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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Deuteronomy 32:8 When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when He divided the sons of man, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/32-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/05_Deu_32_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Deuteronomy 32:8 - The Song of Moses" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when He divided the sons of man, He set the 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href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" 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 />When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when he divided all mankind, he set up boundaries for the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/32.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />When the Most High assigned lands to the nations, when he divided up the human race, he established the boundaries of the peoples according to the number in his heavenly court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/32.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/32.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when He divided the sons of man, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/32.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/32.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />When the Most High divided their inheritance to the nations, When He separated the sons of Adam, He set the boundaries of the peoples According to the number of the children of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/32.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, When He separated the sons of mankind, He set the boundaries of the peoples According to the number of the sons of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/32.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, When He separated the sons of man, He set the boundaries of the peoples According to the number of the sons of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/32.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, When He separated the sons of man, He set the boundaries of the peoples According to the number of the sons of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/32.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, When He separated the sons of man, He set the boundaries of the peoples According to the number of the sons of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/deuteronomy/32.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, When He separated the sons of man, He set the boundaries of the peoples According to the number of the sons of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/deuteronomy/32.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance and divided the human race, he set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the people of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/32.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance and divided the human race, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the people of Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/deuteronomy/32.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, When he separated the children of men, He set the bounds of the peoples According to the number of the children of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/deuteronomy/32.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />that God Most High gave land to every nation. He assigned a guardian angel to each of them, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/deuteronomy/32.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, When he separated the children of men, He set the bounds of the peoples According to the number of the children of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/32.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When the Most High gave nations their land, when he divided the descendants of Adam, he set up borders for the tribes corresponding to the number of the sons of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/32.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The Most High assigned nations their lands; he determined where peoples should live. He assigned to each nation a heavenly being, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/deuteronomy/32.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />When the Most High gave nations as their inheritance, when he separated the human race, he set boundaries for the people according to the number of the children of God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/deuteronomy/32.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when he divided up humankind, he set the boundaries of the peoples, according to the number of the heavenly assembly. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/32.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided humankind, he set the bounds of the peoples according to the number of the children of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/32.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/deuteronomy/32.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when He divided the sons of man, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/deuteronomy/32.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the children of men, he set the bounds of the peoples according to the number of the children of Israel. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/32.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />In the Most High causing nations to inherit, "" In His separating sons of Adam—He sets up the borders of the peoples "" By the number of the sons of God [[or sons of Israel]].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/32.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> In the Most High causing nations to inherit, In His separating sons of Adam -- He setteth up the borders of the peoples By the number of the sons of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/deuteronomy/32.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The Most High distributing the nations, In his dispersing the sons of Adam, He set the bounds of the peoples According to the number of the sons of Israel.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/32.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />When the Most High divided the nations: when he separated the sons of Adam, he appointed the bounds of people according to the number of the children of Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/32.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />When the Most High divided the nations, when he separated the sons of Adam, he appointed the limits of the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/32.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When the Most High allotted each nation its heritage, when he separated out human beings, He set up the boundaries of the peoples after the number of the divine beings; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/32.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When the Most High apportioned the nations, when he divided humankind, he fixed the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the gods;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/32.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />When the Most High divided the nations, when he separated mankind, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/32.