What does Deuteronomy 32:13 mean?

He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock; Deuteronomy 32:13

Explanation

Deuteronomy 32:13 portrays a vivid metaphor of blessings and divine favor offered by God to the people of Israel. The verse uses the imagery of riding on the high places of the earth to suggest elevation, victory, and sovereignty. These ‘high places’ could refer to metaphorical heights of success and prosperity or to physical high terrains, like mountains, indicative of strategic advantages in ancient Near Eastern cultures.

The portion that speaks of eating the increase of the fields signifies a bountiful harvest, an indication of agricultural blessing and abundance. The following phrases, “sucking honey out of the rock” and “oil out of the flinty rock,” denote extraordinary provisions found in unlikely places, emphasizing the miraculous and sustaining power of God in providing for His people in even the harshest conditions.

Historical Context

This verse is part of “The Song of Moses,” a poem that can be found in Deuteronomy 32, which Moses recited to the Israelites just before his death. It is a prophetic and didactic song meant to remind the Israelites of God’s faithfulness and warn them against the consequences of disobedience. The cultural context is that of a nomadic people transitioning to a more settled agricultural lifestyle as they prepare to enter the Promised Land, Canaan.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse may represent God’s omnipotence and provision. From a Christian theological perspective, it has been understood as an illustration of God’s ability to provide for His people in miraculous ways, demonstrating His covenant loyalty. It has also been seen as symbolizing spiritual nourishment and blessing that God provides.

Practical Applications

The verse can have several applications for modern readers. It encourages trust in God’s provision even in barren or desolate circumstances. It can also inspire gratitude for the blessings one receives and an awareness of the unexpected ways in which God may provide. Furthermore, it advocates for a spiritual perspective that sees opportunity and provision in places where others might only see hardship.

Cross-References

• Psalm 81:16 – “He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.”
• Psalm 18:32 – “It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.”
• Isaiah 58:14 – “Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth.”

Language Study

A closer study of the original Hebrew language in this verse brings out nuances in key terms:

• “Ride” (רכב, rakab) often denotes mounting or riding on a horse or chariot, which in a metaphorical sense conveys power or nobility.
• “High places” (במותי, bamote) here implies elevated places, symbolic of exaltation and triumph.
• “Suck” (ינק, yanaq) is to draw nourishment; here it’s metaphorical for extracting sustenance from unlikely sources.
• “Honey” (דבש, dvash) often symbolizes richness and delight in the Hebrew Bible.
• “Rock” (צור, tsur) and “flinty rock” (חלמיש, chalamish) suggest harsh, barren landscapes, making the provision of nourishment miraculous.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The idea of gods providing for their people is not unique to the Hebrew Bible. Ancient Near Eastern mythologies often depict gods giving fertility to the land or offering direct sustenance to their followers. However, the particular imagery of sustenance from seemingly barren rock sets the Hebrew God apart, emphasizing His power to provide in even the most unlikely circumstances.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the mention of honey in the rock could allude to the natural occurrence of beehives in crevices of rocky areas. As for oil, it could symbolize olive oil, a staple of the ancient Near Eastern diet, which sometimes was found in naturally occurring deposits. These interpretations speak to the factual basis behind the poetic imagery.

Commentaries

Various Biblical scholars and theologians offer insights into Deuteronomy 32:13:

• Matthew Henry’s Commentary emphasizes God’s providence, explaining how the Israelites were elevated by God’s grace and sustained by His miraculous provision.
• The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges suggests that the verse metaphorically speaks about God’s goodness to Israel in giving them a fertile land.
• The Pulpit Commentary interprets the verse as hyperbolic, emphasizing the fecundity of the land the Israelites were about to possess.

Each commentary highlights different facets of the verse, from the metaphorical richness of the language to its literal implications about the Promised Land’s fertility and God’s provision.