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. (Deuteronomy 32:8)
See Gen. 10:5, 25, 32. The sense is that of apportioning to each of the nations its inheritance (see Acts 17:26).
Separated the sons of Adam.
Better, “in his separating the children of men” (see on Gen. 1:26; 3:17; see also Gen. 11:8, 9), inasmuch as the separation into nations came after Babel.
Set the bounds.
Many Jewish commentators take this to mean that Jehovah guarded the growth and spread of the nations, in order that there might be sufficient room for a numerous Israel. The statement of Moses may refer to the fact that God has guided the destinies of the nations with respect to His own people, that through them all men might come to a knowledge of Him (see Acts 17:26, 27).