Deuteronomy 32:13

KJV

He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock;

KJV (with Strong's)

He made him ride {H7392} on the high places {H1116} of the earth {H776}, that he might eat {H398} the increase {H8570} of the fields {H7704}; and he made him to suck {H3243} honey {H1706} out of the rock {H5553}, and oil {H8081} out of the flinty {H2496} rock {H6697};

Complete Jewish Bible

He made them ride on the heights of the earth. They ate the produce of the fields. He had them suck honey from the rocks and olive oil from the crags,

Berean Standard Bible

He made him ride on the heights of the land and fed him the produce of the field. He nourished him with honey from the rock and oil from the flinty crag,

American Standard Version

He made him ride on the high places of the earth, And he did eat the increase of the field; And he made him to suck honey out of the rock, And oil out of the flinty rock;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 32:13, a pivotal verse within the "Song of Moses," eloquently depicts God's extraordinary and abundant provision for the nation of Israel. It illustrates how the Almighty elevated His chosen people to a position of honor and sustained them with unparalleled generosity, drawing forth sustenance even from the most unyielding sources. This vivid imagery underscores God's unwavering faithfulness and omnipotent power to bless His covenant people beyond natural limitations, setting the theological stage for both the blessings of obedience and the severe consequences of apostasy detailed later in the song.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into the fabric of the "Song of Moses" (Deuteronomy 32:1-43), a profound prophetic poem delivered by Moses in the twilight of his life, just prior to Israel's momentous entry into the Promised Land. The song functions as both a solemn covenant testament and a divine lawsuit, meticulously recounting God's steadfast faithfulness to Israel from their miraculous deliverance out of Egypt, through the arduous wilderness wanderings, and to the very threshold of the land of promise. It sharply contrasts God's unwavering goodness and lavish provision with Israel's persistent inclination towards rebellion and spiritual amnesia. Verse 13, in particular, serves as a powerful testament to the boundless blessings showered upon Israel, immediately preceding the stern warnings against apostasy that follow, most notably in [Deuteronomy 32:15](/deuteronomy/32-15 "Deuteronomy 32:15 - Jeshurun's Rebellion"). The imagery of divine provision here magnifies the sheer magnitude of God's grace, thereby rendering Israel's subsequent unfaithfulness all the more egregious and inexcusable.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Deuteronomy 32:13 speaks directly to Israel's transformative journey from abject slavery in Egypt, through the desolate and arid wilderness, to the precipice of entering the fertile land of Canaan. The phrase "high places of the earth" can be understood literally as the elevated, more productive regions of the Promised Land, symbolizing their future dominion and prosperity, or metaphorically, as Israel's exalted status among the nations. The striking imagery of "honey out of the rock" and "oil out of the flinty rock" resonates profoundly with the challenging and often barren environment of the wilderness, as well as the rugged, stony terrain characteristic of Canaan. While wild honey could indeed be found in rocky crevices and olive trees, a crucial source of oil, are known to thrive in stony soil, the specific mention of "flinty rock" (Hebrew: `challâmîysh`) emphasizes an almost miraculous extraction of sustenance from the most unyielding and improbable sources. This evocative language deliberately recalls God's supernatural provision during the Exodus, such as the miraculous [manna from heaven](/exodus/16-35 "Exodus 16:35 - God Provides Manna") and the life-giving [water from the rock](/exodus/17-6 "Exodus 17:6 - Water from the Rock at Rephidim"). The verse beautifully encapsulates the fulfillment of God's ancient promise to bring His people into a "land flowing with milk and honey," a recurrent descriptor throughout the Pentateuch (e.g., [Deuteronomy 8](/deuteronomy/8 "Deuteronomy 8 - A Land of Abundance")).

* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme of [Deuteronomy 32](/deuteronomy/32 "Deuteronomy 32 - The Song of Moses") is the stark contrast between God's unwavering covenant faithfulness and Israel's recurrent unfaithfulness. Within this grand narrative, verse 13 powerfully articulates the themes of **Divine Provision and Abundance**. The imagery of "riding on the high places" and eating the "increase of the fields" signifies God's boundless capacity to provide for His people, even in seemingly barren or difficult circumstances, leading them into a life of dominion and plenty under divine favor. This extends to **Miraculous Sustenance**, as "honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock" serve as potent metaphors for provision that transcends natural means, highlighting God's unique ability to bring forth life and sustenance from the most unyielding and improbable places. Furthermore, the declaration "He made him ride on the high places of the earth" suggests not merely physical elevation but also a position of **Elevation and Blessing**, indicating God's sovereign intent to exalt Israel among the nations, granting them a privileged status and a land of unparalleled richness and strategic importance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **High places (Hebrew, _bâmâh'_):** From an unused root meaning "to be high," this term (H1116) typically refers to an elevation, height, or wave. While `bâmâh` can sometimes denote pagan cultic sites (e.g., [Numbers 22:41](/numbers/22-41 "Numbers 22:41 - Balaam on the High Places")), in this context, especially when combined with "of the earth," it signifies a position of triumph, dominion, and security. It metaphorically implies God setting Israel above other nations, granting them a place of preeminence and control over the land, rather than being subjugated. This is a "riding" in triumph and authority, symbolizing God's act of exalting His people to a position of honor and advantage.
* **Honey (Hebrew, _dᵉbash'_):** From an unused root meaning "to be gummy," this word (H1706) refers to honey or, by analogy, syrup. In biblical literature, `dᵉbash` frequently symbolizes prosperity, abundance, and the inherent richness of the Promised Land, famously described as "a land flowing with milk and honey" (e.g., [Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey")). The imagery of drawing it "out of the rock" profoundly emphasizes the extraordinary and unexpected nature of this provision, signifying God's ability to provide sweetness, delight, and sustenance even in the harshest or most improbable environments.
* **Flinty (Hebrew, _challâmîysh'_):** Probably from a root meaning "to be hard," this term (H2496) specifically denotes flint or a particularly hard, unyielding type of rock. Its inclusion here intensifies the miraculous nature of God's provision. While `çelaʻ` (rock, H5553) might imply a general rocky outcrop, `challâmîysh` specifically highlights the extreme difficulty, if not outright impossibility, of extracting oil from such a source by natural means. It powerfully underscores the divine, supernatural intervention required for such abundance to flow, emphasizing God's ability to bring forth life from the most barren and resistant places.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He made him ride on the high places of the earth":** This initial clause vividly describes God's sovereign act of exalting Israel. "Riding on the high places" conveys a profound sense of triumph, dominion, and secure possession. It signifies that God elevated His chosen people to a position of prominence, authority, and advantage over the land and among the surrounding nations, granting them a place of honor and safety. This is a powerful metaphor for God granting them decisive victory and the privileged inheritance of a superior land.
* **"that he might eat the increase of the fields":** This phrase elucidates the glorious purpose of Israel's elevation: to joyfully partake in and enjoy the abundant produce of the land. "Increase of the fields" refers to the rich agricultural bounty—including grains, fruits, and vegetables—that would abundantly sustain them. This highlights God's comprehensive provision of physical sustenance, prosperity, and the fulfillment of His covenant promise for a fertile and productive land.
* **"and he made him to suck honey out of the rock":** This striking and vivid imagery powerfully illustrates God's miraculous provision of sustenance from seemingly impossible or highly improbable sources. To "suck honey" implies an intimate, effortless, and delightful enjoyment of sweetness. The act of finding or drawing honey "out of the rock" points to God's unparalleled ability to provide even in barren, unexpected, or unyielding places, symbolizing unexpected delight, miraculous blessings, and the transformation of scarcity into abundance.
* **"and oil out of the flinty rock":** This final clause further emphasizes the extraordinary, almost paradoxical, nature of God's abundant provision. "Oil" (most likely olive oil) was an indispensable staple for food, illumination, and anointing, symbolizing blessing, prosperity, and spiritual favor. The act of extracting it from "flinty rock" (a particularly hard, unyielding stone) underscores the supernatural power of God to bring forth essential and valuable resources from the most unlikely, difficult, and naturally unproductive environments, far beyond the realm of human capability or natural means.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 32:13 is exceptionally rich in **Imagery** and **Metaphor**, painting a vivid and compelling picture of divine provision. The phrase "He made him ride on the high places of the earth" functions as a profound **Metaphor** for Israel's elevated status, dominion, and secure possession of the land, rather than a literal act of riding. It signifies their preeminent position of honor and security among nations and their inheritance of a fertile and strategically important land. The subsequent clauses, "honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock," are powerful **Hyperboles** and **Metaphors** for miraculous and super-abundant provision. While wild honey could indeed be found in rocky crevices and olive trees are known to grow in stony soil, the emphatic mention of "flinty rock" pushes the imagery beyond mere natural explanation, suggesting an almost impossible or divinely orchestrated extraction. This serves as potent **Symbolism** for God's ability to provide supernaturally, transforming barrenness into overflowing abundance. The entire verse also employs **Parallelism** in its structure, repeating the pattern of God's active intervention ("He made him...") followed by the resulting benefit, thereby reinforcing the central theme of divine initiative and boundless blessing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 32:13 profoundly reveals the immutable character of God as an omnipotent, benevolent, and utterly faithful Provider. It underscores His unwavering covenant faithfulness, demonstrating His steadfast commitment to bless and sustain His people far beyond their natural capacities, merits, or deserts. This verse establishes a crucial theological foundation for understanding God's desire not merely to provide for basic needs, but to lavish His people with abundance, elevate them to a position of honor, and grant them dominion. It speaks powerfully to the miraculous nature of His care, reminding us that His resources are not limited by earthly constraints or natural laws; He can bring forth life, sustenance, and prosperity even from the most unyielding circumstances. This divine provision is a magnificent testament to His unwavering love, His sovereign power, and the unfailing fulfillment of His promises, serving as a powerful reminder of His absolute sovereignty over all creation and His intimate, redemptive involvement in the lives of His chosen ones.

