Deuteronomy 32:26

The Weakness of Other Gods

32:26 “I said, ‘I want to cut them in pieces.

I want to make people forget they ever existed.

Isaiah 26:15

26:15 You have made the nation larger, O Lord,

you have made the nation larger and revealed your splendor,

you have extended all the borders of the land.

Zechariah 2:6

2:6 “You there! Flee from the northland!” says the Lord, “for like the four winds of heaven I have scattered you,” says the Lord.

Luke 21:24

21:24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led away as captives among all nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 10 


tc The LXX reads “I said I would scatter them.” This reading is followed by a number of English versions (e.g., KJV, ASV, NIV, NCV, NRSV, NLT, CEV).

tn Heb “you have added to the nation.” The last line of the verse suggests that geographical expansion is in view. “The nation” is Judah.

tn Or “brought honor to yourself.”

sn These are the scattered Jews of eschatological times (as the expression four winds of heaven makes clear) and not those of Zechariah’s time who have, for the most part, already returned by 520 b.c. This theme continues and is reinforced in vv. 10-13.

tn Or “of the sky.” The same Hebrew term, שָׁמַיִם (shamayim), may be translated “heaven(s)” or “sky” depending on the context.

tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

tn Grk “by the mouth of the sword” (an idiom for the edge of a sword).

sn Here is the predicted judgment against the nation until the time of Gentile rule has passed: Its people will be led away as captives.

tn Grk “And Jerusalem.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

10 sn Until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled implies a time when Israel again has a central role in God’s plan.