Deuteronomy 32 42

Deuteronomy 32:42 kjv

I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy.

Deuteronomy 32:42 nkjv

I will make My arrows drunk with blood, And My sword shall devour flesh, With the blood of the slain and the captives, From the heads of the leaders of the enemy." '

Deuteronomy 32:42 niv

I will make my arrows drunk with blood, while my sword devours flesh: the blood of the slain and the captives, the heads of the enemy leaders."

Deuteronomy 32:42 esv

I will make my arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh ? with the blood of the slain and the captives, from the long-haired heads of the enemy.'

Deuteronomy 32:42 nlt

I will make my arrows drunk with blood,
and my sword will devour flesh ?
the blood of the slaughtered and the captives,
and the heads of the enemy leaders."'

Deuteronomy 32 verses

Deuteronomy 32 42 Meaning

Deuteronomy 32:42 profoundly depicts the intensity and completeness of divine judgment upon the enemies of God and His people. It illustrates God's unyielding commitment to justice and vengeance against those who oppose His righteousness. The imagery of arrows "drunk with blood" and a sword "devouring flesh" portrays an absolute and overwhelming defeat, specifically targeting the leaders of the adversaries, signifying a total dismantling of their power and might.

Deuteronomy 32 42 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 32 is known as "The Song of Moses," a divinely inspired poem recited by Moses just before his death. Its primary purpose is to serve as a witness against Israel when they inevitably stray from God's covenant. The song traces God's faithfulness, Israel's rebellion, God's consequent discipline, and ultimately, His final vindication and triumph over His enemies.

Verses 32:34-43, in particular, focus on God's vengeance and the justice He will mete out. After recounting Israel's idolatry and the resultant discipline, the song shifts to a dramatic affirmation of God's readiness to execute judgment on the nations who oppressed His people, not for Israel's sake, but for His own name's glory and to demonstrate His unmatched power. Verse 42 stands as a potent declaration within this section, emphasizing the fierce and complete nature of God's wrath against His adversaries, signifying a divine, decisive intervention that brings about the total ruin of His foes and, by extension, salvation for His chosen. This provides assurance that God's power extends beyond merely punishing His people; He also exacts justice upon those who wronged them or challenged His sovereignty.

Deuteronomy 32 42 Word analysis

• I will make My arrows drunk (אַרְוֶה חִצִּי, ’arveh chittsi):

  • "arrows" (חֵץ, chetz): Standard instrument of warfare in ancient times, often symbolizing swift, precise, and inescapable judgment from God (Psa 7:13, Lam 3:12).
  • "drunk" (אַרְוֶה, ’arveh from רָוָה, ravah): Literally "to be sated," "to be saturated," "to drink deeply." It’s a vivid anthropomorphism. Here, it conveys an image of the arrows being completely filled and stained with blood, indicative of overwhelming and continuous slaughter. It suggests a relentless and unquenchable desire for vengeance, not actual intoxication, but a figurative 'fullness' to the point of overflowing.

• And My sword shall devour flesh (וְחַרְבִּי תֹּאכַל בָּשָׂר, v’charbi to’khal basar):

  • "sword" (חֶרֶב, cherev): Another primary weapon, representing God’s direct, cutting, and decisive judgment and destruction (Isa 34:6, Jer 12:12).
  • "devour" (תֹּאכַל, to’khal from אָכַל, akhal): Means "to eat," "to consume," "to destroy." Personifies the sword, emphasizing its destructive capability, leaving nothing whole. It speaks to the thoroughness of the devastation.
  • "flesh" (בָּשָׂר, basar): Refers to the physical body, symbolizing the victims of this divine wrath. The phrase indicates total carnage, leaving no living beings.

• With the blood of the slain and the captives (מִדַּם חָלָל וְשִׁבְיָה, middam chalal v’shivyah):

  • "blood" (דַּם, dam): The essence of life; its spilling signifies death and sacrifice. Here, it denotes the extensive bloodshed.
  • "slain" (חָלָל, chalal): Those killed, especially in battle, the fallen.
  • "captives" (שִׁבְיָה, shivyah): Those taken prisoner, not yet executed but subjected to the will of the victor. Including them indicates that God's judgment will extend to all adversaries, whether dead in battle or still alive in chains. It shows no one will escape.

• From the head of the leaders of the enemy (מֵרֹאשׁ פַּרְעוֹת אוֹיֵב, mero'sh par'ot oyev):

  • "head" (רֹאשׁ, rosh): Denotes the top, the beginning, or the leader/chief.
  • "leaders" (פַּרְעוֹת, par'ot): This is a unique and somewhat obscure word. It likely means "hairy heads" or "locks," signifying wild, untamed warriors, often referring to prominent and arrogant figures, likely leaders or champions. Some scholars interpret it as "disheveled locks" of powerful chieftains, symbolizing their strength and pride. Targeting them means that the leadership, the source of defiance, will be utterly crushed, leading to the collapse of the entire opposing structure.
  • "enemy" (אוֹיֵב, oyev): Any adversary, but specifically here, the gentile nations hostile to God and His chosen people, those who have acted unjustly.

Words-group analysis:

• "I will make My arrows drunk with blood, And My sword shall devour flesh": This vivid parallel imagery uses hyperbole to convey absolute devastation. The anthropomorphism of weapons highlights the personal and direct nature of God's vengeful judgment. It suggests an unquenchable thirst for justice satisfied only by comprehensive destruction. This signifies a final, inescapable, and utterly decisive judgment.

• "With the blood of the slain and the captives, From the head of the leaders of the enemy": This phrase precisely defines the scope and targets of divine judgment. It emphasizes that both the casualties of battle ("the slain") and those who might have hoped for escape through capture ("the captives") will fall under the divine wrath. Furthermore, the explicit mention of "the head of the leaders" signifies that God's judgment will be thorough, dismantling the entire hostile hierarchy, eliminating the very source and symbol of their defiance. This leaves no refuge and no rank untouched.

Deuteronomy 32 42 Bonus section

This verse, deeply rooted in poetic imagery and anthropomorphism, expresses God's righteous indignation in strong, martial terms. While often read in the context of historical battles or final judgment, it fundamentally speaks to the immutable principle of divine justice: the wicked will not go unpunished, and God's holiness will be vindicated. This intense portrayal ensures the audience understands the severity of rejecting God's covenant and the security of His promise to ultimately prevail over all His adversaries. The "Song of Moses" itself stands as a prophetic oracle, a timeless warning and assurance, reminding all generations of God's power, His justice, and His faithfulness to His word.

Deuteronomy 32 42 Commentary

Deuteronomy 32:42 serves as a stark declaration of God's unwavering justice and the inevitability of His retribution against those who oppose His divine will. It portrays the Lord not just as a judge, but as a warrior, armed and prepared to execute vengeance. The poetic imagery of arrows being "drunk" and a sword "devouring" conveys a scene of intense, overwhelming, and comprehensive destruction, signifying a relentless divine fury that is fully satisfied only through the complete overthrow of His enemies.

This judgment is shown to be exhaustive, affecting "the slain and the captives," meaning no adversary will escape His righteous hand, whether by death in battle or through potential subjugation. Crucially, the target includes "the head of the leaders of the enemy." This particularity highlights that the judgment is aimed at the source of resistance, the pride, and the power of the opposition. It signifies a decisive victory that utterly dismantles the entire hostile structure from its very top. The verse underscores that God will not be mocked and His adversaries, however mighty, will ultimately face His definitive and absolute wrath, not for cruelty, but as an act of just vindication for His holy name and His people.