Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise?—the Hebrew naval (foolish) and lo chakam (not wise) indicate moral deficiency, not intellectual limitation. Biblical foolishness is covenant rebellion (Psalm 14:1: "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God'"). To 'requite' (gamal) means to repay or reward—Israel's ingratitude repays God's goodness with evil.
Is not he thy father that hath bought thee? (ha-lo hu 'abika qaneka)—qanah means "acquired/purchased/redeemed." God is Father by creation AND redemption—He brought Israel into existence and delivered them from Egypt. Hath he not made thee, and established thee? (hu 'aseka wa-yekoneneka)—'asah' (made) recalls creation; 'kun' (established) means to set firmly, prepare, or constitute as a people.
This triple foundation—purchase, creation, establishment—establishes God's parental rights and Israel's filial obligations. The father-son relationship pervades Deuteronomy (1:31; 8:5; 14:1) and anticipates the New Testament's adoption theology (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5-7).
Historical Context
The Song's rhetorical questions prosecute covenant ingratitude in the style of a prophetic lawsuit (rib). The Exodus redemption (referenced by "bought thee") occurred approximately 40 years before this song, making Israel's potential apostasy particularly grievous—they should remember their slavery and deliverance. The father-son covenant language parallels ancient Near Eastern suzerainty treaties where kings adopted vassal nations, but God's relationship with Israel is infinitely more intimate and gracious. This theology becomes foundational for understanding God's relationship with believers in Christ—we are 'bought with a price' (1 Corinthians 6:20), adopted as sons (John 1:12), and established as God's household (Ephesians 2:19-22).
Questions for Reflection
How does meditating on God as Father—who bought, made, and established you—deepen gratitude and combat spiritual ingratitude?
What specific ways can you 'requite' God's goodness appropriately rather than responding with foolish rebellion?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise?—the Hebrew naval (foolish) and lo chakam (not wise) indicate moral deficiency, not intellectual limitation. Biblical foolishness is covenant rebellion (Psalm 14:1: "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God'"). To 'requite' (gamal) means to repay or reward—Israel's ingratitude repays God's goodness with evil.
Is not he thy father that hath bought thee? (ha-lo hu 'abika qaneka)—qanah means "acquired/purchased/redeemed." God is Father by creation AND redemption—He brought Israel into existence and delivered them from Egypt. Hath he not made thee, and established thee? (hu 'aseka wa-yekoneneka)—'asah' (made) recalls creation; 'kun' (established) means to set firmly, prepare, or constitute as a people.
This triple foundation—purchase, creation, establishment—establishes God's parental rights and Israel's filial obligations. The father-son relationship pervades Deuteronomy (1:31; 8:5; 14:1) and anticipates the New Testament's adoption theology (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5-7).