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Deuteronomy 29:20

Deuteronomy 29:20 in Multiple Translations

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

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.

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.

The Lord will have no mercy on him, but the wrath of the Lord will be burning against that man, and all the curses recorded in this book will be waiting for him, and the Lord will take away his name completely from the earth.

The Lord would never want to pardon them. In fact, his passionate anger will burn against them, and every curse written in this book will fall on them. The Lord will erase their name from the earth,

The Lord will not be mercifull vnto him, but then the wrath of the Lord and his ielousie shall smoke against that man, and euery curse that is written in this booke, shall light vpon him, and the Lord shall put out his name from vnder heauen,

Jehovah is not willing to be propitious to him, for then doth the anger of Jehovah smoke, also His zeal, against that man, and lain down on him hath all the oath which is written in this book, and Jehovah hath blotted out his name from under the heavens,

The LORD will not pardon him, but then the LORD’s anger and his jealousy will smoke against that man, and all the curse that is written in this book will fall on him, and the LORD will blot out his name from under the sky.

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.

And the Lord should not forgive him: but his wrath and jealousy against that man should be exceedingly enkindled at that time, and all the curses that are written in this volume should light upon him: and the Lord should blot out his name from under heaven,

Yahweh will not forgive anyone who is stubborn like that. Instead, he will be extremely angry [DOU] with that person, and that person will experience all the curses that I have told you about, until Yahweh gets rid of that person and his family [IDM].

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Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 29:20

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Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Deuteronomy 29:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וְ/הִבְדִּיל֤/וֹ יְהוָה֙ לְ/רָעָ֔ה מִ/כֹּ֖ל שִׁבְטֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כְּ/כֹל֙ אָל֣וֹת הַ/בְּרִ֔ית הַ/כְּתוּבָ֕ה בְּ/סֵ֥פֶר הַ/תּוֹרָ֖ה הַ/זֶּֽה
וְ/הִבְדִּיל֤/וֹ bâdal H914 to separate Conj | V-Hiphil-3ms | Suff
יְהוָה֙ Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper
לְ/רָעָ֔ה raʻ H7451 bad Prep | N-fs
מִ/כֹּ֖ל kôl H3605 all Prep | N-ms
שִׁבְטֵ֣י shêbeṭ H7626 tribe N-mp
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל Yisrâʼêl H3478 Israel N-proper
כְּ/כֹל֙ kôl H3605 all Prep | N-ms
אָל֣וֹת ʼâlâh H423 oath N-fp
הַ/בְּרִ֔ית bᵉrîyth H1285 covenant Art | N-fs
הַ/כְּתוּבָ֕ה kâthab H3789 to write Art | V-Qal-Inf-c
בְּ/סֵ֥פֶר çêpher H5612 scroll Prep | N-ms
הַ/תּוֹרָ֖ה tôwrâh H8451 instruction Art | N-fs
הַ/זֶּֽה zeh H2088 this Art | Pron
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 29:20

