Deuteronomy 32:38

KJV

Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, [and] drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help you, [and] be your protection.

KJV (with Strong's)

Which did eat {H398} the fat {H2459} of their sacrifices {H2077}, and drank {H8354} the wine {H3196} of their drink offerings {H5257}? let them rise up {H6965} and help {H5826} you, and be your protection {H5643}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Who ate the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their drink offering? Let him get up and help you, let him protect you!

Berean Standard Bible

which ate the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their drink offerings? Let them rise up and help you; let them give you shelter!

American Standard Version

Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, Anddrank the wine of their drink-offering? Let them rise up and help you, Let them be your protection.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 32:38, embedded within the prophetic Song of Moses, serves as a powerful rhetorical taunt against Israel's idolatry. It highlights the utter impotence of the false gods to whom the Israelites offered their most precious sacrifices, questioning their ability to provide any genuine help or protection in a time of divine judgment. This verse underscores the profound futility of misplaced trust in anything other than the one true God, thereby asserting His exclusive sovereignty and unparalleled power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The verse is embedded within the "Song of Moses" in [Deuteronomy 32](/deuteronomy/32 "Deuteronomy 32 - The Song of Moses"), a profound prophetic poem delivered by Moses just before his death and Israel's entry into the Promised Land. This song serves as a covenant lawsuit, recounting God's steadfast faithfulness to Israel from their inception, nurturing them "as an eagle stirs its nest" ([Deuteronomy 32:11](/deuteronomy/32-11 "Deuteronomy 32:11 - God's Care for Israel")), and providing for their every need. In stark contrast, the song details Israel's subsequent spiritual apostasy, their abandonment of the Lord who made them, and their turning to "gods they had not known" ([Deuteronomy 32:17](/deuteronomy/32-17 "Deuteronomy 32:17 - Israel's Idolatry")). Following God's declaration of impending judgment upon His rebellious people, verse 38 functions as a climactic rhetorical taunt, exposing the utter impotence of the false deities to whom Israel had offered their most precious worship, highlighting the futility of their misplaced trust in a time of dire need.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, religious devotion was often expressed through elaborate sacrificial systems, where the choicest portions of animals and valuable liquids were offered to various deities to secure favor, protection, or prosperity. Israel, though uniquely called to monotheism and bound by the Mosaic Covenant, was constantly tempted by the polytheistic practices of surrounding nations. The offering of "fat of their sacrifices" and "wine of their drink offerings" to idols reflects the pervasive nature of this syncretism, where Israel adopted pagan rituals despite explicit divine prohibitions, such as the first commandment against having "other gods before me" ([Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")). This cultural backdrop underscores the gravity of Israel's apostasy, as they poured out their most valuable resources and devotion to powerless entities, abandoning the God who had miraculously delivered them from Egypt and sustained them in the wilderness.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Deuteronomy and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it starkly portrays the **futility of idolatry**, demonstrating that despite costly and devoted acts of worship, false gods are utterly powerless to provide genuine "help" or "protection" when divine judgment or calamity arises. This exposes the emptiness and deception inherent in worshipping anything other than the true God. Secondly, the rhetorical challenge implicitly underscores **God's exclusive sovereignty and unique power**. By mocking the impotence of idols, the Lord asserts His own unparalleled authority as the sole source of strength, deliverance, and ultimate refuge, reinforcing the declaration that "there is no god besides me" ([Deuteronomy 32:39](/deuteronomy/32-39 "Deuteronomy 32:39 - God's Uniqueness")). Finally, the verse highlights the severe **consequences of disobedience and covenant infidelity**. Israel's turning away from the Lord to pagan practices left them vulnerable and without any true recourse, illustrating that idolatry inevitably leads to spiritual and practical helplessness, exposing them to the very judgment from which their false gods could not save them.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fat (Hebrew, _ḥēleḇ_):** In ancient Israelite sacrificial law, the fat of an animal was considered the choicest part, reserved exclusively for God as a sacred portion (e.g., [Leviticus 3:16](/leviticus/3-16 "Leviticus 3:16 - All the fat is the Lord's")). Its mention here emphasizes the depth of Israel's misplaced devotion, as they offered their most valued and sacred portions to worthless idols, thereby profaning what was due to the Lord.
* **Drink offerings (Hebrew, _neseḵ_):** These were libations, typically of wine, poured out as an act of worship or devotion. Common in ancient Near Eastern religions, their inclusion here signifies the comprehensive nature of Israel's idolatrous worship, encompassing both food and liquid offerings, dedicating significant resources and ritual acts to false deities.
* **Protection (Hebrew, _sēṯer_):** This word denotes a covering, a hiding place, or a refuge. The rhetorical question challenges the idols to provide the very security and shelter that only the true God can offer. It highlights the ultimate inability of these false gods to serve as a reliable source of safety or deliverance in times of crisis, contrasting sharply with God's role as Israel's true fortress and shield.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices":** This phrase points to the lavish and dedicated worship Israel offered to their idols. It implies that these false gods "consumed" or received the best of Israel's offerings, highlighting the profound misdirection of their devotion and resources away from the true God.
* **"[and] drank the wine of their drink offerings?":** Further illustrating the comprehensive nature of Israel's idolatry, this clause emphasizes the extent to which they engaged in pagan rituals, pouring out valuable wine as an act of worship to deities that could not respond or provide.
* **"let them rise up and help you, [and] be your protection.":** This is the climactic rhetorical taunt. It challenges the idols, to whom Israel had given so much, to demonstrate any power or efficacy in their time of need. The question is designed to expose the absolute emptiness and impotence of these false gods, underscoring their inability to provide any genuine assistance, deliverance, or security when divine judgment or calamity befalls Israel.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 32:38 is rich in literary devices that amplify its message. The entire verse functions as a **Rhetorical Question**, not seeking an answer, but powerfully asserting the undeniable truth of the idols' impotence. This is further intensified by **Irony**, as Israel's costly and devoted sacrifices to these false gods yield absolutely no benefit or protection, contrasting sharply with the true God who provided everything yet was abandoned. The verse employs subtle **Personification** by challenging the inanimate idols to "rise up and help," treating them as if they possessed agency, only to highlight their utter lack thereof. The overall tone is one of **Taunt** and **Sarcasm**, mocking the foolishness of Israel's misplaced trust and emphasizing the stark reality that their chosen deities are utterly incapable of delivering on the promises of security and aid.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 32:38 powerfully articulates the exclusive nature of true worship and the inherent emptiness of idolatry. It underscores the theological truth that only the Creator God possesses ultimate power, sovereignty, and the capacity to deliver and protect. Any devotion, resources, or trust placed in created things—whether physical idols or the modern equivalents of wealth, power, or self—is ultimately futile and leads to spiritual destitution. This verse serves as a stark reminder that God is a jealous God who will not share His glory with another, and that true security is found only in exclusive allegiance to Him.

