Deuteronomy 30:3

Authorized King James Version

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That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.

Original Language Analysis

וְשָׁ֗ב upon thee and will return H7725
וְשָׁ֗ב upon thee and will return
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 1 of 15
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
יְהוָ֥ה That then the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֥ה That then the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ thy God H430
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ thy God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 3 of 15
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 4 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שְׁבֽוּתְךָ֖ thy captivity H7622
שְׁבֽוּתְךָ֖ thy captivity
Strong's: H7622
Word #: 5 of 15
exile, concretely, prisoners; figuratively, a former state of prosperity
וְרִֽחֲמֶ֑ךָ and have compassion H7355
וְרִֽחֲמֶ֑ךָ and have compassion
Strong's: H7355
Word #: 6 of 15
to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate
וְשָׁ֗ב upon thee and will return H7725
וְשָׁ֗ב upon thee and will return
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 7 of 15
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
וְקִבֶּצְךָ֙ and gather H6908
וְקִבֶּצְךָ֙ and gather
Strong's: H6908
Word #: 8 of 15
to grasp, i.e., collect
מִכָּל H3605
מִכָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 9 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָ֣עַמִּ֔ים thee from all the nations H5971
הָ֣עַמִּ֔ים thee from all the nations
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 10 of 15
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֲשֶׁ֧ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 11 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֱפִֽיצְךָ֛ hath scattered H6327
הֱפִֽיצְךָ֛ hath scattered
Strong's: H6327
Word #: 12 of 15
to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)
יְהוָ֥ה That then the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֥ה That then the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 13 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ thy God H430
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ thy God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 14 of 15
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
שָֽׁמָּה׃ H8033
שָֽׁמָּה׃
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 15 of 15
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

Analysis & Commentary

That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee. God promises to turn thy captivity when Israel repents. Divine compassion responds to genuine repentance with restoration. This demonstrates God's readiness to forgive and restore when His people truly turn back.

The phrase have compassion upon thee reveals God's emotional response - not merely legal acquittal but heartfelt mercy toward repentant people. God's compassion motivates restoration, not reluctant duty or mere justice.

The promise to gather thee from all the nations prophesies comprehensive regathering from worldwide dispersion. Though scattered throughout many nations, repentant Israel will be collected and restored to their land.

This has had partial fulfillment in Babylon return and modern Israel, but awaits complete fulfillment when all Israel shall be saved (Romans 11:26) through recognition of Jesus as Messiah.

Historical Context

After Babylonian exile, a remnant returned to Judah under Ezra and Nehemiah, partially fulfilling this promise. However, most Jews remained scattered throughout the ancient world.

Modern Israel's reestablishment (1948) represents another partial fulfillment, though many Jews remain in diaspora and the nation as a whole has not yet turned to Christ.

Questions for Reflection

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