Deuteronomy 32:13 Meaning and Explanation
“He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God gave Israel dominion and abundance, providing even impossible nourishment from the barren land.
The Context of Deuteronomy 32:13
Moses describes the abundant material blessings God gave Israel in their land.
What Does Deuteronomy 32:13 Mean?
High places suggest both elevation and conquest. God did not merely settle Israel in Canaan; He established them in places of power and prominence. The abundance described—fields' increase, honey from rock, oil from flint—shows provision both natural and miraculous.
These images counter the narrative of scarcity. Where the wilderness offered only want, the promised land offers supernaturally sustained abundance. The rock that gave water (Exodus) now gives honey and oil. God's provision has shifted from survival-level to luxurious blessing.
Deuteronomy 32:13 in the Original Language
dvash (דְבַשׁ), 'honey' — also means sweetness, capturing both literal sustenance and delight.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 32:13
What does Deuteronomy 32:13 mean?
God gave Israel dominion and abundance, providing even impossible nourishment from the barren land.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 32:13?
Moses describes the abundant material blessings God gave Israel in their land.