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title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/32.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/32.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />How could one man chase a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/32.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />How could one person chase a thousand of them, and two people put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/32.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />How could one have chased a thousand, and two have put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had given them up?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/32.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />How could one man pursue a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/32.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/32.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />How could one chase a thousand, And two put ten thousand to flight, Unless their Rock had sold them, And the LORD had surrendered them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/32.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“How could one chase a thousand, And two put ten thousand to flight, Unless their Rock had sold them, And the LORD had given them up?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/32.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220How could one chase a thousand, And two put ten thousand to flight, Unless their Rock had sold them, And the LORD had given them up?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/32.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“How could one chase a thousand, And two put ten thousand to flight, Unless their Rock had sold them, And the LORD had given them up?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/32.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />How could one pursue one thousand, And two put ten thousand to flight, Unless their Rock had sold them, And Yahweh had handed them over?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/deuteronomy/32.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“How could one chase a thousand, And two put ten thousand to flight, Unless their Rock had sold them, And the LORD had given them up?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/deuteronomy/32.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />How could one pursue a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/32.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />How could one man pursue a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/deuteronomy/32.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />How should one chase a thousand, And two put ten thousand to flight, Except their Rock had sold them, And Jehovah had delivered them up?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/deuteronomy/32.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />How could one enemy soldier chase a thousand of Israel's troops? Or how could two of theirs pursue ten thousand of ours? It can only happen if the LORD stops protecting Israel and lets the enemy win. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/deuteronomy/32.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />How should one chase a thousand, And two put ten thousand to flight, Except their Rock had sold them, And the LORD had delivered them up?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/32.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />How could one person chase a thousand or two people make ten thousand flee? Their rock used these people to defeat them and the LORD gave them no help.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/32.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Why were a thousand defeated by one, and ten thousand by only two? The LORD, their God, had abandoned them; their mighty God had given them up. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/deuteronomy/32.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />How can one person chase a thousand of them and two put a myriad to flight, unless their Rock delivers them and the LORD gives them up?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/deuteronomy/32.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />How could one man pursue a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/deuteronomy/32.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />How can one man chase a thousand of them, and two pursue ten thousand; unless their Rock had delivered them up, and the LORD had handed them over? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/32.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />How could one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had delivered them up?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/32.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/deuteronomy/32.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />How could one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, and Yahweh had delivered them up? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/32.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />How does one pursue a thousand, "" And two cause a myriad to flee, "" If not that their Rock has sold them, "" And YHWH has shut them up?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/32.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> How doth one pursue a thousand, And two cause a myriad to flee! If not -- that their rock hath sold them, And Jehovah hath shut them up?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/deuteronomy/32.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />How shall one chase a thousand; And two shall cause ten thousand to flee, If that their Rock had not sold them, And Jehovah delivered them up?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/32.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />How should one pursue after a thousand, and two chase ten thousand? Was it not, because their God had sold them, and the Lord had shut them up? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/32.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />How is it that one pursues a thousand, and two chases ten thousand? Is it not because their God has sold them, and because the Lord has enclosed them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/32.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“How could one rout a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, Unless it was because their Rock sold them, the LORD delivered them up?” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/32.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />How could one have routed a thousand, and two put a myriad to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, the LORD had given them up?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/32.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Mighty One had delivered them to their enemies, and the LORD had hemmed them in?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/32.