* [Psalm 81:16](/psalms/81-16 "Psalm 81:16 - God's Desire for Israel's Obedience and Provision")
* [Nehemiah 9:20-21](/nehemiah/9-20-21 "Nehemiah 9:20-21 - God's Good Spirit and Provision in the Wilderness")
* [Isaiah 48:21](/isaiah/48-21 "Isaiah 48:21 - God's Provision in the Wilderness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 32:13 offers a timeless and profoundly encouraging message of hope and assurance for believers navigating the complexities of modern life. It calls us to cultivate an unwavering trust in God's boundless capacity to provide for us, not merely adequately, but with overflowing abundance, even when our circumstances appear barren, overwhelming, or utterly devoid of natural solutions. This verse powerfully encourages us to look beyond perceived natural limitations and human ingenuity, recognizing that our Heavenly Father delights in bringing forth blessings from the most unexpected sources and in ways that defy our expectations and logic. It challenges us to diligently remember God's past faithfulness in our personal lives and in the grand narrative of His people, thereby cultivating a deep, abiding confidence in His divine provision for all future challenges. Just as He sovereignly elevated Israel and miraculously sustained them in the desolate wilderness, He desires to lead us into places of profound spiritual prosperity and abundant life, enabling us to thrive even in the most difficult or unyielding terrains of our existence. Our appropriate response should be one of profound grateful remembrance, unwavering faith in His unfailing goodness, and a joyful anticipation of His continued miraculous provision.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life do you currently need God's "honey out of the rock" or "oil out of the flinty rock"—a provision that seems humanly impossible or beyond natural explanation?**
* **How does intentionally remembering God's past faithfulness in your life, or in the broader history of His people, profoundly strengthen your trust in His unfailing provision for your future?**
* **What does it truly mean for you to "ride on the high places of the earth" in your spiritual journey today, and how does God actively enable and sustain that spiritual elevation in your life?**

### FAQ
**Does "honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock" refer to literal events or is it purely metaphorical?**

Answer: While the imagery in [Deuteronomy 32:13](/deuteronomy/32-13 "Deuteronomy 32:13 - God's Abundant Provision for Israel") is rich with **metaphor** and **hyperbole**, it is deeply rooted in the historical reality of God's miraculous and abundant provision for Israel. It's a blend of literal possibilities amplified by metaphorical language to highlight God's divine power and generosity. Wild honey could indeed be found in crevices of rocks, and olive trees, which produce the oil, are known to thrive even in rocky soil. However, the specific mention of "flinty rock" (Hebrew: `challâmîysh`), a particularly hard and unyielding stone, pushes the description beyond mere natural occurrence. It emphasizes the extraordinary, almost impossible, and inherently supernatural nature of God's provision, making the difficult or impossible effortless for Him. This vivid imagery deliberately echoes and reinforces other miraculous provisions in the wilderness narrative, such as water gushing miraculously from a solid rock (e.g., [Exodus 17:6](/exodus/17-6 "Exodus 17:6 - Water from the Rock")) or manna appearing daily from heaven (e.g., [Exodus 16:4](/exodus/16-4 "Exodus 16:4 - Manna from Heaven")). Thus, it is a powerful literary device that underscores the boundless and supernatural nature of God's care.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 32:13, with its vivid portrayal of God's lavish, miraculous, and elevating provision for Israel, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "high places of the earth" and the abundance of the fields, symbolizing dominion, prosperity, and exalted status, are fully realized in Christ, who has been given [all authority in heaven and on earth](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - The Great Commission"). He is the one who truly elevates His people, not merely to an earthly kingdom, but to a heavenly one, seating us [with Him in the heavenly places](/ephesians/2-6 "Ephesians 2:6 - Seated with Christ in Heavenly Places"), granting us spiritual dominion and an eternal inheritance. Furthermore, the striking imagery of "honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock" powerfully foreshadows Christ as the inexhaustible source of all spiritual sustenance, even from the most unlikely or seemingly barren circumstances. He is the [spiritual Rock](/1_corinthians/10-4 "1 Corinthians 10:4 - Christ as the Spiritual Rock") from whom the living water of salvation flows, and from whom true spiritual nourishment, sweeter than any earthly honey, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit (symbolized by oil), are supernaturally drawn. Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Christ transformed the "flinty rock" of human sin, divine judgment, and the Law's condemnation into the very source of eternal life, abundant grace, and spiritual anointing. He provides not just physical sustenance, but is Himself the [bread of life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life") and the [living water](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus Offers Living Water"), ensuring that all who believe in Him will never hunger or thirst again, experiencing a provision that is truly supernatural, eternal, and infinitely satisfying.

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 58:14

Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken [it].

Job 29:6

When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil;

Psalms 81:16

He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.

Deuteronomy 33:29

Happy [art] thou, O Israel: who [is] like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who [is] the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.

Deuteronomy 33:26

¶ [There is] none like unto the God of Jeshurun, [who] rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky.

Ezekiel 36:2

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because the enemy hath said against you, Aha, even the ancient high places are ours in possession:

Isaiah 48:21

And they thirsted not [when] he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out.