Deuteronomy 32:26

ยถ I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men:

I said {H559}, I would scatter them into corners {H6284}, I would make the remembrance {H2143} of them to cease {H7673} from among men {H582}:

"'I considered putting an end to them, erasing their memory from the human race;

I would have said that I would cut them to pieces and blot out their memory from mankind,

I said, I would scatter them afar, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men;

Commentary

Deuteronomy 32:26 is a powerful and sobering declaration from God, spoken through Moses in the climactic Song of Moses. In this verse, the Lord expresses His severe judgment against Israel due to their persistent rebellion, idolatry, and unfaithfulness to His covenant. It reveals a moment where God contemplates the complete annihilation of His chosen people, a stark warning of the consequences of profound disobedience.

Context

This verse is part of a lengthy prophetic poem (Deuteronomy 32:1-43) delivered by Moses just before his death and Israel's entry into the Promised Land. The Song of Moses serves as a divine witness against Israel, foretelling their future apostasy and the subsequent divine judgment. God recounts His faithfulness and blessings, contrasting them with Israel's ingratitude and spiritual corruption. The declaration in verse 26 comes after God details Israel's spiritual decline, likening them to a "perverse and crooked generation" (Deuteronomy 32:5), who "provoked him to jealousy with strange gods" (Deuteronomy 32:16).

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Wrath: The verse vividly portrays God's righteous anger and His intention to bring severe judgment upon His unfaithful people. This is a reminder that God's love does not negate His justice when His covenant is repeatedly broken.
  • Threat of Dispersion and Annihilation: The phrase "scatter them into corners" speaks to a thorough and widespread dispersion, akin to exile. The more extreme declaration, "make the remembrance of them to cease from among men," indicates a potential complete loss of identity, legacy, and even existence as a distinct people. This highlights the ultimate consequence of turning away from God.
  • God's Sovereignty and Foreknowledge: Even in expressing such a dire thought, God demonstrates His absolute control and foreknowledge of Israel's future actions and the deserved repercussions.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "scatter them into corners" uses the word pe'ah (ืคึตึผืึธื”), which can mean "corner," "side," or "extremity." It implies a dispersal to the furthest reaches, leaving no concentrated presence. The second part, "make the remembrance of them to cease," employs the Hebrew word zeker (ื–ึตื›ึถืจ) for "remembrance." This isn't just about memory, but about their name, legacy, and continued recognition as a people. To "cease" their remembrance is to erase their very identity and historical presence.

Related Scriptures

This verse, while expressing a severe intent, is immediately followed by God's reasoning for not fully executing this plan: "Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy..." (Deuteronomy 32:27). This reveals God's mercy and His concern for His own reputation among the nations, preventing their complete destruction. The threat of dispersion is a recurring theme in the Old Testament as a consequence of disobedience, as seen in Leviticus 26:33. Despite such strong warnings, God's ultimate faithfulness to His covenant and His people is affirmed throughout Scripture, notably by Paul in Romans 11:1, where he asks, "Hath God cast away his people? God forbid."

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 32:26 serves as a powerful reminder of the seriousness of disobedience and the consequences of turning away from God. It highlights:

  • The Gravity of Sin: God does not take rebellion lightly. Our actions have profound consequences, and straying from His commands can lead to severe spiritual and practical repercussions.
  • God's Justice and Mercy: While God is just and declares the potential for severe judgment, His character also includes immense mercy and a commitment to His covenant, as seen in the verses immediately following. This tension between justice and mercy is central to understanding God's nature.
  • Importance of Covenant Faithfulness: For believers today, this verse underscores the importance of remaining faithful to our covenant with God through Christ. Just as Israel was called to remember God's law, we are called to obey His commands and walk in His ways, lest we lose our spiritual vitality and witness.
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Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 28:64 (3 votes)

    And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, [even] wood and stone.

  • Deuteronomy 28:37 (2 votes)

    And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee.

  • Psalms 34:16 (2 votes)

    The face of the LORD [is] against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

  • Leviticus 26:33 (2 votes)

    And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste.

  • Deuteronomy 4:27 (2 votes)

    And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you.

  • Luke 21:24 (2 votes)

    And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

  • Deuteronomy 28:25 (2 votes)

    The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.