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />One would have chased a thousand and two would have put ten thousand to flight, unless their Mighty One had handed them over and LORD JEHOVAH had shut them in.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/32.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />How should one chase a thousand, And two put ten thousand to flight, Except their Rock had given them over And the LORD had delivered them up?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/deuteronomy/32.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />How should one pursue a thousand, and two rout tens of thousands, if God had not sold them, and the Lord delivered them up?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/32-30.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IRhBtZaVxJ0?start=9221" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/32.htm">The Song of Moses</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">29</span>If only they were wise, they would understand it; they would comprehend their fate. <span class="reftext">30</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/349.htm" title="349: ’ê·ḵāh (Interjection) -- How?. Also eykah; and teykakah; prolonged from 'ay; how? Or how!; also where.">How</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: ’e·ḥāḏ (Number-ms) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">could one man</a> <a href="/hebrew/7291.htm" title="7291: yir·dōp̄ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To pursue, chase, persecute. A primitive root; to run after (of time) gone by).">pursue</a> <a href="/hebrew/505.htm" title="505: ’e·lep̄ (Number-ms) -- A thousand. Prop, the same as 'eleph; hence a thousand.">a thousand,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: ū·šə·na·yim (Conj-w:: Number-md) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">or two</a> <a href="/hebrew/7233.htm" title="7233: rə·ḇā·ḇāh (Number-fs) -- Multitude, myriad, ten thousand. From rabab; abundance, i.e. a myriad.">put ten thousand</a> <a href="/hebrew/5127.htm" title="5127: yā·nî·sū (V-Hifil-Imperf-3mp) -- To flee, escape. A primitive root; to flit, i.e. Vanish away.">to flight,</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">unless</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/6697.htm" title="6697: ṣū·rām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Rock, cliff. Or tsur; from tsuwr; properly, a cliff; generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge.">their Rock</a> <a href="/hebrew/4376.htm" title="4376: mə·ḵā·rām (V-Qal-Perf-3ms:: 3mp) -- To sell. A primitive root; to sell, literally, or figuratively.">had sold them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">unless the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/5462.htm" title="5462: his·gî·rām (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms:: 3mp) -- To shut, close. A primitive root; to shut up; figuratively, to surrender.">had given them up?</a> </span><span class="reftext">31</span>For their rock is not like our Rock, even our enemies concede.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/26-8.htm">Leviticus 26:8</a></span><br />Five of you will pursue a hundred, and a hundred of you will pursue ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/23-10.htm">Joshua 23:10</a></span><br />One of you can put a thousand to flight, because the LORD your God fights for you, just as He promised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/2-14.htm">Judges 2:14</a></span><br />Then the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of those who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-17.htm">Isaiah 30:17</a></span><br />A thousand will flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you will all flee, until you are left alone like a pole on a mountaintop, like a banner on a hill.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/44-12.htm">Psalm 44:12</a></span><br />You sell Your people for nothing; no profit do You gain from their sale.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/18-25.htm">2 Kings 18:25</a></span><br />So now, was it apart from the LORD that I have come up against this place to destroy it? The LORD Himself said to me, ‘Go up against this land and destroy it.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/24-24.htm">2 Chronicles 24:24</a></span><br />Although the Aramean army had come with only a few men, the LORD delivered into their hand a very great army. Because Judah had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers, judgment was executed on Joash.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/63-10.htm">Isaiah 63:10</a></span><br />But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy, and He Himself fought against them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/19-7.htm">Jeremiah 19:7</a></span><br />And in this place I will ruin the plans of Judah and Jerusalem. I will make them fall by the sword before their enemies, by the hands of those who seek their lives, and I will give their carcasses as food to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/2-7.htm">Lamentations 2:7</a></span><br />The Lord has rejected His altar; He has abandoned His sanctuary; He has delivered the walls of her palaces into the hand of the enemy. They have raised a shout in the house of the LORD as on the day of an appointed feast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-31.htm">Romans 8:31</a></span><br />What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-27.htm">1 Corinthians 1:27-29</a></span><br />But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, / so that no one may boast in His presence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-34.htm">Hebrews 11:34</a></span><br />quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-26.htm">Matthew 19:26</a></span><br />Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/18-27.htm">Luke 18:27</a></span><br />But Jesus said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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?</p><p class="hdg">one chase</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/26-8.htm">Leviticus 26:8</a></b></br> And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/23-10.htm">Joshua 23:10</a></b></br> One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he <i>it is</i> that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/7-22.htm">Judges 7:22,23</a></b></br> And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, <i>and</i> to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath… </p><p class="hdg">sold them</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/2-14.htm">Judges 2:14</a></b></br> And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/3-8.htm">Judges 3:8</a></b></br> Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushanrishathaim eight years.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/44-12.htm">Psalm 44:12</a></b></br> Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase <i>thy wealth</i> by their price.</p><p class="hdg">shut them</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/11-10.htm">Job 11:10</a></b></br> If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/16-11.htm">Job 16:11</a></b></br> God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/31-8.htm">Psalm 31:8</a></b></br> And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/32-26.