Deuteronomy 32 41

Deuteronomy 32:41 kjv

If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.

Deuteronomy 32:41 nkjv

If I whet My glittering sword, And My hand takes hold on judgment, I will render vengeance to My enemies, And repay those who hate Me.

Deuteronomy 32:41 niv

when I sharpen my flashing sword and my hand grasps it in judgment, I will take vengeance on my adversaries and repay those who hate me.

Deuteronomy 32:41 esv

if I sharpen my flashing sword and my hand takes hold on judgment, I will take vengeance on my adversaries and will repay those who hate me.

Deuteronomy 32:41 nlt

when I sharpen my flashing sword
and begin to carry out justice,
I will take revenge on my enemies
and repay those who reject me.

Deuteronomy 32 verses

Deuteronomy 32 41 Meaning

Deuteronomy 32:41 declares God's solemn and active readiness to execute precise, righteous judgment. It signifies His prepared, swift, and unavoidable act of delivering retribution to His adversaries and those who show deep-seated hatred towards Him. This verse underscores God's sovereignty over justice and vengeance, asserting His resolve to settle accounts righteously with all who oppose His will and His people.

Deuteronomy 32 41 Context

Deuteronomy 32 is known as the "Song of Moses," delivered by Moses to the Israelites just before his death, as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. This prophetic poem outlines the covenant history, highlighting God's faithfulness and Israel's recurrent apostasy.Verse 41 comes after a description of God's character as the Rock, perfect in His works and just (vv. 1-4). It details Israel's subsequent rebellion, described as abandoning and forgetting the God who made them (vv. 5-18). Because of their unfaithfulness, God announces that He will hide His face from them, bringing calamity upon them (vv. 19-35). However, even in judgment, God expresses concern for His people (vv. 36-38), asserting His uniqueness as God and the One who controls life and death, blessing and curse.Within this broader context, verse 41 transitions to God's ultimate declaration of active retribution not only against the oppressors of Israel but also, by extension, against all who stand in opposition to His divine will. It's a statement of His unmatched power and unyielding justice, ensuring that He will eventually vindicate Himself and His faithful, repaying His adversaries for their defiance.

Word Analysis

• if I whet: Hebrew: im shanōti (אִם־שַׁנּוֹתִי). Shānan (שָׁנַן) means to sharpen, whet. This signifies a deliberate, precise, and prepared action. It is not impulsive but a settled resolve, implying that the instrument of judgment is being brought to its peak readiness for swift and decisive impact.
• My glittering sword: Hebrew: ḥarbī barāq (חַרְבִּי בָּרָק). Ḥerev (חֶרֶב) is a sword. Barāq (בָּרָק) means lightning, or a flash of light. This imagery evokes a weapon that is terrifying, swift, bright, and irresistible. It symbolizes the supernatural, devastating power of divine judgment, cutting through all opposition with overwhelming force and visible brilliance.
• and My hand takes hold on judgment: Hebrew: v'to'ḥēz yadī b'mishpāṭ (וְתֹאחֵז יָדִי בְּמִשְׁפָּט). Yad (יָד) means hand, symbolizing power, agency, and direct action. Tō'ḥēz (תֹאחֵז) means to grasp, take hold firmly, implying decisive control and execution. Mishpāṭ (מִשְׁפָּט) means judgment, justice, legal verdict. This phrase highlights the righteousness and judicial nature of God's action; His vengeance is not arbitrary wrath but the application of perfect justice, firm and unwavering.
• I will render vengeance: Hebrew: āshīv nāqām (אָשִׁיב נָקָם). Āshīv (אָשִׁיב) means I will return, restore, or repay. Nāqām (נָקָם) refers to vengeance or retribution. In a divine context, nāqām is distinct from human revenge; it is the act of restoring cosmic and moral balance, delivering just retribution for wrongs committed, ensuring that equity prevails.
• to My adversaries: Hebrew: l'tzārāy (לְצָרָי). Tzārāy (צָרָי) means my foes, those who cause distress or enmity. This refers to anyone who opposes God's sovereign rule, His will, or His chosen people. It encompasses both literal national enemies of Israel and spiritual adversaries.
• and will repay them that hate Me: Hebrew: v'lī-m'śan'ay ashallēm (וְלִמְשַׂנְאַי אֲשַׁלֵּם). M'śan'ay (מְשַׂנְאַי) means those who hate Me. This goes beyond mere opposition to deep-seated animosity and rebellion against God Himself. Ashallēm (אֲשַׁלֵּם) means I will repay fully, make whole, or compensate. Here, it implies complete and definitive recompense for such profound hostility.

Words-group Analysis:

• "if I whet My glittering sword, and My hand takes hold on judgment": This is a powerful, parallel declaration. The sharpening of the sword emphasizes God's deliberate preparation and the terrifying speed and brightness of His judicial power, linking the instrument of His power (sword) directly to the execution of His justice (judgment). It's a statement of full commitment and readiness to act.
• "I will render vengeance to My adversaries, and will repay them that hate Me": These two clauses articulate the certainty and scope of divine retribution. They serve as a restatement, solidifying the message that God will directly and thoroughly respond to all forms of antagonism, from overt opposition ("adversaries") to ingrained hostility ("those that hate Me"). The parallel actions of "rendering vengeance" and "repaying" affirm that the response will be just, complete, and fitting to the offense.

Deuteronomy 32 41 Commentary

Deuteronomy 32:41 presents God as the ultimate and righteous warrior who meticulously prepares to execute justice. The vivid imagery of the "glittering sword" portrays His judgments as swift, terrifying, and irresistibly powerful, akin to a bolt of lightning. This is not arbitrary fury, but a deliberate act rooted in His unchanging character, signified by His "hand taking hold on judgment." This phrase emphasizes the judicial basis of His retribution; His actions are entirely just and according to His divine decree. The "vengeance" God renders and the "repayment" to His haters are expressions of divine righteousness, restoring the balance when His authority is defied and His holiness profaned. It assures His people of His ultimate vindication and warns those who oppose Him of the inescapable consequences of their rebellion. This divine act ensures that justice will prevail, serving as both comfort to the afflicted and a fearful warning to the wicked, confirming God's sovereign control over history and final destiny.

Bonus Section

• Polemics against Paganism: This verse stands in stark contrast to the capricious and often unjust actions attributed to pagan deities in ancient Near Eastern religions. The God of Israel acts with deliberate purpose, righteousness, and calculated judgment, not irrational impulse or arbitrary anger.
• Anthropomorphism: The use of human attributes like "hand" and "sword" describes God's actions in a way that is comprehensible to humans, while maintaining His transcendence. It powerfully communicates His personal involvement and active role in justice without literally attributing a physical form to Him.
• Comfort and Warning: For believers, this verse provides immense comfort, knowing that God will ultimately rectify all wrongs and defend His chosen ones. For the unrepentant and His adversaries, it serves as a solemn and severe warning of certain judgment.
• Fulfillment in New Testament: While the immediate context is God's judgment upon Israel's (and thus His own) enemies in the Old Covenant, the principle finds its ultimate fulfillment in the return of Christ, who will wield His "sword" of judgment against all who oppose God, as depicted in the Revelation.