King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 32:38 Mean?

Deuteronomy 32:38 in the King James Version says “Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help you, a...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help you, and be your protection. your: Heb. an hiding for you”

Deuteronomy 32:38 · KJV

Context

36

For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left. power: Heb. hand

37

And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted,

38

Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help you, and be your protection. your: Heb. an hiding for you

39

See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.

40

For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.

Read Deuteronomy 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? (אֲשֶׁר חֵלֶב זְבָחֵימוֹ יֹאכֵלוּ יִשְׁתּוּ יֵין נְסִיכָם)—God's sarcasm intensifies: these gods consumed the choice portions (chelev, fat—the richest part reserved for deity) and received libations (nesekim, drink offerings). The irony is devastating—the gods didn't actually consume anything; priests and worshippers ate the sacrifices while imagining divine consumption.

Let them rise up and help you, and be your protection (יָקוּמוּ וְיַעְזְרֻכֶם יְהִי עֲלֵיכֶם סִתְרָה)—yaqumu (rise up) mocks idols' immobility. They cannot 'azar (help) or provide sitrah (shelter/protection—a hiding place from danger). The challenge recalls Isaiah 46:1-2 where Bel and Nebo, rather than saving, themselves become burdens carried into captivity. Dead gods cannot save from the living God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Canaanite and Mesopotamian worship involved elaborate sacrificial meals where worshippers feasted in the deity's presence, believing the god consumed the offering's essence. Israel's prophets exposed this as delusion—idols have mouths but don't eat (Psalm 115:4-7). Archaeological evidence shows Israelites syncretistically adopted Canaanite practices, sacrificing at high places to Baal and Asherah alongside Yahweh worship—precisely the apostasy Moses predicts and God here condemns.

Reflection Questions

  1. What empty rituals or religious activities have you pursued while lacking true relationship with God?
  2. How does God's jealousy for exclusive worship demonstrate His love rather than insecurity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
אֲשֶׁ֨ר1 of 12
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

חֵ֤לֶב2 of 12

“the fat”

H2459

fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part

זְבָחֵ֙ימוֹ֙3 of 12

“of their sacrifices”

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

יֹאכֵ֔לוּ4 of 12

“Which did eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

יִשְׁתּ֖וּ5 of 12

“and drank”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

יֵ֣ין6 of 12

“the wine”

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

נְסִיכָ֑ם7 of 12

“of their drink offerings”

H5257

properly, something poured out, i.e., a libation; by implication, a prince (as anointed)

יָק֙וּמוּ֙8 of 12

“let them rise up”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

וְיַעְזְרֻכֶ֔ם9 of 12

“and help”

H5826

to surround, i.e., protect or aid

יְהִ֥י10 of 12
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

עֲלֵיכֶ֖ם11 of 12
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

סִתְרָֽה׃12 of 12

“you and be your protection”

H5643

a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense)

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 32:38 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 32:38 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 21:21Judges 10:14Psalms 50:13Ezekiel 16:18-19Zephaniah 2:11Hosea 2:8

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