Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 32:14
with curds from the herd and milk from the flock, with the fat of lambs, with rams from Bashan, and goats, with the choicest grains of wheat. From the juice of the finest grapes you drank the wine.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses addresses the assembly of Israel as he recounts God's past provision prior to his death. The passage lists the specific foods God supplied to the nation during their wilderness journey.
The words — חֶמְאַת (chem'at) translates to "curd" and בָּקָר (baqar) means "herd" or "cattle." חֵלֶב (chelev) literally denotes "fat" or "suet," highlighting the richest cuts of the animals provided.
The thread — This motif of abundant provision appears in Genesis 49:11, the promised sustenance of Psalm 81:16, and the fulfilled blessing of Psalm 147:14. Each reference ties physical abundance to divine favor.
Why it lands — The text records the material wealth given to Israel, which immediately precedes their spiritual arrogance in Deuteronomy 32:15. It requires the reader to acknowledge that abundance often precedes rebellion, demanding sober accountability rather than comfort.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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 the pure blood of the grape.
Cross-references
- Genesis 49:11 He ties his donkey to the vine, his colt to the choicest branch. He washes his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes.
- Psalms 81:16 But I would feed you the finest wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”
- Psalms 147:14 He makes peace at your borders; He fills you with the finest wheat.
- Genesis 18:8 Then Abraham brought curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and he set them before the men and stood by them under the tree as they ate.
- Judges 5:25 He asked for water, and she gave him milk. In a magnificent bowl she brought him curds.
- 2 Samuel 17:29 honey, curds, sheep, and cheese from the herd for David and his people to eat. For they said, “The people have become hungry, exhausted, and thirsty in the wilderness.”
- Job 20:17 He will not enjoy the streams, the rivers flowing with honey and cream.
- Psalms 22:12 Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
- Isaiah 7:15 By the time He knows enough to reject evil and choose good, He will be eating curds and honey.
- Isaiah 7:22 and from the abundance of milk they give, he will eat curds; for all who remain in the land will eat curds and honey.