וְ/הִבְדִּיל֤/וֹ bâdal H914 "to separate" Conj | V-Hiphil-3ms | Suff
This verb means to separate or divide, and is used in various contexts, including to set apart or make a distinction. It is translated as divide, separate, or difference in the KJV.
Definition: 1) to divide, separate 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to divide, separate, sever 1a2) to separate, set apart 1a3) to make a distinction, difference 1a4) to divide into parts 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to separate oneself from (reflexive of 1a2) 1b2) to withdraw from 1b3) to separate oneself unto 1b4) to be separated 1b5) to be excluded 1b6) to be set apart
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: (make, put) difference, divide (asunder), (make) separate (self, -ation), sever (out), [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 1:4; Deuteronomy 29:20; Isaiah 56:3.
יְהוָה֙ Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
לְ/רָעָ֔ה raʻ H7451 "bad" Prep | N-fs
Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.
Definition: : harmful adj 1) bad, evil 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery) 1c) evil, displeasing 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc) 1e) bad (of value) 1f) worse than, worst (comparison) 1g) sad, unhappy 1h) evil (hurtful) 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition) 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically) 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts 1j2) deeds, actions
Usage: Occurs in 623 OT verses. KJV: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). See also: Genesis 2:9; Judges 9:57; 2 Kings 21:6.
מִ/כֹּ֖ל kôl H3605 "all" Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
שִׁבְטֵ֣י shêbeṭ H7626 "tribe" N-mp
This word means a stick or staff, but also a clan or tribe, and can refer to a symbol of authority or a tool for punishing. It is used in the Bible to describe the rods used by shepherds or the scepters of kings.
Definition: : tribe 1) rod, staff, branch, offshoot, club, sceptre, tribe 1a) rod, staff 1b) shaft (of spear, dart) 1c) club (of shepherd's implement) 1d) truncheon, sceptre (mark of authority) 1e) clan, tribe
Usage: Occurs in 178 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe. See also: Genesis 49:10; 2 Samuel 24:2; Psalms 2:9.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל Yisrâʼêl H3478 "Israel" N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
כְּ/כֹל֙ kôl H3605 "all" Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
אָל֣וֹת ʼâlâh H423 "oath" N-fp
In the Bible, this word refers to a promise or oath, often with serious consequences. It appears in Genesis 24:8 and Deuteronomy 29:12, describing agreements between God and people.
Definition: 1) oath 2) oath of covenant 3) curse 3a) from God 3b) from men 4) execration
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: curse, cursing, execration, oath, swearing. See also: Genesis 24:41; Job 31:30; Psalms 10:7.
הַ/בְּרִ֔ית bᵉrîyth H1285 "covenant" Art | N-fs
A covenant is a promise or agreement between people or between God and people, like a treaty or alliance. It is first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis, where God makes a covenant with Abraham. This concept is central to the Bible.
Definition: 1) covenant, alliance, pledge 1a) between men 1a1) treaty, alliance, league (man to man) 1a2) constitution, ordinance (monarch to subjects) 1a3) agreement, pledge (man to man) 1a4) alliance (of friendship) 1a5) alliance (of marriage) 1b) between God and man 1b1) alliance (of friendship) 1b2) covenant (divine ordinance with signs or pledges) 2) (phrases) 2a) covenant making 2b) covenant keeping 2c) covenant violation
Usage: Occurs in 264 OT verses. KJV: confederacy, (con-) feder(-ate), covenant, league. See also: Genesis 6:18; Judges 20:27; Psalms 25:10.
הַ/כְּתוּבָ֕ה kâthab H3789 "to write" Art | V-Qal-Inf-c
To write or record something, including inscribing or engraving. It is used in various contexts, such as writing down a decree or subscribing to an agreement. This word is about putting thoughts or ideas into written form.
Definition: 1) to write, record, enrol 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to write, inscribe, engrave, write in, write on 1a2) to write down, describe in writing 1a3) to register, enrol, record 1a4) to decree 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be written 1b2) to be written down, be recorded, be enrolled 1c) (Piel) to continue writing Aramaic equivalent: ke.tav (כְּתַב "to write" H3790)
Usage: Occurs in 212 OT verses. KJV: describe, record, prescribe, subscribe, write(-ing, -ten). See also: Exodus 17:14; 1 Chronicles 9:1; Psalms 40:8.
בְּ/סֵ֥פֶר çêpher H5612 "scroll" Prep | N-ms
This word means a written document, like a scroll or book, used to record important events or messages. It appears in books like Isaiah and Matthew, referring to written records.
Definition: : document 1) missive, document, writing, book 1a) missive 1a1) letter (of instruction), written order, commission, request, written decree 1b) legal document, certificate of divorce, deed of purchase, indictment, sign 1c) book, scroll 1c1) book of prophecies 1c2) genealogical register 1c3) law-book 1c4) book (of poems) 1c5) book (of kings) 1c6) books of the canon, scripture 1c7) record book (of God) 1d) book-learning, writing 1d1) be able to read (after verb 'to know')
Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: bill, book, evidence, [idiom] learn(-ed) (-ing), letter, register, scroll. See also: Genesis 5:1; 2 Chronicles 17:9; Psalms 40:8.
הַ/תּוֹרָ֖ה tôwrâh H8451 "instruction" Art | N-fs
The Hebrew word for instruction or law, referring to the Ten Commandments or the first five books of the Bible, guiding human behavior and moral code.
Definition: 1) law, direction, instruction 1a) instruction, direction (human or divine) 1a1) body of prophetic teaching 1a2) instruction in Messianic age 1a3) body of priestly direction or instruction 1a4) body of legal directives 1b) law 1b1) law of the burnt offering 1b2) of special law, codes of law 1c) custom, manner 1d) the Deuteronomic or Mosaic Law
Usage: Occurs in 213 OT verses. KJV: law. See also: Genesis 26:5; Nehemiah 8:7; Psalms 1:2.
הַ/זֶּֽה zeh H2088 "this" Art | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning this or that, used to point out a specific person or thing. It appears in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to indicate something specific. The KJV translates it as he, here, or it.
Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Usage: Occurs in 1061 OT verses. KJV: he, [idiom] hence, [idiom] here, it(-self), [idiom] now, [idiom] of him, the one...the other, [idiom] than the other, ([idiom] out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, [idiom] thus, very, which. Compare H2063 (זֹאת), H2090 (זֹה), H2097 (זוֹ), H2098 (זוּ). See also: Genesis 5:1; Exodus 10:17; Numbers 14:16.

