Deuteronomy Chapter 32 · Verse 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?
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.