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />When The Highest divides the nations and when He separates the children of men, He sets the borders of the nations to the number of the sons of Israel.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/32.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />When the Most High gave to the nations When He separated the children of men, He set the borders of the peoples According to the number of the children of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/deuteronomy/32.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />When the Most High divided the nations, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the nations according to the number of the angels of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/32-8.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=9012" 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">7</span>Remember the days of old; consider the years long past. Ask your father, and he will tell you, your elders, and they will inform you. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5945.htm" title="5945: ‘el·yō·wn (Adj-ms) -- An elevation, lofty, as title, the Supreme. From alah; an elevation, i.e. Lofty; as title, the Supreme.">When the Most High</a> <a href="/hebrew/1471.htm" title="1471: gō·w·yim (N-mp) -- Rarely goy; apparently from the same root as gevah; a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts.">gave the nations</a> <a href="/hebrew/5157.htm" title="5157: bə·han·ḥêl (Prep-b:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- A primitive root; to inherit (figurative) mode of descent), or to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or distribute, instate.">their inheritance,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6504.htm" title="6504: bə·hap̄·rî·ḏōw (Prep-b:: V-Hifil-Inf:: 3ms) -- To divide. A primitive root; to break through, i.e. Spread or separate.">when He divided</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the sons</a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: ’ā·ḏām (N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">of man,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5324.htm" title="5324: yaṣ·ṣêḇ (V-Hifil-Imperf.Jus-3ms) -- To take one's stand, stand. A prim root; to station, in various applications.">He set</a> <a href="/hebrew/1367.htm" title="1367: gə·ḇu·lōṯ (N-fpc) -- Border, boundary. Or gbulah; feminine of gbuwl; a boundary, region.">the boundaries</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘am·mîm (N-mp) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">of the peoples</a> <a href="/hebrew/4557.htm" title="4557: lə·mis·par (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- Number, tally. From caphar; a number, definite or indefinite; also narration.">according to the number</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">of the sons</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of God.</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>But the LORD’s portion is His people, Jacob His allotted inheritance.…<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="/acts/17-26.htm">Acts 17:26</a></span><br />From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/10-32.htm">Genesis 10:32</a></span><br />All these are the clans of Noah’s sons, according to their generations and nations. From these the nations of the earth spread out after the flood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/11-8.htm">Genesis 11:8-9</a></span><br />So the LORD scattered them from there over the face of all the earth, and they stopped building the city. / That is why it is called Babel, for there the LORD confused the language of the whole world, and from that place the LORD scattered them over the face of all the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/74-17.htm">Psalm 74:17</a></span><br />You set all the boundaries of the earth; You made the summer and winter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/115-16.htm">Psalm 115:16</a></span><br />The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth He has given to mankind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/12-23.htm">Job 12:23</a></span><br />He makes nations great and destroys them; He enlarges nations, then disperses them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/4-35.htm">Daniel 4:35</a></span><br />All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-12.htm">Isaiah 45:12</a></span><br />It is I who made the earth and created man upon it. It was My hands that stretched out the heavens, and I ordained all their host.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-22.htm">Isaiah 40:22</a></span><br />He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; its dwellers are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/27-5.htm">Jeremiah 27:5</a></span><br />By My great power and outstretched arm, I made the earth and the men and beasts on the face of it, and I give it to whom I please.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/10-5.htm">Genesis 10:5</a></span><br />From these, the maritime peoples separated into their territories, according to their languages, by clans within their nations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/10-25.htm">Genesis 10:25</a></span><br />Two sons were born to Eber: One was named Peleg, because in his days the earth was divided, and his brother was named Joktan.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/11-1.htm">Genesis 11:1-9</a></span><br />Now the whole world had one language and a common form of speech. / And as people journeyed eastward, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. / And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” So they used brick instead of stone, and tar instead of mortar. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/1-19.htm">1 Chronicles 1:19</a></span><br />Two sons were born to Eber: One was named Peleg, because in his days the earth was divided, and his brother was named Joktan.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/38-8.htm">Job 38:8-11</a></span><br />Who enclosed the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, / when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its blanket, / when I fixed its boundaries and set in place its bars and doors, ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.</p><p class="hdg">Most</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/24-16.htm">Numbers 24:16</a></b></br> He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, <i>which</i> saw the vision of the Almighty, falling <i>into a trance</i>, but having his eyes open:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/7-17.htm">Psalm 7:17</a></b></br> I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/50-14.htm">Psalm 50:14</a></b></br> Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:</p><p class="hdg">divided</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/10-25.htm">Genesis 10:25</a></b></br> And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one <i>was</i> Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother's name <i>was</i> Joktan.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/11-9.htm">Genesis 11:9</a></b></br> Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/115-16.htm">Psalm 115:16</a></b></br> The heaven, <i>even</i> the heavens, <i>are</i> the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.