Study Notes — Deuteronomy 29:20

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Psalms 74:1 Why have You rejected us forever, O God? Why does Your anger smolder against the sheep of Your pasture?
2 Psalms 79:5 How long, O LORD? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire?
3 Deuteronomy 9:14 Leave Me alone, so that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under heaven. Then I will make you into a nation mightier and greater than they are.”
4 Ezekiel 23:25 And I will set My jealous rage against you, and they will deal with you in fury. They will cut off your noses and ears, and your survivors will fall by the sword. They will seize your sons and daughters, and your remnant will be consumed by fire.
5 Ezekiel 14:7–8 For when any Israelite or any foreigner dwelling in Israel separates himself from Me, sets up idols in his heart, and puts a wicked stumbling block before his face, and then comes to the prophet to inquire of Me, I the LORD will answer him Myself. I will set My face against that man and make him a sign and a proverb; I will cut him off from among My people. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
6 Exodus 20:5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,
7 Nahum 1:2 The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and full of wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on His foes and reserves wrath for His enemies.
8 Psalms 18:8 Smoke rose from His nostrils, and consuming fire came from His mouth; glowing coals blazed forth.
9 Exodus 34:14 For you must not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
10 Proverbs 6:34 For jealousy enrages a husband, and he will show no mercy in the day of vengeance.

Deuteronomy 29:20 Summary

[This verse is saying that if someone turns away from God and refuses to obey Him, God will not forgive them and will instead pour out His anger and judgment upon them, as seen in Deuteronomy 29:20. This is a serious warning to remain faithful to God and to obey His commands, as encouraged in Psalm 119:10-12 and Matthew 22:37-40. It's like if someone deliberately breaks a promise or contract - there are consequences for their actions. We must remain faithful and obedient to God, and continually seek His presence and guidance, as seen in Psalm 119:10-12 and Matthew 22:37-40.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for the Lord to 'blot out' someone's name from under heaven?

This phrase means that the person will be completely removed from God's presence and forgotten, as seen in Deuteronomy 29:20 and Psalm 69:28, which says 'Let them be blotted out of the book of the living'.

Is this verse saying that God is unable to forgive certain sins?

According to Deuteronomy 29:20, the Lord will never be willing to forgive the person who turns away from Him, but this does not mean God is unable to forgive, rather it highlights the severity of the sin and the importance of repentance, as seen in Luke 12:10 and 1 John 1:9

How can we avoid being the kind of person described in this verse?

To avoid being the kind of person who turns away from the Lord, we must remain faithful and obedient, as seen in Deuteronomy 29:18-19, and continually seek God's presence and guidance, as encouraged in Psalm 119:10-12 and Matthew 22:37-40

What is the significance of 'every curse written in this book' falling upon the person?

