Deuteronomy Chapter 32 verse 40 Holy Bible
For I lift up my hand to heaven, And say, As I live for ever,
read chapter 32 in ASV
For lifting up my hand to heaven I say, By my unending life,
read chapter 32 in BBE
For I lift up my hand to the heavens, and say, I live for ever!
read chapter 32 in DARBY
For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.
read chapter 32 in KJV
For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.
read chapter 32 in WBT
For I lift up my hand to heaven, And say, As I live forever,
read chapter 32 in WEB
For I lift up unto the heavens My hand, And have said, I live -- to the age!
read chapter 32 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerses 40, 41. - These verses should be read continuously: For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, As I live forever, if I whet my glittering sword, and if my hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, etc. Lifting up the hand to heaven was a gesture intended to express that the person taking an oath appealed to God as a witness of his oath, and who would perish for falsehood (cf. Genesis 14:22); and "as the Lord liveth" was a common formula in taking an oath (cf. Numbers 14:21; 1 Samuel 14:39, 45; Jeremiah 5:2). As God could swear by none greater, he swore by himself (cf. Exodus 6:8; Numbers 14:30; Isaiah 45:23; Jeremiah 22:5; Hebrews 6:17), that if he did come forth to avenge himself of his enemies, he would not spare, but would do thoroughly what he had come forth to do. - Glittering sword; literally, lightning of sword (cf. Ezekiel 21:10 [15]).
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(40, 41) For I lift up my hand.--This is the form in taking an oath. (Comp. Revelation 10:5.) The two verses may be connected thus: "For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, As I live for ever, if I whet my lightning sword, and my hand take hold on judgment, I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and repay them that hate me."
