What is the best translation of Deuteronomy 32:8?
Some translations, such as NLV, NIV, LXX, Dead Sea Scrolls, say something like "angels of God," "host of heaven." Other translations, such as KJV, NASB say "children of Israel." Is there a Hebrew word that translates as Israel or angel?
Deuteronomy 32:8
ESV - 8 When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God.
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Asked April 21 2020
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Charles Crabtree
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Tim Maas
My understanding (from the website biblehub.com) is that the Hebrew word in the original text is "Israel" (with reference to the name -- meaning "he who strives with God" -- bestowed upon Jacob by the being with whom he wrestled in Genesis 32:24-30). To me, that would indicate that the verse cited in the question is referring specifically to the borders of the various tribes of Israel (who were descended from Jacob's sons). In that regard, the translation "children of Israel" would come closest to the sense of the original text.
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