Deuteronomy 29:20

KJV

The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.

KJV (with Strong's)

The LORD {H3068} will {H14} not spare {H5545} him, but then the anger {H639} of the LORD {H3068} and his jealousy {H7068} shall smoke {H6225} against that man {H376}, and all the curses {H423} that are written {H3789} in this book {H5612} shall lie {H7257} upon him, and the LORD {H3068} shall blot out {H4229} his name {H8034} from under heaven {H8064}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But ADONAI will not forgive him. Rather, the anger and jealousy of ADONAI will blaze up against that person. Every curse written in this book will be upon him. ADONAI will blot out his name from under heaven.

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD will never be willing to forgive him. Instead, His anger and jealousy will burn against that man, and every curse written in this book will fall upon him. The LORD will blot out his name from under heaven

American Standard Version

Jehovah will not pardon him, but then the anger of Jehovah and his jealousy will smoke against that man, and all the curse that is written in this book shall lie upon him, and Jehovah will blot out his name from under heaven.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 29:20 issues a severe warning against individual apostasy within the covenant community, specifically targeting those who secretly harbor idolatry or rebellion while outwardly conforming. It declares that the LORD will not overlook such deliberate disobedience but will respond with intense, consuming anger and jealousy, unleashing the full spectrum of covenant curses upon the unfaithful individual, ultimately resulting in their complete eradication from the community and remembrance. This verse underscores the absolute seriousness of the covenant relationship and God's unwavering commitment to His holiness and justice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 29 forms a pivotal part of Moses' final discourse to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before their entry into the Promised Land. This chapter initiates a new covenant renewal ceremony, building upon the foundational covenant established at Horeb (Sinai). Moses is not merely reiterating past laws but is actively establishing a covenant with the new generation, binding them to God's commands and warnings. The immediate context of verse 20 is a solemn warning against individual apostasy, particularly the "root that bears poisonous and bitter fruit" (Deuteronomy 29:18), referring to someone who, despite hearing the covenant's terms, secretly decides to follow their own stubborn heart, believing they can escape judgment. This verse is the direct consequence described for such a person, emphasizing the internal nature of true covenant faithfulness versus mere external conformity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the plains of Moab, around 1400-1200 BC, on the cusp of the Israelites' entry into Canaan. The language and structure of Deuteronomy often mirror ancient Near Eastern suzerain-vassal treaties, where a great king (suzerain) would establish terms with a lesser king or people (vassal). These treaties included stipulations, blessings for obedience, and curses for disobedience. God, as the divine Suzerain, establishes His covenant with Israel as His vassal. The concept of "blotting out a name" was a common ancient Near Eastern practice and idiom, signifying complete annihilation, removal from memory, or disinheritance. It was a severe punishment, often applied to rebellious individuals or dynasties, ensuring they had no future or legacy within the community or land. This cultural understanding amplifies the gravity of God's judgment.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Deuteronomy. It highlights **God's unwavering justice and holiness**, demonstrating that He is not mocked and will not tolerate willful rebellion or idolatry within His covenant people. The intensity of God's reaction, described as "anger" and "jealousy" that "shall smoke," underscores His passionate commitment to His covenant exclusivity and His intolerance for rivals (idols) in the hearts of His people, a theme echoed in [Exodus 34:14](/exodus/34-14 "Exodus 34:14 - God's Jealousy"). Furthermore, it reinforces the **corporate and individual responsibility** within the covenant; while the nation is held accountable, individual sin can bring severe personal consequences. The mention of "all the curses that are written in this book" points to the comprehensive nature of the covenant's stipulations, particularly the extensive list of judgments detailed in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Finally, the theme of **complete excision or removal** from the community and remembrance is starkly presented, emphasizing the ultimate consequence of profound unfaithfulness, a concept also seen in [Psalm 69:28](/psalm/69-28 "Psalm 69:28 - Blotting Out from the Book of Life").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Spare (Hebrew, _ḥāśak_):** This verb means "to hold back, restrain, withhold, spare." In this context, it signifies that the LORD will not hold back His judgment or show leniency. There will be no mitigation or postponement of the deserved punishment for the unrepentant covenant breaker. It emphasizes the certainty and inevitability of divine retribution.
