The Meaning of Deuteronomy 32:27 Explained

Deuteronomy 32:27

KJV: Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, and lest they should say, Our hand is high, and the LORD hath not done all this.

YLT: If not -- the anger of an enemy I fear, Lest their adversaries know -- Lest they say, Our hand is high, And Jehovah hath not wrought all this.

Darby: If I did not fear provocation from the enemy, Lest their adversaries should misunderstand it, Lest they should say, Our hand is high, and Jehovah has not done all this.

ASV: Were it not that I feared the provocation of the enemy, Lest their adversaries should judge amiss, Lest they should say, Our hand is exalted, And Jehovah hath not done all this.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Were it not  that I feared  the wrath  of the enemy,  lest their adversaries  should behave themselves strangely,  [and] lest they should say,  Our hand  [is] high,  and the LORD  hath not done  all this. 

What does Deuteronomy 32:27 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 32:27 mean?

Not the wrath of the enemy Had I feared lest should misunderstand their adversaries lest they should say Our hand [is] high and it is not Yahweh who has done all this
לוּלֵ֗י כַּ֤עַס אוֹיֵב֙ אָג֔וּר פֶּֽן־ יְנַכְּר֖וּ צָרֵ֑ימוֹ פֶּן־ יֹֽאמְרוּ֙ יָדֵ֣ינוּ רָ֔מָה וְלֹ֥א יְהוָ֖ה פָּעַ֥ל כָּל־ זֹֽאת

כַּ֤עַס  the  wrath 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כַּעַס 
Sense: anger, vexation, provocation, grief.
אוֹיֵב֙  of  the  enemy 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: אֹיֵב  
Sense: (Qal) enemy.
אָג֔וּר  Had  I  feared 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: גּוּר 
Sense: to sojourn, abide, dwell in, dwell with, remain, inhabit, be a stranger, be continuing, surely.
פֶּֽן־  lest 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: פֶּן  
Sense: lest, not, beware lest adv.
יְנַכְּר֖וּ  should  misunderstand 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: נָכַר 
Sense: to recognise, acknowledge, know, respect, discern, regard.
צָרֵ֑ימוֹ  their  adversaries 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine plural
Root: צַר 
Sense: narrow, tight.
פֶּן־  lest 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: פֶּן  
Sense: lest, not, beware lest adv.
יֹֽאמְרוּ֙  they  should  say 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
יָדֵ֣ינוּ  Our  hand 
Parse: Noun, fdc, first person common plural
Root: יָד  
Sense: hand.
רָ֔מָה  [is]  high 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person feminine singular
Root: יָרוּם 
Sense: to rise, rise up, be high, be lofty, be exalted.
וְלֹ֥א  and  it  is  not 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
יְהוָ֖ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
פָּעַ֥ל  who  has  done 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: פָּעַל  
Sense: to do, make.
זֹֽאת  this 
Parse: Pronoun, feminine singular
Root: זׄאת  
Sense: this, this one, here, which, this … that, the one … the other, such.