Deuteronomy 29:28

KJV

And the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as [it is] this day.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} rooted {H5428} them out of their land {H127} in anger {H639}, and in wrath {H2534}, and in great {H1419} indignation {H7110}, and cast {H7993} them into another {H312} land {H776}, as it is this day {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and ADONAI, in anger, fury and incensed with indignation, uprooted them from their land and threw them out into another land - as it is today.'

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD uprooted them from their land in His anger, rage, and great wrath, and He cast them into another land, where they are today.’

American Standard Version

and Jehovah rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as at this day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 29:28 serves as a profound prophetic declaration within Moses's final address to Israel on the plains of Moab, forecasting the severe and certain consequences of covenant infidelity. It vividly portrays Yahweh's righteous judgment, where, in profound anger, wrath, and great indignation, He would forcibly remove His disobedient people from the Promised Land and scatter them among foreign nations, a dire reality that would indeed manifest historically in the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes the "Covenant in Moab" section of Deuteronomy, spanning [Deuteronomy 29](/deuteronomy/29 "Deuteronomy 29 - The Covenant in Moab") through [Deuteronomy 30](/deuteronomy/30 "Deuteronomy 30 - Restoration and Choice"). Moses is reiterating and expanding upon the Sinai covenant for the new generation poised to enter Canaan, emphasizing the solemnity and conditional nature of Israel's relationship with God. It immediately follows the extensive list of blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience detailed in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"), highlighting the gravity of their choices. Specifically, [Deuteronomy 29:27](/deuteronomy/29-27 "Deuteronomy 29:27 - Divine Judgment") speaks of God's wrath being poured out, setting the immediate stage for the physical expulsion described in verse 28. The preceding verses, [Deuteronomy 29:24-27](/deuteronomy/29-24 "Deuteronomy 29:24-27 - Reasons for Judgment"), explain the precise reason for such a severe judgment: Israel's abandonment of the covenant and their turning to serve other gods. The phrase "as it is this day" functions as a prophetic perfect, indicating the absolute certainty of this future event, even though its historical fulfillment was centuries away.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Moses delivers this address to the second generation of Israelites, those born during the wilderness wanderings, as they stand on the plains of Moab, on the verge of entering the Promised Land. This generation is about to inherit the land and the immense covenant responsibilities that come with it. The concept of "land" (`H776`, _ʼerets'_) was utterly central to Israel's identity and their unique covenant relationship with Yahweh. It was a divine gift, a place of blessing, and the arena for their intimate fellowship with God. Retention of this land was directly tied to their faithfulness to the covenant. Conversely, exile was the ultimate curse, representing a catastrophic reversal of the Abrahamic promise of land and nationhood. While surrounding nations often experienced conquest and displacement, for Israel, this would be a unique judgment directly from their own God, a direct consequence of breaking their exclusive covenant. The powerful language of "rooting out" (`H5428`, _nâthash'_) would have resonated deeply with an agrarian society, understanding the violent and destructive removal of a plant from its life-giving soil.

