Deuteronomy 29:19

KJV

And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:

KJV (with Strong's)

And it come to pass, when he heareth {H8085} the words {H1697} of this curse {H423}, that he bless {H1288} himself in his heart {H3824}, saying {H559}, I shall have peace {H7965}, though {H3588} I walk {H3212} in the imagination {H8307} of mine heart {H3820}, to add {H5595} drunkenness {H7302} to thirst {H6771}:

Complete Jewish Bible

If there is such a person, when he hears the words of this curse, he will bless himself secretly, saying to himself, 'I will be all right, even though I will stubbornly keep doing whatever I feel like doing; so that I, although "dry," [sinful,] will be added to the "watered" [righteous].'

Berean Standard Bible

because when such a person hears the words of this oath, he invokes a blessing on himself, saying, ‘I will have peace, even though I walk in the stubbornness of my own heart.’ This will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry.

American Standard Version

and it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart, to destroy the moist with the dry.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 29:19 issues a severe warning against spiritual self-deception and presumptuous sin, depicting an individual who, upon hearing God's curses for disobedience, deludes himself into believing he can maintain peace while stubbornly pursuing his own rebellious desires. This verse vividly portrays the dangerous trajectory of a heart hardened against God's covenant, leading to an insatiable indulgence in sin, metaphorically described as "adding drunkenness to thirst," and ultimately inviting divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 29:19 is situated within Moses' final address to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before their entry into the Promised Land. This address, often termed the "second giving of the Law," serves as a solemn renewal of the Mosaic Covenant established at Mount Sinai. Chapters 28-30 form a crucial section detailing the blessings for obedience and the severe curses for disobedience. Specifically, chapter 29 emphasizes the gravity of their covenant commitment, warning against any individual who might secretly harbor idolatrous intentions or turn their heart away from the Lord, thereby becoming a "root that bears poisonous and bitter fruit" for the community, as described in [Deuteronomy 29:18](/deuteronomy/29-18 "Deuteronomy 29:18 - Warning Against Apostasy"). The immediate literary flow highlights the communal responsibility to uphold the covenant, while this verse zeroes in on the insidious danger of individual, internal rebellion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the plains of Moab, around 1406 BC, as the generation that experienced the wilderness wanderings is poised to enter Canaan. This address is a covenant renewal ceremony, echoing the ancient Near Eastern suzerain-vassal treaties, where a great king (Suzerain, Yahweh) establishes terms with his vassal people (Israel). The "words of this curse" refer to the solemn pronouncements of judgment for covenant infidelity, which would have been read publicly, ensuring communal awareness and accountability. The concept of "blessing oneself in his heart" speaks to a common human tendency to rationalize sin and believe oneself exempt from consequences, a dangerous presumption in a covenantal society where communal well-being was intrinsically linked to individual faithfulness. The imagery of "drunkenness to thirst" reflects a culture familiar with the excesses of indulgence, using a vivid metaphor to convey an unrestrained and escalating pursuit of sin.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Deuteronomy and the broader Old Testament. It underscores the **deceitfulness of the human heart** and the perils of **spiritual self-deception**, contrasting true peace (rooted in obedience) with a false sense of security. It highlights the theme of **covenant fidelity versus apostasy**, emphasizing that even internal, unexpressed rebellion is known to God and incurs judgment. The phrase "imagination of mine heart" points to the theme of **stubbornness and hardness of heart**, a recurring motif throughout Israel's history that explains their repeated failures. Furthermore, the warning against "adding drunkenness to thirst" illustrates the **compounding nature of sin** and the insatiable appetite for transgression when one departs from God's ways. These themes are foundational to understanding the prophetic warnings against Israel's future idolatry and disobedience, as seen in books like [Isaiah](/isaiah/1 "Isaiah 1 - The Great Rebellion") and [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/7 "Jeremiah 7 - The Temple Sermon").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bless himself (Hebrew, _bārakh_):** In this context, _bārakh_ carries a deeply ironic and perverse meaning. While typically meaning to praise or invoke divine favor, here it describes an individual who, upon hearing the solemn curses of the covenant, presumptuously "blesses himself" in his own heart. This is not a genuine blessing from God but a self-congratulatory delusion, a false assurance of safety despite deliberate rebellion. It signifies a profound spiritual blindness and a rejection of divine reality in favor of self-justification.
