Deuteronomy 32 24

Deuteronomy 32:24 kjv

They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.

Deuteronomy 32:24 nkjv

They shall be wasted with hunger, Devoured by pestilence and bitter destruction; I will also send against them the teeth of beasts, With the poison of serpents of the dust.

Deuteronomy 32:24 niv

I will send wasting famine against them, consuming pestilence and deadly plague; I will send against them the fangs of wild beasts, the venom of vipers that glide in the dust.

Deuteronomy 32:24 esv

they shall be wasted with hunger, and devoured by plague and poisonous pestilence; I will send the teeth of beasts against them, with the venom of things that crawl in the dust.

Deuteronomy 32:24 nlt

I will weaken them with famine,
burning fever, and deadly disease.
I will send the fangs of wild beasts
and poisonous snakes that glide in the dust.

Deuteronomy 32 verses

Deuteronomy 32 24 Meaning

Deuteronomy 32:24 vividly describes the various forms of divine judgment that will be unleashed upon the unfaithful people of Israel. It portrays a comprehensive assault on life and well-being through severe internal wasting, external consumption by destructive forces like scorching heat and deadly disease, and violent attacks by both wild beasts and venomous serpents. This verse underscores God's complete sovereignty over creation, demonstrating His ability to utilize natural elements and creatures as instruments of His righteous retribution against sin and covenant unfaithfulness.

Deuteronomy 32 24 Context

Deuteronomy 32 is known as "The Song of Moses," a prophetic and poetic warning delivered by Moses to the Israelites just before his death. It serves as a comprehensive overview of God's faithful dealings with Israel and a severe prophecy regarding their future apostasy and the ensuing divine judgment. Verses 15-18 describe Israel's prosperity leading to their rejection of God, embracing pagan idols. Verses 19-25 detail God's declaration of impending judgment due to their abominable behavior.

Deuteronomy 32:24 specifically outlines the precise mechanisms of this divine wrath, showing that God's judgment is not vague but multifaceted and penetrating. This prophetic song functions as a testament against Israel, to be recited and remembered, impressing upon them the seriousness of the covenant. Historically, it prepares the people for the consequences of disloyalty upon entering the Promised Land. Literarily, it uses vivid, almost tangible imagery of destruction to communicate the depth of God's anger against sin and His unwavering commitment to justice. It also contains an implicit polemic against pagan deities, asserting that Yahweh, not Baal or any other god, controls the natural forces and all living creatures, and that He, alone, uses them for His purposes, whether blessing or curse.

Deuteronomy 32 24 Word analysis

• They shall be wasted: From the Hebrew אפי נמקו (‘appî nimmaqu).

  • אפי (‘appî): Usually means "my anger" or "my nostril/face," but here it's part of an idiomatic expression ‘appî nimmaqu often translated as "wasted by famine," "consumed by." Some interpret ‘appî here as a form related to ʾap meaning "verily, truly," intensifying the statement. More broadly understood as referring to the result of God's burning anger or the 'internal' wasting as if consumed from within.
  • נמקו (nimmaqu): Root maqaq (מוק), means "to decay," "to rot," "to fester," "to dissolve," "to pine away." This implies a slow, agonizing process of deterioration, a consumption from within rather than an immediate, external blow. It suggests internal organ damage or a wasting sickness.

• by famine: רעב (ra‘abh). Standard Hebrew term for hunger, starvation. A common form of judgment in the ancient Near East, directly related to agricultural output which was under God's control.

• and devoured: יאכלו (yō’kĕlû). From ’ākhal (אכל), meaning "to eat," "to consume," "to destroy." Connotes a complete and destructive consumption. The passive voice implies they are victims of this eating.

• by burning heat: רשף (resheph). Means "burning heat," "flame," "pestilence," or "burning arrows." It often signifies feverish sickness or scorching disease. In the context of "pestilence," it points to diseases characterized by high fever and inflammation.

• and poisonous pestilence: וקטב מרירי (wĕqeṭeb mĕrîrî).

  • קטב (qeṭeb): Means "destruction," "slaughter," "pestilence," "plague." It refers to a sudden and deadly outbreak of disease.
  • מרירי (mĕrîrî): Means "bitter," "poisonous," "deadly." It intensifies qeṭeb, emphasizing the lethal, virulent nature of the plague.

• I will also send against them: ושלחתי בם (wəšillaḥtî bām).

