Deuteronomy 32:4
What does Deuteronomy 32:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Deuteronomy 32:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Deuteronomy 32:4 means
Deuteronomy 32:4 extols God’s unblemished character, portraying Him as an unyielding "Rock," a common biblical metaphor emphasizing His steadfastness, reliability, and immutability. His actions are described as "perfect" and "justice," indicating that all His dealings are righteous, flawless, and equitable. He is a "God of faithfulness," always true to His promises and covenant, and "without iniquity," meaning He is utterly without sin or wrongdoing. The verse concludes by reiterating His absolute righteousness, affirming that He is both "just and upright," a standard of moral perfection against which all else is measured. This verse serves as a foundational declaration of God's moral excellence.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The Rock, his work is perfect; For all his ways are justice: A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, Just and right is he.
KJV
King James Version · 1611He 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The Rock, his work is perfect; For all his ways are justice: A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, Just and right is he.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He is the Rock, complete is his work; for all his ways are righteousness: a God without evil who keeps faith, true and upright is he.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The Rock! --perfect <FI>is<Fi> His work, For all His ways <FI>are<Fi> just; God of stedfastness, and without iniquity: Righteous and upright <FI>is<Fi> He.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The works of God are perfect, and all his ways are judgments: God is faithful and without any iniquity, he is just and right.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890[He is] the Rock, his work is perfect, For all his ways are righteousness; AGod of faithfulness without deceit, Just and right is he.
Context
Deuteronomy chapter 32 opens with Moses addressing the heavens and earth, delivering a prophetic song to the Israelites. This song, often called "The Song of Moses," serves as a final admonition and reminder to the people before they enter the promised land. Verses 1-3 set the stage, calling for attention to Moses' words which are likened to refreshing dew. Verse 4, immediately following this introduction, establishes the character of God who is the subject of the song. It grounds all subsequent praise, warnings, and historical回顾 in God's unchanging perfection and justice, providing the theological bedrock for the rest of the chapter's narrative, which details God's past faithfulness and Israel's future apostasy.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Deuteronomy 32:30
How should one chase a thousand, And two put ten thousand to flight, Except their Rock had sold them, And Jehovah had delivered them up?
- Genesis 18:25
That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked, that so the righteous should be as the wicked; that be far from thee: shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
- Jeremiah 9:24
but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he hath understanding, and knoweth me, that I am Jehovah who exerciseth lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith Jehovah.
- Isaiah 26:4
Trust ye in Jehovah for ever; for in Jehovah, even Jehovah, is an everlasting rock.
- Romans 2:2
And we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against them that practise such things.
- Psalms 19:7
The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul: The testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple.
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