Deuteronomy Chapter 32 verse 26 Holy Bible
I said, I would scatter them afar, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men;
read chapter 32 in ASV
I said I would send them wandering far away, I would make all memory of them go from the minds of men:
read chapter 32 in BBE
I would say, I will scatter, I will make the remembrance of them to cease from among men,
read chapter 32 in DARBY
I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men:
read chapter 32 in KJV
I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men;
read chapter 32 in WBT
I said, I would scatter them afar, I would make the memory of them to cease from among men;
read chapter 32 in WEB
I have said: I blow them away, I cause their remembrance to cease from man;
read chapter 32 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerses 26, 27. - Israel's desert was to be utterly destroyed, but God refrained from this for his own Name's sake. I said, I would scatter them into corners; rather, I should say, I trill blow them away, i.e. disperse them as by a mighty wind. The verb here is the Hiph, of פָאָה, to breathe, to blow, and is found only here. The rabbins make it a denominative from פֵאָה, a corner, and this the Authorized Version follows; others trace it to an Arabic root, פאא, amputavit, excidit, and render, "will cut them off." The idea intended to be conveyed is obviously that of entire destruction, and this is not satisfied by the representation of their being scared or driven into corners. Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy. Various renderings and interpretations of this passage have been given. 1. Were it not that I feared the provocation of the enemy, i.e. that I should be provoked to wrath by the enemy ascribing the destruction of Israel to their own prowess. 2. Were it not that I feared a wrath upon the enemy, with much the same meaning. 3. Were it not that I feared the fury of the enemy, i.e. against Israel - feared lest the enemy should be encouraged to rise up against Israel and ascribe their destruction to their own valor. Of these that most generally approved is the first. (On this reason for sparing Israel, see Deuteronomy 9:28; Exodus 32:12; Numbers 14:13, etc.; Isaiah 10:5, etc.; Ezekiel 20:13, 14.) Should behave themselves strangely; rather, should mistake or falsely pretend. The verb is the Piel of נָכַר, to look upon, to mark, and conveys the idea of looking on askance or prejudicially, hence being ignorant of, mistaking, feigning, or falsely pretending. Our hand is high; rather, was high, i.e. was mighty in power. Vers 28-33. - The cause of Israel's rejection was that they were a people utterly destitute of counsel and without understanding. Had they been wise, they would have looked to the end, and acted in a way conducive to their own welfare, instead of rushing upon ruin.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(26, 27) The argument of these verses is such as no man would dare to put into the mouth of the Most High. Moses had pleaded it (in Numbers 14:13-16; Exodus 32:12), but none but Jehovah Himself would say for Himself, "I feared the wrath of the enemy."
