Deuteronomy 7:10

KJV

And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.

KJV (with Strong's)

And repayeth {H7999} them that hate {H8130} him to their face {H6440}, to destroy {H6} them: he will not be slack {H309} to him that hateth {H8130} him, he will repay {H7999} him to his face {H6440}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But he repays those who hate him to their face and destroys them. He will not be slow to deal with someone who hates him; he will repay him to his face.

Berean Standard Bible

But those who hate Him He repays to their faces with destruction; He will not hesitate to repay to his face the one who hates Him.

American Standard Version

and repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 7:10 serves as a powerful declaration of God's unwavering and direct justice against those who actively hate Him. It underscores the absolute certainty and inescapable immediacy of divine retribution for His adversaries, presenting a stark counterpoint to the steadfast love and covenant faithfulness He extends to those who love and obey Him. This verse profoundly reveals a crucial aspect of God's holy character: His absolute refusal to tolerate active rebellion and His solemn commitment to justly settle accounts with those who defiantly oppose His sovereign will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 7:10 is strategically positioned within Moses' second major discourse to the Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab as they stood on the precipice of entering the Promised Land. Chapter 7 specifically delineates God's stringent commands concerning Israel's interaction with the pagan nations inhabiting Canaan. Having just reaffirmed Israel's unique status as God's chosen and treasured people in [Deuteronomy 7:6](/deuteronomy/7-6 "Deuteronomy 7:6 - Israel, God's Chosen People"), the preceding verses, particularly [Deuteronomy 7:9](/deuteronomy/7-9 "Deuteronomy 7:9 - God's Faithfulness to His Covenant"), emphasize God's steadfast love, covenant faithfulness, and mercy extended to a thousand generations for those who keep His commandments. In striking contrast, verse 10 immediately follows, presenting the severe and certain consequences for those who actively hate Him. This juxtaposition masterfully completes the portrait of God's just and righteous character—both merciful to His covenant people and unyielding against His enemies—thereby highlighting the profound covenantal implications of both obedience and defiant disobedience.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East (ANE) was characterized by suzerain-vassal treaties, which typically included explicit stipulations for blessings upon loyalty and severe curses for rebellion. Deuteronomy itself is structured like such a treaty, portraying God as the supreme Suzerain and Israel as His vassal. In this covenantal framework, "hating" God was not merely an emotional state but an active posture of rebellion, disloyalty, and defiant opposition against the divine suzerain, frequently manifested through idolatry and the adoption of the abominable practices of the Canaanite nations. The divine command to "destroy" (Hebrew: *ʼâbad*) these nations was not an act of arbitrary cruelty but a necessary measure to preserve Israel's covenantal holiness and prevent the spiritual contamination that would inevitably result from intermingling and adopting their idolatrous practices, which included horrific acts like child sacrifice and cultic prostitution (cf. [Deuteronomy 12:29-31](/deuteronomy/12-29-31 "Deuteronomy 12:29-31 - Warnings Against Canaanite Abominations")). The phrase "to their face" would have resonated deeply with ANE legal and judicial practices, signifying a direct, public, and undeniable pronouncement or execution of judgment, leaving no room for evasion or denial.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 7:10 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Deuteronomy and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully underscores **Divine Justice and Retribution**, asserting that God is not passive but actively engages with those who oppose Him, ensuring that deeds are met with appropriate, righteous consequences. This principle of divine judgment is echoed throughout Scripture, from the [Psalms](/psalms/7 "Psalm 7 - God's Righteous Judgment") which declare God to be a righteous judge, to the New Testament's warnings about the [wrath of God revealed against all ungodliness](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Against Ungodliness"). Secondly, the emphatic repetition of "to their face" and the assurance that "he will not be slack" emphasize the **Immediacy and Certainty** of God's judgment, signifying a personal and unavoidable confrontation with divine justice. Thirdly, the verse highlights the ultimate and severe **Consequences of Rebellion**, indicating the destructive outcome for those who persist in active hatred towards God. Finally, it reinforces God's absolute **Holiness and Sovereignty**, demonstrating that He cannot tolerate active rebellion or hatred against His divine authority, and asserting His supreme role as the just governor and judge of all creation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Repayeth (Hebrew, _shâlam'_):** The Hebrew verb שָׁלַם (*shâlam*, H7999) carries the primary meaning of "to be safe," "to be sound," or "to make whole." In a judicial or transactional context, as here, it signifies "to pay back," "to recompense," or "to settle accounts." It denotes a just and full requital, implying that God's response is not arbitrary punishment but a righteous and proportionate consequence that brings a situation to its proper completion or balance. It is about bringing things to their just end, ensuring that what is due is rendered.
