Deuteronomy 32:21
They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
Original Language Analysis
אַקְנִיאֵ֣ם
They have moved me to jealousy
H7065
אַקְנִיאֵ֣ם
They have moved me to jealousy
Strong's:
H7065
Word #:
2 of 13
to be (causatively, make) zealous, i.e., (in a bad sense) jealous or envious
בְּלֹא
with that which is not
H3808
בְּלֹא
with that which is not
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֵ֔ל
God
H410
אֵ֔ל
God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
4 of 13
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
אַכְעִיסֵֽם׃
I will provoke them to anger
H3707
אַכְעִיסֵֽם׃
I will provoke them to anger
Strong's:
H3707
Word #:
5 of 13
to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant
בְּהַבְלֵיהֶ֑ם
with their vanities
H1892
בְּהַבְלֵיהֶ֑ם
with their vanities
Strong's:
H1892
Word #:
6 of 13
emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
אַקְנִיאֵ֣ם
They have moved me to jealousy
H7065
אַקְנִיאֵ֣ם
They have moved me to jealousy
Strong's:
H7065
Word #:
8 of 13
to be (causatively, make) zealous, i.e., (in a bad sense) jealous or envious
בְּלֹא
with that which is not
H3808
בְּלֹא
with that which is not
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עָ֔ם
with those which are not a people
H5971
עָ֔ם
with those which are not a people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
10 of 13
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
בְּג֥וֹי
nation
H1471
בְּג֥וֹי
nation
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
11 of 13
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
Cross References
Romans 10:19But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.Romans 9:25As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.1 Kings 16:26For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin, to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities.1 Kings 16:13For all the sins of Baasha, and the sins of Elah his son, by which they sinned, and by which they made Israel to sin, in provoking the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities.Jonah 2:8They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.Psalms 78:58For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.Psalms 31:6I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.Jeremiah 14:22Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.Deuteronomy 32:16They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.Hosea 1:10Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.
Historical Context
This 'measure for measure' judgment was fulfilled progressively: Assyria and Babylon (foolish nations) conquered Israel; later, the gospel went to Gentiles while many Jews rejected Christ (Acts 13:46, 18:6, 28:28). Paul saw himself fulfilling this prophecy as apostle to the Gentiles, provoking Israel to jealousy (Romans 11:13-14).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's use of this verse in Romans 10-11 demonstrate the continuity between Old and New Testament redemptive history?
- What does God's turning to 'those which are not a people' reveal about grace based on election, not ethnic privilege?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God—bĕlō' 'ēl (בְּלֹא אֵל), literally 'with a no-god.' Paul quotes this verse extensively in Romans 10:19 and 11:11-14, showing how Israel's rejection of Messiah led to Gentile evangelization. Divine jealousy provoked by Israel's unfaithfulness produces redemptive jealousy in Israel when they see Gentiles enjoying covenant blessings.
I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people—bĕlō'-'ām (בְּלֹא־עָם), 'with a no-people.' This prophesies Gentile inclusion in the New Covenant, where pagans become God's people (Hosea 1:10, 2:23; 1 Peter 2:10). A foolish nation (gôy nāvāl) refers to Gentiles who lacked Torah—yet through Christ, the 'foolish' confound the 'wise' (1 Corinthians 1:27).