Deuteronomy 29 21

Deuteronomy 29:21 kjv

And the LORD shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law:

Deuteronomy 29:21 nkjv

And the LORD would separate him from all the tribes of Israel for adversity, according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this Book of the Law,

Deuteronomy 29:21 niv

The LORD will single them out from all the tribes of Israel for disaster, according to all the curses of the covenant written in this Book of the Law.

Deuteronomy 29:21 esv

And the LORD will single him out from all the tribes of Israel for calamity, in accordance with all the curses of the covenant written in this Book of the Law.

Deuteronomy 29:21 nlt

The LORD will separate them from all the tribes of Israel, to pour out on them all the curses of the covenant recorded in this Book of Instruction.

Deuteronomy 29 verses

Deuteronomy 29 21 Meaning

Deuteronomy 29:21 declares that the Lord will specifically separate and target an individual within Israel for disaster and judgment. This severe action is not arbitrary but is in strict conformity with all the detailed curses of the covenant, which are meticulously recorded in this very Book of the Law (Deuteronomy itself). The verse highlights divine omniscience, individual accountability for sin even in a collective covenant, and the exactitude of God's promised consequences for disobedience, particularly hidden apostasy.

Deuteronomy 29 21 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 29 is a pivotal chapter within Moses’ second major discourse, delivered to the Israelites on the plains of Moab. This address, occurring just before their entry into the Promised Land, functions as a covenant renewal ceremony. After rehearsing God's past faithfulness and warning against forgetting Him (Ch 29:1-8), Moses charges all Israelites—from leaders to water carriers—to enter into this renewed covenant (Ch 29:9-13). The chapter then warns specifically against the hidden sin of idolatry or secret apostasy (Deut 29:18). This type of sin, often involving an individual or family who outwardly conforms but secretly harbors idols or blesses themselves despite their disobedience, is portrayed as particularly dangerous because it risks infecting the entire community. Verse 21, therefore, speaks directly to the consequences for such an individual who, despite being part of God's chosen people, covertly turns away from the Lord's commandments, ensuring that such a deviation will not go unnoticed or unpunished.

Deuteronomy 29 21 Word analysis

• And the LORD will single him out: Hebrew וְהִבְדִּילוֹ יְהוָה (vehivdilo Yahweh).
  • "single him out" / "separate him": From the root בָּדַל (badal), meaning "to divide," "to separate," "to distinguish." While this root often implies a positive separation (e.g., separating holy from common, Israel from nations), here it signifies a decisive, punitive separation. It is an act of divine identification and discrimination, ensuring no hidden sin escapes God's judgment. God Himself performs this act.
  • "from all the tribes of Israel": This highlights that even within the covenant community, among God's own people, divine justice is individual and penetrating. No individual or household's secret sin, particularly apostasy, will be overlooked by virtue of their national identity.
• for calamity: Hebrew לְרָעָה (lera'ah).
  • "calamity" / "evil": From the root רַע (ra'), meaning "evil," "distress," "misfortune," "calamity." It denotes actively imposed harm or disaster, signifying severe adverse consequences directed by God, not just generic misfortune.
• in accordance with all the curses: Hebrew כְּכֹל אָלוֹת הַבְּרִית (kechol alot hab'rit).
  • "in accordance with": Signifies precise conformity. The judgment will not be arbitrary but perfectly aligned with what was warned and documented.
  • "all the curses": Refers comprehensively to the solemn oaths and negative stipulations articulated in the covenant (especially in Deut 28 and Lev 26). This ensures fairness and predictability in divine judgment.
  • "of the covenant": Hebrew הַבְּרִית (hab'rit). The binding legal and moral agreement between God and Israel, central to their existence and future prosperity. Breaking this covenant leads to pre-stipulated curses.
• written in this Book of the Law: Hebrew הַכְּתוּבָה בְּסֵפֶר הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת (haketuva b'sefer haTorah hazot).
  • "written": Emphasizes the fixed, undeniable, and accessible nature of these terms. They were not hidden or arbitrary.
  • "this Book of the Law": Refers specifically to Deuteronomy itself, or the whole Pentateuch (Torah) as compiled by Moses. This designation authenticates the divine origin and authoritative power of these commands and curses, making their non-observance an inexcusable transgression. It underscores the concept of a divine, public, and documented testimony of divine expectations.

Deuteronomy 29 21 Bonus section

The severe punishment for individuals here (Deut 29:21) balances the collective responsibility often highlighted in the Old Testament, showcasing that while corporate sin can affect the whole nation, individual hidden apostasy is also precisely judged. This concept counters the potential illusion that personal sin, particularly spiritual disloyalty, goes unnoticed if not overtly public. It further underscores the unique aspect of the Mosaic covenant where blessings and curses were directly and often immediately tied to national and individual obedience, differentiating it from purely spiritual judgments found under the New Covenant where consequences are often eschatological but no less real.

Deuteronomy 29 21 Commentary

Deuteronomy 29:21 stands as a powerful testament to the sovereign and precise nature of God's covenantal justice. It serves as a stark warning, particularly against hidden sin, emphasizing that no individual, regardless of their position within Israel, could evade accountability for apostasy. The Lord's act of "singling out" signifies a divine detection and execution of judgment that penetrates superficial conformity and public appearances. This action is rooted not in divine caprice but in the absolute faithfulness of God to His own declared Word; the calamity inflicted directly corresponds to "all the curses" explicitly written in the Torah. This highlights both the meticulous record of divine justice and the seriousness with which God views disobedience, particularly that which undermines the integrity of His covenant and potentially spreads defilement within His chosen people. It demonstrates that God sees and will address covert sin, providing a potent deterrent against self-deception in spiritual matters.