Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?

DEUTERONOMY 32:6KJV
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Deuteronomy 32:6 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 32:6 mean?

Deuteronomy 32:6 expresses a rebuke to the people of Israel, questioning how they could respond to the LORD’s kindness with foolishness and lack of understanding. The verse reminds them that the LORD is their Father who purchased, created, and established them, highlighting their dependence on Him and the seriousness of their ingratitude.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites as part of a song he recites near the end of his life. The context is a warning against forgetting God after all He has done for them—delivering them from Egypt, forming them as a nation, and caring for them. Moses calls them “foolish” and “unwise” for failing to recognize God’s role as their Father and Redeemer.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 32:6

  • “Requite” (גָּמַל, gamal, H1580) means to repay or respond to someone’s actions. Here, it points to the idea of returning evil for good, highlighting the people’s ungrateful response to God’s care.
  • “Foolish” (נָבָל, naval, H5036) carries the sense of moral dullness or spiritual insensitivity, not just a lack of intelligence. Moses is calling out a heart attitude that ignores God’s goodness.
  • “Bought” (קָנָה, qanah, H7069) means to acquire or purchase. This word emphasizes that God has taken ownership of Israel, not just created them, but also redeemed them at a cost.
  • “Established” (כּוּן, kun, H3559) means to make firm or set up securely. This stresses that God didn’t just start Israel as a people, but also gave them stability and a lasting foundation.

Why Deuteronomy 32:6 matters

  • Deuteronomy 32:6 clarifies that Israel’s relationship with God is not just about creation, but also about redemption and ongoing care—God is described as Father, Creator, and Redeemer.
  • The verse warns against spiritual forgetfulness and ingratitude, showing that failing to recognize God’s work is not just a mistake, but a moral failing.
  • This rebuke sets the tone for the rest of Moses’ song, which contrasts God’s faithfulness with Israel’s repeated unfaithfulness, helping readers see the seriousness of turning away from God after receiving His blessings.