Deuteronomy 29:23

[And that] the whole land thereof [is] brimstone, and salt, [and] burning, [that] it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:

And that the whole land {H776} thereof is brimstone {H1614}, and salt {H4417}, and burning {H8316}, that it is not sown {H2232}, nor beareth {H6779}, nor any grass {H6212} groweth {H5927} therein, like the overthrow {H4114} of Sodom {H5467}, and Gomorrah {H6017}, Admah {H126}, and Zeboim {H6636}, which the LORD {H3068} overthrew {H2015} in his anger {H639}, and in his wrath {H2534}:

and that the whole land has become burning sulfur and salt, that it isn't being sown or bearing crops or even producing grass - like the overthrow of S'dom, 'Amora, Admah and Tzvoyim, which ADONAI overthrew in his furious anger -

All its soil will be a burning waste of sulfur and salt, unsown and unproductive, with no plant growing on it, just like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the LORD overthrew in His fierce anger.

and that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and a burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which Jehovah overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:

Commentary

Deuteronomy 29:23 vividly describes the severe consequences of covenant unfaithfulness for the land of Israel, portraying it as utterly devastated and barren, reminiscent of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. This verse serves as a potent warning within Moses' final exhortations to the Israelites.

Context

This verse is part of a solemn warning delivered by Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. Chapters 29 and 30 of Deuteronomy detail a covenant renewal ceremony, outlining the blessings for obedience and the severe curses for disobedience. Deuteronomy 29:23 specifically illustrates the dire state of the land if Israel were to abandon their covenant with the LORD and worship other gods. It paints a picture of extreme desolation, emphasizing that God's judgment would render the land completely unproductive, a stark contrast to the fertile land they were about to inherit.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The verse highlights the absolute certainty and severity of God's judgment against rebellion and idolatry. It underscores that God's wrath is a real and devastating consequence of persistent sin.
  • Desolation and Barrenness: The imagery of "brimstone, and salt, and burning" signifies a land rendered utterly barren and uninhabitable, incapable of supporting life or growth. This is a direct reversal of the blessings of fertility promised for obedience.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: It powerfully illustrates the direct link between Israel's spiritual choices and the physical state of their land. Breaking the covenant would lead to profound suffering and environmental catastrophe.
  • God's Sovereignty: The phrase "which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath" asserts God's ultimate control and power in bringing about judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The description of the land as "brimstone, and salt, and burning" is highly symbolic. Brimstone (sulfur) and burning point to fire and intense heat, signifying utter destruction. Salt, when applied to land, was an ancient practice to make it sterile and uninhabitable, ensuring no crops would grow. This combination evokes a permanent, unrecoverable state of desolation. The Hebrew word for "overthrow" (haphakh) implies a violent, complete turning upside down or destruction, often used in scripture to describe a divine act of judgment, as seen in the destruction of the cities of the plain.

Historical Parallels

The explicit comparison to "the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim" is crucial. These cities, located in the Jordan Plain, were infamous for their extreme wickedness and were annihilated by divine fire and brimstone, as recorded in Genesis 19. By drawing this parallel, Moses emphasizes that Israel's potential judgment would be just as severe and comprehensive as that inflicted upon these notoriously wicked cities, serving as a powerful deterrent against covenant breaking.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 29:23 serves as a timeless warning for all generations. It reminds us of the seriousness of our choices and the profound consequences of turning away from God. While the immediate context is Israel's covenant with the LORD, the principle remains: persistent rebellion and rejection of divine truth can lead to spiritual barrenness and desolation in our lives. It underscores the importance of faithfulness, obedience, and continually choosing to walk in God's ways, lest we experience the unproductive and destructive outcomes of spiritual rebellion. It calls us to reflect on the gravity of God's justice and the wisdom of living in accordance with His will.

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Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 17:6 (5 votes)

    For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, [in] a salt land and not inhabited.

  • Zephaniah 2:9 (5 votes)

    Therefore [as] I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, [even] the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.

  • Genesis 14:2 (4 votes)

    [That these] made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.

  • Isaiah 34:9 (4 votes)

    ¶ And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch.

  • Genesis 19:24 (4 votes)

    ¶ Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

  • Genesis 19:25 (4 votes)

    And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.

  • Jeremiah 20:16 (3 votes)

    And let that man be as the cities which the LORD overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noontide;