King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 32:15 Mean?

Deuteronomy 32:15 in the King James Version says “But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he for...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.”

Deuteronomy 32:15 · KJV

Salvation

Context

13

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;

14

Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape.

15

But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.

16

They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.

17

They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not. not to: or, which were not God

Read Deuteronomy 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked—Yeshurūn (ישֻׁרוּן), meaning 'upright one,' is an affectionate name for Israel (Deuteronomy 33:5, 26; Isaiah 44:2), making the indictment more poignant. The verb kicked (בָּעַט, bā'aṭ) depicts a well-fed beast rebelling against its master—ingratitude expressed as violence. The threefold repetition 'thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness' (shāmantā, 'āvītā, kāsītā) emphasizes prosperous excess breeding arrogance.

He forsook God which made him (יִטֹּשׁ אֱלוֹהַּ עֹשֵׂהוּ)—the verb nāṭash means to abandon or cast off. Lightly esteemed (וַיְנַבֵּל) the Rock means to treat as foolish or worthless. Prosperity became Israel's spiritual poison, fulfilling Jesus's warning about wealth's danger (Matthew 19:23-24).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This verse prophetically describes the cycle repeated throughout Judges, Kings, and Chronicles: blessing leads to complacency, complacency to idolatry, idolatry to judgment. Written before Israel entered Canaan, Moses accurately predicted the nation's trajectory—fulfilled in Jeroboam's golden calves (1 Kings 12), Manasseh's abominations (2 Kings 21), and ultimately the Babylonian exile.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does prosperity often produce spiritual decline rather than gratitude and faithfulness?
  2. How does calling Israel 'Jeshurun' (upright one) while describing rebellion highlight the tragedy of covenant unfaithfulness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
שָׁמַ֖נְתָּ1 of 12

“thou art waxen fat”

H8080

to shine, i.e., (by analogy) be (causatively, make) oily or gross

יְשֻׁרוּן֙2 of 12

“But Jeshurun”

H3484

jeshurun, a symbolic name for israel

וַיִּבְעָ֔ט3 of 12

“and kicked”

H1163

to trample down, i.e., (figuratively) despise

שָׁמַ֖נְתָּ4 of 12

“thou art waxen fat”

H8080

to shine, i.e., (by analogy) be (causatively, make) oily or gross

עָבִ֣יתָ5 of 12

“thou art grown thick”

H5666

to be dense

כָּשִׂ֑יתָ6 of 12

“thou art covered”

H3780

to grow fat (i.e., be covered with flesh)

וַיִּטֹּשׁ֙7 of 12

“with fatness then he forsook”

H5203

properly, to pound, i.e., smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon (inclusive

אֱל֣וֹהַ8 of 12

“God”

H433

a deity or the deity

עָשָׂ֔הוּ9 of 12

“which made”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

וַיְנַבֵּ֖ל10 of 12

“him and lightly esteemed”

H5034

to wilt; generally, to fall away, fail, faint

צ֥וּר11 of 12

“the Rock”

H6697

properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)

יְשֻֽׁעָתֽוֹ׃12 of 12

“of his salvation”

H3444

something saved, i.e., (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity

Study Guide

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 32:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 32:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 31:20Hosea 13:6Deuteronomy 33:5Acts 28:271 Samuel 2:29Psalms 89:26

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