The Meaning of Deuteronomy 32:21 Explained

Deuteronomy 32:21

KJV: They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

YLT: They have made Me zealous by 'no-god,' They made Me angry by their vanities; And I make them zealous by 'no-people,' By a foolish nation I make them angry.

Darby: They have moved me to jealousy with that which is no God; They have exasperated me with their vanities; And I will move them to jealousy with that which is not a people; With a foolish nation will I provoke them to anger.

ASV: They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; They have provoked me to anger with their vanities: And I will move them to jealousy with those that are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

They have moved me to jealousy  with [that which is] not  God;  they have provoked me to anger  with their vanities:  and I will move them to jealousy  with [those which are] not a people;  I will provoke them to anger  with a foolish  nation. 

What does Deuteronomy 32:21 Mean?

Context Summary

Deuteronomy 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: Deuteronomy 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 32:21 mean?

They have provoked Me to jealousy by not [what] is God they have moved Me to anger by their foolish idols So I will provoke them to jealousy by not [those who are] a nation by a nation foolish I will move them to anger
הֵ֚ם קִנְא֣וּנִי בְלֹא־ אֵ֔ל כִּעֲס֖וּנִי בְּהַבְלֵיהֶ֑ם וַאֲנִי֙ אַקְנִיאֵ֣ם בְּלֹא־ עָ֔ם בְּג֥וֹי נָבָ֖ל אַכְעִיסֵֽם

קִנְא֣וּנִי  have  provoked  Me  to  jealousy 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, third person common plural, first person common singular
Root: קָנָא  
Sense: to envy, be jealous, be envious, be zealous.
בְלֹא־  by  not 
Parse: Preposition-b, Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
אֵ֔ל  [what]  is  God 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֵל 
Sense: god, god-like one, mighty one.
כִּעֲס֖וּנִי  they  have  moved  Me  to  anger 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, third person common plural, first person common singular
Root: כָּעַס  
Sense: to be angry, be vexed, be indignant, be wroth, be grieved, provoke to anger and wrath.
בְּהַבְלֵיהֶ֑ם  by  their  foolish  idols 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine plural
Root: הֶבֶל  
Sense: vapour, breath.
וַאֲנִי֙  So  I 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Pronoun, first person common singular
Root: אֲנִי  
Sense: I (first pers.
אַקְנִיאֵ֣ם  will  provoke  them  to  jealousy 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, first person common singular, third person masculine plural
Root: קָנָא  
Sense: to envy, be jealous, be envious, be zealous.
בְּלֹא־  by  not 
Parse: Preposition-b, Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
עָ֔ם  [those  who  are]  a  nation 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
בְּג֥וֹי  by  a  nation 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular
Root: גֹּוי 
Sense: nation, people.
נָבָ֖ל  foolish 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: נָבָל  
Sense: foolish, senseless, fool.
אַכְעִיסֵֽם  I  will  move  them  to  anger 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, first person common singular, third person masculine plural
Root: כָּעַס  
Sense: to be angry, be vexed, be indignant, be wroth, be grieved, provoke to anger and wrath.