Hebrew Bible · Deuteronomy 32:8–9

Nations divided among the sons of God

ReferenceDeuteronomy 32:8–9

Writtenc. 700–500 BCE (old poem)

SetAfter Babel

When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.

Translation: KJV (older scroll: 'sons of God')

Read it literally

The oldest copy says each nation was handed to one of the sons of God to rule. This is why Daniel meets a 'prince of Persia'.

What scholars say

The KJV follows the later Hebrew text. The Dead Sea Scroll 4QDeut-j reads 'sons of God', and the Greek Bible reads 'angels of God'. Most scholars think 'sons of God' is original.

Council of gods

People and places hereAdam Daniel

Quick answers about Deuteronomy 32:8–9

Where is Deuteronomy 32:8–9 found?

Deuteronomy 32:8–9 (Hebrew Bible). Translation quoted: King James Version (1611; standard 1769 text), with Apocrypha.

When was Deuteronomy 32:8–9 written?

c. 700–500 BCE (old poem).

What do scholars say about Deuteronomy 32:8–9?