Then the LORD will scatter you among the peoplesThis phrase refers to the consequences of Israel's disobedience to God's commandments. The scattering, or diaspora, is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, where God warns Israel of exile due to their unfaithfulness (
Leviticus 26:33,
Jeremiah 9:16). Historically, this prophecy was fulfilled during the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles. The scattering serves as both a punishment and a means to preserve a remnant that will eventually return to God. It also foreshadows the New Testament concept of the Church being scattered among the nations to spread the Gospel (
Acts 8:1).
and only a few of you will survive
This phrase highlights the severity of the judgment, emphasizing that only a remnant will remain. The concept of a remnant is significant throughout Scripture, as seen inIsaiah 10:22 andRomans 9:27. It underscores God's mercy and faithfulness, ensuring that His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are preserved despite widespread disobedience. The survival of a few also points to the hope of restoration and redemption, a theme that culminates in the coming of Jesus Christ, who gathers the faithful remnant to Himself (Matthew 24:31).
among the nations to which the LORD will drive you
This part of the verse indicates that the scattering is not random but directed by God. It reflects God's sovereignty over the nations and His ability to use them as instruments of His will. The driving away of Israel serves as a reminder of the consequences of idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. It also sets the stage for the eventual ingathering of the exiles, as prophesied in passages likeEzekiel 11:17 andZechariah 10:9, which find their ultimate fulfillment in the eschatological hope of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-4).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who is both just and merciful. He is the one who enacts judgment and promises restoration.
2.
IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who are warned of the consequences of disobedience and idolatry.
3.
NationsThe foreign lands and peoples among whom the Israelites will be scattered due to their disobedience.
4.
MosesThe leader and prophet who delivers God's message to the Israelites, urging them to remain faithful to the covenant.
5.
Promised LandThe land of Canaan, which the Israelites are about to enter, contingent upon their obedience to God.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of DisobedienceGod's warnings are serious, and disobedience leads to real consequences, such as exile and scattering. This serves as a reminder to remain faithful to God's commands.
God's Sovereignty and JusticeThe scattering of Israel demonstrates God's sovereignty over nations and His justice in dealing with sin. Believers are called to trust in God's righteous judgments.
Hope in RestorationEven in judgment, God provides hope for restoration. This encourages believers to repent and seek God's mercy, knowing He is faithful to restore.
The Importance of Covenant FaithfulnessThe covenant relationship with God requires faithfulness. Believers today are called to live in obedience to God's Word, reflecting their commitment to Him.
Living as a RemnantThe concept of a remnant surviving among the nations speaks to the idea of being faithful witnesses in a world that may not know God. Christians are called to be salt and light, living distinctively for Christ.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 4:27?
2.How does Deuteronomy 4:27 warn against disobedience and its consequences for believers today?
3.What can we learn about God's discipline from Deuteronomy 4:27?
4.How does Deuteronomy 4:27 relate to God's covenant promises in the Old Testament?
5.In what ways can we remain faithful to God despite being "scattered"?
6.How can Deuteronomy 4:27 encourage us to seek God in difficult circumstances?
7.Why did God allow the Israelites to be scattered among the nations in Deuteronomy 4:27?
8.How does Deuteronomy 4:27 reflect God's covenant with Israel?
9.What historical events fulfill the prophecy in Deuteronomy 4:27?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 4?
11.Who loved us first?
12.Why does Psalm 129:4 emphasize God's righteousness when the text also calls for the enemies' defeat--can both themes coexist without contradiction?
13.How do we reconcile God's promise never to forsake Israel (Deut. 31:6) with the nation's repeated historical exiles and oppressions?
14.Why would a loving God demand the execution of anyone who refused to seek Him (2 Chronicles 15:13), conflicting with other biblical passages emphasizing mercy?What Does Deuteronomy 4:27 Mean
Then the LORD will scatter you among the peoples“Then the LORD will scatter you among the peoples”
• Moses warns that choosing idolatry brings an unavoidable outcome: dispersion.
• This scattering is not random; it is the LORD’s deliberate act of discipline (seeLeviticus 26:33;Deuteronomy 28:64).
• History validates the prophecy—Assyrian and Babylonian exiles, and later dispersions, unfolded exactly as stated (2 Kings 17:6;2 Kings 25:11).
• The global scattering serves two purposes:
– To humble Israel and expose the emptiness of false gods (Jeremiah 16:13).
