Deuteronomy 32:13-14
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This verse doesn't just describe a fertile land; it highlights God's power to draw abundance from the most unlikely and seemingly barren places, turning "rocks" into sources of nourishment. This imagery emphasizes that God's provision isn't limited by natural circumstances but flows from His deliberate act of blessing, even from the "flinty rock."
He made him ride on the high places of the land, and he ate the produce of the field, and he suckled him with honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock. Curds from the herd, and milk from the flock, with fat of lambs, rams of Bashan and goats, with the very finest of the wheat— and you drank foaming wine made from the blood of the grape.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Moses is delivering a song to the Israelites, recounting God's faithfulness and their subsequent unfaithfulness. This song serves as a final testament and warning before Moses passes leadership to Joshua and before the people enter the Promised Land. The song contrasts God's steadfast love and provision with Israel's rebellion and idolatry, leading to pronouncements of judgment and eventual restoration.
What does it mean for God to 'make us ride on the high places'?
This phrase paints a vivid picture of God granting victory and dominion.
Conquest and Possession
'Riding on the high places' wasn't just about elevated terrain; it symbolized conquering the strongestholds and fortified cities. It signifies God giving Israel the power to overcome their enemies and possess the land, not by their own might alone, but by His enablement.
Elevated Status
It also suggests a position of honor and security. From these high places, they could survey their domain, living in a state of peace and prosperity that was elevated above their former struggles.
How can something as seemingly barren as rock yield sweet honey and rich oil?
This imagery speaks to God's incredible ability to provide abundantly, even from the most unlikely sources.
Supernatural Provision
The land of Canaan was known for its fertility, but these expressions go beyond typical agriculture. They point to a provision that was almost miraculous – honey from bees nesting in rocky crevices, and oil from olive trees that thrived even in stony, seemingly infertile ground.
God's Abundance for His People
This isn't just about physical resources; it's a metaphor for God's abundant grace and provision for His people. Even when circumstances seem barren or difficult, God can bring forth sweetness and sustenance. It highlights His power to transform the difficult into the delightful and to bless His people far beyond their natural expectations.
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Understand the original words
tsur · Hebrew Noun
A symbolic title for God, emphasizing His unchanging nature, dependability, strength, and role as a refuge and foundation for His people. It contrasts with the shifting, unreliable idols of the nations.
This verse paints a vivid picture of God's abundant provision for Israel in the Promised Land, highlighting the richness of the land He gave them after their long journey and conquest. It's a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
Following centuries of slavery, God miraculously delivered the Israelites from Egypt, initiating their journey to the Promised Land.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
After 40 years in the wilderness, under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites began conquering the land of Canaan, promised to them by God.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Settlement and Division of Canaan
The Promised Land was conquered and divided among the twelve tribes of Israel, fulfilling God's promise to their ancestors.
c. 1400-1050 BC
Period of the Judges
A turbulent era where Israel was governed by judges, often marked by cycles of disobedience, oppression, and deliverance.
c. 1050 BC
Establishment of the Monarchy
Saul was anointed king, marking the beginning of the Israelite monarchy, intended to provide unified leadership and defense.
This passage directly echoes the imagery of God providing abundant food from unexpected sources, just as Deuteronomy 32:13 describes manna from the sky and honey/oil from rocks, highlighting God's miraculous provision for His people.
Isaiah 58:14This verse uses similar language of 'riding on the heights' and 'feeding on the inheritance of Jacob' to speak of blessing and prosperity, linking the idea of elevated enjoyment with God's provision.
Joshua 5:11-12This passage describes the Israelites eating the 'produce of the land' for the first time after entering the Promised Land, directly correlating with Deuteronomy 32:13's promise of eating from the field's increase.
Job 29:6This verse uses the poetic imagery of 'washing my steps with butter, and of the rock pouring out streams of oil for me,' which strongly parallels the imagery in Deuteronomy 32:13, suggesting a land exceptionally rich in resources.
calvinDeuteronomy 32:1-52: "Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth."
They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
Ipsi ad zelum provocaverunt me, in eo quod non est Deus, ad iracundiam me provocaverunt in vanitatibus suis: et ego ad zelum provocabo eos in eo qui non…
barnesDeuteronomy 32:13: "He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock;"
i. e., God gave Israel possession of those commanding positions which carry with them dominion over the whole land (compare Deuteronomy 33:29 ), and enabled him to draw the richest provision out of spots naturally unproductive.
This verse doesn't just describe a fertile land; it highlights God's power to draw abundance from the most unlikely and seemingly barren places, turning "rocks" into sources of nourishment. This imagery emphasizes that God's provision isn't limited by natural circumstances but flows from His deliberate act of blessing, even from the "flinty rock."
Moses is delivering a song to the Israelites, recounting God's faithfulness and their subsequent unfaithfulness. This song serves as a final testament and warning before Moses passes leadership to Joshua and before the people enter the Promised Land. The song contrasts God's steadfast love and provision with Israel's rebellion and idolatry, leading to pronouncements of judgment and eventual restoration.
Moses is delivering a song to the Israelites, recounting God's faithfulness and their subsequent unfaithfulness. This song serves as a final testament and warning before Moses passes leadership to Joshua and before the people enter the Promised Land. The song contrasts God's steadfast love and provision with Israel's rebellion and idolatry, leading to pronouncements of judgment and eventual restoration.
"He made him ride on the high places of the land, and he ate the produce of the field, and he suckled him with honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock. Curds from the herd, and milk from the flock,…" — This verse doesn't just describe a fertile land; it highlights God's power to draw abundance from the most unlikely and seemingly barren places, turning "rocks" into sources of nourishment. This imag…
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Last reviewed October 2026
