Keraia
Deuteronomy 4

Deuteronomy 4:27

A Warning against Idolatry · Deuteronomy 4:15–31
Read Deuteronomy 4

Translations

Modern
Then the LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and only a few of you will survive among the nations to which the LORD will drive you.
Traditional
And the Lord shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the Lord shall lead you.
Literal
And YHWH will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations to which YHWH will drive you.
Latin
…atque disperget in omnes gentes, et remanebitis pauci in nationibus, ad quas vos ducturus est Dominus.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then the LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and only a few of you will survive among the nations to which the LORD will drive you.

Notes

Deuteronomy 4:27

scatter you: One of the curses of the covenant warned that God would scatter Israel among the nations if they broke the covenant (28:64). This meant the people would be forced to leave their land and live far away, even to distant parts of the earth.

This judgment happened more than once in Israel’s history:

  • The Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom in 722 BC.

  • The Babylonians conquered Judah from 605 to 586 BC.

  • Later, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70.

Deuteronomy 4:1–40

Moses gave a long speech to the Israelites because of their recent failures and what he thought would happen in Canaan.

Parallels

Deuteronomy 12:29–32 Ezekiel 6:1–7

Glossary

Archaeology and the Bible Deuteronomy, Book of

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Dispensation of God Backsliders: Backsliding of Israel Idolatry: Denunciations Against Obedience: Enjoined