Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version but I dreaded the taunt of the enemy, lest the adversary misunderstand and say, ‘Our hand has triumphed; the LORD has not done all this.’” New Living Translation But I feared the taunt of Israel’s enemy, who might misunderstand and say, “Our own power has triumphed! The LORD had nothing to do with this!”’ English Standard Version had I not feared provocation by the enemy, lest their adversaries should misunderstand, lest they should say, “Our hand is triumphant, it was not the LORD who did all this.”’ Berean Standard Bible if I had not dreaded the taunt of the enemy, lest their adversaries misunderstand and say: ‘Our own hand has prevailed; it was not the LORD who did all this.’” Berean Literal Bible if I had not feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should misunderstand, lest they should say, ‘Our hand is high, and it is not YHWH who has done all this.’” King James Bible 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. New King James Version Had I not feared the wrath of the enemy, Lest their adversaries should misunderstand, Lest they should say, “Our hand is high; And it is not the LORD who has done all this.” ’ New American Standard Bible Had I not feared the provocation by the enemy, That their adversaries would misjudge, That they would say, “Our hand is triumphant, And the LORD has not performed all this.”’ NASB 1995 Had I not feared the provocation by the enemy, That their adversaries would misjudge, That they would say, “Our hand is triumphant, And the LORD has not done all this."’ NASB 1977 Had I not feared the provocation by the enemy, Lest their adversaries should misjudge, Lest they should say, “Our hand is triumphant, And the LORD has not done all this.”’ Legacy Standard Bible Had I not feared the provocation by the enemy, Lest their adversaries misjudge, Lest they say, “Our hand is triumphant, And Yahweh has not done all this.”’ Amplified Bible Had I not feared the provocation of the enemy, That their adversaries would misjudge, That they would say, “Our [own] hand has prevailed, And the LORD has not done all this.”’ Berean Annotated Bible if I had not dreaded the taunt of the enemy, lest their adversaries misunderstand and say: ‘Our own hand has prevailed; it was not the LORD {YHWH} who did all this. Christian Standard Bible if I had not feared provocation from the enemy, or feared that these foes might misunderstand and say, ‘Our own hand has prevailed; it wasn’t the LORD who did all this.’ ” Holman Christian Standard Bible if I had not feared insult from the enemy, or feared that these foes might misunderstand and say: ‘Our own hand has prevailed; it wasn’t the LORD who did all this.’” American Standard Version 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. Contemporary English Version But I dreaded the sound of your enemies saying, 'We defeated Israel with no help from the LORD.'" English Revised Version Were it not that I feared the provocation of the enemy, Lest their adversaries should misdeem, Lest they should say, Our hand is exalted, And the LORD hath not done all this. GOD'S WORD® Translation But I didn't want their enemies to make me angry. I didn't want their opponents to misunderstand and say, 'We won this victory! It wasn't the LORD who did all this!'" Good News Translation But I could not let their enemies boast that they had defeated my people, when it was I myself who had crushed them.' International Standard Version if it weren't for dreading the taunting of their enemies— otherwise, their adversary might misinterpret and say, "Our power is great. It isn't the LORD who made all of this happen."'" NET Bible But I fear the reaction of their enemies, for their adversaries would misunderstand and say, "Our power is great, and the LORD has not done all this!"' New Heart English Bible were it not that I feared the provocation of the enemy, lest their adversaries should judge wrongly, lest they should say, 'Our hand is exalted, the LORD has not done all this.'" Webster's Bible Translation 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bibleif I had not dreaded the taunt of the enemy, lest their adversaries misunderstand and say: ‘Our own hand has prevailed; it was not the LORD who did all this.’” World English Bible were it not that I feared the provocation of the enemy, lest their adversaries should judge wrongly, lest they should say, ‘Our hand is exalted; Yahweh has not done all this.’” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionIf I do not fear the anger of an enemy, "" Lest their adversaries know—Lest they say, Our hand is high, "" And YHWH has not worked all this. Berean Literal Bible if I had not feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should misunderstand, lest they should say, ‘Our hand is high, and it is not YHWH who has done all this.’” Young's Literal Translation 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. Smith's Literal Translation Unless I shall fear the enemy's their adversaries shall dissemble, Lest they shall say, Our high hand And not Jehovah did all this. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut for the wrath of the enemies I have deferred it: lest perhaps their enemies might be proud, and should say: Our mighty hand, and not the Lord, hath done all these things. Catholic Public Domain Version But because of the wrath of the enemies, I have delayed it. Otherwise, perhaps their enemies would be arrogant and would say: “Our exalted hand, and not the Lord, has done all these things.” New American Bible Had I not feared the provocation by the enemy, that their foes might misunderstand, And say, “Our own hand won the victory; the LORD had nothing to do with any of it.” New Revised Standard Version but I feared provocation by the enemy, for their adversaries might misunderstand and say, “Our hand is triumphant; it was not the LORD who did all this.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHad it not been for the wrath of the enemy, who had become strong, and had it not been for the boasting of the adversary, who would say, It is our hand that has prevailed, and the LORD has not done all this, I would have blotted them out. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Surely it was not the wrath of the enemy that was strong, lest their enemies would be exalted and they would say: “Our hand was exalted and it was not LORD JEHOVAH who did these things.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Were it not that I dreaded the enemy's provocation, Lest their adversaries should misdeem, Lest they should say: Our hand is exalted, And not the LORD hath wrought all this.' Brenton Septuagint Translation Were it not for the wrath of the enemy, lest they should live long, lest their enemies should combine against them; lest they should say, Our own high arm, and not the Lord, has done all these things. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Song of Moses…26I would have said that I would cut them to pieces and blot out their memory from mankind, 27if I had not dreaded the taunt of the enemy, lest their adversaries misunderstand and say: ‘Our own hand has prevailed; it was not the LORD who did all this.’” 28Israel is a nation devoid of counsel, with no understanding among them.… Cross References if I had not dreaded the taunt of the enemy, Psalm 44:13-16 You have made us a reproach to our neighbors, a mockery and derision to those around us. / You have made us a byword among the nations, a laughingstock among the peoples. / All day long my disgrace is before me, and shame has covered my face, … Psalm 79:4 We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to those around us. Lamentations 2:15-16 All who pass by clap their hands at you in scorn. They hiss and shake their heads at the Daughter of Jerusalem: “Is this the city that was called the perfection of beauty, the joy of all the earth?” / All your enemies open their mouths against you. They hiss and gnash their teeth, saying, “We have swallowed her up. This is the day for which we have waited. We have lived to see it!” lest their adversaries misunderstand Exodus 32:12-14 Why should the Egyptians declare, ‘He brought them out with evil intent, to kill them in the mountains and wipe them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce anger and relent from doing harm to Your people. / Remember Your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, to whom You swore by Your very self when You declared, ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give your descendants all this land that I have promised, and it shall be their inheritance forever.’” / So the LORD relented from the calamity He had threatened to bring on His people. Numbers 14:13-16 But Moses said to the LORD, “The Egyptians will hear of it, for by Your strength You brought this people from among them. / And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have already heard that You, O LORD, are in the midst of this people, that You, O LORD, have been seen face to face, that Your cloud stands over them, and that You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. / If You kill this people as one man, the nations who have heard of Your fame will say, … Ezekiel 36:20-23 And wherever they went among the nations, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave His land.’ / But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations to which they had gone. / Therefore tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: It is not for your sake that I will act, O house of Israel, but for My holy name, which you profaned among the nations to which you went. … and say: ‘Our own hand has prevailed; 1 Samuel 2:9 He guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness; for by his own strength shall no man prevail. Judges 7:2 Then the LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men for Me to deliver Midian into their hands, lest Israel glorify themselves over Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ Deuteronomy 8:17-18 You might say in your heart, “The power and strength of my hands have made this wealth for me.” / But remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers even to this day. it was not the LORD who did all this.’ 1 Samuel 17:46-47 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand. This day I will strike you down, cut off your head, and give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the creatures of the earth. Then the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. / And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.” Psalm 115:1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name be the glory, because of Your loving devotion, because of Your faithfulness. Isaiah 10:13-15 For he says: ‘By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, for I am clever. I have removed the boundaries of nations and plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their rulers. / My hand reached as into a nest to seize the wealth of the nations. Like one gathering abandoned eggs, I gathered all the earth. No wing fluttered, no beak opened or chirped.’” / Does an axe raise itself above the one who swings it? Does a saw boast over him who saws with it? It would be like a rod waving the one who lifts it, or a staff lifting him who is not wood! Romans 2:24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” Isaiah 48:9-11 For the sake of My name I will delay My wrath; for the sake of My praise I will restrain it, so that you will not be cut off. / See, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. / For My own sake, My very own sake, I will act; for how can I let Myself be defamed? I will not yield My glory to another. Ezekiel 20:9 But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they were living, in whose sight I had revealed Myself to Israel by bringing them out of the land of Egypt. Ezekiel 36:22-23 Therefore tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: It is not for your sake that I will act, O house of Israel, but for My holy name, which you profaned among the nations to which you went. / I will show the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations—the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Lord GOD, when I show My holiness in you before their eyes. Treasury of Scripture 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 has not done all this. lest their 1 Samuel 12:22 For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people. Isaiah 37:28,29,35 But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me… Isaiah 47:7 And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: so that thou didst not lay these things to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it. they should Exodus 32:12 Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. Numbers 14:15,16 Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying, … Joshua 7:9 For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name? Our hand, etc. Jump to Previous Adversaries Adversary Amiss Behave Dreaded Enemy Enemy's Exalted Hand Haters High Judge Misdeem Pride Provocation Strangely Strong Taunt Themselves Triumphant Uplifted Wrath WronglyJump to Next Adversaries Adversary Amiss Behave Dreaded Enemy Enemy's Exalted Hand Haters High Judge Misdeem Pride Provocation Strangely Strong Taunt Themselves Triumphant Uplifted Wrath WronglyDeuteronomy 32 1. Moses' song, which sets forth God's mercy and vengeance46. He exhorts them to set their hearts upon it 48. God sends him up to mount Nebo to see the land, and to die if I had not dreaded the taunt of the enemy This phrase reflects God's concern for His reputation among the nations. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the honor and power of a deity were often judged by the success of its people. The "taunt of the enemy" suggests that Israel's enemies might mock or belittle God if they perceived Him as unable to protect His people. This echoes the concern seen in Exodus 32:12 and Numbers 14:13-16, where Moses intercedes for Israel, appealing to God's reputation among the nations. lest their adversaries misunderstand and say: ‘Our own hand has prevailed; it was not the LORD who did all this.’” Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe author of Deuteronomy, delivering a song to the Israelites as a reminder of God's faithfulness and a warning against disobedience. 2. Israelites The chosen people of God, whom Moses is addressing in this passage. 3. Enemies/Adversaries The foreign nations surrounding Israel, who might misinterpret Israel's downfall as their own victory rather than God's judgment. 4. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant God of Israel, who is concerned about His name and reputation among the nations. 5. The Song of Moses A poetic passage in Deuteronomy 32, serving as both a historical recount and a prophetic warning. Teaching Points God's Concern for His NameGod is deeply concerned about His reputation among the nations. Our actions as believers should reflect His holiness and righteousness to avoid bringing dishonor to His name. Understanding God's Sovereignty The passage reminds us that God is in control of all events. We should recognize His hand in our lives and give Him the glory, rather than attributing success to our own efforts. The Danger of Misinterpretation Just as the adversaries might misunderstand Israel's situation, we must be careful not to misinterpret God's actions in our lives. Seek wisdom and discernment to understand His purposes. The Importance of Obedience Israel's disobedience led to consequences that could have been misinterpreted by their enemies. Our obedience to God is crucial in maintaining a clear testimony to the world. God's Reluctance to Punish God’s hesitation to allow Israel's enemies to triumph shows His mercy and desire for repentance. We should be grateful for His patience and strive to align our lives with His will. