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Numbers 24:16
He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High,which saw the vision of the Almighty, fallinginto a trance, but having his eyes open:

Psalm 7:17
I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.

Psalm 50:14
Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:

divided

Genesis 10:25
And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of onewas Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother's namewas Joktan.

Genesis 11:9
Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

Psalm 115:16
The heaven,even the heavens,are the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.

he set

Genesis 10:15
And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,

Genesis 15:18-21
In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: …

when He divided the sons of man
This division of humanity is a direct reference to the scattering at Babel. The "sons of man" indicates all of humanity, emphasizing the universality of this event. It highlights God's intervention in human affairs to prevent the consolidation of power that could lead to rebellion against Him. This division was not merely geographical but also cultural and linguistic, shaping the development of distinct civilizations.

He set the boundaries of the peoples
God's establishment of boundaries underscores His control over the rise and fall of nations. These boundaries are not arbitrary but are part of His divine order.Acts 17:26 echoes this idea, stating that God determined the times and places for each nation. This setting of boundaries ensured that no single nation would dominate, allowing for a diversity of cultures and the unfolding of God's redemptive history.

according to the number of the sons of God
This phrase has been the subject of much debate. "Sons of God" can refer to divine beings or angels, as seen inJob 1:6 andPsalm 82:1. Some interpretations suggest that each nation was assigned a guardian angel or divine being. Alternatively, the Septuagint and some Dead Sea Scrolls manuscripts read "sons of Israel," implying a connection to the 70 descendants of Jacob who went to Egypt (Genesis 46:27), symbolizing the nations. This reflects God's special relationship with Israel, foreshadowing the coming of Christ, who would fulfill God's promises to Israel and extend salvation to all nations.

“ ‘When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance…’ ” (Deuteronomy 32:8)

• Picture the scene after the flood: the Table of Nations inGenesis 10 lists families spreading across the earth. God Himself parcels out lands, languages, and resources, handing each clan its allotted space.

• This is not random migration; it is divine appointment.Psalm 24:1 reminds us, “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof,” andActs 17:26 echoes that God “determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.”

• By calling Him “Most High,” the verse stresses absolute sovereignty.Job 12:23 says He “makes nations great, and He destroys them; He enlarges nations, and He disperses them.”

• Inheritance language hints that nations are stewards, not owners. God remains the ultimate land-lord, and He will later reserve one nation—Israel—as “His allotted inheritance” (Deuteronomy 32:9).

“ ‘…when He divided the sons of man…’ ”

• The dividing takes us straight to Babel (Genesis 11:7-9), where God scattered people groups by confusing their language.

• Division restrains united rebellion and funnels humanity into separate cultural streams through which God will unfold His redemptive plan.

• This act underscores a theme: unity apart from God breeds pride; separation under God fosters His purposes (compare1 Peter 2:9-10 where believers are now a “chosen race,” gathered back together in Christ).

“ ‘…He set the boundaries of the peoples…’ ”

• Boundaries are more than lines on a map; they mark seasons, influence, and destiny.Acts 17:26 links geography to history—God decides “times” (chronos) and “places” (topos).

•Psalm 74:17 praises Him: “You set all the boundaries of the earth; You made summer and winter.” The same hand that tilts the planet draws national borders.

• Boundaries can shift (Daniel 2:21: “He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings”), yet every alteration still fulfills His overarching plan.

“ ‘…according to the number of the sons of God.’ ”

• The phrase points to the unseen administration behind earthly affairs. Scripture hints that angelic “princes” stand over nations—Daniel 10:13 speaks of “the prince of the kingdom of Persia,” andDaniel 10:20 mentions those of Greece.

•Psalm 82:1 pictures God “presiding in the divine assembly” while judging these “sons of God.”Ephesians 6:12 tells believers their real struggle is “against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

• While each nation is linked to a heavenly authority, Israel is God’s personal portion (Deuteronomy 32:9). The Lord reserves a people through whom Messiah will come and ultimately reclaim every nation for Himself (Revelation 11:15).

• So this line reassures us that nothing on earth is isolated from heaven’s oversight. Behind every ruler, border, and epoch stands the orderly governance of the Almighty.

Deuteronomy 32:8 paints a sweeping panorama: the Most High parcels out land, disperses humanity, fixes borders, and assigns unseen spiritual guardians. Nations rise and fall at His word, yet Israel remains the centerpiece of His redemptive story. The verse invites us to rest in God’s meticulous sovereignty, knowing that both the visible map and the invisible realm are securely in His hands.

"when the Most High made nations to inherit,

When He parted the sons of Adam,

He set the bounds of the peoples,

According to the number of the sons of Israel.

For the portion of Jehovah is His people,

Jacob the cord[7] of His inheritance"

[7] i.e.,limit.

The allusion is to the dispersion from Babel (Genesis 10, 11). The Jews were accustomed to reckon seventy nations and languages in that dispersion. Seventy members of Jacob's household went down into Egypt. And literally they interpret this passage to mean that in dividing the lands to the peoples, Jehovah left room for His own, so that they might inherit the promised land without any undue pressure upon other nations. It is noticeable that the children of Lot and Esau were carefully preserved from disturbance by Israel (Deuteronomy 2). But this is the bare literal interpretation. The true meaning of the passage is given by St. Paul in his speech at Athens: "He determined (for all nations) times before appointed, and the setting of the boundaries of their habitation,that they might seek the Lord."The nations were so disposed in the world, and so developed, that each might have its opportunity of seeking Jehovah, in due season, through contact with His people--"if, as was certainly not impossible, they might feel after Him and find Him, who is not far from any one of us. For we are even His offspring." Hence He appoints our inheritance. With some such thought as this, the LXX. translate the latter half ofDeuteronomy 32:8, "He set the bounds of the peoples according to the numberof the angels of God"The chosen people were to be His messengers to the nations. He chose Israel for His own portion, that through them He might inherit the world. And yet in the face of this glorious calling and mission, the undutiful behaviour of Israel was their one great blot. They had only to accept the position already prepared for them, and they refused! . . .