Mountains as Witnesses")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 32:1 serves as a profound call to reverence and attentiveness for all who encounter God's Word. If the very heavens and earth are commanded to "give ear" and "hear" the words of the Lord, how much more should humanity, created in God's image and the direct recipients of His revelation, approach the Scriptures with profound humility and focused attention? This verse challenges us to move beyond superficial reading to deep, prayerful engagement, recognizing that every word is imbued with divine authority and eternal significance. It reminds us that our lives are lived before a cosmic audience, with God as the ultimate witness to our choices and responses to His truth. The enduring nature of God's word, witnessed by creation, offers both a solemn warning against disobedience and a steadfast assurance of His faithfulness, encouraging us to build our lives on His unchanging truth, knowing that it will stand long after the earth itself has passed away.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the cosmic invocation in this verse deepen your understanding of the authority and significance of God's Word in your life?**
* **In what ways do you currently "give ear" to God's voice, and how might you cultivate a more attentive and reverent posture towards His revelation?**
* **Considering that heaven and earth are called as witnesses, what does this imply about the public and universal nature of your faith and obedience?**

### FAQ
**Why does Moses call upon "heavens" and "earth" to listen?**

Answer: Moses calls upon "heavens" and "earth" primarily to serve as **cosmic witnesses** to the covenantal agreement between God and Israel. This practice was common in ancient Near Eastern treaty forms, where inanimate objects or natural phenomena were invoked to solemnize an oath or agreement and to bear testimony to its violation. By summoning the entire created order, Moses underscores the universal authority of God's word and the gravity of the message. It signifies that God's dealings with His people are not hidden but are openly declared and observed by the universe He created. This cosmic appeal reinforces the enduring nature of God's truth and the ultimate accountability of Israel, as seen in similar prophetic calls for attention in [Isaiah 1:2](/isaiah/1-2 "Isaiah 1:2 - Heavens and Earth as Witnesses") and [Micah 6:1-2](/micah/6-1-2 "Micah 6:1-2 - God's Controversy with His People").

**Is this call to heaven and earth merely a poetic flourish?**

Answer: While the language is undeniably poetic, employing devices like personification and parallelism, the invocation of heaven and earth is far more than a mere flourish; it carries profound theological and legal weight. It functions as a **covenantal lawsuit framework**, establishing the entire cosmos as a courtroom with God as the divine Suzerain, Israel as the vassal, and creation as the perpetual witness. This ensures that the words spoken—the Song of Moses—will serve as an enduring testimony against Israel should they violate the covenant. It emphasizes the ultimate and unchanging nature of God's decrees, which are established in the heavens and witnessed by the earth, as hinted at in [Psalm 119:89](/psalm/119-89 "Psalm 119:89 - God's Word is Established in Heaven").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 32:1, with its dramatic invocation of heaven and earth to witness God's words, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Moses, as God's chosen prophet, delivered the words of the Old Covenant; yet, Jesus is the very [Word (Logos) incarnate](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), the definitive and final revelation of God to humanity. The heavens and earth that were called to "give ear" to Moses' song now bear witness to the one through whom [all things were created](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - All Things Created Through Christ") and by whom [all things hold together](/colossians/1-17 "Colossians 1:17 - Christ Upholds All Things"). Jesus Himself declares the eternal authority of His words, stating that "[Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away](/matthew/24-35 "Matthew 24:35 - The Enduring Words of Jesus")". He is the mediator of a [new and better covenant](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Christ, Mediator of a Better Covenant"), established not by written words on stone but by His own blood. The cosmic witness called for in Deuteronomy 32:1 ultimately points to the day when [every knee will bow and every tongue confess](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow to Jesus") that Jesus Christ is Lord, a universal acknowledgment that transcends all creation, fulfilling the ancient call for all of existence to hear and respond to God's ultimate Word.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 1:2

¶ Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.

Deuteronomy 4:26

I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong [your] days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.

Jeremiah 22:29

O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.

Psalms 49:1

¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Hear this, all [ye] people; give ear, all [ye] inhabitants of the world:

Deuteronomy 31:28

Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them.

Jeremiah 6:19

Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, [even] the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.

Deuteronomy 30:19

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, [that] I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: