Deuteronomy 32:23
Deuteronomy 32:23 in Multiple Translations
I will heap disasters upon them; I will spend My arrows against them.
I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them.
I will heap evils upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them:
I will send a rain of troubles on them, my arrows will be showered on them.
I will pile disasters on them; I will use up my arrows shooting at them.
I will spend plagues vpon them: I will bestowe mine arrowes vpon them.
I gather upon them evils, Mine arrows I consume upon them.
“I will heap evils on them. I will spend my arrows on them.
I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend my arrows upon them.
I will heap evils upon them, and will spend my arrows among them.
I will cause them to experience many disasters; they will feel as though [MET] I am shooting all my arrows at them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 32:23
BAB
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 32:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אַסְפֶּ֥ה
עָלֵ֖י/מוֹ
רָע֑וֹת
חִצַּ֖/י
אֲכַלֶּה
בָּֽ/ם
אַסְפֶּ֥ה
çâphâh
H5595
to snatch
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs
עָלֵ֖י/מוֹ
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
רָע֑וֹת
raʻ
H7451
bad
N-fp
חִצַּ֖/י
chêts
H2671
arrow
N-mp | Suff
אֲכַלֶּה
kâlâh
H3615
to end
V-Piel-Imperf-1cs
בָּֽ/ם
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 32:23
אַסְפֶּ֥ה
çâphâh
H5595
"to snatch"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs
This word means to snatch or sweep something away, like destroying or consuming it. It can also mean to gather or catch up something. The KJV translates it as consume, destroy, or add.
Definition: 1) to sweep or snatch away, catch up, destroy, consume 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be snatched away 1a2) to sweep or snatch away 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be swept away, be destroyed 1b2) to be caught up, be captured 1c) (Hiphil) to catch up, gather
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: add, augment, consume, destroy, heap, join, perish, put. See also: Genesis 18:23; 1 Samuel 27:1; Psalms 40:15.
עָלֵ֖י/מוֹ
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
רָע֑וֹת
raʻ
H7451
"bad"
N-fp
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.
חִצַּ֖/י
chêts
H2671
"arrow"
N-mp | Suff
An arrow is a sharp object shot from a bow, used for hunting or battle, like those used by archers in the book of Judges. It can also symbolize God's powerful judgment.
Definition: arrow
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] archer, arrow, dart, shaft, staff, wound. See also: Genesis 49:23; Psalms 91:5; Psalms 7:14.
אֲכַלֶּה
kâlâh
H3615
"to end"
V-Piel-Imperf-1cs
This Hebrew word means to finish or end something, like completing a task or using up a resource, as seen in Genesis 2:2 where God finished creating the heavens and earth.
Definition: : finish 1) to accomplish, cease, consume, determine, end, fail, finish, be complete, be accomplished, be ended, be at an end, be finished, be spent 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be complete, be at an end 1a2) to be completed, be finished 1a3) to be accomplished, be fulfilled 1a4) to be determined, be plotted (bad sense) 1a5) to be spent, be used up 1a6) to waste away, be exhausted, fail 1a7) to come to an end, vanish, perish, be destroyed 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to complete, bring to an end, finish 1b2) to complete (a period of time) 1b3) to finish (doing a thing) 1b4) to make an end, end 1b5) to accomplish, fulfil, bring to pass 1b6) to accomplish, determine (in thought) 1b7) to put an end to, cause to cease 1b8) to cause to fail, exhaust, use up, spend 1b9) to destroy, exterminate 1c) (Pual) to be finished, be ended, be completed
Usage: Occurs in 199 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, cease, consume (away), determine, destroy (utterly), be (when... were) done, (be an) end (of), expire, (cause to) fail, faint, finish, fulfil, [idiom] fully, [idiom] have, leave (off), long, bring to pass, wholly reap, make clean riddance, spend, quite take away, waste. See also: Genesis 2:1; 2 Chronicles 29:17; Psalms 18:38.
בָּֽ/ם
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 32:23
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Deuteronomy 32:23 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 32:23
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 32:23
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:23
- Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:23
- Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:23
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:23
- Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 32:23
- Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:23
- Sermons on Deuteronomy 32:23
Context — The Song of Moses
21They have provoked My jealousy by that which is not God; they have enraged Me with their worthless idols. So I will make them jealous by those who are not a people; I will make them angry by a nation without understanding.
22For a fire has been kindled by My anger, and it burns to the depths of Sheol; it consumes the earth and its produce, and scorches the foundations of the mountains.
23I will heap disasters upon them; I will spend My arrows against them.
24They will be wasted from hunger and ravaged by pestilence and bitter plague; I will send the fangs of wild beasts against them, with the venom of vipers that slither in the dust. 25Outside, the sword will take their children, and inside, terror will strike the young man and the young woman, the infant and the gray-haired man.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 5:16 | When I shower you with the deadly arrows of famine and destruction that I will send to destroy you, I will intensify the famine against you and cut off your supply of food. |
| 2 | Psalms 7:12–13 | If one does not repent, God will sharpen His sword; He has bent and strung His bow. He has prepared His deadly weapons; He ordains His arrows with fire. |
| 3 | Isaiah 24:17–18 | Terror and pit and snare await you, O dweller of the earth. Whoever flees the sound of panic will fall into the pit, and whoever climbs from the pit will be caught in the snare. For the windows of heaven are open, and the foundations of the earth are shaken. |
| 4 | Ezekiel 14:21 | For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘How much worse will it be when I send against Jerusalem My four dire judgments—sword, famine, wild beasts, and plague—in order to cut off from it both man and beast? |
| 5 | Lamentations 3:13 | He pierced my kidneys with His arrows. |
| 6 | Deuteronomy 28:15 | If, however, you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commandments and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: |
| 7 | Leviticus 26:24 | then I will act with hostility toward you, and I will strike you sevenfold for your sins. |
| 8 | Matthew 24:7–8 | Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. |
| 9 | Leviticus 26:18 | And if after all this you will not obey Me, I will proceed to punish you sevenfold for your sins. |
| 10 | Jeremiah 15:2–3 | If they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ you are to tell them that this is what the LORD says: ‘Those destined for death, to death; those destined for the sword, to the sword; those destined for famine, to famine; and those destined for captivity, to captivity.’ I will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, declares the LORD: the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the air and beasts of the earth to devour and destroy. |
Deuteronomy 32:23 Summary
[This verse is saying that God will bring severe punishment on those who have turned against Him. He will send many troubles and disasters upon them, like arrows shot from a bow. This is a serious warning to us to turn back to God and obey Him, as seen in Deuteronomy 30:19, where it says 'I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse'. We can avoid God's judgment by putting our faith in Him and following His ways, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, which says 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding']
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'heap disasters' upon someone?
In Deuteronomy 32:23, God says He will 'heap disasters' upon those who have provoked Him to jealousy, meaning He will pour out numerous and severe judgments upon them, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:24, where it says they will be wasted from hunger and ravaged by pestilence and bitter plague.
Why does God use the metaphor of 'spending My arrows' against them?
The metaphor of 'spending My arrows' in Deuteronomy 32:23 indicates that God's judgments will be swift and precise, like arrows shot from a bow, as described in Psalm 38:2, where it says 'Your arrows have pierced me'.
Is this verse talking about God's judgment on a specific people or a general principle?
In the context of Deuteronomy 32, this verse is specifically addressing God's judgment on the Israelites for their idolatry and disobedience, but the principle of God's judgment on sin can be applied more broadly, as seen in Romans 6:23, which says 'the wages of sin is death'
How can we avoid being the target of God's arrows of judgment?
To avoid being the target of God's arrows of judgment, we must turn to Him in repentance and faith, as seen in 1 John 1:9, which says 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness'
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I have provoked God to jealousy in my own life, and how can I turn back to Him?
- How can I trust in God's sovereignty and justice, even when I don't understand His ways?
- What are some 'disasters' or challenges in my life right now, and how can I see God's hand at work in them?
- In what ways can I be an instrument of God's mercy and grace to those around me, rather than a target of His judgment?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 32:23
I will heap mischief upon them,.... One calamity upon another, which are after particularly mentioned: I will spewed mine arrows upon them; God is here represented as an enemy to the Jews, as having
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 32:23
I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them. I will spend mine arrows upon them. War, famine, pestilence (Psalms 77:17) are called in Scripture the arrows of the Almighty.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:23
i.e. Even empty my quiver, and send upon them all my plagues, which, like arrows shot by a skilful and strong hand, shall speedily reach, and certainly hit, and mortally wound them. Compare .
Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:23
Deuteronomy 32:23 I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them.Ver. 23. I will spend mine arrows.] Which yet cannot be all spent up, as he feared of his Jupiter, Si quoties peccent heroines, &c.