* **Key Themes:** [Deuteronomy 29:28](/deuteronomy/29-28 "Deuteronomy 29:28 - The Consequences of Disobedience") powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book of Deuteronomy and the broader Old Testament narrative. Primarily, it underscores **Divine Judgment and the Consequences of Disobedience**, demonstrating that God's covenant is not merely a set of suggestions but carries severe, divinely ordained repercussions for infidelity, particularly idolatry. It vividly portrays **Exile and Dispersion** as the ultimate consequence, a reversal of the promise of land and a foretelling of the historical exiles of both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, as seen in passages like [2 Kings 17:18](/2_kings/17-18 "2 Kings 17:18 - Exile of Israel") and [Jeremiah 25:11](/jeremiah/25-11 "Jeremiah 25:11 - Babylonian Captivity"). Furthermore, the verse emphasizes **God's Sovereignty and Justice**, attributing the actions directly to "the LORD" (`H3068`, _Yᵉhôvâh'_), thereby highlighting His absolute control over the destiny of nations and His unwavering commitment to upholding His righteous standards. The intense emotional language used for God's response ("anger," "wrath," "great indignation") conveys the depth of His holy displeasure with sin and covenant breaking, reinforcing the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness** as a prerequisite for blessing and continued presence in the land.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rooted (Hebrew, _nâthash'_):** This primitive root (`H5428`) means "to tear away," "destroy," "pluck out," or "root out." It implies a forceful, decisive, and complete removal, akin to violently tearing a plant from its soil. In this context, it denotes the abandonment, casting off, and utter severing of the people from their divinely appointed place of blessing, emphasizing the severity and permanence of their expulsion from the land (`H127`, _ʼădâmâh'_). It is not a gentle transplant but a violent uprooting, signifying a complete disruption of their national and spiritual life.
* **Anger (Hebrew, _ʼaph'_):** Derived from `H639`, literally meaning "nose" or "nostril," this word is often used metaphorically for anger, as the flaring of nostrils accompanies intense emotion. In a divine context, it signifies God's righteous displeasure and indignation against sin. This is not a volatile human emotion but a settled, holy opposition to unrighteousness and covenant breaking, reflecting His just character.
* **Wrath (Hebrew, _chêmâh'_):** From `H2534`, this term denotes a burning, intense heat, often used to describe fierce anger or rage. When applied to God, it speaks of His fervent, consuming indignation against sin, a holy passion that demands justice and purity. Its inclusion alongside "anger" and "great indignation" (`H1419`, _gâdôwl'_ and `H7110`, _qetseph'_) creates a powerful crescendo of divine displeasure, underscoring the gravity of Israel's infidelity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD rooted them out of their land":** This opening clause unequivocally attributes the action of expulsion directly to Yahweh (`H3068`, _Yᵉhôvâh'_). The verb "rooted out" (`H5428`, _nâthash'_) emphasizes a violent, complete, and irreversible removal, like a plant torn from its life-giving soil (`H127`, _ʼădâmâh'_). It signifies the termination of their dwelling in the Promised Land, a reversal of the covenant promise of inheritance, due to their profound unfaithfulness.
* **"in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation":** This tripartite expression intensifies the description of God's emotional response to Israel's sin. These are not capricious human emotions but descriptions of God's holy, righteous, and just opposition to covenant breaking and idolatry. "Anger" (`H639`, _ʼaph'_) speaks of His settled displeasure, "wrath" (`H2534`, _chêmâh'_) of His burning indignation, and "great indignation" (`H1419`, _gâdôwl'_ and `H7110`, _qetseph'_) of His intense, overflowing fury. The cumulative effect underscores the gravity of their sin and the righteousness of God's judgment.
* **"and cast them into another land":** This further specifies the nature of the "rooting out"—it is a deportation, a forced relocation to a foreign territory (`H312`, _ʼachêr'_ and `H776`, _ʼerets'_). This is the historical reality of exile, where the people would be scattered among nations, losing their unique identity tied to the land and their temple worship. It signifies a profound disruption of their national and spiritual life, a reversal of the divine promise of a secure dwelling.
* **"as [it is] this day":** This phrase (`H3117`, _yôwm'_) serves as a powerful prophetic declaration of certainty. Although spoken centuries before the actual exiles (Assyrian and Babylonian), Moses uses it to convey that this judgment is as good as done, a guaranteed future reality. It lends an air of immediacy and inevitability to the prophecy, emphasizing the unwavering nature of God's word and the certainty of consequences for disobedience.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 29:28 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with profound impact. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, specifically in the phrase "rooted them out." This vivid agricultural image compares the nation of Israel to a plant violently torn from its soil, emphasizing the forceful, complete, and painful expulsion from their land. This contrasts sharply with the initial "planting" of Israel in Canaan, highlighting the reversal of blessing due to disobedience. The use of a **Tri-colon** or **Climax** is evident in the cumulative listing of God's emotions: "in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation." This rhetorical device builds intensity, underscoring the profound depth and righteousness of God's holy displeasure with Israel's covenant infidelity. Furthermore, the phrase "as [it is] this day" functions as a **Prophetic Perfect**, a grammatical construction where a future event is described as if it has already happened. This emphasizes its absolute certainty and inevitability, imbuing the warning with a sense of urgent reality, even though the fulfillment was centuries away.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 29:28 stands as a stark testament to the seriousness of God's covenant and the dire consequences of human rebellion. It reveals a God who is not only merciful and loving but also just and holy, whose character demands a response to sin. The judgment of exile, though severe, is not capricious but a righteous outworking of the covenant curses, demonstrating that God's warnings are as sure as His promises. This verse underscores the fundamental principle that faithfulness to God's commands is intrinsically linked to blessing and presence in His promised land, while idolatry and disobedience inevitably lead to separation and judgment. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's sovereignty extends over the destiny of nations, and His justice will ultimately prevail, ensuring that His covenant integrity is maintained.

* [Leviticus 26:33](/leviticus/26-33 "Leviticus 26:33 - Dispersion for Disobedience")
* [2 Chronicles 7:20](/2_chronicles/7-20 "2 Chronicles 7:20 - God's Promise of Judgment")
* [Jeremiah 12:14](/jeremiah/12-14 "Jeremiah 12:14 - God's Judgment on Neighbors")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 29:28, while depicting a severe historical judgment, offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today. It compels us to confront the gravity of sin, particularly the sin of idolatry—anything that displaces God from His rightful, supreme position in our lives. This verse reminds us that God's character includes both boundless love and unwavering justice; He is faithful to uphold His warnings as much as His promises. For us, this means taking our covenant relationship with God seriously, understanding that our choices have spiritual consequences. It calls us to a posture of humility, repentance, and vigilant obedience, constantly examining our hearts for any subtle forms of rebellion or misplaced affections. The historical fulfillment of this prophecy should serve as a timeless warning, urging us to remain steadfast in our devotion to the one true God, trusting in His wisdom and submitting to His will, knowing that true flourishing comes from walking in His ways and that His discipline, though painful, is always redemptive in its ultimate aim.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "idols" (anything that takes God's rightful place) might be subtly present in my own life, and how can I actively dismantle them?**
* **How does understanding God's righteous anger and judgment deepen my appreciation for His mercy and grace, especially as revealed in Christ?**
* **In what ways does this historical warning from Deuteronomy call me to greater faithfulness and obedience in my daily walk with God, recognizing the spiritual implications of my choices?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean God is always angry and punitive?**

