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Deuteronomy 29:20

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The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.

The LORD {H3068} will {H14} not spare {H5545} him, but then the anger {H639} of the LORD {H3068} and his jealousy {H7068} shall smoke {H6225} against that man {H376}, and all the curses {H423} that are written {H3789} in this book {H5612} shall lie {H7257} upon him, and the LORD {H3068} shall blot out {H4229} his name {H8034} from under heaven {H8064}.

But ADONAI will not forgive him. Rather, the anger and jealousy of ADONAI will blaze up against that person. Every curse written in this book will be upon him. ADONAI will blot out his name from under heaven.

The LORD will never be willing to forgive him. Instead, His anger and jealousy will burn against that man, and every curse written in this book will fall upon him. The LORD will blot out his name from under heaven

Jehovah will not pardon him, but then the anger of Jehovah and his jealousy will smoke against that man, and all the curse that is written in this book shall lie upon him, and Jehovah will blot out his name from under heaven.

Commentary

This verse from Deuteronomy 29:20 describes the severe consequences for an individual who hears the words of the covenant but hardens his heart, believing he can follow his own desires without facing judgment. It emphasizes the absolute certainty and intensity of God's reaction to such willful disobedience within the covenant community.

Context

Deuteronomy chapter 29 is part of Moses' final address to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. He is reaffirming the covenant made at Horeb (Sinai) and establishing a new covenant with the generation about to enter Canaan. This passage specifically warns against individual apostasy – someone who secretly harbors idolatry or disobedience while outwardly appearing to be part of the covenant people. The curses described are the outcome of breaking this sacred agreement.

Key Themes

  • God's Unwavering Justice: The phrase "The LORD will not spare him" highlights the certainty of divine judgment against deliberate and unrepentant sin, particularly covenant unfaithfulness.
  • Divine Anger and Jealousy: God's reaction is described with intense imagery: "anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke." This indicates God's passionate commitment to His covenant and His intolerance for rivals (idols) in the hearts of His people. See Exodus 34:14 where God declares Himself a jealous God.
  • Comprehensive Curses: The verse states "all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him." This refers to the extensive list of consequences for disobedience detailed throughout Deuteronomy, particularly in chapter 28. This reinforces the solemnity of the covenant warnings. Explore some of these in Deuteronomy 28:15.
  • Complete Removal: "the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven" signifies utter destruction or removal from the community of Israel and from God's remembrance under the covenant. This is a stark picture of being cut off due to rebellion. A similar concept appears in Psalm 69:28.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "shall smoke" (יֶעְשַׁן - ye'shan) when describing God's anger and jealousy uses a powerful metaphor. Smoke is often associated with fire, intensity, and sometimes judgment (as in the smoke from Mount Sinai). It conveys the idea of God's strong, visible, and perhaps overwhelming reaction.

The idiom "blot out his name" (מָחָה אֶת־שְׁמוֹ - machah et-sh'mo) means to utterly erase or destroy. In ancient thought, a name represented a person's existence, reputation, and lineage. To blot out the name was to ensure they had no future or remembrance among the living community or in the land.

Significance and Application

Deuteronomy 29:20 serves as a grave warning about the seriousness of covenant relationship with God. It teaches that God sees the heart and that outward conformity is not enough. Secret sin and rebellion have devastating consequences. While believers today live under the new covenant established by Christ's sacrifice, this verse still speaks to the reality of God's holiness, His intolerance for deliberate sin, and the importance of wholehearted commitment. It underscores the need for genuine repentance and faith, not a casual or hypocritical adherence.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 74:1 (7 votes)

    ¶ Maschil of Asaph. O God, why hast thou cast [us] off for ever? [why] doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?

  • Psalms 79:5 (5 votes)

    How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?

  • Deuteronomy 9:14 (5 votes)

    Let me alone, that I may destroy them, and blot out their name from under heaven: and I will make of thee a nation mightier and greater than they.

  • Ezekiel 14:7 (4 votes)

    For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:

  • Ezekiel 14:8 (4 votes)

    And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 23:25 (4 votes)

    And I will set my jealousy against thee, and they shall deal furiously with thee: they shall take away thy nose and thine ears; and thy remnant shall fall by the sword: they shall take thy sons and thy daughters; and thy residue shall be devoured by the fire.

  • Nahum 1:2 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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.