Deuteronomy 29:27

KJV

And the anger of the LORD was kindled against this land, to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book:

KJV (with Strong's)

And the anger {H639} of the LORD {H3068} was kindled {H2734} against this land {H776}, to bring {H935} upon it all the curses {H7045} that are written {H3789} in this book {H5612}:

Complete Jewish Bible

For this reason, the anger of ADONAI blazed up against this land and brought upon it every curse written in this book;

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore the anger of the LORD burned against this land, and He brought upon it every curse written in this book.

American Standard Version

therefore the anger of Jehovah was kindled against this land, to bring upon it all the curse that is written in this book;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 29:27 stands as a solemn declaration within Moses' final covenant address, underscoring the severe and certain consequences of Israel's potential future disobedience. This verse articulates that the Lord's righteous indignation would be ignited against the land, resulting in the comprehensive enactment of all the curses meticulously detailed within the covenant document. It serves as a stark reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness to His word, both in promised blessings for obedience and in declared judgments for infidelity, particularly apostasy and idolatry.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 29:27 is situated within Moses' third and final discourse to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before their entry into the Promised Land. This chapter, specifically, marks the solemn renewal of the Mosaic Covenant with the new generation who had not directly experienced Sinai. Moses is presenting the terms of the covenant, emphasizing the choice between life and death, blessing and curse. The immediate preceding verses (Deuteronomy 29:24-26) describe the astonishment of future generations and foreign nations at the desolation of the land, attributing it directly to Israel's abandonment of the Lord's covenant. This verse then provides the divine explanation for such a cataclysmic judgment, directly linking it to the covenant curses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the plains of Moab, around 1406 BC, with the Israelites poised to cross the Jordan River into Canaan. Moses is speaking to a generation that grew up in the wilderness, distinct from those who left Egypt. The covenant structure presented in Deuteronomy, including its blessings and curses, mirrors the suzerainty treaties common in the Ancient Near East, where a great king (suzerain) would establish terms with a lesser king or vassal (Israel). These treaties often included extensive lists of blessings for loyalty and curses for rebellion. The "land" in view is Canaan, which God had promised to Abraham's descendants, but its continued enjoyment was conditional upon Israel's covenant fidelity. The threat of curses, therefore, was not merely abstract but deeply rooted in the socio-political and religious understanding of the time, signifying a profound breach of the relationship with their divine Suzerain.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Deuteronomy. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Justice and Righteous Anger**, portraying God's response to sin as a holy and just indignation, not a capricious outburst. The "anger of the LORD" is a righteous reaction to covenant infidelity and idolatry, which are seen as direct affronts to His holiness. Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **Covenant Consequences**, emphasizing that God is faithful to uphold His word, whether in blessing or in judgment. The "curses that are written in this book" refer primarily to the comprehensive list in [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience"), making it clear that the consequences are not arbitrary but a direct result of violating the sacred covenant. Thirdly, it underscores **God's Sovereignty in Judgment**, presenting Him as the active agent who "bring[s] upon it all the curses," demonstrating His ultimate authority over the destiny of nations and His commitment to covenant integrity. This theme is echoed throughout the prophetic books, such as in [Jeremiah's lament over Israel's disobedience](/jeremiah/11-8 "Jeremiah 11:8 - Israel's Disobedience and Punishment").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Anger (Hebrew, _'aph'_):** While the KJV translates "was kindled" from `charah` (חָרָה), the underlying Hebrew for "anger" itself is `'aph` (אַף), often literally meaning "nose" or "nostril," but idiomatically referring to intense anger, often accompanied by a snorting sound. When combined with `charah` (חָרָה), meaning "to burn" or "to be kindled," it conveys a fierce, burning wrath. This is not human capriciousness but a holy, righteous indignation against sin and covenant infidelity, reflecting God's unblemished character and His commitment to justice.
* **Curses (Hebrew, _'alah'_):** The term `alah` (אָלָה) signifies an oath or imprecation, a solemn declaration of divine judgment that would befall those who violate a covenant or oath. It is distinct from a general misfortune; rather, it is a divinely ordained consequence directly tied to a breach of a sacred agreement. In the context of Deuteronomy, these curses are the antithesis of the blessings, representing the severe penalties for breaking the covenant with the Lord, particularly through idolatry and rebellion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the anger of the LORD was kindled against this land,"**: This clause employs anthropomorphic language, attributing human emotion (anger) to God. This is a common biblical device to help humans comprehend divine attributes and actions. God's "anger" here is not an uncontrolled passion but a holy, righteous response to sin and covenant breaking. The target of this wrath is "this land," referring to the land of Canaan, which was given to Israel conditionally. The kindling of God's anger implies a just and inevitable response to the nation's future apostasy, signifying a profound breach in their relationship with Him.
* **"to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book:"**: This phrase explicitly states the purpose and extent of God's kindled anger. It is not an arbitrary punishment but the direct implementation of the covenant stipulations. "This book" refers to the book of Deuteronomy itself, particularly the detailed list of judgments found in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). The word "all" emphasizes the comprehensive and inescapable nature of these judgments; no part of the promised consequences would be withheld if Israel proved unfaithful. This highlights God's absolute faithfulness to His declared word, whether in blessing or in judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 29:27 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the phrase "the anger of the LORD was kindled," where human emotion is ascribed to God. This device helps the audience grasp the intensity and righteousness of God's displeasure against sin, making divine judgment relatable without diminishing God's transcendence. The entire verse is steeped in **Covenant Language**, a hallmark of Deuteronomy, emphasizing the conditional nature of Israel's dwelling in the land. The "curses that are written in this book" are not random misfortunes but pre-stipulated consequences for violating the sacred covenant, functioning as a legal and theological framework for understanding divine justice. Furthermore, the verse serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, predicting the future desolation of the land and the exile of the people due to their eventual apostasy, events vividly recorded in later historical and prophetic books of the Old Testament.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 29:27 profoundly reveals the holiness and justice of God, demonstrating that His character demands a response to sin and covenant infidelity. God's anger is not a human flaw but a righteous attribute, an expression of His commitment to His own perfect standards and His covenant faithfulness. This verse underscores the gravity of sin, particularly the sin of idolatry and turning away from the Lord, which is viewed as a betrayal of the most sacred relationship. It teaches us that God's warnings are as sure as His promises, and that His word is reliable in both blessing and judgment. The historical fulfillment of these curses, seen in the desolation of the land and the exile of Israel, serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Leviticus 26:14](/leviticus/26-14 "Leviticus 26:14 - Warnings of Punishment")
* [Jeremiah 11:8](/jeremiah/11-8 "Jeremiah 11:8 - Disobedience and Consequences")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 29:27 serves as a timeless reminder of the profound seriousness of sin and the unwavering holiness of God. While believers today live under the grace of the [New Covenant](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - The New Covenant"), established through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, this verse still imparts crucial lessons about the nature of God and the consequences of disobedience. It calls us to a deep reverence for God, recognizing that He is not to be trifled with, and that His word, whether in warning or promise, is utterly reliable. This passage encourages us to examine our own hearts for any tendencies towards spiritual apathy or idolatry, urging us to cultivate a life of faithful obedience born out of love and gratitude for His redemptive work. It reminds us that true freedom is found not in rebellion, but in joyful submission to the One who is both perfectly just and infinitely merciful.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's "anger" in this verse challenge or affirm your view of His character?**
* **What does "all the curses that are written in this book" imply about the comprehensiveness of God's judgment against sin?**
* **In what ways might we, as New Covenant believers, still experience "consequences" for disobedience, even though we are not under the Law?**
* **How does the faithfulness of God in bringing judgment upon Israel encourage our trust in His faithfulness to His promises of blessing and salvation?**

