The Meaning of Deuteronomy 32:26 Explained

Deuteronomy 32:26

KJV: I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men:

YLT: I have said: I blow them away, I cause their remembrance to cease from man;

Darby: I would say, I will scatter, I will make the remembrance of them to cease from among men,

ASV: I said, I would scatter them afar, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

I said,  I would scatter them into corners,  I would make the remembrance  of them to cease  from among men: 

What does Deuteronomy 32:26 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 32:26 mean?

I would have said I will dash them in pieces to cease from among men I will make the memory of them
אָמַ֖רְתִּי אַפְאֵיהֶ֑ם אַשְׁבִּ֥יתָה מֵאֱנ֖וֹשׁ זִכְרָֽם

אָמַ֖רְתִּי  I  would  have  said 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
אַפְאֵיהֶ֑ם  I  will  dash  them  in  pieces 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect Cohortative if contextual, first person common singular, third person masculine plural
Root: פָּאָה  
Sense: to cleave in pieces, break into pieces, shatter.
אַשְׁבִּ֥יתָה  to  cease 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect Cohortative, first person common singular
Root: שָׁבַת 
Sense: to cease, desist, rest.
מֵאֱנ֖וֹשׁ  from  among  men 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֱנׄושׁ 
Sense: man, mortal man, person, mankind.
זִכְרָֽם  I  will  make  the  memory  of  them 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine plural
Root: זֵכֶר 
Sense: memorial, remembrance.