Deuteronomy 32:16 Meaning and Explanation
“They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Israel turned to foreign gods, provoking God's jealous anger.
The Context of Deuteronomy 32:16
Moses describes Israel's provocation of God through idolatry.
What Does Deuteronomy 32:16 Mean?
In covenant language, jealousy reflects God's exclusive claim on Israel and their violation of that claim. This is not possessive jealousy but the injury of betrayed covenant. When Israel worships other gods, they violate the foundational agreement.
The term 'abominations' signals that these gods and their practices are not merely alternate choices but fundamentally wrong. The progression is clear: complacency leads to forgetting God, forgetting leads to idolatry, idolatry provokes divine anger.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 32:16
What does Deuteronomy 32:16 mean?
Israel turned to foreign gods, provoking God's jealous anger.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 32:16?
Moses describes Israel's provocation of God through idolatry.