Deuteronomy 4:32
For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it?
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 28
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שְׁאַל
For ask
H7592
שְׁאַל
For ask
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
2 of 28
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
נָא֩
H4994
נָא֩
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
3 of 28
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
הַיּוֹם֙
now of the days
H3117
הַיּוֹם֙
now of the days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
4 of 28
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
רִֽאשֹׁנִ֜ים
that are past
H7223
רִֽאשֹׁנִ֜ים
that are past
Strong's:
H7223
Word #:
5 of 28
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֲנִֽהְיָ֗ה
which were
H1961
הֲנִֽהְיָ֗ה
which were
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
7 of 28
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְפָנֶ֗יךָ
before
H6440
לְפָנֶ֗יךָ
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
8 of 28
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
לְמִן
H4480
לְמִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
9 of 28
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַיּוֹם֙
now of the days
H3117
הַיּוֹם֙
now of the days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
10 of 28
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
אֲשֶׁר֩
H834
אֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בָּרָ֨א
created
H1254
בָּרָ֨א
created
Strong's:
H1254
Word #:
12 of 28
(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)
אֱלֹהִ֤ים׀
that God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֤ים׀
that God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
13 of 28
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אָדָם֙
man
H120
אָדָם֙
man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
14 of 28
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
15 of 28
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם
of heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם
of heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
18 of 28
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וְעַד
H5704
וְעַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
19 of 28
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם
of heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם
of heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
21 of 28
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
הֲנִֽהְיָ֗ה
which were
H1961
הֲנִֽהְיָ֗ה
which were
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
22 of 28
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כַּדָּבָ֤ר
thing
H1697
כַּדָּבָ֤ר
thing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
23 of 28
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַגָּדוֹל֙
unto the other whether there hath been any such thing as this great
H1419
הַגָּדוֹל֙
unto the other whether there hath been any such thing as this great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
24 of 28
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
הַזֶּ֔ה
H2088
א֖וֹ
H176
א֖וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
26 of 28
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
Cross References
Job 8:8For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:Psalms 44:1We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.Matthew 24:31And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.Deuteronomy 32:7Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.Genesis 1:27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.Joel 1:2Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers?
Historical Context
Moses appeals to Israel's unique historical experience of divine revelation. Since creation, no other nation had experienced direct theophany as Israel did at Horeb/Sinai. This appeal to unprecedented historical evidence was meant to strengthen their faith and commitment as they prepared to face the religious pluralism of Canaan.
Questions for Reflection
- How does biblical faith's appeal to historical evidence differ from religions based on private mystical experience or philosophical speculation?
- What unique evidences of God's work in history strengthen your confidence in the Christian faith?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth...
Moses shifts from warning to wonder, challenging Israel to investigate all human history (lemin hayom asher bara Elohim adam al ha'arets, 'since the day God created man on the earth') and search the entire earth (ulmiketseh hashamayim ve'ad ketseh hashamayim, 'from one end of heaven to the other'). The scope is comprehensive: all time, all space. Has anything comparable to Israel's experience ever occurred?
The rhetorical question hanihyah kadavar hagadol hazeh (הֲנִהְיָה כַּדָּבָר הַגָּדֹל הַזֶּה, 'has there been any such great thing?') invites empirical investigation. Moses appeals not to blind faith but to historical evidence. Israel's experience is falsifiable—if another nation can demonstrate comparable divine encounter, Israel's uniqueness collapses. But no such evidence exists.
This argument from uniqueness anticipates the apologetic strategy of the prophets and apostles: biblical faith invites scrutiny because it rests on public, verifiable events, not private mystical experiences. Christianity makes the same claim about the resurrection—'ask, investigate, verify' (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). The God of Israel acts in history, leaving evidence that withstands examination.