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Deuteronomy 32:30 - Divine power enables few.

Deuteronomy 32:30 - דברים 32:30

Hebrew Text

אֵיכָה יִרְדֹּף אֶחָד אֶלֶף וּשְׁנַיִם יָנִיסוּ רְבָבָה אִם־לֹא כִּי־צוּרָם מְכָרָם וַיהוָה הִסְגִּירָם׃

English Translation

How should one man chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, and the Lord had shut them up?

Transliteration

Eicha yirdof echad elef ushnayim yanisu revava im-lo ki-tzuram mecharam va'Adonai hisgiram.

Hebrew Leining Text

אֵיכָ֞ה יִרְדֹּ֤ף אֶחָד֙ אֶ֔לֶף וּשְׁנַ֖יִם יָנִ֣יסוּ רְבָבָ֑ה        אִם־לֹא֙ כִּֽי־צוּרָ֣ם מְכָרָ֔ם וַֽיהֹוָ֖ה הִסְגִּירָֽם׃        
אֵיכָ֞ה יִרְדֹּ֤ף אֶחָד֙ אֶ֔לֶף וּשְׁנַ֖יִם יָנִ֣יסוּ רְבָבָ֑ה        אִם־לֹא֙ כִּֽי־צוּרָ֣ם מְכָרָ֔ם וַֽיהֹוָ֖ה הִסְגִּירָֽם׃        

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Sefer Devarim

This verse appears in Parashat Ha'azinu (Devarim 32:30), part of Moshe's prophetic song delivered before his passing. The verse reflects on the consequences of Israel's abandonment of Hashem, leading to their vulnerability in battle despite their numerical advantage.

Literal Interpretation (Peshat)

Rashi explains that the verse describes the inverse of Israel's usual military strength. Normally, with Divine assistance, a small number of Israelites could defeat vast enemy forces (as seen in the conquest of Canaan). Here, however, due to their sins, the opposite occurs: a single enemy soldier chases a thousand Israelites, and two enemies cause ten thousand to flee. This reversal stems from Hashem withdrawing His protection.

Theological Implications

  • Divine Providence in Warfare: Rambam (Hilchot Ta'anit 1:1-3) emphasizes that military success is never contingent on numbers or strength alone, but on righteousness and Divine will. This verse serves as a stark reminder of that principle.
  • "Their Rock had sold them": Ibn Ezra interprets "צוּרָם" (their Rock) as referring to Hashem, Israel's steadfast protector. The term "מְכָרָם" (sold them) metaphorically describes Hashem ceasing to defend them, delivering them into enemy hands as consequence for their betrayal of the covenant.

Midrashic Insights

The Sifrei (Devarim 319) links this verse to the concept of measure-for-measure justice: just as Israel "sold" their allegiance to Hashem by serving idols (as implied in Devarim 32:16-18), so too Hashem "sold" them to their enemies. The Midrash Tanchuma (Ha'azinu 4) further elaborates that this dynamic only occurs when Israel abandons Torah study, their true source of strength.

Halachic Perspective

The Ramban (Nachmanides) notes that this verse underpins the halachic principle that Jewish armies must never rely solely on military might (as codified in Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 248). The shocking reversal described here serves as eternal testimony that victory ultimately comes from Hashem.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 32:30 mean when it says 'one man chase a thousand'?
A: The verse teaches that when the Jewish people are faithful to Hashem, even a small number can defeat many enemies with Divine help. Rashi explains that this refers to the miraculous victories Israel experienced when they followed Hashem's ways. However, when they strayed ('their Rock had sold them'), they suffered defeat despite their numbers.
Q: Who is 'their Rock' in Deuteronomy 32:30?
A: In this verse, 'their Rock' (צוּרָם) refers to Hashem, who is the strong foundation and protector of Israel. The Talmud (Berachot 10a) notes that 'Rock' is one of the names used to describe Hashem's steadfastness and reliability. When Israel sins, it is as if this protective relationship is weakened ('had sold them').
Q: What lesson can we learn from Deuteronomy 32:30 today?
A: The verse teaches that true security comes from our relationship with Hashem, not military strength. Rambam (Hilchot Ta'anit 1:1-3) derives from such verses that when troubles come, we must examine our actions and return to Hashem. The numerical advantage mentioned shows that success ultimately depends on Divine providence, not human calculations.