King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 32:6 Mean?

Deuteronomy 32:6 in the King James Version says “Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made t...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?”

Deuteronomy 32:6 · KJV

Context

4

He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

5

They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation. They have: Heb. He hath corrupted to himself their: or, that they are not his children, that is their blot

6

Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?

7

Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee. many: Heb. generation and generation

8

When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.

Read Deuteronomy 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise?—the Hebrew naval (foolish) and lo chakam (not wise) indicate moral deficiency, not intellectual limitation. Biblical foolishness is covenant rebellion (Psalm 14:1: "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God'"). To 'requite' (gamal) means to repay or reward—Israel's ingratitude repays God's goodness with evil.

Is not he thy father that hath bought thee? (ha-lo hu 'abika qaneka)—qanah means "acquired/purchased/redeemed." God is Father by creation AND redemption—He brought Israel into existence and delivered them from Egypt. Hath he not made thee, and established thee? (hu 'aseka wa-yekoneneka)—'asah' (made) recalls creation; 'kun' (established) means to set firmly, prepare, or constitute as a people.

This triple foundation—purchase, creation, establishment—establishes God's parental rights and Israel's filial obligations. The father-son relationship pervades Deuteronomy (1:31; 8:5; 14:1) and anticipates the New Testament's adoption theology (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5-7).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Song's rhetorical questions prosecute covenant ingratitude in the style of a prophetic lawsuit (rib). The Exodus redemption (referenced by "bought thee") occurred approximately 40 years before this song, making Israel's potential apostasy particularly grievous—they should remember their slavery and deliverance. The father-son covenant language parallels ancient Near Eastern suzerainty treaties where kings adopted vassal nations, but God's relationship with Israel is infinitely more intimate and gracious. This theology becomes foundational for understanding God's relationship with believers in Christ—we are 'bought with a price' (1 Corinthians 6:20), adopted as sons (John 1:12), and established as God's household (Ephesians 2:19-22).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does meditating on God as Father—who bought, made, and established you—deepen gratitude and combat spiritual ingratitude?
  2. What specific ways can you 'requite' God's goodness appropriately rather than responding with foolish rebellion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
לְיְהוָה֙1 of 15

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לְיְהוָה֙2 of 15

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

תִּגְמְלוּ3 of 15

“Do ye thus requite”

H1580

to treat a person (well or ill), i.e., benefit or requite; by implication (of toil), to ripen, i.e., (specifically) to wean

זֹ֔את4 of 15
H2063

this (often used adverb)

עַ֥ם5 of 15

“people”

H5971

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

נָבָ֖ל6 of 15

“O foolish”

H5036

stupid; wicked (especially impious)

וְלֹ֣א7 of 15
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

חָכָ֑ם8 of 15

“and unwise”

H2450

wise, (i.e., intelligent, skilful or artful)

הֲלוֹא9 of 15
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הוּא֙10 of 15
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

אָבִ֣יךָ11 of 15

“is not he thy father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

קָּנֶ֔ךָ12 of 15

“that hath bought”

H7069

to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own

ה֥וּא13 of 15
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

עָֽשְׂךָ֖14 of 15

“thee hath he not made”

H6213

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

וַֽיְכֹנְנֶֽךָ׃15 of 15

“thee and established”

H3559

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

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 32:6 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 32:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 63:161 John 3:1Isaiah 44:2Isaiah 64:8Psalms 74:2Isaiah 27:11

Test Your Knowledge

Deuteronomy 32 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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