Deuteronomy 32:30

KJV

How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?

KJV (with Strong's)

How should one {H259} chase {H7291} a thousand {H505}, and two {H8147} put ten {H7233} thousand {H505} to flight {H5127}, except {H3808} their Rock {H6697} had sold {H4376} them {H3588}, and the LORD {H3068} had shut them up {H5462}?

Complete Jewish Bible

After all, how can one chase a thousand and two put ten thousand to rout, unless their Rock sells them to their enemies, unless ADONAI hands them over?

Berean Standard Bible

How could one man pursue a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up?

American Standard Version

How should one chase a thousand, And two put ten thousand to flight, Except their Rock had sold them, And Jehovah had delivered them up?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 32:30, embedded within the "Song of Moses," poses a profound rhetorical question concerning Israel's military fortunes: how could one Israelite warrior chase a thousand enemies, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless God was actively empowering them? Conversely, the verse asserts that if they suffered overwhelming defeat, it was because their divine Protector, metaphorically called "their Rock," had, in righteous judgment, "sold them" and "shut them up" into the hands of their adversaries. This passage powerfully underscores God's absolute sovereignty over the destiny of His people, directly linking their success or failure to their covenant faithfulness and His responsive, just judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 32, known as the "Song of Moses," is a lengthy poetic discourse delivered by Moses just before his death and Israel's entry into the Promised Land. It follows the detailed covenant stipulations and the blessings and curses outlined in chapters 28-31. This song serves as a prophetic witness against Israel's future apostasy, functioning as both a historical recounting of God's unwavering faithfulness and Israel's recurrent rebellion, and a solemn warning about the inevitable consequences of future disobedience. Verse 30 specifically falls within a section (vv. 26-35) where God expresses His lament over Israel's spiritual decline and the consequent divine judgment, yet also hints at a future vindication. The rhetorical question of verse 30 highlights the stark contrast between God's empowering presence and His judgmental withdrawal.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Moses delivered this powerful song to the generation poised to inherit the land of Canaan, a generation that had personally witnessed God's miraculous acts in the wilderness but also the devastating consequences of their parents' rebellion. As they prepared to confront formidable Canaanite nations, the concept of divine intervention in warfare was paramount. While common in the ancient Near East for deities to aid their people in battle, here it is uniquely tied to Israel's exclusive covenant relationship with Yahweh. The hyperbolic imagery of "one chasing a thousand" or "two putting ten thousand to flight" likely draws from historical accounts of miraculous victories (e.g., Joshua's conquests, Gideon's triumph) or serves as a powerful expression of divine power, emphasizing that military success was never purely a matter of human strength, strategy, or numbers, but a direct reflection of God's favor or disfavor based on Israel's obedience.
* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly encapsulates several core themes prevalent throughout Deuteronomy and the "Song of Moses." Firstly, it powerfully emphasizes **Divine Sovereignty** over all human affairs, particularly in the context of warfare, illustrating that all victory and defeat ultimately originate from God's hand, not from human might or weakness. Secondly, it highlights the **Conditional Nature of the Covenant Relationship** between Yahweh and Israel, demonstrating that their national fortunes and well-being are directly contingent upon their faithfulness to the covenant. Disobedience inevitably leads to divine withdrawal and judgment, a pattern vividly illustrated in [Israel's cycles of apostasy and oppression throughout the book of Judges](/judges/2 "Judges 2 - Israel's Cycles of Apostasy and Deliverance"). Thirdly, the profound metaphor of God as "their Rock" underscores His **Steadfastness, Reliability, and Protective Nature** as their ultimate foundation and refuge, yet simultaneously reveals His righteous judgment when His people abandon Him. This theme resonates deeply with other biblical passages, such as [Psalm 18:2, where God is praised as a rock, fortress, and deliverer](/psalm/18-2 "Psalm 18:2 - God, My Rock and Fortress").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rock (Hebrew, _Tsur_):** This is a profound and frequently used metaphor for God in the Old Testament, particularly prominent in Deuteronomy and the Psalms. It signifies His immutability, unwavering reliability, strength, and His role as the ultimate protector, foundation, and refuge for His people. When this "Rock" is described as "selling" or "shutting up" His people, it is not an indication of weakness on God's part, but rather an act of severe divine judgment, signifying a profound breach in the covenant relationship due to Israel's unfaithfulness.
* **Sold (Hebrew, _māḵar_):** This verb literally means "to sell," but in a theological and judicial context, it signifies God's active decision to deliver or hand over His people to their enemies as a direct consequence of their unfaithfulness. It implies a deliberate, judicial act of abandonment, where God renounces His protective claim over them and allows them to suffer the natural and supernatural consequences of their sin, rather than a passive withdrawal.
* **Shut them up (Hebrew, _sāḡar_):** This verb means "to shut," "to close," or "to deliver up." In this specific context, it powerfully reinforces the idea of God actively confining or delivering His people into the power of their adversaries. It denotes God removing His protective hand and, in essence, sealing their fate by allowing or causing their defeat. This phrase emphasizes the direct and active role of God's judgment in their downfall.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight":** This is a rhetorical question designed to highlight the extraordinary, humanly impossible disproportion of Israel's past and potential future victories. It points to a supernatural empowerment, where human numbers are utterly insignificant compared to divine intervention. The question sets up the premise that such overwhelming success could only be God's doing, compelling the listener to acknowledge a divine cause behind Israel's military prowess.
* **"except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?":** This clause provides the answer to the preceding rhetorical question, but in reverse. It explains that if Israel *fails* to achieve such miraculous victories, or indeed, suffers devastating defeat, it is because their divine Protector ("their Rock," Yahweh) has, in His righteous judgment, actively "sold them" (delivered them over) and "shut them up" (confined them) into the power of their enemies. This negates any idea that Israel's defeat is due to the inherent strength of their enemies or their own weakness, but solely due to God's withdrawal of favor and protection as a consequence of their sin.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Rhetorical Question** to emphasize the extraordinary nature of God's power and the direct link between Israel's fortunes and their covenant relationship. The opening question ("How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight") is not meant to be answered literally by human means, but to compel the listener to acknowledge a divine cause for such disproportionate victories. **Hyperbole** is evident in the numbers "a thousand" and "ten thousand," exaggerating the scale of victory to underscore the miraculous, supernatural nature of God's intervention. The most prominent device is **Metaphor**, with God being referred to as "their Rock." This metaphor powerfully conveys His steadfastness, strength, immutability, and His role as a secure foundation and refuge. Finally, **Anthropomorphism** is used in the phrases "sold them" and "shut them up," attributing human actions (selling, shutting) to God to describe His active, judicial judgment and the withdrawal of His protective hand.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 32:30 profoundly illustrates the principle of divine retribution and the conditional nature of God's covenant blessings. It teaches that Israel's military success was never a function of their own might or superior strategy but a direct consequence of their covenant fidelity and God's empowering presence. Conversely, their defeats were not due to the inherent superiority of their enemies but to God's righteous judgment, where He "sold them" or "shut them up" as a consequence of their apostasy. This highlights God's absolute sovereignty over the nations and His unwavering commitment to the terms of His covenant, even when it involves severe disciplinary action. It serves as a stark warning against spiritual complacency and idolatry, emphasizing that true security, victory, and national well-being come only from an obedient walk with the Lord.

