Deuteronomy 30:4

Authorized King James Version

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If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee:

Original Language Analysis

אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 1 of 11
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יִֽהְיֶ֥ה H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֥ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 2 of 11
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
נִֽדַּחֲךָ֖ If any of thine be driven out H5080
נִֽדַּחֲךָ֖ If any of thine be driven out
Strong's: H5080
Word #: 3 of 11
to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)
בִּקְצֵ֣ה unto the outmost H7097
בִּקְצֵ֣ה unto the outmost
Strong's: H7097
Word #: 4 of 11
an extremity
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם parts of heaven H8064
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם parts of heaven
Strong's: H8064
Word #: 5 of 11
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
מִשָּׁ֗ם H8033
מִשָּׁ֗ם
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 6 of 11
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
יְקַבֶּצְךָ֙ gather H6908
יְקַבֶּצְךָ֙ gather
Strong's: H6908
Word #: 7 of 11
to grasp, i.e., collect
יְהוָ֣ה from thence will the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה from thence will the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 8 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ thy God H430
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ thy God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 9 of 11
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
וּמִשָּׁ֖ם H8033
וּמִשָּׁ֖ם
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 10 of 11
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
יִקָּחֶֽךָ׃ thee and from thence will he fetch H3947
יִקָּחֶֽךָ׃ thee and from thence will he fetch
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 11 of 11
to take (in the widest variety of applications)

Analysis & Commentary

If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee. The extreme language outmost parts of heaven indicates no distance is too great for God's restorative power. Even if Israel is scattered to earth's farthest reaches, God will gather them back.

The double emphasis gather thee...fetch thee stresses God's personal, active role in restoration. He doesn't merely permit return but actively collects and retrieves scattered people. This is divine initiative in restoration, not human achievement.

This promise demonstrates that no exile is permanent, no scattering is irreversible when God purposes restoration. Human dispersing power cannot overcome divine gathering power.

This principle applies spiritually - Christ will gather His elect from four winds, from one end of heaven to the other (Matthew 24:31). No distance prevents God from calling and gathering His chosen people.

Historical Context

Jewish communities existed throughout the ancient and medieval world - Babylon, Persia, Egypt, North Africa, Europe. Despite two millennia of dispersion, Jewish identity persisted and modern Israel was reestablished.

This preservation of distinct identity despite worldwide scattering is itself miraculous, testifying to divine preservation for future fulfillment of covenant promises.

Questions for Reflection

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