---
title: Deuteronomy 32:43
url: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/deuteronomy-32-43/
markdown: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/deuteronomy-32-43.md
type: verse
perspective: Protestant (historic Nicene) response to Jehovah's Witness teaching
reference: Deuteronomy 32:43
testament: OT
section: Law
index: https://jw-apologetics.app/llms.txt
---

# Deuteronomy 32:43

## Text (Berean Standard Bible)

> Rejoice, O heavens, with Him, and let all God’s angels worship Him. Rejoice, O nations, with His people; for He will avenge the blood of His children. He will take vengeance on His adversaries and repay those who hate Him; He will cleanse His land and His people.

## JW Usage

The NWT follows the shorter Masoretic reading of this verse. JWs do not typically draw attention to it because the longer Septuagint and Dead Sea Scrolls readings — which include the command for angels to worship — are cited by Hebrews 1:6 and applied to Jesus. When Hebrews 1:6 is discussed, "obeisance" is substituted for "worship."

## Protestant Usage

Hebrews 1:6 quotes Deuteronomy 32:43 (from the LXX and Dead Sea Scrolls text 4QDeutq) and applies it to the Son: God commands all angels to worship him. The context is decisive — Deuteronomy 32:39 has just declared "I am he; there is no God besides me." The one being worshipped in verse 43 is Jehovah. A monotheistic Jewish author would never apply a Jehovah-worship text to a creature — unless he identified the Son with Jehovah. This is part of Hebrews 1's sustained argument: Psalm 102:25–27 (Jehovah's eternality) is applied to Jesus in 1:10–12, and Psalm 45:6–7 ("Your throne, O God") is applied to him in 1:8–9. The pattern is unmistakable: the Son receives the titles, worship, and attributes that belong to Jehovah alone.

## Arguments Using This Verse

- [Jesus' Eternality](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/psalm102-hebrews1.md) — Psalm 102 → Hebrews 1 [Deity of Christ]
- [The Elohim Category Trap](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/elohim-category.md) — Psalm 82 — If Jesus Is 'a God,' Which Kind? [Deity of Christ]
- [Hebrews 1:6 Quotes a Jehovah-Worship Text — And Applies It to Jesus](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/deut3243-hebrews16-worship.md) — Deuteronomy 32:43 LXX / Hebrews 1:6 / Dead Sea Scrolls [Deity of Christ]