Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Deuteronomy 33:2 He said, "The LORD came from Sinai, And dawned on them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran, And He came from the midst of ten thousand holy ones; At His right hand there was flashing lightning for them. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Deuteronomy 33:2 He said, "The LORD came from Sinai, And dawned on them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran, And He came from among ten thousand holy ones; At His right hand was a flaming fire, a law, for them. |
Bible Question: Is it an accurate interpretation of Deut. 33:2 that God asked other nations to be his "Chosen People" before he asked Israel? |
Bible Answer: Hello TwoHAWK! The words 'Sinai', 'Seir' and 'Paran' are referring to mountains that were associated with the giving of the law (see Genesis 21:21, Judges 5:4-5, and Habakkuk 3:3). (NIV Study Bible - Zondervan) "... Sinai on the S, Seir on the NE, and Paran on the N. These mountains provide a beautiful metaphor, borrowed from the dawn. God, like the morning sun, is the Light that rises to give His beams to all the Promised Land." (MacArthur NKJV Study Bible) I absolutely see no mention at all of any other nation being asked of God other than Israel to be his "Chosen People". Such verses as Genesis 22:18, Exodus 34:24, Numbers 14:15-16, Deut. 2:25, 4:6-8 completely deflate this theory that God called other nations before 'settling' on Israel. Deuteronomy 26:18-19 states, "The LORD has today declared you to be His people, a treasured possession, as He promised you, and that you should keep all His commandments; and that He will set you high above all nations which He has made, for praise, fame, and honor; and that you shall be a consecrated people to the LORD your God, as He has spoken." Good study, and Welcome to the Forum! Blessings, Nolan! |