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 32:27?2. How does Deuteronomy 32:27 highlight God's concern for His reputation among nations? 3. What does Deuteronomy 32:27 reveal about God's sovereignty over Israel's enemies? 4. How can we apply God's protective nature in Deuteronomy 32:27 to our lives? 5. Connect Deuteronomy 32:27 with other scriptures emphasizing God's protection of His people. 6. How does understanding Deuteronomy 32:27 strengthen our trust in God's ultimate plan? 7. What does Deuteronomy 32:27 reveal about God's concern for His reputation among other nations? 8. How does Deuteronomy 32:27 reflect God's sovereignty in the face of Israel's enemies? 9. Why does God mention the fear of enemy misinterpretation in Deuteronomy 32:27? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 32? 11. What defines God's character? 12. Does the command in Deuteronomy 27:8 to write the Law 'very clearly' imply a significant difference from earlier recordings of the Law? 13. In light of God's mercy emphasized in other parts of Scripture, does Psalm 70:3's plea for disgrace upon adversaries suggest a contradiction? 14. How should others be treated? What Does Deuteronomy 32:27 Mean If I had not dreadedThe speaker is the LORD Himself, revealing a voluntary restraint. • He does not “dread” in the sense of fearfulness, but chooses to hold back complete destruction of Israel so that a greater evil—misrepresentation of His glory—will not occur (Isaiah 48:9–11; Psalm 78:38). • God’s patience highlights His covenant faithfulness despite Israel’s unfaithfulness (2 Timothy 2:13; Romans 11:28-29). The taunt of the enemy What God dreads is the mocking scorn of pagan nations. • Throughout Israel’s history, foreign powers ridiculed the LORD when they seemed victorious (Psalm 79:10; 115:2). • Such taunts aim to undermine faith among God’s people and exalt false gods (1 Samuel 17:43-47). Lest their adversaries misunderstand God is concerned that Israel’s conquerors would misread His discipline. • He uses nations as instruments of judgment (Isaiah 10:5-7), yet those same nations remain morally responsible for their attitudes (Habakkuk 1:11). • Misunderstanding divine purpose distorts history and blinds people to God’s sovereignty (Romans 1:21). Saying, “Our own hand has prevailed” Self-congratulation is the natural result of spiritual blindness. • The LORD deliberately minimizes human grounds for boasting (Judges 7:2; 1 Corinthians 1:29-31). • Pride sets nations on a collision course with divine justice (Obadiah 3-4; Proverbs 16:18). “It was not the LORD who did all this.” To deny God’s involvement is to reject His rightful glory. • Pharaoh, Sennacherib, Nebuchadnezzar—all learned that human power is nothing without God’s permission (Exodus 14:4; Isaiah 37:23-26; Daniel 4:30-32). • Atheistic or self-sufficient claims provoke God to vindicate His name through future acts of judgment and deliverance (Ezekiel 36:22-23). summary Deuteronomy 32:27 reveals God’s deliberate restraint in judging Israel. He moderates His discipline so that pagan nations cannot gloat or claim credit, safeguarding the truth that He alone rules history. The verse underscores His jealousy for His name, exposes human pride, and reassures believers that even divine chastening is governed by a larger purpose: the universal recognition of the LORD’s sovereign glory. (27) Behave themselves strangely.--Possibly, misunderstand it, or take note of it (as a strange thing).Hebrew if I had notלוּלֵ֗י (lū·lê) Conjunction Strong's 3884: If not, unless dreaded אָג֔וּר (’ā·ḡūr) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 1481: To turn aside from the road, sojourn, to shrink, fear, to gather for, hostility the taunt כַּ֤עַס (ka·‘as) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3708: Vexation, anger of the enemy, אוֹיֵב֙ (’ō·w·yêḇ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary lest פֶּן־ (pen-) Conjunction Strong's 6435: Removal, lest their adversaries צָרֵ֑ימוֹ (ṣā·rê·mōw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 6862: Narrow, a tight place, a pebble, an opponent misunderstand יְנַכְּר֖וּ (yə·nak·kə·rū) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 5234: To regard, recognize and say: יֹֽאמְרוּ֙ (yō·mə·rū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say ‘Our own hand יָדֵ֣ינוּ (yā·ḏê·nū) Noun - fdc | first person common plural Strong's 3027: A hand has prevailed; רָ֔מָה (rā·māh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 7311: To be high actively, to rise, raise it was not וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no the LORD יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel who did פָּעַ֥ל (pā·‘al) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6466: To do, make, to practise all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every this.’ זֹֽאת׃ (zōṯ) Pronoun - feminine singular Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, Links Deuteronomy 32:27 NIVDeuteronomy 32:27 NLT Deuteronomy 32:27 ESV Deuteronomy 32:27 NASB Deuteronomy 32:27 KJV Deuteronomy 32:27 BibleApps.com Deuteronomy 32:27 Biblia Paralela Deuteronomy 32:27 Chinese Bible Deuteronomy 32:27 French Bible Deuteronomy 32:27 Catholic Bible OT Law: Deuteronomy 32:27 Were it not that I feared (Deut. 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