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:23
(23) Mischiefs.—Literally, ills. Comp. Ezekiel 5:16 : “I will send upon them the evil arrows of famine . . . I will increase the famine upon them.”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:23
Verse 23. I will spend mine arrows upon them.] The judgments of God in general are termed the arrows of God, Job 6:4; Psalms 38:2-3; Psalms 91:5; see also Ezekiel 5:16; Jeremiah 50:14; 2 Samuel 22:14-15. In this and the following verses, to the 28th inclusive (Deuteronomy 32:23-28), God threatens this people with every species of calamity that could possibly fall upon man. How strange it is that, having this law continually in their hands, they should not discern those threatened judgments, and cleave to the Lord that they might be averted! It was customary among the heathens to represent any judgment from their gods under the notion of arrows, especially a pestilence; and one of their greatest deities, Apollo, is ever represented as bearing a bow and quiver full of deadly arrows; so Homer, Il. i., ver. 43, where he represents him, in answer to the prayer of his priest Chryses, coming to smite the Greeks with the pestilence: - Ὡςεφατ' ευχομενος·τουδ' εκλυεΦοιβοςΑπολλων· Βηδεκατ' Ουλυμποιοκαρηνωνχωομενοςκηρ, Τοξ' ωμοισινεχωναμφηρεφεατεφαρετρην. - Ἑζετ' επειτ' απανευθενεων·μεταδ' ιονἑηκε· Δεινηδεκλαγγηγενετ' αργυρεοιοβιοιο. κ. τ. λ. "Thus Chryses pray'd; the favouring power attends, And from Olympus' lofty tops descends. Bent was his bow the Grecian hearts to wound; Fierce as he moved, his silver shafts resound;--- The fleet in view, he twang'd his deadly' bow, And hissing fly the feather'd fates below. On mules and dogs the infection first began; And last the vengeful arrows fix'd in man." How frequently the same figure is employed in the sacred writings, every careful reader knows; and quotations need not be multiplied.
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 32:23
23. heap] According as we point the consonants of this vb., it may mean add, or gather, or sweep up; evils, Deuteronomy 31:17. 24, 25 define the arrows of Deu 32:23—famine, fever, plague, wild beasts and poisonous, and war. 24 a. The rhythm is irregular whether for a line or couplet, and the text uncertain, the first and last words are only found here and their sense is conjectural. From Sam. it is possible to read the first word mizzĕ ?h, on this side, and to reconstruct the whole as a regular couplet yielding the kind of antithesis beloved by the writer (Deuteronomy 32:21; Deuteronomy 32:25) and free of the ἄπαξλεγόμεναmizzeh rα‘ab yilhamOn this side famine devours,mizzeh rĕ ?shĕ ?ph We kιtĕ ?lOn this side fever and plague.Wasted is a meaning drawn from a doubtful Ar. analogy; burning heat, Heb. resheph, fire-bolt or flame as God’s instrument of fever, in Habakkuk 3:5 parallel to pestilence. 24 b. beasts] Heb. Behemτth. For this natural curse of the East cp. Deuteronomy 7:22, Hosea 2:12. The contrast in Isaiah 11:6-9. crawling things] Micah 7:17, cp. Isaiah 11:8, Jeremiah 8:17.
Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:23
23. I will heap mischiefs upon them — Here follows a dread array of disasters and judgments that will come upon the rebellious nation. Hunger, pestilence, plague, wild beasts, poisonous serpents, and war are to afflict them.
Sermons on Deuteronomy 32:23
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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America Is Finished, unless... by Pierre Bynum | Pierre Bynum preaches about the impending judgment on America due to its sins and departure from God, emphasizing the need for national repentance and a God-sent Awakening to avert |
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Turn or Burn by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing that God will punish sin. He shares a story about a minister who, while walking in a forest, comes across a cle |
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Removing the Stumbling Blocks by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of removing stumbling blocks from our hearts and from the church. He warns that if we do not heed God's call to be honest and |
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Redeemed From the Curse of the Law by Paris Reidhead | Paris Reidhead emphasizes the profound truth that Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by being made a curse for us. He recounts his personal journey of understanding h |
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Breaking Out by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker expresses his ability to sense when someone is truly connected to Jesus and walking in righteousness. He emphasizes the importance of the body of Christ |
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The Incredible Strength of Knowing God's Joy by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of understanding the Word of God. He emphasizes that the people in the Bible who had returned from captivity in Babylon were f |
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Birth of the New World Order by Michael Coffman | The video mentioned in the sermon transcript is called "Waco, the Rules of Engagement." It tells the story of a government attack on a group of peaceable people who were Christians |