Deuteronomy 32:15
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The term "Jeshurun" is intentionally used here as a pointed, ironic contrast. It means "upright" or "righteous," a name given to Israel to remind them of their calling and profession. By calling them "Jeshurun" right before describing their fatness and rebellion, Moses highlights how far they had fallen from their intended character, making their apostasy all the more shameful.
“But Jeshurun grew fat, and kicked; you grew fat, stout, and sleek; then he forsook God who made him and scoffed at the Rock of his salvation.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of Moses' final song to Israel, a powerful and comprehensive review of their history and God's faithfulness. He begins by calling on the heavens and earth to witness his words, then recounts God's steadfast love and protection from the Exodus onward, contrasting it with Israel's eventual rebellion and unfaithfulness that would lead to judgment. The song serves as a stark warning and a testament to God's character, even in the face of human sin.
God blesses His people with abundance, but this blessing can become a trap. What happens when comfort leads to complacency?
The verse vividly describes Israel, referred to as 'Jeshurun' (meaning 'upright' or 'beloved,' used here with potent irony), growing 'fat, stout, and sleek.' This isn't just about physical size; it represents a state of abundant prosperity and ease.
The Danger of 'Fatness'
Why call a people 'upright' right before detailing their rebellion? It's a powerful rhetorical tool to expose their hypocrisy.
The name 'Jeshurun' is used here with profound irony. It's derived from a Hebrew word meaning 'upright' or 'righteous.'
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The Weight of a Name
When life feels secure, do we trade the solid rock of God's salvation for something fleeting and false?
The verse climaxes with a devastating truth: Israel 'forsook God who made him and scoffed at the Rock of his salvation.'
The Ultimate Betrayal
Understand the original words
Yeshurun · Hebrew Noun
A poetic and symbolic name for Israel, meaning 'the upright one,' used to remind the people of their high calling and covenantal status before God, often serving as an ironic contrast to their actual conduct.
natash · Hebrew Verb
The act of abandoning or turning away from one's covenant relationship with God; it signifies a deliberate rejection of His authority, law, and presence, often associated with apostasy.
yeshu'ah · Hebrew Noun
The divine act of rescue from danger, bondage, or destruction. In the Old Testament, it is primarily associated with physical deliverance by God, prefiguring the ultimate spiritual salvation found in the Messiah.
This passage speaks of Israel's prosperity leading to pride and forgetfulness of God. The historical context shows Israel moving from God's direct, miraculous care in the wilderness to a settled, prosperous life in Canaan, and later a powerful kingdom. This abundance, intended to be a blessing, instead became a snare, leading them to 'wax fat and kick' against the very God who provided for them.
c. 1446 BC
Israel's Exodus and Wilderness Journey
God miraculously delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, leads them through the Red Sea, and guides them in the wilderness for 40 years. This period highlights God's constant provision and protection.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites begin the conquest of the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey, signifying God's faithfulness in giving them a prosperous homeland.
c. 1400 - 1050 BC
Period of the Judges
Following Joshua's death, Israel experiences cycles of faithfulness, apostasy, oppression by enemies, and deliverance by judges, demonstrating their recurring tendency to forget God's blessings.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
United Monarchy Flourishes
Under Kings David and Solomon, Israel reaches a peak of national prosperity, power, and influence. This era represents the height of their material blessings and national strength.
c. 975 BC
Kingdom Divides
After Solomon's death, the united kingdom splits into the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah, leading to a period of internal strife and spiritual decline.
This passage shows a similar theme of rebellion and betrayal. The trees chose a king, and when that king (Abimelech) became oppressive, they revolted, mirroring Israel's turning away from God despite His blessings.
Psalm 78:54-58This psalm recounts Israel's history of straying from God, highlighting their unfaithfulness and provocation of God's anger, much like the 'kicking' and forsaking described in Deuteronomy.
Jeremiah 2:5-8The prophet Jeremiah confronts Israel with their unfaithfulness, accusing them of forsaking the Lord who led them and going after worthless idols. This echoes the accusation in Deuteronomy that Israel forsook God who made them.
Hosea 13:4-8Hosea describes God's deep disappointment with Israel's ingratitude, comparing their turning away from Him to a well-fed people who forget their Provider and engage in destructive behavior.
Romans 1:21-23Paul describes a similar spiritual trajectory in the Gentile world where, despite knowing God, they failed to honor Him, becoming futile in their thinking and exchanging the glory of God for worthless idols, akin to Israel's spiritual 'fatness' leading to forsaking God.
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…
clarkeDeuteronomy 32:15: "But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation."
Jeshurun - ישרון the upright. This appellative is here put for Israel, and as it comes from ישר yashar, he was right, straight, may be intended to show that the people who once not only promised fair, but were really upright, walking in the paths of righteousness, should, in the time…
The term "Jeshurun" is intentionally used here as a pointed, ironic contrast. It means "upright" or "righteous," a name given to Israel to remind them of their calling and profession. By calling them "Jeshurun" right before describing their fatness and rebellion, Moses highlights how far they had fallen from their intended character, making their apostasy all the more shameful.
This passage is part of Moses' final song to Israel, a powerful and comprehensive review of their history and God's faithfulness. He begins by calling on the heavens and earth to witness his words, then recounts God's steadfast love and protection from the Exodus onward, contrasting it with Israel's eventual rebellion and unfaithfulness that would lead to judgment. The song serves as a stark warning and a testament to God's character, even in the face of human sin.
This passage is part of Moses' final song to Israel, a powerful and comprehensive review of their history and God's faithfulness. He begins by calling on the heavens and earth to witness his words, then recounts God's steadfast love and protection from the Exodus onward, contrasting it with Israel's eventual rebellion and unfaithfulness that would lead to judgment. The song serves as a stark warning and a testament to God's character, even in the face of human sin.
"“But Jeshurun grew fat, and kicked; you grew fat, stout, and sleek; then he forsook God who made him and scoffed at the Rock of his salvation." — The term "Jeshurun" is intentionally used here as a pointed, ironic contrast. It means "upright" or "righteous," a name given to Israel to remind them of their calling and profession. By calling them…
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Last reviewed October 2026
