The Meaning of Deuteronomy 32:30 Explained

Deuteronomy 32:30

KJV: How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?

YLT: How doth one pursue a thousand, And two cause a myriad to flee! If not -- that their rock hath sold them, And Jehovah hath shut them up?

Darby: How could one chase a thousand, And two put ten thousand to flight, Were it not that their Rock had sold them, And Jehovah had delivered them up?

ASV: How should one chase a thousand, And two put ten thousand to flight, Except their Rock had sold them, And Jehovah had delivered them up?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

How should one  chase  a thousand,  and two  put ten  thousand  to flight,  except  their Rock  had sold  them,  and the LORD  had shut them up? 

What does Deuteronomy 32:30 Mean?

Context Summary

Deu 32:15-35 - Moses' Song: Israel's Response
"Jeshurun" is a pet name for Israel, implying affection and endearment. The metaphor employed is derived from a pampered animal which, in consequence of rich and plentiful feeding, becomes mischievous and vicious.
Let us be warned by these denunciations against backsliding and willful sin. The greatness of our privileges will be the measure of the anguish of our doom. They who are exalted to Heaven by privilege must be cast down to Hades if they refuse and reject. The most fervent love becomes the hottest fire when it turns to jealousy. O my soul, it becomes thee to fear God as well as love Him. Remember Hebrews 10:26.
But what privileges await those who obey! When we abide in God, no enemy can stand against us. Five, strong in His miraculous fellowship, can chase a hundred, and a hundred, ten thousand. See Leviticus 26:8; also 1 Samuel 14:1, etc. God shows "Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him." See 2 Chronicles 16:9. [source]

Chapter Summary: Deu 32

1  Moses' song, which sets forth God's mercy and vengeance
46  He exhorts them to set their hearts upon it
48  God sends him up to mount Nebo to see the land, and to die

What do the individual words in Deuteronomy 32:30 mean?

how could chase one a thousand and two put to flight ten thousand except not Unless their Rock had sold them and Yahweh had surrendered them
אֵיכָ֞ה יִרְדֹּ֤ף אֶחָד֙ אֶ֔לֶף וּשְׁנַ֖יִם יָנִ֣יסוּ רְבָבָ֑ה אִם־ לֹא֙ כִּי־ צוּרָ֣ם מְכָרָ֔ם וַֽיהוָ֖ה ؟ הִסְגִּירָֽם

אֵיכָ֞ה  how 
Parse: Interjection
Root: אֵיךְ 
Sense: how? interj.
יִרְדֹּ֤ף  could  chase 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: רָדַף  
Sense: to be behind, follow after, pursue, persecute, run after.
אֶחָד֙  one 
Parse: Number, masculine singular
Root: אֶחָד  
Sense: one (number).
אֶ֔לֶף  a  thousand 
Parse: Number, masculine singular
Root: אֶלֶף 
Sense: a thousand.
וּשְׁנַ֖יִם  and  two 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Number, md
Root: שְׁנַיִם  
Sense: two.
יָנִ֣יסוּ  put  to  flight 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: נוּס  
Sense: to flee, escape.
רְבָבָ֑ה  ten  thousand 
Parse: Number, feminine singular
Root: רְבָבָה  
Sense: multitude, myriad, ten thousand.
אִם־  except 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: אִם  
Sense: if.
כִּי־  Unless 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: כִּי 
Sense: that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since.
צוּרָ֣ם  their  Rock 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine plural
Root: צוּר 
Sense: rock, cliff.
מְכָרָ֔ם  had  sold  them 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular, third person masculine plural
Root: מָכַר  
Sense: to sell.
וַֽיהוָ֖ה  and  Yahweh 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
؟ הִסְגִּירָֽם  had  surrendered  them 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Perfect, third person masculine singular, third person masculine plural
Root: סָגוּר 
Sense: to shut, close.