– To set the stage for future restoration by the same covenant-keeping God (Ezekiel 11:17).
and only a few of you will survive among the nations“and only a few of you will survive among the nations”
• God narrows Israel to a remnant, underscoring both justice and mercy (Isaiah 10:22;Romans 9:27).
• A reduced number highlights His faithfulness—despite widespread unfaithfulness, He preserves a lineage for His redemptive plan (Amos 5:15;Jeremiah 30:11).
• The remnant motif reassures believers today: even in judgment, God safeguards those who cling to Him (Joel 2:32).
to which the LORD will drive you“to which the LORD will drive you”
• The verse closes by reaffirming God’s sovereignty; He not only scatters but chooses the destinations (Jeremiah 23:8).
• Driving implies purposeful movement: exile becomes a classroom where hearts are softened for repentance (Ezekiel 36:24–26).
• The same hand that sends out will gather back when His people turn to Him (Deuteronomy 30:3–4;Zechariah 10:9–10).
summaryDeuteronomy 4:27 foretells Israel’s exile with pinpoint accuracy: God Himself scatters them, trims them to a faithful remnant, and assigns their places of sojourn. The verse stands as a sober reminder that rebellion invites discipline, yet it also shines with hope—because the God who disperses is committed to preserve and eventually restore those who return to Him.
(27)
And the Lord shall scatter you.--Our familiarity with this fact in history must not blind us to its force when uttered as a
prophecy.The fact that the Jews were taken captive for idolatry, and dispersed for the rejection of JESUS, is a remarkable proof that the real reason why they were brought into Canaan, and kept there, was to be witnesses for Jehovah.
Verse 27. -
Few in number; literally,
men of number,
i.
e. that may be counted; few as compared with the heathen among whom they should be dispersed (
Genesis 34:30).
Shall lead you. The verb here (
נִהֵג, Piel of
נָהַג) is frequently used in the sense of conducting gently and kindly (
Isaiah 49:10;
Isaiah 63:14;
Psalm 48:14;
Psalm 78:52); but it also means to drive, to carry off, to convey forcibly (
Exodus 14:25;
Genesis 31:26;
Exodus 10:13;
Psalm 78:26); the connection shows that it is in the latter sense it is to be taken here. Dispersed among the heathen, they, who had dishonored God by making an image to represent him, should be compelled to do service to mere dead idols, the work of men's hands, which not only could not hear or see, as God can, but also could not-perform even such animal functions as eating and smelling (
Psalm 115:4-7;
Jeremiah 10:3-9). These idols are called "gods" by Moses, because they were so counted by those who worshipped them; elsewhere he stigmatizes them as "abominations," things to be loathed and abhorred (
שִׁקּוּצִים,
Deuteronomy 27:15;
Deuteronomy 29:17). As had been their sin, so should be their punishment; as they had dishonored God, so should they be themselves dishonored; as they had worshipped by an image him who is spirit and without form, they should be made to sink down to an utterly materialized worship, that of mere idols, the work of men's hands; as they had apostatized from the one holy and true God, they should be degraded to become the servants of abominations, objects of loathing and abhorrence (
Jeremiah 16:13;
Acts 7:42). God, however, would not utterly cast them off: if, in their misery and degradation, they should repent and turn again to him and seek him sincerely and earnestly, they should find him; for he is a merciful God, and mindful of the covenant which he swam unto their fathers (cf.
Leviticus 26:39, etc.).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Then the LORDיְהוָ֛ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelwill scatterוְהֵפִ֧יץ(wə·hê·p̄îṣ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6327:To be dispersed or scatteredyou among the peoples,בָּעַמִּ֑ים(bā·‘am·mîm)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5971:A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flockand only a few of youמְתֵ֣י(mə·ṯê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4962:An adult, a manwill surviveוְנִשְׁאַרְתֶּם֙(wə·niš·’ar·tem)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7604:To swell up, be, redundantamong the nationsבַּגּוֹיִ֕ם(bag·gō·w·yim)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471:A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locuststo whichאֲשֶׁ֨ר(’ă·šer)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatthe LORDיְהוָ֛ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelwill drive you.יְנַהֵ֧ג(yə·na·hêḡ)Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5090:To drive forth, lead, carry away, to proceed, to sigh
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OT Law: Deuteronomy 4:27 Yahweh will scatter you among the peoples (Deut. De Du) 