* [Psalm 115:4-7](/psalms/115-4 "Psalm 115:4-7 - The Impotence of Idols")
* [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9 "Isaiah 44:9-20 - The Folly of Idolatry")
* [Jeremiah 2:28](/jeremiah/2-28 "Jeremiah 2:28 - Where Are Your Gods?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 32:38 serves as a timeless warning against placing our ultimate trust, devotion, or "sacrifices" in anything other than the one true God. While we may not bow to physical statues, modern forms of idolatry are pervasive, often manifesting as an excessive reliance on money, career, possessions, relationships, comfort, or even self for security, identity, or satisfaction. This verse challenges us to honestly examine what truly occupies the throne of our hearts and to whom we direct our most valuable "offerings" – our time, energy, resources, and affections. When life's inevitable challenges arise, where do we instinctively turn for "help" and "protection"? This passage calls us to recognize that only God, the unchanging and all-powerful Creator, can provide ultimate refuge and deliverance, unlike the empty promises of worldly pursuits. It encourages a radical re-evaluation of our priorities and allegiances, urging us to seek first His kingdom and righteousness, knowing that all other things are mere fleeting shadows.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "idols" in my life that demand my time, energy, and devotion, yet offer no true security or lasting help?**
* **When faced with challenges or crises, where is my immediate and ultimate source of "help" and "protection"?**
* **How can I re-align my "offerings" – my resources, affections, and allegiance – to exclusively honor and serve the one true God?**

### FAQ
**Why does God challenge the idols if He knows they are powerless?**

Answer: God's challenge in [Deuteronomy 32:38](/deuteronomy/32-38 "Deuteronomy 32:38 - The Impotence of Idols") is not born out of ignorance or a need to prove His superiority to non-existent entities. Rather, it serves as a powerful pedagogical and rhetorical device directed at Israel. Its purpose is multifaceted: first, to expose the utter **folly and futility** of their misplaced trust and devotion in false gods, demonstrating that these idols are mere human constructs, "the work of men's hands" ([Psalm 115:4](/psalms/115-4 "Psalm 115:4 - Idols Have No Power")); second, to vividly underscore **His own exclusive sovereignty and omnipotence** as the only true source of help and protection, contrasting sharply with the impotence of the pagan deities; and third, to call Israel back to covenant faithfulness by revealing the devastating consequences of their apostasy. It's a divine taunt designed to awaken them to the reality that only the Lord is God, and "there is no god besides me" ([Deuteronomy 32:39](/deuteronomy/32-39 "Deuteronomy 32:39 - God's Uniqueness")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 32:38, with its stark portrayal of the futility of idolatry, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. The "fat of their sacrifices" and "wine of their drink offerings" given to powerless idols stand in stark contrast to the perfect and sufficient sacrifice of Christ, who is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). While false gods could never "rise up and help" or "be your protection," Jesus Christ is the very embodiment of divine help and ultimate refuge. He is [God with us](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Immanuel"), the one who truly delivers from sin and death ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Gift of God is Eternal Life")). In Him, all the empty promises of worldly idols are exposed, for He alone offers true life, peace, and security ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). Our devotion, once potentially misdirected, is now rightly placed in Christ, who is "the image of the invisible God" ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of God")), the one to whom all true worship is due, and the only one who can truly be our help and protection in every circumstance.

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 21:21

No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire: he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God.

Ezekiel 16:18

And tookest thy broidered garments, and coveredst them: and thou hast set mine oil and mine incense before them.

Ezekiel 16:19

My meat also which I gave thee, fine flour, and oil, and honey, [wherewith] I fed thee, thou hast even set it before them for a sweet savour: and [thus] it was, saith the Lord GOD.

Psalms 50:13

Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?

Judges 10:14

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

Hosea 2:8

For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, [which] they prepared for Baal.

Zephaniah 2:11

The LORD [will be] terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and [men] shall worship him, every one from his place, [even] all the isles of the heathen.