The curses written in the book refer to the covenant between God and the Israelites, outlined in Deuteronomy, and the consequences of breaking that covenant, as seen in Deuteronomy 27:15-26 and 28:15-68, which highlights the importance of obeying God's commands

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways I may be turning away from the Lord in my own life, and how can I repent and return to Him?
  2. How can I ensure that my heart remains faithful to God and does not become hardened or stubborn?
  3. What are some 'roots' of bitterness or poison in my life that may be causing me to turn away from God, and how can I remove them?
  4. In what ways can I demonstrate my love and commitment to God, as commanded in Deuteronomy 6:5 and Matthew 22:37-40?

Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 29:20

Then the Lord will not spare him,.... Have no mercy upon him, nor forgive him, being an hardhearted, impenitent, stubborn, and obstinate sinner, as well as guilty of the grossest and most provoking

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 29:20

That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the LORD thy God, and into his oath, which the LORD thy God maketh with thee this day: No JFB commentary on these verses.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 29:20

Shall smoke, i.e. shall burn and break forth with flame and smoke as it were from a furnace. Compare . Blot out his name from under heaven, i.e. destroy his person and memory from amongst men.

Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 29:20

Deuteronomy 29:20 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.Ver. 20. The Lord will not spare him.] God cannot satisfy himself in threatening this heinous sin, as if the very naming of it had enraged his jealousy. Yea, when he threateneth it, he useth here no qualifications, as he doth in other cases, but is absolute in threatening, to show that he will be resolute in punishing. See the like in Isaiah 22:12-14 Ezekiel 24:13. It is better, therefore, to have a sore than a seared conscience; as a burning fever is more hopeful than a lethargy.

Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 29:20

(20) Shall smoke.—Comp. Psalms 80:4; Psalms 74:1. Mount Sinai was altogether “on a smoke” because the Lord descended on it in fire. Shall lie upon him.—As the beasts lie down in their lairs. The only other place which we can at all compare with this is the difficult expression in Genesis 4:7, “Sin lieth at the door.”

Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 29:20

20. the Lord will not consent to pardon him] There are two vbs as in Deuteronomy 1:26 q.v. his jealousy] See on Deuteronomy 4:24; with this and the vb. smoke cp. Deuteronomy 32:21 f., Psalms 74:1. shall lie] Or crouch, cp. Genesis 4:7. But LXX and Targ. read cleave unto, perhaps rightly. blot out his name, etc.] Deuteronomy 7:2, Deuteronomy 9:14.

Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 29:20

20. The Lord will not spare him — He may go on in fancied security; but, in the graphic language of the original, the indignation of Jehovah will smoke and he will be utterly destroyed.

Sermons on Deuteronomy 29:20

SermonDescription
Paul Washer The Centrality of Christ by Paul Washer In this sermon, the preacher uses vivid illustrations to convey the urgency and gravity of the message. He describes a scenario where a village is about to be engulfed by a breache
Paul Washer So That We Might Become the Righteousness of God by Paul Washer In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the anticipation of the second part of the story of God's plan for salvation. He describes the scene of Jesus, the Son of God, being crucifi
David Legge A Time to Cry by David Legge In this sermon, the speaker laments the current state of society, where the preaching of the word of God is disregarded and mocked. The speaker questions the absence of divine inte
David Wilkerson God's Hatchet by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the preacher addresses the issue of idolatry and the deception that has taken hold of the church. He emphasizes the importance of seeking God and warns against the
Zac Poonen The Spirit of Prophecy by Zac Poonen Zac Poonen emphasizes the importance of prophecy in the church, explaining that in the new covenant, prophecy is for exhortation, consolation, and edification. Without the propheti
Zac Poonen True and False Prophets by Zac Poonen Zac Poonen emphasizes the danger of false prophets who use flattery to draw people to themselves, contrasting them with true prophets who rebuke with love. He highlights the import
Art Katz Psalm 74: Crucified Faith by Art Katz Art Katz explores the theme of 'Crucified Faith' in Psalm 74, emphasizing the psalmist's cry of despair amidst the devastation of God's sanctuary. He highlights the importance of r

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