Deuteronomy 32:36

For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that [their] power is gone, and [there is] none shut up, or left.

For the LORD {H3068} shall judge {H1777} his people {H5971}, and repent {H5162} himself for his servants {H5650}, when he seeth {H7200} that their power {H3027} is gone {H235}, and there is none {H657} shut up {H6113}, or left {H5800}.

"Yes, ADONAI will judge his people, taking pity on his servants, when he sees that their strength is gone, that no one is left, slave or free.

For the LORD will vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants when He sees that their strength is gone and no one remains, slave or free.

For Jehovah will judge his people, And repent himself for his servants; When he seeth that their power is gone, And there is noneremaining, shut up or left at large.

Commentary

Context

Deuteronomy 32 is a powerful prophetic poem known as the "Song of Moses," delivered by Moses to the Israelites just before his death. This song serves as a solemn warning and a future prophecy concerning Israel's unfaithfulness, God's subsequent judgment upon them, and His ultimate, unwavering faithfulness to His covenant. Verse 36 comes at a critical juncture in the song, following descriptions of Israel's rebellion and the severe consequences, including their defeat by enemies. It marks a pivotal shift from divine judgment to the promise of God's compassionate intervention when His people reach their lowest point of despair and helplessness.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Mercy: The verse highlights God's righteous judgment ("the LORD shall judge his people") but immediately pivots to His profound compassion ("and repent himself for his servants"). This "repentance" from God is not a change of mind due to error, but a relenting from His just severity, moving towards pity and comfort when His people are utterly destitute.
  • God's Unfailing Faithfulness: Despite Israel's rebellion and the ensuing judgment, God's commitment to His covenant remains steadfast. This verse assures that even in their deepest affliction, He will not utterly abandon them, reflecting a core aspect of God's covenant faithfulness.
  • Human Helplessness as a Catalyst for Divine Intervention: The phrase "when he seeth that [their] power is gone, and [there is] none shut up, or left" vividly describes a state of total vulnerability, destitution, and lack of any human resource or protection. It is precisely at this point of complete human inability that God's mercy is activated, demonstrating that His help often comes when all other hope is lost.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "repent himself" for the LORD is a translation of the Hebrew verb nacham (נָחַם). While in human terms "repent" implies regret over sin, when applied to God, nacham signifies a change in His disposition or action towards His people, stemming from deep compassion, pity, or comfort. It means He will "be sorry for," "have compassion on," or "relent" from the decreed punishment. This divine compassion is seen in other instances where God's heart is moved by the suffering of His people, such as in Judges 10:16 or Hosea 11:8.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 32:36 offers immense encouragement to believers facing overwhelming circumstances. It teaches that even when we feel utterly powerless, abandoned, or at the end of our own resources, God's compassion is stirred. His intervention often occurs at the point of our greatest weakness, reminding us to rely not on our own strength but solely on His. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's ultimate plan for His people is redemption and restoration, even when it involves periods of intense discipline and humbling. It points forward to the new covenant where God promises to write His law on their hearts and be their God.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 135:14

    For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.

  • Psalms 106:45

    And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.

  • 2 Kings 14:26

    For the LORD saw the affliction of Israel, [that it was] very bitter: for [there was] not any shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel.

  • Judges 2:18

    And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.

  • Deuteronomy 30:1

    ΒΆ And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call [them] to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee,

  • Deuteronomy 30:3

    That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.

  • 1 Kings 14:10

    Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam him that pisseth against the wall, [and] him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man taketh away dung, till it be all gone.