</p><p class="hdg">he set</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/10-15.htm">Genesis 10:15</a></b></br> And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/15-18.htm">Genesis 15:18-21</a></b></br> In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/5-5.htm">Adam</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-40.htm">Borders</a> <a href="/numbers/34-12.htm">Boundaries</a> <a href="/numbers/35-27.htm">Bounds</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-26.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-5.htm">Children</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-3.htm">Divided</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/31-13.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-52.htm">High</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/31-7.htm">Inherit</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/29-8.htm">Inheritance</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/31-30.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/30-10.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-8.htm">Limits</a> <a href="/numbers/27-16.htm">Mankind</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/29-21.htm">Marked</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-7.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/31-3.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/30-3.htm">Peoples</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/29-21.htm">Separated</a> <a href="/numbers/15-8.htm">Separating</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/3-16.htm">Adam</a> <a href="/joshua/11-2.htm">Borders</a> <a href="/joshua/15-12.htm">Boundaries</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-23.htm">Bounds</a> <a href="/joshua/22-20.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-20.htm">Children</a> <a href="/joshua/14-5.htm">Divided</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-9.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-13.htm">High</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-23.htm">Inherit</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-9.htm">Inheritance</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-45.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/joshua/14-7.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-20.htm">Limits</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-26.htm">Mankind</a> <a href="/joshua/9-27.htm">Marked</a> <a href="/joshua/1-13.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-43.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-2.htm">Peoples</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-16.htm">Separated</a> <a href="/judges/4-11.htm">Separating</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>When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance</b><br>This phrase refers to God's sovereign act of distributing the earth among the nations. The term "Most High" emphasizes God's supreme authority over all creation. This event is often linked to the division of nations at the Tower of Babel (<a href="/genesis/11-8.htm">Genesis 11:8-9</a>), where God confused the languages and scattered humanity. The concept of inheritance suggests that each nation received its portion of the earth as a divine allotment, reflecting God's plan and purpose for each people group.<p><b>when He divided the sons of man</b><br>This division of humanity is a direct reference to the scattering at Babel. The "sons of man" indicates all of humanity, emphasizing the universality of this event. It highlights God's intervention in human affairs to prevent the consolidation of power that could lead to rebellion against Him. This division was not merely geographical but also cultural and linguistic, shaping the development of distinct civilizations.<p><b>He set the boundaries of the peoples</b><br>God's establishment of boundaries underscores His control over the rise and fall of nations. These boundaries are not arbitrary but are part of His divine order. <a href="/acts/17-26.htm">Acts 17:26</a> echoes this idea, stating that God determined the times and places for each nation. This setting of boundaries ensured that no single nation would dominate, allowing for a diversity of cultures and the unfolding of God's redemptive history.<p><b>according to the number of the sons of God</b><br>This phrase has been the subject of much debate. "Sons of God" can refer to divine beings or angels, as seen in <a href="/job/1-6.htm">Job 1:6</a> and <a href="/psalms/82.htm">Psalm 82:1</a>. Some interpretations suggest that each nation was assigned a guardian angel or divine being. Alternatively, the Septuagint and some Dead Sea Scrolls manuscripts read "sons of Israel," implying a connection to the 70 descendants of Jacob who went to Egypt (<a href="/genesis/46-27.htm">Genesis 46:27</a>), symbolizing the nations. This reflects God's special relationship with Israel, foreshadowing the coming of Christ, who would fulfill God's promises to Israel and extend salvation to all nations.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_most_high.htm">The Most High</a></b><br>Refers to God, emphasizing His supreme authority and sovereignty over all creation.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/n/nations.htm">Nations</a></b><br>Represents the various ethnic groups and peoples of the world, each with their own distinct territories and cultures.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/sons_of_man.htm">Sons of Man</a></b><br>Refers to humanity in general, highlighting the division and distribution of people across the earth.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/b/boundaries.htm">Boundaries</a></b><br>The geographical and cultural limits set by God for each nation, indicating His control over human history and geography.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/sons_of_god.htm">Sons of God</a></b><br>This term can be interpreted in various ways, often understood as divine beings or angels in the context of ancient Near Eastern thought, or as the people of Israel in some interpretations.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_nations.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Nations</a></b><br>God is in control of the rise and fall of nations, and His plans are executed through His divine wisdom and authority.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/purposeful_boundaries.htm">Purposeful Boundaries</a></b><br>The boundaries set by God are not arbitrary; they serve His greater purpose and plan for humanity, including the spread of the Gospel.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humanity's_unity_and_diversity.htm">Humanity's Unity and Diversity</a></b><br>While humanity is diverse in culture and language, we share a common origin and purpose under God's design.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_order_and_justice.htm">Divine Order and Justice</a></b><br>God's division of nations reflects His justice and order, reminding us to seek His guidance in our own lives and communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/role_of_the_sons_of_god.htm">Role of the Sons of God</a></b><br>Understanding the role of divine beings or Israel in God's plan can deepen our appreciation for His interaction with the world.<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/how_does_deut._32_8_align_with_ancient_texts.htm">In Deuteronomy 32:8, how do we reconcile the phrase “sons of God” or “sons of Israel” with other ancient texts, and why do historical records not clarify this discrepancy? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_meaning_of_the_name_israel.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on nationalism?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_nationalism.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on nationalism?