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-36.htm">Chase</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/31-9.htm">Delivered</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-8.htm">Except</a> <a href="/numbers/10-36.htm">Myriad</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-24.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-12.htm">Possible</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-45.htm">Pursue</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-18.htm">Rock</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/30-17.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-68.htm">Sold</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/10-22.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-9.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/numbers/22-33.htm">Unless</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/33-7.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/joshua/23-10.htm">Chase</a> <a href="/joshua/2-13.htm">Delivered</a> <a href="/joshua/6-15.htm">Except</a> <a href="/ezra/2-64.htm">Myriad</a> <a href="/joshua/8-15.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-6.htm">Possible</a> <a href="/joshua/2-5.htm">Pursue</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-31.htm">Rock</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-36.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/judges/2-14.htm">Sold</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-2.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-2.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/joshua/2-18.htm">Unless</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 32</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-1.htm">Moses' song, which sets forth God's mercy and vengeance</a></span><br><span class="reftext">46. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-46.htm">He exhorts them to set their hearts upon it</a></span><br><span class="reftext">48. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-48.htm">God sends him up to mount Nebo to see the land, and to die</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/32.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/deuteronomy/32.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>How could one man pursue a thousand,</b><br>This phrase highlights the miraculous nature of Israel's victories when they were obedient to God. In the context of ancient warfare, such a feat would be impossible without divine intervention. The imagery recalls the blessings promised in <a href="/leviticus/26-8.htm">Leviticus 26:8</a>, where God assures Israel that five of them will chase a hundred, and a hundred will chase ten thousand. This hyperbolic language emphasizes God's power working through His people.<p><b>or two put ten thousand to flight,</b><br>The escalation from one to two men suggests exponential divine empowerment. This reflects the principle found in <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:12</a>, where two are stronger than one. The phrase underscores the idea that when God is with His people, their strength is multiplied beyond natural capabilities. It also serves as a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where obedience leads to divine favor and protection.<p><b>unless their Rock had sold them,</b><br>The term "Rock" is a metaphor for God, symbolizing strength, stability, and faithfulness. In <a href="/deuteronomy/32.htm">Deuteronomy 32</a>, God is contrasted with the false gods of the nations. The idea of God "selling" His people implies a judicial act of giving them over to their enemies due to their disobedience, as seen in <a href="/judges/2-14.htm">Judges 2:14</a>. This reflects the covenant curses outlined in <a href="/deuteronomy/28.htm">Deuteronomy 28</a>, where turning away from God results in defeat and subjugation.<p><b>unless the LORD had given them up?</b><br>This phrase indicates God's sovereign control over the fate of nations. The LORD's decision to "give them up" is a response to Israel's unfaithfulness, as seen throughout the book of Judges. It serves as a warning that security and victory are contingent upon faithfulness to God. This concept is echoed in <a href="/romans/1-24.htm">Romans 1:24</a>, where God gives people over to their desires as a consequence of their rejection of Him. The passage ultimately points to the necessity of reliance on God for true success and protection.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The author of Deuteronomy, delivering his final song to the Israelites before his death.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, to whom Moses is speaking, reminding them of God's power and their dependence on Him.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_rock.htm">The Rock</a></b><br>A metaphor for God, symbolizing strength, stability, and protection.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/enemies_of_israel.htm">Enemies of Israel</a></b><br>The nations that opposed Israel, whom God allowed to overpower them due to their disobedience.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is sovereign over the fate of nations.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god.htm">Dependence on God</a></b><br>The verse highlights the futility of human strength without God's support. Believers must recognize their need for God's presence and power in their lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_disobedience.htm">Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>The Israelites' defeat serves as a warning about the consequences of turning away from God. Obedience to God is crucial for His protection and blessing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>The passage underscores God's control over the affairs of nations. Trusting in His sovereignty brings peace and assurance, even in challenging times.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_unity_in_god.htm">The Power of Unity in God</a></b><br>The exponential increase in power when two are united in God’s purpose illustrates the strength found in Christian fellowship and unity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare.htm">Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>The imagery of battle reminds believers of the spiritual warfare they face. Victory comes through reliance on God, prayer, and the armor of God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_32.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 32</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_deut._32_30_hyperbole_vs._history.htm">In Deuteronomy 32:30, does one man chasing a thousand suggest unrealistic hyperbole, and how might such numbers conflict with known historical warfare accounts? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_god_a_deity_of_order.htm">Is God flawless?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/must_a_perfect_being_exist.htm">Does a perfect being necessarily exist in reality?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_deut._32_13's_'honey_from_rock'_credible.htm">How credible is Deuteronomy 32:13's claim of extracting 'honey from the rock' without any supporting archaeological or geological evidence?