* **Hate (Hebrew, _sânêʼ'_):** The Hebrew verb שָׂנֵא (*sânêʼ*, H8130) refers to an active, often intense, animosity or opposition. In a covenantal context, "hating" God signifies a deliberate and defiant rejection of His authority, His covenant, and His commands. It is more than a mere feeling; it is a posture of active rebellion and antagonism, manifesting in persistent disobedience and alignment with His enemies, rather than a passive dislike.
* **To their face (Hebrew, _pânîym'_):** This idiomatic phrase, עַל־פָּנָיו (*al-pânîym*, H6440, here with a prepositional prefix), literally means "upon his face" or "before his face." Its repetition in the verse emphasizes a direct, open, public, and inescapable confrontation. It implies that God's judgment will be personal, visible, and undeniable, leaving no doubt about its source or the one against whom it is directed. This phrase contrasts sharply with any notion of hidden, delayed, or indirect action, highlighting the immediate and manifest nature of divine retribution.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them:"** This opening clause establishes God's active, direct, and purposeful response to His adversaries. "Repayeth" (from *shâlam*) signifies a just and complete recompense, a settling of accounts that brings a situation to its proper conclusion. Those who "hate him" are not merely indifferent but are actively hostile and rebellious against God's sovereignty and covenant. The phrase "to their face" underscores the directness, transparency, and public nature of this divine action, ensuring the recipients cannot deny or escape it. The ultimate purpose of this repayment is "to destroy them," indicating the severe and final consequence for persistent, active opposition to God. This destruction is not arbitrary but a righteous judgment against defiance.
* **"he will not be slack to him that hateth him,"** This clause emphatically reinforces the certainty and promptness of God's judgment. The phrase "will not be slack" (from *ʼâchar*, H309, meaning "to delay" or "to linger") assures that God's response to those who hate Him will not be postponed, neglected, or forgotten. There is no procrastination or hesitation on God's part when it comes to dealing with active rebellion. This reinforces the idea that divine justice is both inevitable and timely, operating according to God's perfect timing and unwavering resolve.
* **"he will repay him to his face."** This repetition of the core assertion from the first clause serves as a powerful, emphatic conclusion, solidifying the certainty, directness, and personal nature of God's retribution. The reiteration of "repay" and "to his face" leaves no ambiguity: God's judgment against those who hate Him is absolutely assured, direct, and unavoidable, serving as a clear and public declaration of His righteous character and unyielding holiness.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 7:10 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its solemn and uncompromising message. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically the powerful phrase "repayeth...to their face" which appears twice within the single verse. This serves to profoundly emphasize the certainty, directness, and inevitability of God's judgment. The repetition creates a sense of solemn finality and underscores the unwavering, resolute nature of God's character in upholding justice. Another significant device is **Contrast**, as this verse immediately follows the declaration of God's steadfast love and boundless mercy towards those who love Him in [Deuteronomy 7:9](/deuteronomy/7-9 "Deuteronomy 7:9 - God's Steadfast Love"). This stark juxtaposition highlights the dual aspects of God's character: His covenant faithfulness and grace to the obedient, and His righteous wrath against the rebellious. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Anthropomorphism** in the vivid phrase "to their face," as it attributes a human-like directness, personal confrontation, and visible execution of judgment to God. This powerful imagery conveys that God's judgment is not an abstract or impersonal force, but a personal, deliberate, and unavoidable encounter with the divine.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 7:10 powerfully articulates a fundamental and often challenging aspect of God's character: His unwavering justice and His active, decisive opposition to those who defiantly set themselves against Him. While God is indeed abundantly merciful, patient, and slow to anger, His inherent holiness and righteousness demand that active hatred and rebellion be met with decisive and certain judgment. This verse serves as a crucial reminder that God is not merely a God of boundless love, but also a God of perfect righteousness who will not tolerate unrepentant sin and defiant opposition to His divine authority. It underscores the profound seriousness of one's posture towards the Divine and the ultimate accountability of all before Him. This essential balance of love and justice is indispensable for a complete and accurate understanding of God's multifaceted nature and His covenantal relationship with humanity.

