Deuteronomy 4:27

Then the LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and only a few of you will survive among the nations to which the LORD will drive you.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Moses addresses the Israelites on the plains of Moab, warning them that covenant violation will force their expulsion from the promised land.

The words — הֵפִיץ (he.Fitz) denotes a forcible scattering, while נִשְׁאַרְתֶּם (nish.'ar.Tem) indicates a remnant being left behind.

The thread — This pattern of forced displacement and demographic collapse recurs in Deuteronomy 28:62, Leviticus 26:33, and Nehemiah 1:8.

Why it lands — The verse demands recognition that idolatry triggers national destruction, leaving only a small surviving population to live among hostile nations.

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

וְהֵפִ֧יץve./he.Fitzand/ he will scatter יְהוָ֛הYah.wehYahweh אֶתְכֶ֖ם'et./Khem<obj.>/ you בָּעַמִּ֑יםba./'a.Mimamong the/ peoples וְנִשְׁאַרְתֶּם֙ve./nish.'ar.Temand/ you will be left מְתֵ֣יme.Teimen of מִסְפָּ֔רmis.Parnumber בַּגּוֹיִ֕םba./go.Yimamong the/ nations אֲשֶׁ֨ר'a.Sherwhere יְנַהֵ֧גye.na.Heghe will drive away יְהוָ֛הYah.wehYahweh אֶתְכֶ֖ם'et./Khem<obj.>/ you שָֽׁמָּה׃Sha.ma/hthere/ towards

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 28:62 You who were as numerous as the stars in the sky will be left few in number, because you would not obey the voice of the LORD your God.
Leviticus 26:33 But I will scatter you among the nations and will draw out a sword after you as your land becomes desolate and your cities are laid waste.
Nehemiah 1:8 Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses when You said, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations,
Ezekiel 12:15 And they will know that I am the LORD, when I disperse them among the nations and scatter them throughout the countries.
Ezekiel 32:26 Meshech and Tubal are there with all their multitudes, with their graves all around them. All of them are uncircumcised, slain by the sword, because they spread their terror in the land of the living.
Nehemiah 1:3 And they told me, “The remnant who survived the exile are there in the province, in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”