Deuteronomy 32:15
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Deuteronomy 32:15
15 But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
Chapter Context
Deuteronomy 32 is a sermonic and legal chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of mercy, truth, obedience. Written during the end of the wilderness wandering (c. 1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Moses delivered these speeches as Israel prepared to enter a land filled with different Canaanite city-states.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-52: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it establishes important theological principles that resonate throughout Scripture. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Deuteronomy and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Deuteronomy 32:15
15 But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
Analysis
But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked—Yeshurūn (ישֻׁרוּן), meaning 'upright one,' is an affectionate name for Israel (Deuteronomy 33:5, 26; Isaiah 44:2), making the indictment more poignant. The verb kicked (בָּעַט, bā'aṭ) depicts a well-fed beast rebelling against its master—ingratitude expressed as violence. The threefold repetition 'thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness' (shāmantā, 'āvītā, kāsītā) emphasizes prosperous excess breeding arrogance.
He forsook God which made him (יִטֹּשׁ אֱלוֹהַּ עֹשֵׂהוּ)—the verb nāṭash means to abandon or cast off. Lightly esteemed (וַיְנַבֵּל) the Rock means to treat as foolish or worthless. Prosperity became Israel's spiritual poison, fulfilling Jesus's warning about wealth's danger (Matthew 19:23-24).
Historical Context
This verse prophetically describes the cycle repeated throughout Judges, Kings, and Chronicles: blessing leads to complacency, complacency to idolatry, idolatry to judgment. Written before Israel entered Canaan, Moses accurately predicted the nation's trajectory—fulfilled in Jeroboam's golden calves (1 Kings 12), Manasseh's abominations (2 Kings 21), and ultimately the Babylonian exile.
Reflection
- Why does prosperity often produce spiritual decline rather than gratitude and faithfulness?
- How does calling Israel 'Jeshurun' (upright one) while describing rebellion highlight the tragedy of covenant unfaithfulness?
Word Studies
- God: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) H433 - God (plural of majesty)
Cross-References
- Salvation: Psalms 89:26
- References God: Deuteronomy 31:20, 32:4
- Creation: Isaiah 44:2
- Parallel theme: Deuteronomy 33:5, 1 Samuel 2:29, Isaiah 1:4, 6:10, Hosea 13:6, Acts 28:27