Deuteronomy 32:15
But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
Original Language Analysis
שָׁמַ֖נְתָּ
thou art waxen fat
H8080
שָׁמַ֖נְתָּ
thou art waxen fat
Strong's:
H8080
Word #:
1 of 12
to shine, i.e., (by analogy) be (causatively, make) oily or gross
וַיִּבְעָ֔ט
and kicked
H1163
וַיִּבְעָ֔ט
and kicked
Strong's:
H1163
Word #:
3 of 12
to trample down, i.e., (figuratively) despise
שָׁמַ֖נְתָּ
thou art waxen fat
H8080
שָׁמַ֖נְתָּ
thou art waxen fat
Strong's:
H8080
Word #:
4 of 12
to shine, i.e., (by analogy) be (causatively, make) oily or gross
כָּשִׂ֑יתָ
thou art covered
H3780
כָּשִׂ֑יתָ
thou art covered
Strong's:
H3780
Word #:
6 of 12
to grow fat (i.e., be covered with flesh)
וַיִּטֹּשׁ֙
with fatness then he forsook
H5203
וַיִּטֹּשׁ֙
with fatness then he forsook
Strong's:
H5203
Word #:
7 of 12
properly, to pound, i.e., smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon (inclusive
עָשָׂ֔הוּ
which made
H6213
עָשָׂ֔הוּ
which made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
9 of 12
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וַיְנַבֵּ֖ל
him and lightly esteemed
H5034
וַיְנַבֵּ֖ל
him and lightly esteemed
Strong's:
H5034
Word #:
10 of 12
to wilt; generally, to fall away, fail, faint
Cross References
Deuteronomy 31:20For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.Hosea 13:6According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.Psalms 89:26He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.Deuteronomy 33:5And he was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel were gathered together.Acts 28:27For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.Deuteronomy 32:4He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.1 Samuel 2:29Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?Isaiah 1:4Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.Isaiah 44:2Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.Isaiah 6:10Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
Historical Context
This verse prophetically describes the cycle repeated throughout Judges, Kings, and Chronicles: blessing leads to complacency, complacency to idolatry, idolatry to judgment. Written before Israel entered Canaan, Moses accurately predicted the nation's trajectory—fulfilled in Jeroboam's golden calves (1 Kings 12), Manasseh's abominations (2 Kings 21), and ultimately the Babylonian exile.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does prosperity often produce spiritual decline rather than gratitude and faithfulness?
- How does calling Israel 'Jeshurun' (upright one) while describing rebellion highlight the tragedy of covenant unfaithfulness?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked—Yeshurūn (ישֻׁרוּן), meaning 'upright one,' is an affectionate name for Israel (Deuteronomy 33:5, 26; Isaiah 44:2), making the indictment more poignant. The verb kicked (בָּעַט, bā'aṭ) depicts a well-fed beast rebelling against its master—ingratitude expressed as violence. The threefold repetition 'thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness' (shāmantā, 'āvītā, kāsītā) emphasizes prosperous excess breeding arrogance.
He forsook God which made him (יִטֹּשׁ אֱלוֹהַּ עֹשֵׂהוּ)—the verb nāṭash means to abandon or cast off. Lightly esteemed (וַיְנַבֵּל) the Rock means to treat as foolish or worthless. Prosperity became Israel's spiritual poison, fulfilling Jesus's warning about wealth's danger (Matthew 19:23-24).