### FAQ
**What "book" is referred to in Deuteronomy 29:27?**

Answer: The "book" referred to is the book of Deuteronomy itself, or more broadly, the covenant document that Moses is expounding. Specifically, it points to the extensive list of curses and judgments detailed in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"), which outlines the dire consequences for Israel's disobedience and covenant infidelity. These curses include famine, disease, defeat in battle, exile, and the desolation of the land, all designed to be the direct result of abandoning the Lord and turning to idolatry.

**Is God's anger in this verse a sign of capriciousness or injustice?**

Answer: No, God's anger as described in [Deuteronomy 29:27](/deuteronomy/29-27 "Deuteronomy 29:27 - God's Anger and Curses") is not capricious or unjust. It is a holy and righteous indignation against sin and covenant breaking. In the biblical narrative, God's anger is always a just response to human unrighteousness, rebellion, and a violation of His perfect moral law and sacred covenant. It reflects His holiness and His commitment to justice, rather than an uncontrolled human emotion. This is consistent with how God's wrath is depicted throughout Scripture, such as in [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Against Unrighteousness"), where it is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.

**How does this verse apply to Christians today, who are under the New Covenant?**

Answer: While Christians are under the [New Covenant](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - The New Covenant") of grace through Christ and are not subject to the specific curses of the Mosaic Law, Deuteronomy 29:27 still holds profound theological and practical relevance. It teaches us about the unchanging character of God—His holiness, justice, and faithfulness to His word. It underscores the seriousness of sin and the reality of divine judgment, which, though dealt with definitively for believers through Christ's sacrifice, still serves as a warning against spiritual apathy or willful disobedience. It calls us to reverence God, to understand the gravity of turning away from Him, and to live lives of grateful obedience to the One who has redeemed us from the curse. It reminds us that God is faithful to bring about consequences, whether in the form of discipline for His children or ultimate judgment for those who reject Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 29:27, with its stark declaration of God's anger and the comprehensive nature of the curses, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "curses that are written in this book" represent the just penalty for humanity's sin and rebellion against God's holy law. However, the New Testament reveals that Christ, in His boundless love and obedience, became the one who bore this curse on our behalf. As [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems Us from the Curse") proclaims, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us." He, who knew no sin, was made sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). The righteous anger of the Lord, which was kindled against the land and its inhabitants for their covenant infidelity, was fully poured out upon Christ at the cross, satisfying divine justice and making a way for reconciliation. Therefore, for those who are in Christ, there is now no condemnation ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")), for the curse has been fully absorbed and overcome by His atoning sacrifice, ushering in the blessings of the New Covenant.

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.