Deuteronomy 32:37

And he shall say, Where [are] their gods, [their] rock in whom they trusted,

And he shall say {H559}, Where are their gods {H430}, their rock {H6697} in whom they trusted {H2620},

Then he will ask, 'Where are their gods, the rock in whom they trusted?

He will say: β€œWhere are their gods, the rock in which they took refuge,

And he will say, Where are their gods, The rock in which they took refuge;

Commentary

Context of Deuteronomy 32:37

Deuteronomy 32:37 is part of the "Song of Moses" (Deuteronomy 32:1-43), a powerful prophetic poem delivered by Moses to the Israelites just before his death. This song serves as a solemn witness against Israel's future apostasy and a declaration of God's unwavering justice and ultimate faithfulness. In this section of the song (verses 34-43), God is depicted as observing the weakened state of His people and their enemies. He questions the reliability of the false gods in whom Israel (or their adversaries, depending on the precise interpretation) placed their trust, highlighting their utter powerlessness in contrast to His own omnipotence.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Futility of Idolatry: This verse underscores the complete inability of pagan deities or anything other than the true God to provide salvation or protection. God's rhetorical question exposes the emptiness of relying on anything other than Him.
  • God's Unrivaled Sovereignty: By challenging the existence and power of other "gods," the verse implicitly affirms the unique and supreme authority of the Lord. He alone is the source of strength and deliverance.
  • Divine Judgment: The question serves as a precursor to God's judgment, where He will demonstrate His power by casting down those who oppose Him and exposing the impotence of their false objects of worship. It speaks to a time when God will avenge Himself and His people.
  • False Security: The phrase "their rock in whom they trusted" highlights the misplaced confidence of those who turned away from the Lord, relying instead on transient and powerless substitutes. This contrasts sharply with God, who is truly the Rock of Israel, perfect in His work.

Linguistic Insights

The term "rock" (Hebrew: tsur, צﬡר) is highly significant in this context. Throughout Deuteronomy and other parts of the Old Testament, "Rock" is a powerful metaphor for God, signifying His strength, steadfastness, and protective nature. Here, it is ironically applied to the false gods, mocking their supposed strength and contrasting it with the true, unchanging nature of the Lord. The question "Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted?" emphasizes the absurdity of calling a powerless idol a "rock" when the true Rock is absent from their lives.

Significance and Application

Deuteronomy 32:37 serves as a timeless warning against placing trust in anything other than the one true God. While ancient Israel contended with literal idols of wood and stone, modern societies face their own forms of "gods" or "rocks" in whom people trust: wealth, power, human wisdom, personal achievements, or even ideologies. This verse challenges us to examine our own lives: where do we truly place our security and hope? When crisis strikes, will our chosen "rocks" be found wanting? Just as the idols of old could not see, hear, or save, so too are our modern substitutes ultimately impotent in the face of life's deepest challenges and God's ultimate judgment. The verse calls us to return our trust solely to the Lord, who alone is a faithful and unshakeable Rock.

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Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 2:28

    But where [are] thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for [according to] the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.

  • Judges 10:14

    Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.

  • 2 Kings 3:13

    And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab.