Deuteronomy 32:24

KJV

[They shall be] burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.

KJV (with Strong's)

They shall be burnt {H4198} with hunger {H7458}, and devoured {H3898} with burning heat {H7565}, and with bitter {H4815} destruction {H6986}: I will also send {H7971} the teeth {H8127} of beasts {H929} upon them, with the poison {H2534} of serpents {H2119} of the dust {H6083}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'Fatigued by hunger, they will be consumed by fever and bitter defeat; I will send them the fangs of wild beasts, and the poison of reptiles crawling in the dust.

Berean Standard Bible

They will be wasted from hunger and ravaged by pestilence and bitter plague; I will send the fangs of wild beasts against them, with the venom of vipers that slither in the dust.

American Standard Version

They shall bewasted with hunger, and devoured with burning heat And bitter destruction; And the teeth of beasts will I send upon them, With the poison of crawling things of the dust.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 32:24, a poignant segment within the "Song of Moses," serves as a profound prophetic warning detailing the severe and multifaceted consequences awaiting Israel should they abandon their covenant fidelity. This verse graphically portrays a divine retribution that encompasses the ravages of famine, consuming disease, and the perilous attacks of wild beasts and venomous serpents, thereby emphasizing the grave implications of spiritual apostasy and the unwavering justice of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the "Song of Moses," a lengthy poetic discourse (Deuteronomy 32:1-43) delivered by Moses just before his death and Israel's entry into the Promised Land. The Song functions as a covenant lawsuit, a prophetic indictment, and a historical recounting of God's steadfast faithfulness despite Israel's anticipated rebellion. Following a declaration of God's perfect character and righteous ways (Deuteronomy 32:4), Moses foresees Israel's future corruption and "lightly esteem[ing] the Rock of their salvation" ([Deuteronomy 32:15](/deuteronomy/32-15 "Deuteronomy 32:15 - Jeshurun's Rebellion")). The preceding verse, [Deuteronomy 32:23](/deuteronomy/32-23 "Deuteronomy 32:23 - God's Judgment Declared"), states God's intention to "heap mischiefs upon them," setting the stage for the specific forms of judgment detailed in [Deuteronomy 32:24](/deuteronomy/32-24 "Deuteronomy 32:24 - Specific Judgments"). The Song serves as a witness against Israel, reminding them of the consequences of their choices.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Song of Moses was delivered to the generation poised to enter Canaan, a land teeming with idolatrous practices. Moses, acting as God's prophet, warns them against adopting the pagan customs of the surrounding nations, which would inevitably lead to breaking their covenant with Yahweh. The judgments described—famine, disease, and attacks by wild animals—were common and terrifying scourges in the ancient Near East, often interpreted as divine curses or signs of a god's displeasure. The covenant curses outlined earlier in the Torah, particularly in [Leviticus 26](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - Blessings and Curses") and [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings for Obedience, Curses for Disobedience"), provide the foundational framework for these specific warnings. Moses's prophetic vision, therefore, grounds the future consequences in the established legal and theological framework of the Mosaic Covenant, emphasizing the seriousness of their commitment to God.
* **Key Themes:** [Deuteronomy 32:24](/deuteronomy/32-24 "Deuteronomy 32:24 - Specific Judgments") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Song and the book of Deuteronomy. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and the Consequences of Disobedience**, explicitly detailing the various forms of retribution God will unleash upon a rebellious Israel. These include the horrors of famine ("burnt with hunger"), pestilence and drought ("burning heat," "bitter destruction"), and direct attacks from the natural world ("teeth of beasts," "poison of serpents"), thereby illustrating the direct and severe link between sin and its divinely ordained consequences. Secondly, the verse highlights **God's Sovereignty Over Creation**, portraying Him as the ultimate controller of all natural elements and creatures—hunger, disease, wild animals, and venomous snakes—all of which serve as instruments of His righteous judgment. This demonstrates that even the natural world is under His command to fulfill His purposes. Lastly, the comprehensive and dire nature of the punishments described emphasizes **The Severity of Sin and God's Justice**, illustrating that forsaking the Lord and turning to idolatry is an offense of profound gravity, and God's justice is as unwavering as His mercy.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bitter destruction (Hebrew, _resheph_):** The Hebrew word רֶשֶׁף (_resheph_) is often translated as "flame," "burning," "plague," or "pestilence." In this context, it denotes a consuming, fiery disease or a devastating calamity that brings about a burning fever or a widespread plague. It suggests a form of suffering that is not merely physical discomfort but a consuming, destructive force, adding a layer of intense, perhaps epidemic, suffering beyond simple hunger or heat. This word appears in other biblical texts, often associated with divine judgment or destructive forces, such as in [Habakkuk 3:5](/habakkuk/3-5 "Habakkuk 3:5 - God's Majesty and Power").
* **Poison (Hebrew, _chemah_):** The Hebrew word חֵמָה (_chemah_) literally means "heat," "fury," "wrath," or "venom." When applied to serpents, as here, it specifically refers to their venom, the deadly substance they inject. The use of _chemah_ emphasizes the intense, destructive, and often swift nature of the serpents' attack. It implies not just a bite, but a fatal, wrathful strike, aligning with the overall theme of God's furious judgment. This imagery evokes the memory of the "fiery serpents" God sent to judge Israel in the wilderness in [Numbers 21:6](/numbers/21-6 "Numbers 21:6 - The Fiery Serpents").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They shall be burnt with hunger":** This phrase vividly describes the agony of extreme famine. The word "burnt" (צְרֵי, _tsarei_) suggests a parching, consuming internal heat caused by starvation, as if the body is being consumed from within. It paints a picture of intense suffering where the very lack of food causes a burning sensation, leading to emaciation and death.
* **"and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction":** This clause introduces two additional forms of calamity. "Burning heat" (וְלֶחֶם רֶשֶׁף, _v'lechem resheph_) refers to a scorching fever or intense drought that parches the land and the body. Coupled with "bitter destruction" (וְקֶטֶב מְרִירִי, _v'qetev meriri_), which, as discussed, implies a consuming plague or pestilence, this paints a picture of widespread disease and environmental devastation that collectively "devours" the people, leaving them helpless and dying.
* **"I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them":** This signifies attacks by wild animals, a common consequence of societal breakdown and divine judgment in ancient times. When human populations are weakened by famine and disease, and divine protection is withdrawn, wild beasts become a direct threat, preying on the vulnerable. This highlights God's sovereignty over the animal kingdom as instruments of His will.
* **"with the poison of serpents of the dust":** This final phrase specifies another terrifying natural threat: venomous snakes. "Serpents of the dust" refers to snakes that slither close to the ground, often hidden, making their attacks sudden and deadly. The "poison" (or venom) emphasizes the fatal nature of their bites, adding a particularly painful and insidious form of death to the list of judgments.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 32:24 employs potent **Imagery** to evoke a sense of overwhelming suffering and divine wrath. The descriptions of being "burnt with hunger," "devoured with burning heat," and attacked by "teeth of beasts" and "poison of serpents" create vivid, visceral pictures of agony and destruction. This cumulative effect of various forms of judgment also functions as **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the extent of the calamities to emphasize the severity of God's displeasure and the comprehensive nature of the consequences for disobedience. Furthermore, the explicit statement "I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them" demonstrates **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like action (sending) to God, underscoring His direct involvement and active role in orchestrating these judgments as a response to Israel's rebellion. The verse's structure, piling one calamity upon another, also creates a sense of inescapable doom, reinforcing the gravity of the covenant warnings.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 32:24 stands as a stark reminder of God's unwavering justice and the inviolable nature of His covenant. It reveals that while God is merciful and long-suffering, He is also righteous and will not tolerate persistent rebellion and idolatry indefinitely. The detailed catalogue of judgments underscores the principle that sin carries severe, divinely ordained consequences, demonstrating that God's sovereignty extends not only over human history but also over the natural world, which He can employ as instruments of His will. This passage serves as a theological anchor for understanding the Old Testament prophetic warnings against Israel's apostasy, emphasizing that God's judgments are not arbitrary but are a direct, just response to covenant unfaithfulness, intended to bring about repentance or to uphold His holy character.