Answer: No, this verse highlights a specific, albeit severe, aspect of God's character—His righteous judgment against profound covenant infidelity and idolatry. While it uses strong language ("anger," "wrath," "great indignation"), these describe God's holy opposition to sin, not a volatile or capricious human emotion. The Bible consistently portrays God as also loving, merciful, compassionate, and slow to anger, as beautifully articulated in [Psalm 103:8](/psalms/103-8 "Psalm 103:8 - God's Compassion"). This verse serves as a solemn warning about the consequences of persistent rebellion, underscoring that God's justice is as real as His love. It's a reminder that God's character is multifaceted, encompassing both holiness that judges sin and grace that offers redemption and restoration.

**How does "as it is this day" apply if the exile hadn't happened yet?**

Answer: The phrase "as it is this day" (כַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה, _kayyom hazzeh'_) functions as a prophetic perfect. In Hebrew prophecy, this linguistic device is used to describe a future event with such certainty that it is spoken of as if it has already occurred. Moses, speaking under divine inspiration, declares the future exile as an undeniable reality, even though the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles were centuries away. This emphasizes the absolute certainty of God's word and the inevitability of the consequences for Israel's disobedience, reinforcing the solemnity of the covenant warnings. It serves to impress upon the generation listening that the judgment is not a distant possibility but a guaranteed outcome if they persist in unfaithfulness, demanding immediate and serious consideration of their choices.

**Is this verse still relevant for Christians today, given that we are under grace?**

Answer: Absolutely. While Christians are under the new covenant of grace through Christ and not under the specific Mosaic covenant's land promises and curses, the underlying theological principles remain profoundly relevant. This verse highlights God's unchanging character: His holiness, His justice, His hatred of sin (especially idolatry), and the serious consequences of rebellion against Him. It serves as a powerful warning against spiritual apathy, disobedience, and placing anything above God in our lives. For believers, the "land" can be understood metaphorically as our spiritual inheritance and fellowship with God. Persistent unfaithfulness can lead to a loss of spiritual vitality, broken fellowship, and divine discipline, even if not physical exile. It calls us to appreciate the immense grace of God in Christ, who bore the full wrath of God for our sins, enabling us to stand in His presence despite our failures, as [Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Romans 5:9 - Justification by Christ's Blood") so powerfully declares.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 29:28, with its stark portrayal of divine judgment and exile due to covenant infidelity, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a repeated physical exile for believers, but in the profound spiritual reality of humanity's separation from God and Christ's redemptive work. Humanity, through sin, was "rooted out" of the Garden of Eden, exiled from God's presence, and cast into a "land" of spiritual death and alienation, as vividly described in [Genesis 3:23-24](/genesis/3-23 "Genesis 3:23-24 - Expulsion from Eden"). The "anger, and wrath, and great indignation" of God against sin, so powerfully described in Deuteronomy, was fully and perfectly absorbed by Jesus Christ on the cross. He became the ultimate "exile," bearing the full weight of divine judgment and separation from the Father, so that we might be brought near and reconciled to God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His sacrifice, Christ reverses the curse of spiritual exile, enabling us to be "rooted" and built up in Him ([Colossians 2:7](/colossians/2-7 "Colossians 2:7 - Rooted in Christ")), and granting us access to God's presence and our true spiritual inheritance ([Ephesians 2:13](/ephesians/2-13 "Ephesians 2:13 - Brought Near by Christ's Blood")). The physical exile of Israel foreshadowed the spiritual death that is the just consequence of sin, and Christ's work provides the only means of true restoration and reconciliation, bringing us home to God and securing our eternal dwelling in His presence.

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

2 Chronicles 7:20

Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it [to be] a proverb and a byword among all nations.

1 Kings 14:15

For the LORD shall smite Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water, and he shall root up Israel out of this good land, which he gave to their fathers, and shall scatter them beyond the river, because they have made their groves, provoking the LORD to anger.

Psalms 52:5

God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of [thy] dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.

Proverbs 2:22

But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

Jeremiah 42:10

If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull [you] down, and I will plant you, and not pluck [you] up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you.

Daniel 9:7

O Lord, righteousness [belongeth] unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, [that are] near, and [that are] far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.

Deuteronomy 28:36

The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone.