King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 32:44 Mean?

Deuteronomy 32:44 in the King James Version says “And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Hoshea the son of Nun. Hoshea: or...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Hoshea the son of Nun. Hoshea: or, Joshua”

Deuteronomy 32:44 · KJV

Context

42

I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy.

43

Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people. Rejoice: or, Praise his people, ye nations: or, Sing ye

44

And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Hoshea the son of Nun. Hoshea: or, Joshua

45

And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel:

46

And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Hoshea the son of Nun.

The phrase wayyabo Moshe ("and Moses came") emphasizes Moses' final public act—delivering the Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32:1-43) to all Israel. Hoshea is Joshua's original name (Numbers 13:16), meaning "salvation," before Moses changed it to Yehoshua ("Yahweh is salvation"). This mention foreshadows the leadership transition and connects Joshua's role as covenant witness to his future role as Moses' successor.

The Hebrew be'oznei ha'am ("in the ears of the people") indicates oral proclamation requiring active listening—not private study but public covenant renewal. Moses doesn't merely recite but waydabber ("spake/declared"), implying authoritative proclamation. The song functions as covenant witness (v. 46), testifying against Israel's future rebellion while simultaneously offering hope of restoration (v. 36-43).

Joshua's presence as co-witness establishes continuity of covenant leadership beyond Moses' death. The communal hearing emphasizes collective responsibility—every generation must personally appropriate covenant realities, not rely on ancestral faith. This pattern recurs throughout Scripture: covenant renewal requires audible proclamation and communal response (Joshua 8:30-35; Nehemiah 8:1-8).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This event occurs on the plains of Moab in the eleventh month of the fortieth year (Deuteronomy 1:3), weeks before Moses' death and Israel's Jordan crossing. Moses is 120 years old (Deuteronomy 31:2). The Song of Moses represents ancient Near Eastern covenant treaty form, where songs served as mnemonic devices for treaty stipulations and warnings. Public recitation before the assembled nation parallels Hittite treaty ceremonies where vassal populations heard treaty terms read aloud.

Joshua's Hebrew name Hoshea appears here, though he's typically called Yehoshua/Joshua elsewhere in Deuteronomy. Some scholars suggest this reflects source material from different periods, while traditional interpretation sees it emphasizing his original identity before his role as Moses' successor was fully realized. The song would be taught to all Israel (31:19) and preserved for future generations as prophetic witness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the communal nature of covenant hearing challenge individualistic approaches to Scripture?
  2. What role does corporate worship and public Scripture reading play in maintaining covenant faithfulness across generations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וַיָּבֹ֣א1 of 14

“came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

מֹשֶׁ֗ה2 of 14

“And Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

וַיְדַבֵּ֛ר3 of 14

“and spake”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֶת4 of 14
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל5 of 14
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

דִּבְרֵ֥י6 of 14

“all the words”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַשִּׁירָֽה7 of 14

“of this song”

H7892

a song; abstractly, singing

הַזֹּ֖את8 of 14
H2063

this (often used adverb)

בְּאָזְנֵ֣י9 of 14

“in the ears”

H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

הָעָ֑ם10 of 14

“of the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

ה֖וּא11 of 14
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וְהוֹשֵׁ֥עַ12 of 14

“he and Hoshea”

H1954

hoshea, the name of five israelites

בִּן13 of 14

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

נֽוּן׃14 of 14

“of Nun”

H5126

nun or non, the father of joshua

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 32:44 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 32:44 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 13:8Numbers 13:16Deuteronomy 31:30Deuteronomy 31:22

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