When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.
When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance (be-hanchel 'Elyon goyim)—'Elyon (Most High) emphasizes God's sovereignty over ALL nations, not just Israel. The division of nations recalls the Table of Nations (Genesis 10) and Babel's dispersion (Genesis 11:8-9). God assigned territorial boundaries according to His sovereign will.
He set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel—this extraordinary claim asserts that world geography was arranged with Israel's inheritance in view. The Masoretic Text reads "sons of Israel"; the Septuagint and Dead Sea Scrolls (4QDeut) read "sons of God" (possibly referring to angelic beings supervising nations, cf. Daniel 10:13, 20-21).
Either reading affirms divine sovereignty: God predetermined national boundaries with redemptive purposes centered on Israel as the covenant people through whom Messiah would come. Paul echoes this in Acts 17:26: God 'determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.'
Historical Context
This verse provides a theological interpretation of primeval history—the dispersion at Babel wasn't random but purposeful, preparing for Abraham's call and Israel's election. Ancient Near Eastern peoples believed territorial gods had limited jurisdiction; Israel's faith radically asserted YHWH's universal sovereignty over all nations and territories. This cosmopolitan theology undergirds the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19)—the same God who scattered nations to prepare for Israel now gathers them through the Gospel. The textual variant ('sons of Israel' vs. 'sons of God') reflects different manuscript traditions but doesn't affect the central point: God's sovereign orchestration of history around His redemptive plan.
Questions for Reflection
How does God's sovereignty over all nations (not just your own) shape your understanding of international events and mission?
What comfort comes from knowing God predetermined historical boundaries with redemptive purposes in mind?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance (be-hanchel 'Elyon goyim)—'Elyon (Most High) emphasizes God's sovereignty over ALL nations, not just Israel. The division of nations recalls the Table of Nations (Genesis 10) and Babel's dispersion (Genesis 11:8-9). God assigned territorial boundaries according to His sovereign will.
He set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel—this extraordinary claim asserts that world geography was arranged with Israel's inheritance in view. The Masoretic Text reads "sons of Israel"; the Septuagint and Dead Sea Scrolls (4QDeut) read "sons of God" (possibly referring to angelic beings supervising nations, cf. Daniel 10:13, 20-21).
Either reading affirms divine sovereignty: God predetermined national boundaries with redemptive purposes centered on Israel as the covenant people through whom Messiah would come. Paul echoes this in Acts 17:26: God 'determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.'