How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?

DEUTERONOMY 32:30KJV
Know the Bible

Deuteronomy 32:30 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 32:30 mean?

Deuteronomy 32:30 says that it would be impossible for one person to chase away a thousand enemies, or for two to make ten thousand flee, unless God had allowed their defeat. The verse points out that such an outcome only happens because the LORD, described as their Rock, has handed them over.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites, reminding them in this song that their victories or defeats depend on God’s will, not their own strength. The verse uses exaggerated numbers to show how unlikely these events would be without God’s intervention, emphasizing that God’s support—or lack of it—makes all the difference in the fate of nations.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 32:30

  • "Rock" (צוּר, tsur): This word is used as a title for God, highlighting His strength, reliability, and protection. Here, it underscores that Israel’s security depends on God alone.
  • "Sold" (מָכַר, makar): This word means to hand over or give up, often used of selling something. In this context, it means God has allowed Israel’s enemies to overpower them, almost as if He has given them up.
  • "Shut them up" (סָגַר, sagar): This means to close in or deliver into someone’s power. It shows that God has actively allowed Israel to be surrounded or captured by their enemies.

Why Deuteronomy 32:30 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that Israel’s military losses were just bad luck or poor tactics; it insists that such outcomes only happen if God withdraws His protection.
  • The verse highlights the unique relationship between Israel and God, showing that their strength or weakness is directly tied to their faithfulness to Him.
  • In the wider context of the Song of Moses, this verse warns Israel not to take God’s favor for granted and reminds them that turning away from God leads to vulnerability and defeat.

Where else these words appear

“ten” Hebrew H7233 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 24:60 And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.
  • Judges 20:10 And we will take ten men of an hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and an hundred of a thousand, and a thousand out of ten thousand, to fetch victual for the people, that they may do, when they come to Gibeah of Benjamin, according to all the folly that they have wrought in Israel.
  • Psalms 3:6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.

“them” Hebrew H3588 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
  • Exodus 13:17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:
  • Joshua 2:24 And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.

“except” Hebrew H3808 · used in 73 verses

  • Genesis 2:5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.
  • Numbers 14:35 I the LORD have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.
  • Psalms 17:1 A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.

“Rock” Hebrew H6697 · used in 74 verses

  • Exodus 17:6 Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
  • Job 14:18 And surely the mountain falling cometh to nought, and the rock is removed out of his place.
  • Psalms 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.