Deu 32:10-14 | NETfull | STEP | The Lord found him in a desolate land, in an empty wasteland where animals howl. He continually guarded him and taught him; he continually protected him like the pupil of his eye.

Deuteronomy 32:10-14

10 The Lord ^{▼▼ Heb “he.” The referent (the Lord) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} found him ^{▼▼ The reference is to “his people/Jacob” (cf. v. 9), that is, Israel (using a collective singular). The singular pronouns are replaced by plural ones throughout vv. 10–14 by some English versions as an aid to the modern reader (cf. NAB, NCV, TEV, NLT).} in a desolate land,
in an empty wasteland where animals howl. ^{▼▼ Heb “in an empty, howling wasteland.” The word “howling” is derived from a verbal root that typically refers to the wailing of mourners. Here it likely refers to the howling of desert animals, or perhaps to the howling wind, in which case one may translate, “in an empty, windy wasteland.”}
He continually guarded him ^{▼▼ Heb “was surrounding him.” The distinctive form of the suffix on this verb form indicates that the verb is an imperfect, not a preterite. As such it draws attention to God’s continuing care during the period in view. See A. F. Rainey, “The Ancient Hebrew Prefix Conjugation in the Light of Amarnah Canaanite,” Hebrew Studies 27 (1986): 15-16.} and taught him; ^{▼▼ Heb “he gave him understanding.” The form of the suffix on this verb form indicates that the verb is a preterite, not an imperfect. As such it simply states the action factually. See A. F. Rainey, “The Ancient Hebrew Prefix Conjugation in the Light of Amarnah Canaanite,” Hebrew Studies 27 (1986): 15-16.}
he continually protected him ^{▼▼ The distinctive form of the suffix on this verb form indicates that the verb is an imperfect, not a preterite. As such it draws attention to God’s continuing protection during the period in view. See A. F. Rainey, “The Ancient Hebrew Prefix Conjugation in the Light of Amarnah Canaanite,” Hebrew Studies 27 (1986): 15-16.} like the pupil ^{▼▼ Heb “the little man.” The term אִישׁוֹן (’ishon) means literally “little man,” perhaps because when one looks into another’s eyes he sees himself reflected there in miniature. See A. Harman, NIDOTTE 1:391.} of his eye.
11 Like an eagle that stirs up ^{▼▼ The prefixed verbal form is an imperfect, indicating habitual or typical behavior. The parallel verb (cf. “hovers” in the next line) is used in the same manner.} its nest,
that hovers over its young,
so the Lord ^{▼▼ Heb “he”; the referent (the Lord) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} spread out his wings and took him, ^{▼▼ The form of the suffix on this and the following verb forms (cf. “lifted him up”) indicates that the verbs are preterites, not imperfects. As such they simply state the action factually. The use of the preterite here suggests that the preceding verb (cf. “spread out”) is preterite as well.}
he lifted him up on his pinions.
12 The Lord alone was guiding him, ^{▼▼ The distinctive form of the suffix on this verb form indicates that the verb is an imperfect, not a preterite. As such it draws attention to God’s continuing guidance during the period in view.}
no foreign god was with him.
13 He enabled him ^{▼▼ The form of the suffix on this verbal form indicates that the verb is a preterite, not an imperfect. As such it simply states the action factually. Note as well the preterites with vav (ו) consecutive that follow in the verse.} to travel over the high terrain of the land,
and he ate of the produce of the fields.
He provided honey for him from the cliffs, ^{▼▼ Heb “he made him suck honey from the rock.”}
and olive oil ^{▼▼ Heb “oil,” but this probably refers to olive oil; see note on the word “rock” at the end of this verse.} from the hardest of ^{▼▼ Heb “flinty.”} rocks, ^{▼▼ Olive oil from rock probably suggests olive trees growing on rocky ledges and yet doing so productively. See E. H. Merrill, Deuteronomy (NAC), 415; cf. TEV “their olive trees flourished in stony ground.”}
14 butter from the herd
and milk from the flock,
along with the fat of lambs,
rams and goats of Bashan,
along with the best of the kernels of wheat;
and from the juice of grapes you drank wine.