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/deuteronomy/32.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(30) <span class= "bld">How should one (of their enemies) chase a thousand (of them).</span>--Comp. the verse in <a href="/deuteronomy/28-25.htm" title="The LORD shall cause you to be smitten before your enemies: you shall go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shall be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.">Deuteronomy 28:25</a>, and more especially <a href="/leviticus/26-8.htm" title="And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.">Leviticus 26:8</a>; <a href="/leviticus/26-17.htm" title="And I will set my face against you, and you shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and you shall flee when none pursues you.">Leviticus 26:17</a>; <a href="/leviticus/26-36.htm" title="And on them that are left alive of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursues.">Leviticus 26:36</a>.<p><span class= "bld">Had sold them.</span>--Here first used of Jehovah. It is a common expression in the book of Judges (<a href="/deuteronomy/2-14.htm" title="And the space in which we came from Kadeshbarnea, until we were come over the brook Zered, was thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out from among the host, as the LORD swore to them.">Deuteronomy 2:14</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/3-8.htm" title="And we took at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites the land that was on this side Jordan, from the river of Arnon to mount Hermon;">Deuteronomy 3:8</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/4-2.htm" title="You shall not add to the word which I command you, neither shall you diminish ought from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.">Deuteronomy 4:2</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/10-7.htm" title="From there they journeyed to Gudgodah; and from Gudgodah to Jotbath, a land of rivers of waters.">Deuteronomy 10:7</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/12-9.htm" title="And when they forgot the LORD their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.">1Samuel 12:9</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/deuteronomy/32.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 30.</span> - If Israel were wise, they could easily overcome all their foes through the help of the Almighty (<a href="/leviticus/26-8.htm">Leviticus 26:8</a>); but having forsaken him, they were left by him, and so came under the power of the enemy. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/32-30.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">How</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵיכָ֞ה</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·ḵāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_349.htm">Strong's 349: </a> </span><span class="str2">How?, how!, where</span><br /><br /><span class="word">could one man</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶחָד֙</span> <span class="translit">(’e·ḥāḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> </span><span class="str2">United, one, first</span><br /><br /><span class="word">pursue</span><br /><span class="heb">יִרְדֹּ֤ף</span> <span class="translit">(yir·dōp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7291.htm">Strong's 7291: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pursue, chase, persecute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a thousand,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶ֔לֶף</span> <span class="translit">(’e·lep̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_505.htm">Strong's 505: </a> </span><span class="str2">A thousand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or two</span><br /><span class="heb">וּשְׁנַ֖יִם</span> <span class="translit">(ū·šə·na·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Number - md<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> </span><span class="str2">Two (a cardinal number)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">put ten thousand</span><br /><span class="heb">רְבָבָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(rə·ḇā·ḇāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7233.htm">Strong's 7233: </a> </span><span class="str2">Multitude, myriad, ten thousand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to flight,</span><br /><span class="heb">יָנִ֣יסוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·nî·sū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5127.htm">Strong's 5127: </a> </span><span class="str2">To flit, vanish away</span><br /><br /><span class="word">unless</span><br /><span class="heb">אִם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their Rock</span><br /><span class="heb">צוּרָ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(ṣū·rām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6697.htm">Strong's 6697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A cliff, a rock, boulder, a refuge, an edge</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had sold them,</span><br /><span class="heb">מְכָרָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(mə·ḵā·rām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4376.htm">Strong's 4376: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sell</span><br /><br /><span class="word">unless the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיהוָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had given them up?</span><br /><span class="heb">הִסְגִּירָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(his·gî·rām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5462.htm">Strong's 5462: </a> </span><span class="str2">To shut up, to surrender</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/32-30.htm">Deuteronomy 32:30 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/32-30.htm">Deuteronomy 32:30 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/32-30.htm">Deuteronomy 32:30 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/32-30.htm">Deuteronomy 32:30 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/32-30.htm">Deuteronomy 32:30 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/32-30.htm">Deuteronomy 32:30 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/32-30.htm">Deuteronomy 32:30 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/32-30.htm">Deuteronomy 32:30 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/32-30.htm">Deuteronomy 32:30 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/32-30.htm">Deuteronomy 32:30 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/deuteronomy/32-30.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 32:30 How could one chase a thousand (Deut. De Du)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-29.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Deuteronomy 32:29"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 32:29" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-31.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Deuteronomy 32:31"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 32:31" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>