* **Imagination (Hebrew, _sherîrûth_):** This powerful term denotes stubbornness, obstinacy, or perversity of heart. It's not merely a fleeting thought or a weak inclination but a firm, unyielding resolve to follow one's own desires, even when those desires directly contradict God's revealed will. It describes a heart that is hardened and set against divine instruction, characterized by willful disobedience and a refusal to submit to God's authority.
* **Add drunkenness to thirst (Hebrew idiom):** This vivid idiom portrays unrestrained, escalating indulgence in sin. "Thirst" represents an initial desire or a first sin, while "drunkenness" signifies an overwhelming, insatiable pursuit of more sin, piling one transgression upon another. It suggests a person who is not merely yielding to temptation but actively seeking to multiply their iniquities, demonstrating an unquenchable appetite for evil and a complete disregard for the consequences.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse,"**: This opening clause emphasizes the individual's direct exposure to God's revealed will and the explicit warnings of judgment. The curses were publicly declared, making ignorance inexcusable. The hearing implies not just physical audition but an intellectual and moral apprehension of the covenant's demands and consequences.
* **"that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace,"**: This reveals the internal, deceptive process. Despite hearing the curses, the individual convinces himself of immunity. The "blessing himself" is an act of self-delusion, a presumptuous claim to peace (Hebrew: _shalom_) that is utterly unfounded. This false peace is a dangerous spiritual narcotic, lulling the heart into a sense of security while actively rebelling against God.
* **"though I walk in the imagination of mine heart,"**: This clause exposes the core of the rebellion: a deliberate, obstinate commitment to one's own desires and understanding, rather than God's. "Walking" implies a persistent lifestyle, a chosen path. The "imagination of mine heart" signifies a deep-seated perversity of will, a stubborn refusal to align one's life with divine commands, regardless of the consequences.
* **"to add drunkenness to thirst:"**: This powerful idiomatic expression illustrates the inevitable outcome and escalating nature of such a rebellious heart. It depicts an insatiable appetite for sin, where one transgression leads to another, compounding guilt and deepening spiritual depravity. The individual is not merely sinning but actively seeking to multiply their transgressions, demonstrating an unrestrained indulgence in wickedness.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 29:19 employs several potent literary devices to convey its warning. The central device is **Irony**, as the individual "blesses himself" while actually inviting a curse. This highlights the profound self-deception inherent in presumptuous sin. The phrase "to add drunkenness to thirst" functions as a vivid **Metaphor** and **Idiom**, illustrating the insatiable and escalating nature of sin. It paints a picture of unrestrained indulgence, where one vice is piled upon another, emphasizing the destructive trajectory of a rebellious heart. This imagery is highly evocative, drawing on common human experience to communicate a spiritual truth. Furthermore, the verse serves as a **Foreshadowing** of Israel's future apostasy, where despite repeated warnings, they would often follow the "stubbornness of their heart," leading to judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 29:19 profoundly illuminates the nature of sin as not merely an external act but originating from the deceitful depths of the human heart. It underscores that God's covenant demands not just outward conformity but sincere internal obedience. The individual's self-deception, believing they can defy God's commands and still experience peace, directly challenges God's justice and sovereignty. True peace (shalom) is a divine gift contingent upon walking in God's ways, not a self-manufactured illusion. This verse serves as a timeless warning against spiritual complacency, reminding us that God sees and judges the intentions of the heart, and that unrepentant rebellion inevitably leads to a compounding of sin and a certain judgment.

