King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 32:11 Mean?

“As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:”

Context

For the LORD'S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. lot: Heb. cord

He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. led: or, compassed

As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:

So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.

He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock;

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(11, 12) “As an eagle awakeneth her nest, Over her young she broodeth, She spreadeth out her wings, she taketh up each one of them, She beareth him on her pinions: Jehovah alone leadeth him, And a stranger-god is not with Him.” The eagle in Hebrew is masculine. He is one of the creatures that is honoured with a description by the lips of Jehovah Himself in Job 39:27-30. But beautiful as the simile and the description in these places are, they are surpassed in gentleness by our Saviour when He says, “How often would I have gathered thy children together, *as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, *and ye would not” (Luke 13:34). **Fluttereth.**—Or, *broodeth, *is the word in Genesis 1:2, the Spirit of God *brooding *over the face of the waters. (13, 14) The verbs again are all present. “*He maketh *him to ride,” &c.,

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 32:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.