Deuteronomy 32:32

For their vine [is] of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes [are] grapes of gall, their clusters [are] bitter:

For their vine {H1612} is of the vine {H1612} of Sodom {H5467}, and of the fields {H7709} of Gomorrah {H6017}: their grapes {H6025} are grapes {H6025} of gall {H7219}, their clusters {H811} are bitter {H4846}:

"'Rather, their vine is from the vine of S'dom, from the fields of 'Amora -their grapes are poisonous, their clusters are bitter;

But their vine is from the vine of Sodom and from the fields of Gomorrah. Their grapes are poisonous; their clusters are bitter.

For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, And of the fields of Gomorrah: Their grapes are grapes of gall, Their clusters are bitter:

Commentary

Deuteronomy 32:32 is a powerful and somber verse within "Moses' Song," a prophetic poem delivered by Moses to the Israelites just before his death. It uses vivid agricultural imagery to describe the spiritual and moral degeneration of God's chosen people, likening their corruption to the infamous cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Context

This verse is part of a lengthy prophetic song (Deuteronomy 32:1-43) that Moses recites to the Israelites. The song serves as a solemn witness against them, foretelling their future rebellion against God, their subsequent suffering due to divine judgment, and ultimately, God's justice and faithfulness. Throughout the song, God's perfect character and unwavering loyalty are contrasted with Israel's anticipated unfaithfulness and spiritual decline. Verse 32 specifically highlights the depth of their expected apostasy, portraying them as a corrupted "vine" that yields poisonous fruit.

Key Themes

  • Profound Spiritual Corruption: The imagery of "their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah" paints a stark and alarming picture of Israel's anticipated moral and spiritual decay. Sodom and Gomorrah are biblical symbols of extreme wickedness and divine wrath, famously destroyed for their pervasive sinfulness (see Genesis 19 for their destruction). This comparison indicates that Israel's unfaithfulness would lead them to a level of depravity akin to these notorious cities, a betrayal of their covenant with God.
  • Bitter Consequences of Apostasy: The phrases "their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter" symbolize the poisonous and destructive fruit of unrighteousness and rebellion against God. Unlike the sweet and wholesome fruit expected from God's chosen vine, the outcome of their corruption would be sorrow, judgment, and spiritual death. This highlights the timeless principle that what one sows, so shall one reap, emphasizing the inevitable negative repercussions of turning away from divine truth.
  • Divine Disappointment and Judgment: The verse expresses God's profound disappointment with His people, who were meant to be a fruitful and righteous vine for Him (as seen in Isaiah 5:1-7). Their degenerate "fruit" necessitates divine judgment, a recurring theme throughout the prophetic books of the Old Testament, underscoring God's justice in responding to unfaithfulness.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "gall" in this verse is rosh (ראש), which frequently refers to a poisonous or bitter herb, sometimes translated as "hemlock" or "poison." Its inclusion here emphasizes the deadly and destructive nature of the spiritual corruption, not merely its unpleasantness. The "bitter" clusters further reinforce this sense of a harmful and destructive outcome, signifying a harvest of spiritual decay and divine displeasure.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 32:32 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual compromise and moral decay for all believers. It urges us to examine the "fruit" of our lives and actions: Are we producing fruit that reflects our identity in Christ and aligns with His righteousness, or are we yielding to the influences of the world, leading to bitterness, spiritual barrenness, and destructive consequences? This verse reminds us that true spiritual vitality comes from remaining deeply rooted in God's Word and His covenant, actively avoiding the corrupting influences that can lead to a bitter harvest. It calls for constant vigilance, discernment, and a steadfast commitment to righteousness to avoid the spiritual pitfalls of unfaithfulness.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 29:18

    Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go [and] serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;

  • Isaiah 1:10

    ΒΆ Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.

  • Ezekiel 16:45

    Thou [art] thy mother's daughter, that lotheth her husband and her children; and thou [art] the sister of thy sisters, which lothed their husbands and their children: your mother [was] an Hittite, and your father an Amorite.

  • Ezekiel 16:51

    Neither hath Samaria committed half of thy sins; but thou hast multiplied thine abominations more than they, and hast justified thy sisters in all thine abominations which thou hast done.

  • Isaiah 5:4

    What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?

  • Jeremiah 2:21

    Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?

  • Hebrews 12:15

    Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and thereby many be defiled;
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