* [Psalm 7:11](/psalms/7-11 "Psalm 7:11 - God is a Righteous Judge")
* [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - The Wrath of God Revealed")
* [Hebrews 10:30-31](/hebrews/10-30-31 "Hebrews 10:30-31 - Vengeance is Mine, I Will Repay")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 7:10 offers profound and sobering insights for contemporary believers, urging us to deeply consider the seriousness and nature of our relationship with God. It reminds us that while God's love, grace, and mercy are boundless for those who seek Him in faith and repentance, His justice is equally unwavering and certain for those who actively reject or defiantly oppose Him. This verse calls for a posture of profound reverence, humility, and submission, recognizing that the Creator of the universe is not to be trifled with or taken lightly. It challenges any notion of a passive, indifferent, or merely benevolent deity, instead presenting a God who is intimately involved in the affairs of humanity, responding decisively and righteously to both faithfulness and rebellion. For those who are in Christ, this truth deepens our appreciation for the immeasurable grace that has saved us from the very wrath described here, while for those outside of Christ, it serves as a solemn warning and an urgent, compassionate call to repentance and reconciliation before the inevitable day of reckoning.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's unwavering justice in Deuteronomy 7:10 provide a more complete and balanced view of His character, alongside His love and mercy described elsewhere in Scripture?**
* **In what subtle or overt ways might we, in our modern lives, demonstrate a "hating" posture towards God, perhaps through persistent disobedience, spiritual apathy, or by prioritizing worldly desires above His will?**
* **Considering the certainty of God's "repayment," what practical steps can we take to cultivate a heart of profound reverence, genuine obedience, and loving submission, rather than one of opposition, towards God?**

### FAQ

**Does "to destroy them" mean God is cruel or unjust?**

Answer: No, "to destroy them" in this context is a profound manifestation of God's perfect justice, not cruelty. The destruction refers to the ultimate consequences for those who actively "hate" God, which in the biblical sense signifies a deliberate, defiant, and unrepentant rejection of His sovereignty, His covenant, and His commands. This hatred often expressed itself through idolatry, gross immorality, and wicked practices that defiled the land and violated divine order. God, as the perfectly righteous and holy Judge, must uphold His own character and bring justice against such active and persistent rebellion. This is not arbitrary punishment but a just recompense for profound disloyalty and active opposition to the Creator of all things. It highlights the profound seriousness of sin and the ultimate, certain consequences for those who persist in unrepentant hatred towards God.

**How does this verse, emphasizing immediate repayment, relate to God's patience and long-suffering?**

Answer: Deuteronomy 7:10 emphasizes God's certainty and immediacy in dealing with active hatred, stating "he will not be slack." This powerful declaration does not negate God's immense patience and long-suffering, which are abundantly clear throughout Scripture (e.g., [Exodus 34:6](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6 - The Lord, a God Merciful and Gracious") or [2 Peter 3:9](/2_peter/3-9 "2 Peter 3:9 - God's Patience and Desire for Repentance")). Rather, it underscores that there is a divinely appointed limit to His patience for unrepentant, defiant rebellion. God's long-suffering is a gracious invitation to repentance, providing ample time for sinners to turn from their wicked ways. However, if that invitation is continually rejected and active hatred persists as a settled posture of the heart, His perfect justice will ultimately and certainly prevail. The verse serves as a solemn warning that while God is patient and desires all to come to repentance, He is not passive, and His justice is absolutely certain for those who refuse to turn from their opposition to Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 7:10, with its stark declaration of God's direct and certain judgment against those who hate Him, finds its ultimate and most profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament powerfully reveals God's righteous wrath against sin and rebellion, the New Testament unveils the divine solution in the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Jesus Christ, the perfect and sinless Son, perfectly fulfilled the Law and bore the full, crushing weight of divine justice against sin, becoming a curse for us on the cross (cf. [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")). For those who believe in Him and embrace His atoning sacrifice, the "repayment" and "destruction" for their sin has already been met in Christ, who absorbed the wrath that was justly due to humanity. This magnificent act allowed God's righteous justice to be perfectly satisfied while simultaneously extending boundless mercy and grace to all who believe. Conversely, for those who defiantly reject Christ and persist in their hatred and rebellion against God, this verse powerfully foreshadows the ultimate judgment that will be executed by Christ Himself, who is appointed by the Father as the [judge of the living and the dead](/acts/10-42 "Acts 10:42 - Jesus Appointed Judge") (cf. [Revelation 20:11-15](/revelation/20-11-15 "Revelation 20:11-15 - The Great White Throne Judgment")). Thus, Deuteronomy 7:10 profoundly points us to the foundational truth that God's justice is perfectly upheld, either through the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ for believers or through the direct and certain judgment upon those who refuse His saving grace.

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

Isaiah 59:18

According to [their] deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.

Romans 12:19

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Nahum 1:2

¶ God [is] jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and [is] furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth [wrath] for his enemies.

Deuteronomy 32:35

To me [belongeth] vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in [due] time: for the day of their calamity [is] at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.

Exodus 20:5

Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;

Deuteronomy 7:9

Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he [is] God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

Psalms 21:8

Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee.