The Meaning of Deuteronomy 32:19 Explained

Deuteronomy 32:19

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

YLT: And Jehovah seeth and despiseth -- For the provocation of His sons and His daughters.

Darby: And Jehovah saw it, and despised them, Because of the provoking of his sons and of his daughters.

ASV: And Jehovah saw it , and abhorred them , Because of the provocation of his sons and his daughters.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And when the LORD  saw  [it], he abhorred  [them], because of the provoking  of his sons,  and of his daughters. 

What does Deuteronomy 32:19 Mean?

Context Summary

Deuteronomy 32:15-35 - Moses' Song: Israel's Response
"Jeshurun" is a pet name for Israel, implying affection and endearment. The metaphor employed is derived from a pampered animal which, in consequence of rich and plentiful feeding, becomes mischievous and vicious.
Let us be warned by these denunciations against backsliding and willful sin. The greatness of our privileges will be the measure of the anguish of our doom. They who are exalted to Heaven by privilege must be cast down to Hades if they refuse and reject. The most fervent love becomes the hottest fire when it turns to jealousy. O my soul, it becomes thee to fear God as well as love Him. Remember Hebrews 10:26.
But what privileges await those who obey! When we abide in God, no enemy can stand against us. Five, strong in His miraculous fellowship, can chase a hundred, and a hundred, ten thousand. See Leviticus 26:8; also 1 Samuel 14:1, etc. God shows "Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him." See 2 Chronicles 16:9. [source]

Chapter Summary: Deuteronomy 32

1  Moses' song, which sets forth God's mercy and vengeance
46  He exhorts them to set their hearts upon it
48  God sends him up to mount Nebo to see the land, and to die

What do the individual words in Deuteronomy 32:19 mean?

And when saw [it] Yahweh and He spurned [them] because of the provocation of His sons and His daughters
וַיַּ֥רְא יְהוָ֖ה וַיִּנְאָ֑ץ מִכַּ֥עַס בָּנָ֖יו וּבְנֹתָֽיו

וַיַּ֥רְא  And  when  saw  [it] 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: רָאָה 
Sense: to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider.
יְהוָ֖ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
וַיִּנְאָ֑ץ  and  He  spurned  [them] 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: נָאַץ  
Sense: to spurn, contemn, despise, abhor.
מִכַּ֥עַס  because  of  the  provocation 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כַּעַס 
Sense: anger, vexation, provocation, grief.
בָּנָ֖יו  of  His  sons 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
וּבְנֹתָֽיו  and  His  daughters 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: בַּת  
Sense: daughter.