What does Deuteronomy 32:19 mean?

And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters. Deuteronomy 32:19

Explanation

Deuteronomy 32:19 speaks to God’s emotional response to the actions of the Israelites, indicating that the divine being experiences a form of emotional reaction similar to human feelings of rejection and disappointment. The passage suggests that God was deeply hurt by the behavior of His chosen people, whom He regarded as His sons and daughters. Their acts of disobedience and idolatry, frequently referred to as “provoking” in the Bible, stirred God’s anger and led to His disfavor or abhorrence. The verse underlines the gravity of betrayal and unfaithfulness to God, as seen from a theological perspective, and hints at the serious consequences that such actions can incur.

Historical Context

This verse is part of the Song of Moses, a prophetic poem found in Deuteronomy, which is the fifth book of the Torah or Pentateuch. The poem, and Deuteronomy as a whole, are generally understood to be a farewell address by Moses to the Israelites before his death and their entrance into the Promised Land. This particular verse is situated within a section that reflects on the unfaithfulness of the Israelites and the resulting judgment they would face. The historical context of this verse is rooted in the covenantal relationship between God and Israel and their repeated transgressions against the laws and commandments given to them.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse underscores the seriousness of idolatry and the breaking of the covenant from God’s perspective. It demonstrates the concept of divine retribution, where God’s punitive actions are a response to human disobedience. However, it also reflects the relational character of God, who has paternal feelings for the Israelites and experiences emotional responses similar to human parents. The verse, and the Song of Moses as a whole, are often interpreted as encapsulating the history of salvation, God’s justice, and His mercy.

Practical Applications

The teachings of this verse can serve as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from commitments, whether they be spiritual, relational, or moral. It urges individuals to reflect upon their actions and maintain fidelity to their beliefs and promises. Additionally, it can be seen as a call to understand the impact of one’s actions on others, and to strive for integrity and rightness in one’s relationships, with both the divine and with fellow humans.

Cross-References

• Exodus 20:5 – “…I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;”
• Leviticus 26:30 – “And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.”
• Psalm 78:59 – “When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:”

Language Study

The original Hebrew text uses the word תַּעֵב (ta’eb), which is often translated as “abhorred” or “detested.” This is a strong expression of contempt or repugnance. As such, the word demonstrates the severity of God’s reaction towards the actions of the Israelites. The Hebrew term לְהַכְעִיס (lehak’is), translated as “provoking,” conveys the idea of intentional aggravation or irritation, something which was provocative enough to elicit a powerful emotional response.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The narrative of a deity experiencing emotions and reacting to human behavior is a common theme in many ancient mythologies and religions. For example, in Greek mythology, the gods often display human-like emotions and intervene in human affairs. However, the God of Israel is distinct in that His emotional responses are tied to a moral and legal framework established by the covenant, rather than the whims of personality or the arbitrary favoritism often depicted in mythological narratives.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific inquiry usually does not enter into discussions of divine emotional responses as they fall outside the scope of empirical measurement and observation. However, the study of human psychology does provide insights into the nature of emotions and relationships, which can serve as a conceptual bridge to understand the metaphorical language used to describe God’s reactions in this verse. It is important to distinguish that while emotions and behaviors are concretely studied in humans, applying these concepts to God is a theological and literary tool rather than a scientific assessment.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians offer insights on Deuteronomy 32:19:

• Matthew Henry’s commentary emphasizes the ingratitude of the Israelites and sees their actions as a grievous provocation of God, who had done so much for them.
• The Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament points to the Israelites forgetting God, who begat them, and serving strange gods instead.
• The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges discusses the anthropomorphism of the verse, acknowledging that the human-like emotions attributed to God serve to express His righteous indignation in terms the audience would understand.

Each of these commentaries highlights the complex relationship between God and Israel, consistently interpreting this verse as an expression of divine displeasure in response to human unfaithfulness.