* **Smoke (Hebrew, _yĕʿašan_):** Derived from the root meaning "to smoke, be angry," this word is a powerful anthropomorphic metaphor. Smoke is often associated with fire, intensity, and divine presence (like Mount Sinai smoking in [Exodus 19:18](/exodus/19-18 "Exodus 19:18 - Mount Sinai Smoking")). When applied to God's anger and jealousy, it conveys a consuming, visible, and overwhelming reaction, suggesting a fierce, burning indignation that cannot be contained.
* **Blot out his name (Hebrew, _māḥāh ʾet-šĕmô_):** This idiom literally means "to wipe away his name." In ancient cultures, a name represented a person's identity, existence, reputation, lineage, and future. To "blot out" a name was to utterly erase, destroy, or obliterate their memory and presence from the community, from the land, and from any future remembrance. It signifies a complete and final excision, a termination of their place among the living and in the covenant line, even to the point of their descendants being cut off.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD will not spare him":** This opening clause immediately establishes the certainty and severity of God's judgment. For the individual who defiantly walks in the stubbornness of their own heart, there will be no mercy, no holding back of the consequences. This is a direct refutation of any false hope that God might overlook or mitigate their deliberate sin.
* **"but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man":** This clause describes the intense and passionate nature of God's reaction. "Anger" (אף, _ʾap̄_) denotes a fierce indignation, while "jealousy" (קנאה, _qinʾāh_) speaks of God's zealous possessiveness over His covenant people and His intolerance for any rivals (idols) in their affections. The imagery of them "smoking" vividly portrays a consuming, fiery, and overwhelming divine wrath that will be unleashed.
* **"and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him":** This specifies the content of the judgment. The "curses written in this book" refer to the comprehensive list of covenant judgments detailed throughout Deuteronomy, particularly in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). The phrase "lie upon him" suggests that these curses will settle upon the individual, pressing down on them, becoming their inescapable reality.
* **"and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven":** This final clause describes the ultimate and most severe consequence: complete eradication. To "blot out his name from under heaven" signifies a total removal from existence, memory, and any place within the covenant community. It means the individual will have no legacy, no descendants in the land, and no remembrance among God's people, effectively being cut off from the covenant and its blessings entirely.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 29:20 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the gravity of God's judgment. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the description of God's "anger" and "jealousy" smoking, attributing human-like emotional and physical reactions to God to make His intense displeasure comprehensible. This is further enhanced by the **Metaphor** of "smoking," which powerfully conveys the consuming, fiery, and inescapable nature of divine wrath. The phrase "all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him" utilizes **Hyperbole** to emphasize the comprehensive and overwhelming nature of the judgment, suggesting that the full weight of every curse will descend upon the unfaithful. Finally, "blot out his name from under heaven" is a potent **Idiom**, a culturally specific phrase that signifies complete annihilation and erasure from memory and existence, far more impactful than a literal description of death.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates the seriousness of covenant fidelity and the unyielding nature of God's justice. It reveals that God's covenant is not a mere suggestion but a binding agreement with severe consequences for willful rebellion. The intensity of God's "anger" and "jealousy" underscores His absolute holiness and His passionate commitment to His unique relationship with Israel, demanding exclusive devotion. This passage serves as a stark reminder that God sees beyond outward conformity, piercing to the heart's true intentions. It teaches that secret sin and a stubborn, unrepentant heart will inevitably incur divine wrath, leading to complete separation from the blessings and community of God. This principle of divine judgment against unfaithfulness is a consistent thread throughout biblical theology, demonstrating God's righteous character.

