What does Deuteronomy 32:14 mean?

Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape. Deuteronomy 32:14

Explanation

Deuteronomy 32:14 is a verse from a song that Moses recited to the Israelites before his death. The song is found in Deuteronomy 32, often referred to as “The Song of Moses,” and it recounts God’s faithfulness and the people’s unfaithfulness. This particular verse illustrates the abundance and richness of the provisions God gave to the Israelites during their journey and in the Promised Land. The verse speaks of the “butter of kine” (cattle), “milk of sheep,” “fat of lambs,” “rams of the breed of Bashan,” “goats,” “fat of kidneys of wheat,” and “pure blood of the grape” as symbols of prosperity and the blessings that God bestowed upon His chosen people.

Each food item has its own significance: “Butter of kine” and “milk of sheep” represent the wealth of dairy products available; “fat of lambs” indicates the best cuts of meat; “rams of the breed of Bashan” refers to a region known for its fertile pastures and strong livestock; “goats” may imply both milk and meat; “fat of kidneys of wheat” symbolizes the finest quality grain; and “pure blood of the grape” describes wine, a representation of joy and bounty in biblical times.

Historical Context

Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Hebrew Bible, and it consists largely of the speeches of Moses to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land. Historically, the Israelites had been liberated from Egyptian slavery, wandered through the wilderness for 40 years, and stood on the verge of entering Canaan. Deuteronomy contains the final words of Moses, including blessings, restatements of the law, and a song summarizing their history and God’s covenant with them. Deuteronomy 32:14 reflects on the generous provisions that God promised and provided to the Israelites during their journey.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse serves multiple purposes:

• It exemplifies God’s generosity and His ability to provide lavishly for those who follow Him.
• It is a historical recollection intended to invoke gratitude among the Israelites for God’s blessings.
• Theologically, it represents the covenantal faithfulness of God. Despite the people’s repeated disobedience and unfaithfulness, God kept His covenant and brought them to a land of plenty.
• Descriptions of physical abundance may also symbolize spiritual richness and God’s provision of spiritual sustenance to His people.

Different denominations and scholars may emphasize various aspects of this provision, some viewing it as a literal historical account, while others might interpret these provisions as symbolic of a greater spiritual sustenance and communion with God.

Practical Applications

Practically, this verse can be applied to daily life in several ways:

• It encourages an attitude of gratitude for the provisions and blessings that people experience every day.
• It serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and can inspire trust in Him during times of scarcity or uncertainty.
• For believers, it may also invoke a conviction to share their provisions with others, emulating God’s generosity.

Cross-References

Other biblical passages that relate to the theme of God’s provision and the richness of the Promised Land include:

• 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.”
• Jeremiah 31:14: “And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the Lord.”
• Ezekiel 34:14: “I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.”

Language Study

Analyzing key Hebrew words from this verse reveals deeper meanings:

• “Butter of kine” (Hebrew: חֶמְאַת בָּקָר, chem’ath baqar): “Chem’ath” denotes rich, creamy butter or curd from cattle, indicating a rich diet.
• “Milk of sheep” (Hebrew: וְחֵלֶב צֹאן, vechalev tson): “Chalev” means milk or fat, and “tson” refers to the sheep or goats. It implies the nourishing milk products from these animals.
• “Fat of lambs” (Hebrew: וְשֵׁמֶן כָּרִים, veshemen karim): “Shemen” means oil or fat, symbolizing the best and richest portion.
• “Pure blood of the grape” (Hebrew: וְדַם־עֵנָב תִּשְׁתֶּה־חָמֶר, vedam-enav tishteh-chamer): The phrase combines “dam,” blood, with “enav,” grape, creating powerful imagery of drinking wine as vivid and full of life as blood is essential for life.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the broader context of ancient Near Eastern culture, this verse stands out by specifically attributing agricultural abundance to the divine provision of the Israelite God, rather than to fertility gods and goddesses prevalent in surrounding cultures. It underscores the monotheistic belief central to Israelite identity, contrasting with the polytheistic and often ritualistic practices of their neighbors.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, this verse can be seen as aligning with understandings of ancient agrarian societies. The items listed are consistent with a pastoral and agricultural society in which animal husbandry and grain cultivation were central to sustenance. The “fat of kidneys of wheat” and the “pure blood of the grape” are especially notable, as they highlight the best agricultural products, which likely correspond to regions and methods of cultivation that produced superior quality crops.

Commentaries

Commentaries on Deuteronomy 32:14 offer various interpretations:

• Some focus on the historical context and view the verse as Moses’ reminder to the Israelites of God’s tangible provision.
• Others take an allegorical approach, seeing the rich food items as symbols of God’s spiritual nourishment to His people.
• There is also a didactic perspective, suggesting that Moses is teaching future generations to remember and be grateful for divine blessings.
• Commentators such as Matthew Henry have noted that this verse may point towards the privileges the Jews had as God’s peculiar people, which they ungratefully undervalued, and it serves as a caution to value divine benevolence.