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.
Parallel translations
- WEB Yahweh will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations, where Yahweh will lead you away.
- KJV 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.
- NKJV And the Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the Lord will drive you.
- NASB The Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the Lord drives you.
- NLT For the Lord will scatter you among the nations, where only a few of you will survive.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The LORD will scatter Israel among the nations, leaving them few. It foretells exile as the consequence of apostasy.
Overview
Moses predicts that disobedience will lead to dispersion among the peoples, reducing Israel to a small remnant. This forecast anticipates the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles centuries later. Even in scattering, however, the preservation of a remnant leaves room for the hope of restoration.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Deut 28:62–64You 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.
- Lev 26:33But 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.
- Neh 1:3And 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 are burned with fire.”
- Ezek 32:26Meshech 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.
- Ezek 12:15And they will know that I am the LORD, when I disperse them among the nations and scatter them throughout the countries.
- Neh 1:8–9Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses when You said, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Moses promised a Prophet like himself to whom Israel must listen (18:15); Jesus is that Prophet, the one who keeps the covenant we broke and becomes the curse for us by hanging on a tree (Gal 3:13).
How Deuteronomy 4:27 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.