Deuteronomy 11:17

And [then] the LORD'S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and [lest] ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you.

And then the LORD'S {H3068} wrath {H639} be kindled {H2734} against you, and he shut up {H6113} the heaven {H8064}, that there be no rain {H4306}, and that the land {H127} yield {H5414} not her fruit {H2981}; and lest ye perish {H6} quickly {H4120} from off the good {H2896} land {H776} which the LORD {H3068} giveth {H5414} you.

If you do, the anger of ADONAI will blaze up against you. He will shut up the sky, so that there will be no rain. The ground will not yield its produce, and you will quickly pass away from the good land ADONAI is giving you.

or the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you. He will shut the heavens so that there will be no rain, nor will the land yield its produce, and you will soon perish from the good land that the LORD is giving you.

and the anger of Jehovah be kindled against you, and he shut up the heavens, so that there shall be no rain, and the land shall not yield its fruit; and ye perish quickly from off the good land which Jehovah giveth you.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 11:17 serves as a stern warning within Mosesโ€™ final discourse to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land. This verse underscores the severe consequences of disobedience, specifically focusing on the withdrawal of divine provision and the potential loss of their inheritance.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in Deuteronomy 11 (specifically Deuteronomy 11:13-17) that outlines the conditional nature of Israel's covenant with God. Moses is reiterating the covenant promises and warnings, emphasizing that their prosperity and continued inhabitation of the land of Canaan are directly tied to their obedience to God's commands. Following promises of abundant rain and fruitful harvests for obedience (Deuteronomy 11:14-15), this verse presents the stark contrast: the dire outcome of rebellion.

Key Themes

  • Divine Retribution and Consequences: The verse highlights God's active involvement in the affairs of His people, not only in blessing but also in judgment. Disobedience is met with divine wrath, leading to tangible consequences.
  • Rain as a Sign of Blessing/Curse: In an agricultural society in a semi-arid region like the ancient Near East, rain was absolutely vital for survival. God's control over the heavens and the provision of rain was a direct indicator of His favor or disfavor. "Shutting up the heaven" meant drought, famine, and desolation.
  • The Conditional Nature of the Land: The "good land which the LORD giveth you" was not an unconditional gift. Israel's tenure in the Promised Land was contingent upon their faithfulness. Perishing quickly from the land was the ultimate threat of exile or destruction, a theme echoed throughout the Old Testament.
  • Covenant Obedience: At its core, this verse reinforces the central Deuteronomic theme that obedience to God's laws is paramount for national prosperity and spiritual well-being. It's a foundational principle of the Mosaic Covenant.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "lest the LORD'S wrath kindle against you" uses the Hebrew word แธฅฤrรข (ื—ึธืจึธื”), meaning "to be hot" or "to burn," vividly describing God's righteous indignation. It's a powerful term for divine anger that leads to decisive action. The imagery of God "shutting up the heaven" points to His absolute sovereignty over creation and natural phenomena, emphasizing that even basic necessities like rain are under His control and can be withheld as a form of judgment.

Practical Application

While the specific context of rain and the Promised Land applies to ancient Israel, the underlying principles of Deuteronomy 11:17 remain profoundly relevant. It teaches us about:

  • The Seriousness of Disobedience: God takes sin seriously, and there are consequences for turning away from His commands. This applies to individuals and communities.
  • God's Sovereignty: We are reminded that God is sovereign over all aspects of life, including natural resources and our very existence. Our dependence on Him for provision is absolute.
  • The Importance of Seeking God's Will: Just as Israel's well-being was tied to obedience, our spiritual flourishing and experience of God's blessings are often linked to our willingness to follow His Word. The principle of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7) finds its roots in such Old Testament passages.
  • Trust and Repentance: This verse serves as a call to humility, trust in God, and a readiness to repent when we stray, knowing that God's desire is for our good and not our destruction.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 8:35

    When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them:

  • Deuteronomy 4:26

    I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong [your] days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.

  • 2 Chronicles 6:26

    When the heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; [yet] if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou dost afflict them;

  • Amos 4:7

    And also I have withholden the rain from you, when [there were] yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered.

  • Deuteronomy 6:15

    (For the LORD thy God [is] a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.

  • 1 Kings 17:1

    ยถ And Elijah the Tishbite, [who was] of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, [As] the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

  • 2 Chronicles 7:13

    If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
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