* [Jeremiah 17:9](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9 - The Deceitfulness of the Heart")
* [Proverbs 28:13](/proverbs/28-13 "Proverbs 28:13 - Confession and Mercy")
* [Romans 2:5](/romans/2-5 "Romans 2:5 - Hardness of Heart and Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 29:19 stands as a stark and enduring warning against the perils of spiritual self-deception and the insidious nature of a hardened heart. It compels us to engage in honest self-examination, asking whether we are truly walking in humble obedience to God's word or if we are, perhaps unknowingly, "blessing ourselves" with a false sense of security. In a world that often encourages self-indulgence and rationalization, this verse calls us to confront the "imagination of our heart" – those stubborn desires and justifications that lead us away from God. True peace is not found in presuming upon God's grace while persisting in sin, but in genuine repentance, confession, and a sincere commitment to walk in His ways. It reminds us that sin is rarely static; left unchecked, it tends to escalate, "adding drunkenness to thirst," consuming us more deeply. Therefore, vigilance, humility, and a readiness to submit our hearts to God's transforming power are essential for spiritual health and genuine peace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be "blessing myself in my heart," believing I can escape consequences despite disobedience?**
* **What are the "imaginations of my heart" – the stubborn desires or rationalizations – that prevent me from fully submitting to God's will?**
* **Am I truly seeking peace with God through obedience and faith, or am I pursuing a false peace based on my own terms?**
* **How does the concept of "adding drunkenness to thirst" manifest in my own struggles with sin, and what steps can I take to break this cycle?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean for someone to "bless himself in his heart" in this verse?**

Answer: To "bless himself in his heart" refers to a dangerous act of spiritual self-deception and presumption. Upon hearing God's solemn curses for disobedience, the individual deludes himself into believing that these warnings do not apply to him, or that he can somehow escape their consequences. He convinces himself, internally, that he will have "peace" (Hebrew: _shalom_), even while intending to persist in rebellion. This is not a genuine blessing from God but a false assurance born of a hardened heart, a dangerous illusion that God's justice can be circumvented or ignored. It's a form of spiritual arrogance that presumes upon God's mercy without genuine repentance, as seen in the warnings of [Romans 2:4-5](/romans/2-4 "Romans 2:4 - God's Kindness Leads to Repentance").

**What is meant by "the imagination of mine heart"?**

Answer: The phrase "the imagination of mine heart" (Hebrew: _sherîrûth lev_) signifies a deep-seated stubbornness, obstinacy, or perversity of will. It describes a heart that is not merely weak or prone to error, but one that is firmly resolved to follow its own desires and inclinations, even when those desires are in direct opposition to God's revealed commands. It implies a deliberate choice to walk in a path of self-will and disobedience, rather than submitting to divine authority. This concept is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, highlighting the human tendency towards rebellion and the deceitfulness of the heart, as described in [Jeremiah 17:9](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9 - The Deceitfulness of the Heart").

**What does the idiom "to add drunkenness to thirst" convey?**

Answer: This vivid idiom describes an unrestrained and escalating indulgence in sin. "Thirst" represents an initial desire or a first step into sin, while "drunkenness" signifies an overwhelming, insatiable appetite for more sin, leading to a piling up of transgressions. It suggests a person who is not merely yielding to temptation but actively seeking to multiply their iniquities, demonstrating an unquenchable desire for evil and a complete disregard for the consequences. It paints a picture of spiritual depravity that grows progressively worse, illustrating how one sin can lead to another, deepening the individual's rebellion against God's law.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 29:19, with its stark warning against self-deception and the compounding nature of sin, finds its ultimate fulfillment and solution in Jesus Christ. The "imagination of mine heart" and the insatiable thirst for sin that Moses describes reveal the desperate condition of humanity under the curse of the law, a heart utterly incapable of finding true peace on its own terms. Jesus, however, is the one who perfectly exposes the deceitfulness of the human heart, declaring that "out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander" ([Matthew 15:19](/matthew/15-19 "Matthew 15:19 - Evil Thoughts from the Heart")). He did not come to offer a false peace based on self-delusion, but a genuine peace rooted in reconciliation with God through His atoning sacrifice. The curse that the rebellious heart invites was fully borne by Christ on the cross, as He "became a curse for us" ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Through Him, the power of sin, which leads to "adding drunkenness to thirst," is broken, and believers are freed from its dominion ([Romans 6:6-7](/romans/6-6 "Romans 6:6 - Crucified with Christ")). Therefore, the true peace that the self-deceiving heart falsely claims is found only in Christ, who offers not a superficial calm but a profound spiritual rest and forgiveness for those who turn from their stubborn ways and trust in Him ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Jesus Gives Peace")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 7:24

But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels [and] in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.

Numbers 15:30

¶ But the soul that doeth [ought] presumptuously, [whether he be] born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

Numbers 15:39

And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:

Psalms 49:18

Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and [men] will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.

Deuteronomy 29:12

That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the LORD thy God, and into his oath, which the LORD thy God maketh with thee this day:

Romans 1:21

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Jeremiah 7:3

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.