* [Numbers 15:30-31](/numbers/15-30 "Numbers 15:30-31 - Presumptuous Sin")
* [Psalm 69:28](/psalm/69-28 "Psalm 69:28 - Blotting Out from the Book of Life")
* [Hebrews 10:26-27](/hebrews/10-26 "Hebrews 10:26-27 - No Sacrifice for Deliberate Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 29:20 stands as a profound warning, challenging us to examine the true state of our hearts before God. It reminds us that outward religious observance is insufficient if our hearts harbor rebellion, self-will, or idolatry. God is not deceived by appearances; He knows our deepest intentions. For the ancient Israelite, this meant a genuine, wholehearted commitment to the covenant, not a superficial adherence while secretly pursuing other gods or desires. For us today, living under the New Covenant, this verse still speaks to the reality of God's holiness and the gravity of sin. It calls us to genuine repentance, to surrender our stubborn hearts, and to pursue a relationship with God marked by integrity and sincere devotion. It underscores that deliberate, unrepentant sin leads to separation from God's blessings and fellowship, urging us to walk in humility and obedience, trusting in His grace while respecting His righteous judgment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be outwardly conforming to Christian practices while secretly harboring rebellion or self-will in my heart?**
* **How does the intensity of God's "anger" and "jealousy" described in this verse deepen my understanding of His holiness and His passionate desire for exclusive devotion?**
* **What does "blotting out his name" signify for my understanding of the consequences of unrepentant sin, and how does it motivate me to pursue a deeper walk with God?**
* **How can I ensure my commitment to God is wholehearted and genuine, rather than a superficial or hypocritical adherence?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean God is vengeful or unfair, especially if someone makes a mistake?**

Answer: This verse describes God's response to deliberate, unrepentant, and presumptuous sin, specifically against someone who "flatters himself in his own heart, saying, 'I shall have peace, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart'" (Deuteronomy 29:19). It's not about an accidental mistake or a repentant sinner, but about a defiant individual who presumes upon God's grace while actively pursuing rebellion. God's "anger" and "jealousy" here are not capricious or unfair; they are expressions of His righteous character and His passionate commitment to the covenant He made with His people. He is just, and His justice demands that deliberate unfaithfulness, which undermines the very foundation of the covenant relationship, be met with consequences. This reflects His holiness and His intolerance for anything that would corrupt His people or dishonor His name. It's a warning against taking His covenant lightly and a demonstration that He is a God who keeps His word, both in blessings and in curses.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Deuteronomy 29:20 vividly portrays the severe consequences of covenant unfaithfulness under the Old Covenant, its ultimate fulfillment and resolution are found in Christ. The "anger of the LORD and his jealousy" that "shall smoke against that man" for his rebellion against the covenant finds its ultimate satisfaction not in the destruction of every individual sinner, but in the person of Jesus Christ. He, the perfect covenant-keeper, bore the full weight of God's righteous wrath and "all the curses that are written in this book" on the cross, becoming a curse for us [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse"). Through His atoning sacrifice, the "blotting out" of names is reversed for those who believe; instead of being blotted out from under heaven, their names are written in the [Book of Life](/revelation/20-12 "Revelation 20:12 - The Book of Life"). The one who "walks in the stubbornness of his heart" (Deuteronomy 29:19) is offered a new heart and a new spirit through Christ [Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - A New Heart and Spirit"). Thus, while the verse warns of the terrifying reality of God's judgment against sin, it ultimately points to the profound grace available in Christ, who delivers us from that judgment, enabling us to enter into a new, unbreakable covenant relationship with God [Hebrews 8:6-13](/hebrews/8-6-13 "Hebrews 8:6-13 - A Better Covenant") where our names are eternally secure in Him [Philippians 4:3](/philippians/4-3 "Philippians 4:3 - Names in the Book of Life").

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

Psalms 74:1

¶ Maschil of Asaph. O God, why hast thou cast [us] off for ever? [why] doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?

Psalms 79:5

How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?

Deuteronomy 9:14

Let me alone, that I may destroy them, and blot out their name from under heaven: and I will make of thee a nation mightier and greater than they.

Ezekiel 14:7

For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:

Ezekiel 14:8

And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

Ezekiel 23:25

And I will set my jealousy against thee, and they shall deal furiously with thee: they shall take away thy nose and thine ears; and thy remnant shall fall by the sword: they shall take thy sons and thy daughters; and thy residue shall be devoured by the fire.

Nahum 1:2

¶ God [is] jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and [is] furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth [wrath] for his enemies.