* [Leviticus 26:14-39](/leviticus/26-14 "Curses for Disobedience")
* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Curses for Disobedience")
* [Amos 4:6-11](/amos/4-6 "God's Warnings to Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 32:24, while rooted in the specific covenant relationship between God and ancient Israel, offers timeless principles for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that our actions, particularly our spiritual fidelity, have profound consequences. Just as God held Israel accountable for their covenant breaking, He calls all believers to a life of faithfulness and obedience, understanding that turning away from Him, whether through overt rebellion or subtle spiritual apathy, can lead to painful outcomes. This passage encourages us to reflect on the gravity of sin and the holiness of God, fostering a healthy fear of the Lord that motivates us to live in alignment with His revealed will. It challenges us to examine our own hearts for any areas of compromise or idolatry, urging us to repent and return to the "Rock of our salvation" before facing the natural and divine consequences of our choices.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the detailed description of judgments in Deuteronomy 32:24 shape your understanding of God's justice and holiness?**
* **In what ways might spiritual apathy or subtle forms of idolatry in our lives today lead to "bitter destruction" or other negative consequences, even if not in the same literal forms described here?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper faithfulness to God and avoid the pitfalls of spiritual rebellion in your own life?**

### FAQ
**Does God still use natural disasters and animal attacks as judgment today, as described in this verse?**

Answer: While [Deuteronomy 32:24](/deuteronomy/32-24 "Deuteronomy 32:24 - Specific Judgments") describes specific forms of judgment against ancient Israel for their covenant unfaithfulness, the principle that God is sovereign over creation and can use natural phenomena remains true. However, in the New Covenant era, the primary focus of God's judgment has shifted. The ultimate judgment for sin was borne by Jesus Christ on the cross, and believers are no longer under the curses of the Law but under grace ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ")). While natural disasters occur in a fallen world and can sometimes serve as a general call to repentance or a reminder of God's power, it is generally not appropriate to directly equate every specific disaster with a direct, punitive judgment on a particular individual or group, as was often the case under the Old Covenant. The New Testament emphasizes the spiritual consequences of sin and the ultimate judgment to come at the end of the age ([Matthew 25:31-46](/matthew/25-31 "Matthew 25:31-46 - The Judgment of the Nations")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 32:24, with its vivid portrayal of the dire consequences of sin and rebellion, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The "burning heat," "bitter destruction," and "poison of serpents" represent the full weight of God's righteous wrath against sin, a wrath that humanity, in its fallen state, could never withstand. Yet, the New Testament reveals that Jesus, the Lamb of God, willingly bore the entirety of this divine judgment on the cross. He became "cursed for us" ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")), enduring the ultimate "bitter destruction" so that those who believe in Him might be spared. Furthermore, the "poison of serpents" imagery, reminiscent of the serpent's deception in [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium") and the "fiery serpents" in [Numbers 21:6](/numbers/21-6 "Numbers 21:6 - The Fiery Serpents"), points to the power of sin and death, often personified as the devil. Christ's death and resurrection decisively crushed the head of the serpent ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ's Victory Over Death")), rendering its "poison" ineffective for those who are in Him. Thus, what was a terrifying prophecy of judgment under the Law becomes a profound testament to the boundless grace and redemptive power found in Jesus Christ, who absorbed all the curses so that we might inherit blessing and eternal life ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love for Us")).

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

Leviticus 26:22

I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your [high] ways shall be desolate.

Ezekiel 5:17

So will I send upon you famine and evil beasts, and they shall bereave thee; and pestilence and blood shall pass through thee; and I will bring the sword upon thee. I the LORD have spoken [it].

Amos 9:3

And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them:

Genesis 3:14

¶ And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou [art] cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

Lamentations 5:10

Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine.

Psalms 18:12

At the brightness [that was] before him his thick clouds passed, hail [stones] and coals of fire.

Psalms 18:14

Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.