Deuteronomy 32:36

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 32:36, part of the prophetic "Song of Moses," declares that the LORD will indeed judge His people for His unfaithfulness, allowing them to reach a state of utter powerlessness and destitution. Yet, at this lowest point, God will "repent Himself," not out of regret, but out of profound compassion, relenting from His severe judgment to intervene on behalf of His servants. This verse beautifully encapsulates the tension between divine justice and unwavering covenant faithfulness, promising restoration even after severe discipline.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 32 is a profound poetic composition, often called the "Song of Moses," delivered by Moses just before his death and Israel's entry into the Promised Land. It serves as a solemn prophetic warning and a covenant lawsuit, recounting God's faithfulness to Israel and Israel's predicted rebellion and subsequent judgment. Verse 36 marks a critical turning point within the song. The preceding verses (32:15-35) vividly describe Israel's apostasy, God's righteous anger, and the devastating consequences of His judgment, including their defeat by enemies and a state of complete vulnerability. This verse then pivots from the pronouncement of judgment to the promise of divine compassion and intervention, signaling that God's discipline has a redemptive purpose, not solely a punitive one. It sets the stage for the ultimate vindication of God's people and His name.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Moses delivered this song to the generation poised to enter Canaan, serving as a final, comprehensive instruction and warning rooted in the covenant established at Sinai. The historical context is the brink of a new era for Israel, transitioning from wilderness wandering to settled nationhood. Culturally, the song functions as a testament, a witness against Israel should they stray from the covenant. The concept of God "judging" His people would have resonated with their understanding of covenant curses for disobedience, as outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). The subsequent "relenting" of God highlights a crucial aspect of His character, distinct from the capricious deities of surrounding pagan cultures. It underscores that even in judgment, God's ultimate purpose is tied to His covenant promises and His desire for His people's restoration, not their utter annihilation.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Deuteronomy and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Justice and Mercy**, demonstrating that God's righteous judgment for sin (as seen throughout [Deuteronomy 32](/deuteronomy/32 "Deuteronomy 32 - The Song of Moses")) is tempered by His profound compassion and willingness to relent when His people are utterly broken. Secondly, it underscores **God's Unfailing Covenant Faithfulness**. Despite Israel's predicted rebellion and the ensuing discipline, God's commitment to His people and His covenant promises remains steadfast, assuring that He will not utterly abandon them (cf. [Psalm 89:34](/psalms/89-34 "Psalm 89:34 - God's Unchanging Covenant")). Thirdly, it emphasizes **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 and destitution. It is precisely at this point of complete human inability that God's mercy is activated, showcasing that His help often comes when all human hope is lost, compelling His people to rely solely on Him for deliverance, as seen in the narratives of the Judges (e.g., [Judges 3:9](/judges/3-9 "Judges 3:9 - Israel Cries Out to God")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Repent (Hebrew, _nāḥam'_):** When applied to God, this verb does not imply regret over a past mistake or a change of mind due to error, as it might for humans. Instead, _nāḥam_ signifies a profound change in God's 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](/judges/10-16 "Judges 10:16 - God's Compassion for Israel") and [Hosea 11:8](/hosea/11-8 "Hosea 11:8 - God's Relenting Mercy for Ephraim"). It reflects God's covenantal commitment to His people, even when they deserve judgment.
* **Power is gone (Hebrew, _ʾāzal yāḏ'_):** This is an idiomatic expression meaning "the hand has gone" or "the hand has failed." It vividly portrays a state of complete exhaustion of resources, utter helplessness, and inability to act or defend oneself. It signifies that Israel has no strength, no means of resistance, and no one left to assist them. This condition of absolute weakness is the turning point for God's compassionate intervention.
* **None shut up, or left (Hebrew, _ʿāṣûr wĕʿāzûḇ'_):** This phrase is a merism, a literary device where two contrasting parts represent the whole. "Shut up" (ʿāṣûr) refers to those who are imprisoned, confined, or protected, while "left" (ʿāzûḇ) refers to those who are free, abandoned, or still remaining. Together, they convey the idea that absolutely no one remains, whether protected or exposed, whether in custody or at large. It emphasizes a state of total desolation, where no remnant, no fighter, no one capable of offering help or resistance, is left. It underscores the complete and utter destitution of Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the LORD shall judge his people":** This clause establishes God's sovereign authority and righteous character. His judgment is not arbitrary but a just response to Israel's covenant unfaithfulness and idolatry, as detailed in the preceding verses of the Song of Moses. This judgment serves as a disciplinary measure, designed to bring His people to repentance and reliance on Him.
* **"and repent himself for his servants":** This is the pivotal shift in the verse. Following the declaration of judgment, God's nature as compassionate and merciful is revealed. The "repentance" here signifies God's relenting from the full severity of His wrath, His heart being moved with pity and compassion for His suffering people. It indicates a change in His action, from punitive judgment to restorative mercy, driven by His covenant love.
* **"when he seeth that [their] power is gone":** This clause specifies the condition under which God's compassion is activated. It is when Israel has reached the absolute nadir of their strength, when all human resources, military might, and self-reliance have completely failed. This state of utter weakness and helplessness is precisely when God chooses to intervene, demonstrating that His power is made perfect in weakness.
* **"and [there is] none shut up, or left":** This final phrase further emphasizes the extreme nature of Israel's destitution. It paints a picture of complete devastation, where no one remains—neither those protected nor those abandoned, neither those in prison nor those free. It signifies a total lack of any human agency or hope, highlighting the desperate need for divine intervention and underscoring that God's help comes when all other avenues are exhausted.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 32:36 employs several potent literary devices. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the phrase "repent himself for his servants," attributing human-like emotion and a change of disposition to God. While God is immutable in His character, this expression helps human readers grasp His profound compassion and His responsiveness to the suffering of His people. The phrase "when he seeth that [their] power is gone, and [there is] none shut up, or left" utilizes **Hyperbole** and **Merism**. The hyperbole ("none shut up, or left") emphasizes the absolute and total nature of Israel's destitution and helplessness, making their plight more vivid and dramatic. The merism ("shut up, or left") functions to convey totality by mentioning two opposite extremes, reinforcing that absolutely no one remains. The entire "Song of Moses" is a powerful example of **Poetic Prophecy**, using vivid imagery and elevated language to foretell future events and their theological implications, creating a lasting witness for generations to come.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 32:36 is a profound theological statement on the character of God and His relationship with His covenant people. It reveals a God who is both perfectly just in His judgment of sin and infinitely merciful in His compassion. His discipline is not for destruction but for restoration, designed to humble His people and lead them back to dependence on Him. This verse underscores the principle that God often waits until human strength is utterly exhausted before He intervenes, demonstrating that true deliverance comes from Him alone. It assures believers that even in the deepest valleys of despair and powerlessness, God's covenant faithfulness remains unshaken, and His compassion will ultimately prevail for His servants. This divine pattern of judgment followed by restoration is a recurring theme throughout biblical history, affirming God's ultimate commitment to His redemptive plan.

