King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 4:27 Mean?

Deuteronomy 4:27 in the King James Version says “And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you.”

Deuteronomy 4:27 · KJV

Context

25

When thou shalt beget children, and children's children, and ye shall have remained long in the land, and shall corrupt yourselves, and make a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, and shall do evil in the sight of the LORD thy God, to provoke him to anger:

26

I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.

27

And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you.

28

And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.

29

But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen...

The verb vehephits (וְהֵפִיץ, 'scatter') describes dispersion like seed thrown to the wind—Israel would lose territorial cohesion and national identity among the goyim (גּוֹיִם, 'nations/heathen'). The phrase 'few in number' (metei mispar, מְתֵי מִסְפָּר) reverses the Abrahamic blessing of multiplication (Genesis 15:5); covenant curse undoes covenant blessing.

Remarkably, Moses attributes this scattering directly to the LORD (Yahweh)—not merely to Assyrian or Babylonian imperial ambition. Foreign armies would be instruments of divine judgment, not independent actors overcoming God's purposes. This theological interpretation of history pervades the prophets: exile is not divine defeat but divine discipline, God using pagan nations to judge His wayward people.

Yet even in this curse lies hidden mercy. Scattering preserves a remnant; total destruction would end the covenant line entirely. Being 'few' is not being 'none.' God's judgment, though severe, maintains the possibility of restoration. The scattered people retain their identity among the nations, awaiting the repentance and return that verses 29-31 will promise.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This prophecy of scattering among nations anticipated the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles. Moses spoke these words before Israel even entered Canaan, demonstrating God's foreknowledge of Israel's future unfaithfulness. The dispersion among 'heathen' (Gentile nations) would occur some 700-800 years after Moses' speech.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing God's sovereignty even over judgment and exile affect your understanding of difficult circumstances in your own life?
  2. What does it mean that God's discipline, while severe, always preserves a remnant and possibility for restoration?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְהֵפִ֧יץ1 of 13

“shall scatter”

H6327

to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)

יְהוָ֛ה2 of 13

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

אֶתְכֶ֖ם3 of 13
H853

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

בָּֽעַמִּ֑ים4 of 13

“you among the nations”

H5971

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

וְנִשְׁאַרְתֶּם֙5 of 13

“and ye shall be left”

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

מְתֵ֣י6 of 13

“few”

H4962

properly, an adult (as of full length); by implication, a man (only in the plural)

מִסְפָּ֔ר7 of 13

“in number”

H4557

a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

בַּגּוֹיִ֕ם8 of 13

“among the heathen”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

אֲשֶׁ֨ר9 of 13
H834

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

יְנַהֵ֧ג10 of 13

“shall lead”

H5090

to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), also (from the panting induced by effort), to sigh

יְהוָ֛ה11 of 13

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

אֶתְכֶ֖ם12 of 13
H853

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

שָֽׁמָּה׃13 of 13
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

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 4:27 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 4:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 28:62-64Leviticus 26:33Ezekiel 32:26Nehemiah 1:8-9Nehemiah 1:3Ezekiel 12:15

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