  • ושלחתי (wəšillaḥtî): Šālaḥ (שלח) means "to send," "to dispatch," "to let loose." The 'I' indicates divine agency – God Himself is actively directing and initiating these judgments, not that they happen coincidentally. This affirms His sovereignty.
  • בם (bām): "Against them" or "upon them," indicating the target of these actions.

• the teeth of beasts: שי ניב (šinnê-zôaḥ).

  • שי (šinnê): From šen (שן), "tooth," but often used pluralistically as "teeth" or "fangs." Implies tearing, gnawing, brutal force.
  • ניב (zôaḥ): Used in plural to mean "wild animals," "beasts." Specifically, predatory animals that kill and consume.

• with the poison of vipers of the dust: חמת זחלי עפר (ḥămaṯ zaḥălê ‘āpār).

  • חמת (ḥămaṯ): Means "venom," "poison," or sometimes "wrath." Here, explicitly biological poison from snakes.
  • זחלי (zaḥălê): From zāḥal (זחל), "to crawl," "to creep." Used to refer to creeping things, specifically serpents or snakes.
  • עפר (‘āpār): "Dust," "earth." Refers to their natural habitat, but also evokes the curse on the serpent in Gen 3:14: "on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat." This adds a layer of ironic divine justice, as instruments from the lowliest form of life, living on the dust, deliver a deadly blow.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "They shall be wasted by famine, and devoured by burning heat and poisonous pestilence": This clause describes internal and unseen forms of judgment – diseases, slow death from hunger. It starts with the wasting (maqaq) which is internal decay, then expands to general consumption, fiery fever-like diseases (resheph), and bitter, deadly plagues (qeṭeb meriri). This indicates God's judgment attacking the very life force and health of the individuals.

• "I will also send against them the teeth of beasts, with the poison of vipers of the dust": This clause transitions to external, violent attacks. God actively sends (divine agency) predatory wild animals and venomous snakes. The "teeth of beasts" denotes direct, physical, and brutal killing, while "poison of vipers of the dust" indicates insidious, stealthy, and lethal means. The "dust" connection ties it to the serpent's cursed nature (Gen 3), emphasizing God's mastery even over the cursed creation as instruments of His will. This shows God's control extends beyond disease and natural phenomena to the animal kingdom, leveraging even the most terrifying or repulsive creatures for His purposes.

Deuteronomy 32 24 Bonus section

The specific judgments listed in this verse – famine, plague/pestilence, and wild beasts (including venomous creatures like vipers) – appear repeatedly throughout the Old Testament as key elements of God's disciplinary hand or judgment upon nations, including Israel. Ezekiel 14:21 consolidates these into "four severe acts of judgment" (sword, famine, wild beasts, and pestilence), highlighting their systemic use as instruments of divine retribution. This consistent pattern reinforces the theological principle that the same God who provides sustenance, health, and protection is also sovereign over their deprivation when His covenant is violated. The detailed nature of these curses demonstrates God's specificity in judgment, contrasting with vague or capricious pagan deities. Moreover, the verse also subtly touches on the idea that every element of creation, from the lowest crawling thing of the dust to the most powerful beast, serves the Creator's will and can be marshalled by Him for either blessing or curse.

Deuteronomy 32 24 Commentary

Deuteronomy 32:24 provides a graphic and sobering portrayal of God's retributive justice against Israel's anticipated apostasy. This verse is not merely a list of unfortunate events; it underscores Yahweh's absolute dominion over every sphere of existence. Famine targets their sustenance, reflecting a withdrawal of blessings from the land. The "burning heat and poisonous pestilence" strike at their health, illustrating God's power over life and death through disease. The inclusion of "the teeth of beasts" and "the poison of vipers" emphasizes God's command over the wild and dangerous aspects of creation, which are repurposed as agents of His judgment. This comprehensive devastation serves as a stark warning, reinforcing the covenant's stipulations: obedience brings life, disobedience brings widespread and inescapable destruction. The judgment described is not arbitrary, but a direct consequence of a nation that abandoned the source of its very life and identity, pursuing idols which had no power to save or sustain. This verse stands as a testament to God's holiness and unwavering commitment to uphold His covenant, even if it means meting out severe discipline upon His own chosen people. It demonstrates that their well-being is entirely contingent upon their faithful relationship with Him.