Deuteronomy 32:38
Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help you, and be your protection.
Original Language Analysis
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
1 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
חֵ֤לֶב
the fat
H2459
חֵ֤לֶב
the fat
Strong's:
H2459
Word #:
2 of 12
fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part
זְבָחֵ֙ימוֹ֙
of their sacrifices
H2077
זְבָחֵ֙ימוֹ֙
of their sacrifices
Strong's:
H2077
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
נְסִיכָ֑ם
of their drink offerings
H5257
נְסִיכָ֑ם
of their drink offerings
Strong's:
H5257
Word #:
7 of 12
properly, something poured out, i.e., a libation; by implication, a prince (as anointed)
יָק֙וּמוּ֙
let them rise up
H6965
יָק֙וּמוּ֙
let them rise up
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
8 of 12
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
יְהִ֥י
H1961
יְהִ֥י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
10 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Historical Context
Canaanite and Mesopotamian worship involved elaborate sacrificial meals where worshippers feasted in the deity's presence, believing the god consumed the offering's essence. Israel's prophets exposed this as delusion—idols have mouths but don't eat (Psalm 115:4-7). Archaeological evidence shows Israelites syncretistically adopted Canaanite practices, sacrificing at high places to Baal and Asherah alongside Yahweh worship—precisely the apostasy Moses predicts and God here condemns.
Questions for Reflection
- What empty rituals or religious activities have you pursued while lacking true relationship with God?
- How does God's jealousy for exclusive worship demonstrate His love rather than insecurity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? (אֲשֶׁר חֵלֶב זְבָחֵימוֹ יֹאכֵלוּ יִשְׁתּוּ יֵין נְסִיכָם)—God's sarcasm intensifies: these gods consumed the choice portions (chelev, fat—the richest part reserved for deity) and received libations (nesekim, drink offerings). The irony is devastating—the gods didn't actually consume anything; priests and worshippers ate the sacrifices while imagining divine consumption.
Let them rise up and help you, and be your protection (יָקוּמוּ וְיַעְזְרֻכֶם יְהִי עֲלֵיכֶם סִתְרָה)—yaqumu (rise up) mocks idols' immobility. They cannot 'azar (help) or provide sitrah (shelter/protection—a hiding place from danger). The challenge recalls Isaiah 46:1-2 where Bel and Nebo, rather than saving, themselves become burdens carried into captivity. Dead gods cannot save from the living God.