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Deuteronomy 32:14 - Divine abundance from land's bounty

Deuteronomy 32:14 - דברים 32:14

Hebrew Text

חֶמְאַת בָּקָר וַחֲלֵב צֹאן עִם־חֵלֶב כָּרִים וְאֵילִים בְּנֵי־בָשָׁן וְעַתּוּדִים עִם־חֵלֶב כִּלְיוֹת חִטָּה וְדַם־עֵנָב תִּשְׁתֶּה־חָמֶר׃

English Translation

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 wine of the pure blood of the grape.

Transliteration

Khemat bakar vachalev tzon im-chelev karim ve'eylim bnei-vashan ve'atudim im-chelev kilyot chita vedam-enav tishte-chamer.

Hebrew Leining Text

חֶמְאַ֨ת בָּקָ֜ר וַחֲלֵ֣ב צֹ֗אן        עִם־חֵ֨לֶב כָּרִ֜ים וְאֵילִ֤ים בְּנֵֽי־בָשָׁן֙ וְעַתּוּדִ֔ים        עִם־חֵ֖לֶב כִּלְי֣וֹת חִטָּ֑ה וְדַם־עֵנָ֖ב תִּשְׁתֶּה־חָֽמֶר׃        
חֶמְאַ֨ת בָּקָ֜ר וַחֲלֵ֣ב צֹ֗אן        עִם־חֵ֨לֶב כָּרִ֜ים וְאֵילִ֤ים בְּנֵֽי־בָשָׁן֙ וְעַתּוּדִ֔ים        עִם־חֵ֖לֶב כִּלְי֣וֹת חִטָּ֑ה וְדַם־עֵנָ֖ב תִּשְׁתֶּה־חָֽמֶר׃        

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Devarim (Deuteronomy)

This verse appears in Devarim 32:14, part of Shirat Ha'azinu, Moshe's poetic song describing Hashem's kindness to Bnei Yisrael. The imagery depicts the abundant blessings bestowed upon the nation in Eretz Yisrael.

Symbolism of Abundance

Rashi explains that these rich foods symbolize the material prosperity Hashem granted Israel. "Butter of kine and milk of sheep" represent dairy abundance, while "fat of lambs and rams" signify the finest meat offerings. The mention of "Bashan" (a fertile region) emphasizes quality, as noted by Ibn Ezra, who states that Bashan was renowned for its robust livestock.

Spiritual Parallels

  • Fat of kidneys of wheat: The Kli Yakar interprets this as the choicest wheat, paralleling the kidneys' role in filtering impurities—symbolizing refined spiritual sustenance.
  • Blood of the grape (wine): Ramban connects this to simcha (joy) in avodat Hashem, as wine represents sanctity in mitzvot like kiddush.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Sifrei links these blessings to the Mishkan's korbanot: "rams of Bashan" allude to the daily offerings, while "fat of kidneys" recalls the ketoret's finest ingredients. This ties physical bounty to divine service.

Ethical Lesson

The Or HaChaim warns that such abundance requires gratitude; misuse leads to the rebukes later in the parsha. The Netziv adds that these gifts are meant to elevate, not indulge—reflected in the juxtaposition with Torah study in the surrounding verses.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 32:14 mean in the context of the Song of Ha'azinu?
A: This verse is part of Moshe's prophetic song (Ha'azinu) describing the blessings Hashem bestowed upon Israel. Rashi explains that it poetically depicts the abundance of the Land of Israel—rich dairy, quality meat, fine wheat, and wine—symbolizing material and spiritual prosperity when the Jewish people follow Torah.
Q: Why does the verse mention 'fat of kidneys of wheat'?
A: The Talmud (Chullin 92a) interprets this as an allusion to the finest quality of wheat—plump and nourishing like kidneys. Rambam (Hilchos Bikkurim 1:3) notes that such descriptions emphasize the Land of Israel's exceptional produce, which was a divine gift to sustain the nation spiritually and physically.
Q: How does this verse apply to gratitude in Judaism today?
A: The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim 317) teaches that this verse reminds us to recognize Hashem's kindness in providing sustenance. Today, we express this through brachos (blessings) before and after eating, acknowledging that material abundance comes from divine providence, not merely human effort.