Deuteronomy 32 33

Deuteronomy 32:33 kjv

Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.

Deuteronomy 32:33 nkjv

Their wine is the poison of serpents, And the cruel venom of cobras.

Deuteronomy 32:33 niv

Their wine is the venom of serpents, the deadly poison of cobras.

Deuteronomy 32:33 esv

their wine is the poison of serpents and the cruel venom of asps.

Deuteronomy 32:33 nlt

Their wine is the venom of serpents,
the deadly poison of cobras.

Deuteronomy 32 verses

Deuteronomy 32 33 Meaning

This verse starkly declares that the "fruit" or essence of the wicked—specifically their customs, beliefs, and practices rooted in rebellion against God—is utterly poisonous and destructive. It graphically likens their spiritual output to the most lethal of venoms, specifically the cruel poison of serpents and asps, emphasizing its insidious, deadly, and agonizing effect, ultimately leading to divine judgment and spiritual ruin.

Deuteronomy 32 33 Context

Deuteronomy 32:33 is part of "The Song of Moses" (Deuteronomy 32:1-43), a prophetic poem given by Moses to the Israelites just before his death and their entry into the Promised Land. This song serves as a covenant lawsuit, recounting God's steadfast faithfulness to Israel and contrasting it with their persistent rebellion and idolatry. It foretells Israel's apostasy, their subsequent suffering due to divine judgment, and God's eventual vindication and ultimate redemption of His people.

Specifically, verse 33 follows immediately after verse 32, which states: "For their vine is from the vine of Sodom and from the fields of Gomorrah; their grapes are grapes of poison, their clusters are bitter." Verse 33 intensifies this imagery, defining the "grapes of poison" from the "vine of Sodom" as utterly deadly. The context warns Israel against forsaking the true God and His life-giving covenant for the practices and idols of the surrounding nations, which appear alluring but bear only destructive fruit, embodying spiritual death and the fierceness of divine judgment. Historically, it prepares Israel for the dangers of idolatry in Canaan, reminding them of the severe consequences of disobedience promised in the covenant.

Deuteronomy 32 33 Word analysis

• Their wine (יֵינָם, yeinam): The possessive pronoun "their" links directly to the "vine of Sodom and fields of Gomorrah" mentioned in the preceding verse (Dt 32:32). "Wine" (יַיִן, yayin) here is a metaphorical representation of the fruit, produce, or essence of the wicked nations and apostate Israel—their cultural output, beliefs, immoral practices, and false worship. Unlike the blessings of fertile lands and good wine from God, this "wine" is inherently corrupted and destructive, signifying the result of turning away from divine truth to follow perverted paths.

• is the venom (חֲמַת, ḥamat): From the Hebrew word חֵמָה (ḥēmâ), which can mean "wrath," "fury," or, as translated here, "poison" or "venom." This word conveys intense heat and often passionate anger or fury, extending metaphorically to the burning, destructive power of a toxic substance. Here, it signifies that the nature of their "wine" is not merely distasteful or harmful, but intrinsically deadly, carrying a destructive power equivalent to potent toxins, reflective of a profound, corrupting force.

• of serpents (תַּנִּינִים, tanninim): Plural of תַּנִּין (tannin). While tannin can sometimes refer to a sea monster or dragon, here in context with "poison" and "asps," it specifically denotes venomous serpents. Serpents, in biblical imagery, often represent deception, evil, and danger (e.g., Gen 3, Num 21). This term adds the imagery of cunning, insidious, and mortal peril to the "wine" of the wicked, suggesting a hidden, pervasive threat.

• and the cruel (וְרֹאשׁ אַכְזָר, weroʾš ak̲zār): The word רֹאשׁ (rōʾš) literally means "head" but in botanical or toxicological contexts, can refer to a bitter, poisonous herb (e.g., wormwood or gall). This conveys a sense of intense bitterness and toxicity. The adjective אַכְזָר (ʾak̲zār) means "cruel," "fierce," "ruthless," or "unmerciful." This amplifies the description of the poison, emphasizing its harsh, painful, and agonizing effects on those who partake in it, suggesting not just death but also suffering.

• poison of asps (פְּתָנִים, pĕṯānîm): Plural of פֶּתֶן (pethen), which specifically identifies the cobra or asp—a snake renowned in antiquity for its swift and deadly neurotoxic venom. This particular imagery intensifies the threat presented by the "serpents," highlighting a specific and highly fatal kind of poison. It signifies that the consequences of this "wine" are rapid, certain, and leave no chance of recovery, causing an inescapable death once ingested.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Their wine is the venom of serpents": This phrase directly equates the spiritual produce and way of life of the wicked with a lethal and insidious poison. It indicates that what they cultivate and offer is not life-giving, but death-dealing. The image of serpent venom implies a hidden, internal corrupting force, often working subtly before its destructive effects become manifest.
• "and the cruel poison of asps": This second clause amplifies and specifies the nature of the poison. It reinforces the deadliness with another highly venomous creature, the asp, known for its potent and swift-acting toxins. The addition of "cruel" emphasizes the suffering, ruthlessness, and agonizing impact of this spiritual "wine." It highlights that partaking in the fruit of wickedness leads to a brutal and unavoidable end. The parallelism underscores the utter certainty and severity of the destructive consequences.

Deuteronomy 32 33 Bonus section

• Hyperbolic Language for Impact: The use of "venom of serpents" and "cruel poison of asps" is strong, hyperbolic language designed to leave an indelible impression. It is meant to instill deep fear and aversion towards the "fruit" of apostasy, leaving no ambiguity about its destructive nature.
• Contrast to True Nourishment: This verse stands in stark contrast to God's promises of true sustenance and blessing. While the wicked's "wine" is poison, God provides literal food and drink in the desert (Ex 16, Num 20), spiritual manna (Dt 8:3), and promises fertile land yielding true wine and oil (Dt 7:13; Joel 2:24). Jesus later presents Himself as the "true vine" (Jn 15:1) and offers "living water" (Jn 4:10) in direct opposition to such death-dealing alternatives.
• Ethical and Theological Ramifications: The imagery points to the internal rottenness of sin, not merely its external effects. Sin, like a poison, corrupts from within, affecting one's spirit and leading to a fatal outcome if not repented of. It serves as a reminder of God's holy nature, His hatred for sin, and the certainty of His justice against those who persist in rebellion.

Deuteronomy 32 33 Commentary

Deuteronomy 32:33 vividly uses the metaphor of wine and serpent venom to portray the utter deadliness of apostasy and wickedness. Moses' song condemns the false fruit born of rebellion against God, comparing it to the corrupted produce of Sodom and Gomorrah. The "wine" represents all that derives from a life alienated from God—idolatrous practices, corrupt morals, and rebellious attitudes—which, despite any superficial appeal, contains a spiritual poison. This poison is likened to the venom of serpents and asps, potent symbols of deception, insidiousness, and rapid, agonizing death. The verse serves as a powerful warning: partaking in the ways of the world or abandoning God for false deities yields not nourishment or joy, but ultimate spiritual ruin and judgment. It conveys that the consequence of rejecting God's truth is inherently destructive, leading to bitter suffering and death, underscoring the severe and inescapable divine retribution for sin.