* [Leviticus 26:7-8](/leviticus/26-7 "Leviticus 26:7-8 - Blessings for Obedience and Victory")
* [Joshua 23:10](/joshua/23-10 "Joshua 23:10 - The LORD Your God Fights for You")
* [Psalm 44:6-7](/psalm/44-6 "Psalm 44:6-7 - Trust in God, Not Our Own Strength")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 32:30 offers a timeless and sobering lesson for believers today. It calls us to recognize that our strength, success, and security in life's spiritual battles and personal challenges are not derived from our own abilities, resources, or numbers, but entirely from our faithful reliance on God. When we walk in obedience and trust in His boundless power, He can enable us to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds, turning "one" into "a thousand" and "two" into "ten thousand" in our spiritual victories. Conversely, this verse serves as a powerful warning against spiritual apathy, disobedience, or compromising our faith. Just as God, in His righteous judgment, withdrew His protective hand from Israel due to their unfaithfulness, so too can our spiritual vitality, effectiveness, and experience of His blessing be diminished when we drift from Him. It compels us to examine our hearts, ensuring our trust is firmly placed in "our Rock" and that our lives reflect a vibrant, obedient relationship with Him, recognizing that true victory is always a gift of His grace, contingent upon our faithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my life am I relying on my own strength, intellect, or resources rather than explicitly seeking and trusting God's power?**
* **Are there areas of disobedience, spiritual compromise, or unconfessed sin that might be hindering God's full blessing and protection in my life or ministry?**
* **How does understanding God as "my Rock"—my immutable, steadfast, and powerful foundation—impact my trust and security when facing seemingly overwhelming or impossible circumstances?**

