Deuteronomy 4:27

Authorized King James Version

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And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you.

Original Language Analysis

וְהֵפִ֧יץ shall scatter H6327
וְהֵפִ֧יץ shall scatter
Strong's: H6327
Word #: 1 of 13
to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)
יְהוָ֛ה And the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֛ה And the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶתְכֶ֖ם H853
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
Strong's: H853
Word #: 3 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בָּֽעַמִּ֑ים you among the nations H5971
בָּֽעַמִּ֑ים you among the nations
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 4 of 13
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְנִשְׁאַרְתֶּם֙ and ye shall be left H7604
וְנִשְׁאַרְתֶּם֙ and ye shall be left
Strong's: H7604
Word #: 5 of 13
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant
מְתֵ֣י few H4962
מְתֵ֣י few
Strong's: H4962
Word #: 6 of 13
properly, an adult (as of full length); by implication, a man (only in the plural)
מִסְפָּ֔ר in number H4557
מִסְפָּ֔ר in number
Strong's: H4557
Word #: 7 of 13
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
בַּגּוֹיִ֕ם among the heathen H1471
בַּגּוֹיִ֕ם among the heathen
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 8 of 13
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֲשֶׁ֨ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 9 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְנַהֵ֧ג shall lead H5090
יְנַהֵ֧ג shall lead
Strong's: H5090
Word #: 10 of 13
to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), also (from the panting induced by effort), to sigh
יְהוָ֛ה And the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֛ה And the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 11 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶתְכֶ֖ם H853
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
Strong's: H853
Word #: 12 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שָֽׁמָּה׃ H8033
שָֽׁמָּה׃
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 13 of 13
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

Analysis & Commentary

And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen...

The verb vehephits (וְהֵפִיץ, 'scatter') describes dispersion like seed thrown to the wind—Israel would lose territorial cohesion and national identity among the goyim (גּוֹיִם, 'nations/heathen'). The phrase 'few in number' (metei mispar, מְתֵי מִסְפָּר) reverses the Abrahamic blessing of multiplication (Genesis 15:5); covenant curse undoes covenant blessing.

Remarkably, Moses attributes this scattering directly to the LORD (Yahweh)—not merely to Assyrian or Babylonian imperial ambition. Foreign armies would be instruments of divine judgment, not independent actors overcoming God's purposes. This theological interpretation of history pervades the prophets: exile is not divine defeat but divine discipline, God using pagan nations to judge His wayward people.

Yet even in this curse lies hidden mercy. Scattering preserves a remnant; total destruction would end the covenant line entirely. Being 'few' is not being 'none.' God's judgment, though severe, maintains the possibility of restoration. The scattered people retain their identity among the nations, awaiting the repentance and return that verses 29-31 will promise.

Historical Context

This prophecy of scattering among nations anticipated the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles. Moses spoke these words before Israel even entered Canaan, demonstrating God's foreknowledge of Israel's future unfaithfulness. The dispersion among 'heathen' (Gentile nations) would occur some 700-800 years after Moses' speech.

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