Deuteronomy 32:14
Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape.
Original Language Analysis
בָּקָ֜ר
of kine
H1241
בָּקָ֜ר
of kine
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
2 of 19
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
צֹ֗אן
of sheep
H6629
צֹ֗אן
of sheep
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
4 of 19
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
5 of 19
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
חֵ֖לֶב
with fat
H2459
חֵ֖לֶב
with fat
Strong's:
H2459
Word #:
6 of 19
fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part
כָּרִ֜ים
of lambs
H3733
כָּרִ֜ים
of lambs
Strong's:
H3733
Word #:
7 of 19
a ram (as full-grown and fat), including a battering-ram (as butting)
וְאֵילִ֤ים
and rams
H352
וְאֵילִ֤ים
and rams
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
8 of 19
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
בְּנֵֽי
of the breed
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the breed
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 19
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בָשָׁן֙
of Bashan
H1316
בָשָׁן֙
of Bashan
Strong's:
H1316
Word #:
10 of 19
bashan (often with the article), a region east of the jordan
וְעַתּוּדִ֔ים
and goats
H6260
וְעַתּוּדִ֔ים
and goats
Strong's:
H6260
Word #:
11 of 19
prepared, i.e., full grown; spoken only (in plural) of he-goats, or (figuratively) leaders of the people
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
12 of 19
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
חֵ֖לֶב
with fat
H2459
חֵ֖לֶב
with fat
Strong's:
H2459
Word #:
13 of 19
fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part
כִּלְי֣וֹת
of kidneys
H3629
כִּלְי֣וֹת
of kidneys
Strong's:
H3629
Word #:
14 of 19
a kidney (as an essential organ); figuratively, the mind (as the interior self)
וְדַם
blood
H1818
וְדַם
blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
16 of 19
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
Cross References
Genesis 49:11Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:Psalms 147:14He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.Psalms 81:16He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.
Historical Context
The Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32) was composed circa 1406 BC as prophetic testimony against Israel's future apostasy. Bashan, conquered under Moses (Numbers 21:33-35), became proverbial for agricultural excellence. This verse establishes the contrast: God's lavish faithfulness versus Israel's ingratitude.
Questions for Reflection
- How does material prosperity sometimes lead to spiritual complacency in your own life?
- What does God's generous provision to rebellious Israel reveal about His character and grace?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs—Moses recounts God's extravagant provision using Hebrew ḥem'at bāqār (cream/curds of cattle) and ḥālāv ṣō'n (milk of flock). Rams of the breed of Bashan references the renowned pastureland east of Jordan known for prime livestock (Ezekiel 39:18, Amos 4:1). The metaphor of drinking the pure blood of the grape (דַּם־עֵנָב, dam-'ēnāb) is poetic imagery for finest wine, not literal blood.
This verse catalogs covenant blessings—agricultural abundance, livestock prosperity, and luxury goods—demonstrating that Israel's rebellion (v.15-18) was not born from deprivation but from prosperity. The imagery anticipates Jesus's eucharistic language of bread and wine representing covenant relationship.