* [Psalm 89:34](/psalms/89-34 "Psalm 89:34 - God's Unchanging Covenant")
* [Isaiah 49:15](/isaiah/49-15 "Isaiah 49:15 - God's Unforgettable Love")
* [Romans 11:1-2](/romans/11-1 "Romans 11:1-2 - God Has Not Rejected Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 32:36 offers immense encouragement and a profound challenge to believers today. In a world that often values self-sufficiency and strength, this verse reminds us that our greatest breakthroughs often occur at the point of our deepest weakness. When we feel utterly powerless, when our resources are depleted, and when all human avenues seem closed, it is precisely then that God's compassion is stirred and His intervention is most powerfully revealed. This passage calls us to surrender our self-reliance and embrace our vulnerability before God, trusting that His faithfulness transcends our failures and His power is perfected in our weakness. It teaches us that periods of discipline, though painful, are ultimately designed by a loving God to humble us, refine our faith, and draw us into deeper dependence on Him, leading to ultimate restoration and a renewed appreciation for His sovereign grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of God "repenting Himself" challenge or deepen your understanding of His character?**
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "power is gone," and how might this verse encourage you to trust God in those moments of helplessness?**
* **How does understanding God's pattern of discipline followed by compassion shape your perspective on personal suffering or collective hardship?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the importance of humility and reliance on God, rather than on our own strength or resources?**

### FAQ

**Does "repent himself" mean God changes His mind or makes mistakes?**

Answer: No, when applied to God, the Hebrew word _nāḥam_ (נָחַם) translated "repent himself" does not imply regret over a mistake or a change in God's eternal plan or character. Instead, it signifies a change in God's *disposition* or *action* towards His people, stemming from deep compassion, pity, or comfort. It means He will "relent" from a decreed judgment or punishment, often in response to His people's suffering or repentance. This is consistent with other passages where God "relents" from disaster (e.g., [Jonah 3:10](/jonah/3-10 "Jonah 3:10 - God Relents from Disaster")) or expresses profound sorrow over their plight (e.g., [Hosea 11:8](/hosea/11-8 "Hosea 11:8 - God's Heart Yearns for Israel")). God's nature is immutable, but His interactions with humanity are dynamic and responsive to their condition within the framework of His sovereign will and covenant promises.

**How does God's judgment ultimately serve His people, according to this verse?**

Answer: According to Deuteronomy 32:36, God's judgment, though severe, serves a redemptive purpose for His people. It is a disciplinary action designed to bring them to a state of utter helplessness and destitution ("when he seeth that [their] power is gone, and [there is] none shut up, or left"). This complete stripping away of self-reliance and human resources forces them to recognize their absolute dependence on God. It is at this point of profound humility and despair that God's compassion is stirred, and He "repents himself," relenting from His judgment to bring about restoration and deliverance. Thus, the judgment is a painful but necessary process to purify His people, draw them back to Himself, and ultimately demonstrate His unwavering faithfulness and power to save when all other hope is lost. It is a testament to God's commitment to His covenant, even through severe discipline, ultimately leading to His people's good and His glory.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 32:36 finds its ultimate and most profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The verse speaks of God's people reaching a state where "their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left"—a perfect description of humanity's spiritual condition apart from Christ. We are utterly helpless, enslaved by sin, with no inherent power or resource to save ourselves. It was precisely "while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly" ([Romans 5:6](/romans/5-6 "Romans 5:6 - Christ Died for the Helpless")). Jesus, the perfect "servant" of the Lord, embodies the ultimate divine intervention for a lost and powerless humanity. He willingly embraced the ultimate state of "powerlessness" on the cross, enduring the full judgment for sin, so that God could "repent Himself" from wrath towards those who believe. His cry of dereliction, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), represents the ultimate experience of being "shut up, or left," yet through this, God's ultimate plan of salvation was accomplished. The resurrection then demonstrates God's compassionate intervention, raising His Son from the dead, vindicating Him and providing the path for our restoration. Through Christ, God's justice is satisfied, and His mercy is poured out, fulfilling the promise that when humanity is utterly helpless, He will act, not merely to relent from judgment, but to provide eternal salvation through the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). This divine power is now perfected in our weakness, as the Apostle Paul understood ([2 Corinthians 12:9-10](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - God's Power in Weakness")), allowing us to find strength and hope in Christ alone.

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

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

¶ 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.