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_israel's_other_names.htm">What are the different names for Israel?</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>(8, 9) Comp. <a href="/deuteronomy/21-16.htm" title="Then it shall be, when he makes his sons to inherit that which he has, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn:">Deuteronomy 21:16</a>.<p>"when the Most High made nations to inherit,<p>When He parted the sons of Adam,<p>He set the bounds of the peoples,<p>According to the number of the sons of Israel.<p>For the portion of Jehovah is His people,<p>Jacob the cord <span class= "note">[7]</span> of His inheritance<span class= "ital">"</span><p><span class= "note">[7]<span class= "ital"> i.e., </span>limit.</span><p>The allusion is to the dispersion from Babel (Genesis 10, 11). The Jews were accustomed to reckon seventy nations and languages in that dispersion. Seventy members of Jacob's household went down into Egypt. And literally they interpret this passage to mean that in dividing the lands to the peoples, Jehovah left room for His own, so that they might inherit the promised land without any undue pressure upon other nations. It is noticeable that the children of Lot and Esau were carefully preserved from disturbance by Israel (Deuteronomy 2). But this is the bare literal interpretation. The true meaning of the passage is given by St. Paul in his speech at Athens: "He determined (for all nations) times before appointed, and the setting of the boundaries of their habitation, <span class= "ital">that they might seek the Lord." </span>The nations were so disposed in the world, and so developed, that each might have its opportunity of seeking Jehovah, in due season, through contact with His people--"if, as was certainly not impossible, they might feel after Him and find Him, who is not far from any one of us. For we are even His offspring." Hence He appoints our inheritance. With some such thought as this, the LXX. translate the latter half of <a href="/deuteronomy/32-8.htm" title="When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.">Deuteronomy 32:8</a>, "He set the bounds of the peoples according to the number <span class= "ital">of the angels of God" </span>The chosen people were to be His messengers to the nations. He chose Israel for His own portion, that through them He might inherit the world. And yet in the face of this glorious calling and mission, the undutiful behaviour of Israel was their one great blot. They had only to accept the position already prepared for them, and they refused! . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/deuteronomy/32.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 8, 9.</span> - From the very beginning, when God first allotted to the nations a place and a heritage, he had respect in his arrangements to the sons of Israel, who were his portion, and had as it were kept their interest in view in all that he appointed and ordered. <span class="cmt_word">According to the number of the children of Israel.</span> When the Most High portioned out to the nations the heritage of each, he reserved for Israel, as the people of his choice, an inheritance proportioned to its numbers. The LXX. has "according to the number of the angels of God," an arbitrary departure from the original text, in accommodation, probably, to the later Jewish notion of each nation having its guardian angel. <span class="cmt_word">The Lord's portion is his people</span> (cf. <a href="/exodus/15-16.htm">Exodus 15:16</a>; <a href="/exodus/19-5.htm">Exodus 19:5</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/10-1.htm">1 Samuel 10:1</a>; <a href="/psalms/78-71.htm">Psalm 78:71</a>). <span class="cmt_word">The lot of his inheritance</span>; literally, <span class="accented">the cord</span>, etc., the allusion being to the measuring of land by a cord, equivalent to the portion by measure which Jehovah allotted to himself as his inheritance (cf. <a href="/psalms/16-6.htm">Psalm 16:6</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/32-8.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">When the Most High</span><br /><span class="heb">עֶלְיוֹן֙</span> <span class="translit">(‘el·yō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5945.htm">Strong's 5945: </a> </span><span class="str2">An elevation, lofty, as title, the Supreme</span><br /><br /><span class="word">gave the nations</span><br /><span class="heb">גּוֹיִ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(gō·w·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1471.htm">Strong's 1471: </a> </span><span class="str2">A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their inheritance,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּהַנְחֵ֤ל</span> <span class="translit">(bə·han·ḥêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5157.htm">Strong's 5157: </a> </span><span class="str2">To inherit, to occupy, to bequeath, distribute, instate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">when He divided</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּהַפְרִיד֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·hap̄·rî·ḏōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6504.htm">Strong's 6504: </a> </span><span class="str2">To break through, spread, separate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the sons</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of man,</span><br /><span class="heb">אָדָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He set</span><br /><span class="heb">יַצֵּב֙</span> <span class="translit">(yaṣ·ṣêḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5324.htm">Strong's 5324: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take one's stand, stand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the boundaries</span><br /><span class="heb">גְּבֻלֹ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(gə·ḇu·lōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1367.htm">Strong's 1367: </a> </span><span class="str2">A boundary, region</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the peoples</span><br /><span class="heb">עַמִּ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(‘am·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">according to the number</span><br /><span class="heb">לְמִסְפַּ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(lə·mis·par)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4557.htm">Strong's 4557: </a> </span><span class="str2">A number, definite, indefinite, narration</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the sons</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of God.</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/32-8.htm">Deuteronomy 32:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/32-8.htm">Deuteronomy 32:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/32-8.htm">Deuteronomy 32:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/32-8.htm">Deuteronomy 32:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/32-8.htm">Deuteronomy 32:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/32-8.htm">Deuteronomy 32:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/32-8.htm">Deuteronomy 32:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/32-8.htm">Deuteronomy 32:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/32-8.htm">Deuteronomy 32:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/32-8.htm">Deuteronomy 32:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/deuteronomy/32-8.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 32:8 When the Most High gave to (Deut. 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