### FAQ
**What does "their Rock had sold them" mean?**

Answer: The phrase "their Rock had sold them" is a powerful anthropomorphism, meaning that God, who is Israel's steadfast and protective foundation ("their Rock"), actively delivered them over to their enemies. It signifies a divine act of judgment, where God, in His righteousness, withdrew His protection and allowed or even caused their defeat as a direct consequence of their unfaithfulness and idolatry. It emphasizes that Israel's defeats were not due to the inherent strength of their adversaries but to God's deliberate decision to abandon them to the consequences of their sin, as vividly seen in the repeated cycles of judgment and oppression described in [the book of Judges](/judges/2 "Judges 2 - Israel's Disobedience and Oppression").

**Does this verse imply God is weak or abandons His people arbitrarily?**

Answer: No, quite the opposite. The verse explicitly states that God is "their Rock," a profound metaphor for His unwavering strength, reliability, and protective nature. The actions of "selling" and "shutting up" are presented as deliberate, judicial acts of a sovereign God who is responding to Israel's profound unfaithfulness and breach of covenant. It underscores God's holiness and justice, demonstrating that His covenant relationship with Israel, while gracious, also carried serious consequences for disobedience. It's a testament to His justice and sovereignty, not His weakness or arbitrary nature. Indeed, even in judgment, God's ultimate purpose is often redemptive, aiming to bring His people back to Himself, as illustrated in [Lamentations 3:31-33](/lamentations/3-31 "Lamentations 3:31-33 - God's Compassion Endures").

**How does this verse relate to the concept of spiritual warfare for believers today?**

Answer: This verse provides a foundational principle for understanding spiritual warfare: ultimate victory or defeat rests with God, not human strength or strategy. Just as Israel's physical battles were contingent on God's presence and favor, so too are our spiritual battles against sin, temptation, and demonic forces. We cannot overcome these adversaries by our own might or willpower. Our ability to "chase a thousand" (i.e., experience victory and fruitfulness) is entirely dependent on God empowering us through His Spirit. Conversely, if we are "sold" or "shut up" to spiritual defeat, it is often a consequence of spiritual compromise, disobedience, or a lack of faithful reliance on God, rather than the inherent power of the enemy. It calls us to rely on [the armor of God](/ephesians/6-10 "Ephesians 6:10-18 - The Armor of God") and the power of the Holy Spirit, recognizing that our strength and victory come from Him alone.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 32:30 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus, who is the true and eternal "Rock" of our salvation. While the Old Testament "Rock" would, in righteous judgment, "sell" or "shut up" His people due to their sin, Jesus, the perfect Son, became the one who was "sold" and "shut up" for us. He was betrayed for thirty pieces of silver ([Matthew 26:15](/matthew/26-15 "Matthew 26:15 - Judas' Betrayal")), a direct fulfillment of prophetic imagery, and delivered into the hands of His enemies, ultimately "shut up" in the tomb. Yet, through His glorious resurrection, the ultimate and decisive victory over sin, death, and the grave was secured. He is the one in whom believers find their true strength, enabling us to overcome "a thousand" spiritual adversaries, for "greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" ([1 John 4:4](/1_john/4-4 "1 John 4:4 - Greater is He That is in You")). Our spiritual victories are not a result of our own faithfulness or strength, but of His perfect obedience, His finished work on the cross, and the indwelling power of His Spirit. Jesus is the steadfast foundation upon whom the church is built, against which "the gates of hell shall not prevail" ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - The Church Built on the Rock")). In Christ, we are never "sold" or "shut up" to ultimate defeat or eternal separation, for He has secured our eternal victory and promises His abiding presence, ensuring that "neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" ([Romans 8:38-39](/romans/8-38 "Romans 8:38-39 - Nothing Can Separate Us From God's Love")).

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

Leviticus 26:8

And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.

Joshua 23:10

One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he [it is] that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.

Isaiah 30:17

One thousand [shall flee] at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill.

Psalms 31:8

And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.

Judges 7:22

And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, [and] to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath.

Judges 7:23

¶ And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites.

Psalms 44:12

Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase [thy wealth] by their price.