Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

Deuteronomy 32:23

Next

I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them.

I will heap {H5595} mischiefs {H7451} upon them; I will spend {H3615} mine arrows {H2671} upon them.

I will heap disasters on them and use up all my arrows against them.

I will heap disasters upon them; I will spend My arrows against them.

I will heap evils upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them:

Commentary

Deuteronomy 32:23 is a stark declaration of God's impending judgment upon the nation of Israel, delivered through the prophetic "Song of Moses." This verse, part of a longer passage outlining the consequences of Israel's future apostasy, emphasizes the severity of divine retribution when His covenant people forsake Him.

Context

The book of Deuteronomy concludes Moses's final addresses to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. Chapter 32, known as the "Song of Moses," is a prophetic poem that recounts God's faithfulness to Israel and His mighty acts on their behalf, contrasted sharply with Israel's future unfaithfulness and rebellion. God foresees their spiritual decline, where they would "forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation" (Deuteronomy 32:15). This verse is part of God's response to their future idolatry and moral corruption, detailing the curses and calamities that would befall them as a direct consequence of breaking the covenant.

Key Themes

  • Divine Retribution and Justice: The verse powerfully conveys God's righteous anger and determination to bring judgment upon His disobedient people. It underscores that God is not indifferent to sin but will act justly.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: It highlights the grave outcomes of breaking the covenant relationship with God. The "mischiefs" and "arrows" symbolize the various forms of divine punishment, including famine, plague, war, and other calamities.
  • God's Sovereignty in Judgment: The declarations "I will heap" and "I will spend" assert God's active role and ultimate control over the events of judgment, demonstrating His sovereign power to execute justice.
  • Figurative Language: The imagery of "heaping mischiefs" and "spending arrows" is highly metaphorical, painting a vivid picture of overwhelming and inescapable destruction. This language reflects the intensity of God's displeasure.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrases in this verse carry significant weight from their original Hebrew:

  • "Mischiefs" (Hebrew: ra'ot, רָעוֹת): This term is the plural of ra', meaning evil, calamity, misfortune, or adversity. Its plural form emphasizes a multitude or accumulation of afflictions, indicating a comprehensive and severe judgment.
  • "Arrows" (Hebrew: ḥiṣṣim, חִצִּים): While literally referring to physical arrows, in this context, they are a powerful metaphor for swift, precise, and destructive judgments emanating from God. They represent instruments of divine wrath, often associated with sudden calamities, plagues, or the devastating effects of war (Psalm 7:13).

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 32:23, while speaking of a specific historical context, offers timeless spiritual lessons:

  1. Seriousness of Sin: It serves as a solemn reminder of God's holiness and His intolerance for persistent sin, idolatry, and rebellion against His revealed will. God's warnings are not empty threats.
  2. God's Justice: This verse underscores that God is a God of justice, who will ultimately hold all people accountable for their actions. Understanding His justice helps us appreciate His mercy even more.
  3. Call to Obedience: For believers today, it is a powerful call to faithfulness and obedience to God's commands, recognizing that straying from Him carries consequences, both temporal and spiritual.
  4. Repentance and Return: Although this verse speaks of judgment, the broader biblical narrative consistently shows that God's ultimate desire is not for destruction but for His people to repent and return to Him (Ezekiel 33:11). It encourages us to take God's warnings seriously and seek reconciliation when we fall short.
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

  • Ezekiel 5:16 (5 votes)

    When I shall send upon them the evil arrows of famine, which shall be for [their] destruction, [and] which I will send to destroy you: and I will increase the famine upon you, and will break your staff of bread:

  • Isaiah 24:17 (4 votes)

    Fear, and the pit, and the snare, [are] upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.

  • Isaiah 24:18 (4 votes)

    And it shall come to pass, [that] he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.

  • Psalms 7:12 (4 votes)

    If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.

  • Psalms 7:13 (4 votes)

    He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.

  • Leviticus 26:24 (3 votes)

    Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins.

  • Deuteronomy 28:15 (3 votes)

    ¶ But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: